Saying hi from the DC thingie

[JohnKleeb]

I am actually at home right now, just saying hi everyone.

[JI7]

1. what DC thingie ?

[JohnKleeb]

2. You didnt know that WEL, firespirit, and GRLGMC were gonna be

in DC this week and parts of next? Anyhow its been great thus far.

[JI7]

3. oh, that was pretty fast

i have been kind of out of it for a while on here.

are there any big events planned or is it mostly hanging out together ? i'm sure you are having fun either way.

[JohnKleeb]

4. hanging out

Been fun yeah.

[JI7]

5. it must be great for you to be the only guy in the group

so are you staying at home while they stay in a hotel ?

[JohnKleeb]

6. Yeah

Even though its a trip in itself to commute to the metro, stupid state needs to build a closer metro stop in Virginia other than Vifuckingenna.

[TayTay]

7. So, that why we haven't heard from off of yuhz

in awhile. Please convey my greetings and salutations to that noble group of Dem LAdies and Kerrycrats.
Are you guys going to the Russell Office Building to see a certain tall Senator? Oh, and I highly recommend going to this committee hearing. I double-gurantee a Kerry sighting.

North American Cooperation
on the Border
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HEARING
before the

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, July 12, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time: 9:30 AM
Place: 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Presiding: Senator Lugar

Introduction:
The Honorable John McCain
United States Senate
The Honorable Ted Kennedy
United States Senate
The Honorable Katherine Harris
United States House of Representatives
Witnesses:
Panel 1
The Honorable Maura Harty (*Invited)
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
Department of State
Washington, DC
The Honorable Randy Beardsworth (*Invited)
Acting Under Secretary for Border and
Transportation Security
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC
Panel 2
The Honorable Perrin Beatty, P.C.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and
Former Foreign Minister
Ottawa, Canada
The Honorable Jorge Castaneda
Former Foreign Minister
Mexico City, Mexico

[JI7]

8. so McCain will speak before this committee that Kerry sits on ?

from the description it looks like he will just give a statement as senators often do and will most likely not be questioned. but it should be interesting.

[TayTay]

9. The Border Security fight is about money

There will be a lot of bloviating about 'values' and about 'securing our borders against terrorists' and such, but this is about money. * wants to conduct the vital actual security of the US on the cheap. His Admin is in trouble, the money is beginning to dry up and his War in Iraq is sucking up an awful lot of money that could be spent elsewhere. This hearing is a chance for the Dems to hammer the * Admin for their priorities in protecting the US and for their blind spots that have endangered the public welfare. I hope Kerry, Biden, Dodd, et al friggin smash 'em. The * Admin deserves it.

This border security stuff is very, very important. And I seem to remember a certain tall, smart and well-spoken Senator from MA mentioning port security, border security and such quite a bit in the last 24 months. The London bombing is a chance for the US to learn from that horrible tragedy and try and actually put some teeth into it's border problems. (Which won't happen under *. The money is a big problem.

[JohnKleeb]

10. already went a couple days ago.

And theyre really gonna be disappointed to find that out since that tuesday is when they leave. Yep thats why you havent seen us four, they really are a great bunch that said, I am gonna miss em when they go back. That really does suck though, because we did go to Kerry's office which really is great, great pictures on the wall and a very friendly staff, but Kerry wasnt in town because theyre in recess now.

[WildEyedLiberal]

11. Actually he wasn't there

:( Fire and I went and did manage to see Teddy and my lovely Sen. Obama, but sadly, my favorite MA senator was AWOL.

OMG, that was a great trip though, wish I was still there. :hi: all!

[JohnKleeb]

12. Hey glad you made it home ok

You're more perverted than I am still but you know I love you for it.

[WildEyedLiberal]

15. Awww

:loveya: you too Kleeb.

[JohnKleeb]

16. ha stop it

only when I am a five letter word.

[TayTay]

17. I did not know that he would Press Conference at 10AM

on Homeland Security. (Wasn't that the topic of the hearing? I was in the process of not being laid off at the time and being instead treated to sandwiches and cheese cake, whilst co-workers of mine were being marched to the guillotine. Sorry. I might not have been all there in the head that day.)

Oh dear. Now, about those internships.....

[XanaDUer]

13. Hi!

:hi:

[JohnKleeb]

14. Hey I am in Va now

Got your PM, god its weird, Ive been on the boards on and off for about a week now, not posting as much as I used to tho.

[politicasista]

18. Did Kerry have a huge staff?

Glad WEL saw Obama and Ted. They are cool! :hi:

[JohnKleeb]

19. It was pretty big yes

and they were real friendly.

[politicasista]

20. Cool!

I am glad you guys had a good time.

[JohnKleeb]

23. thanks yeah it was great

[TayTay]

21. Cool. Mostly young people?

(Cuz the hours and demands tend to burn people out.) Mr. Kerry used to keep 40% of his staff in DC and 60% back in Mass. I wonder if he still does.

[JohnKleeb]

22. Yeah most of those staffs are younger though

When I worked on Rep Kaptur's staff, I think probably only the chief of staff and scheduler were older than 40, my supe was like Id say about 8 years older than me, didnt see anyone who apperaed to be over 40 in Kerry's office, one thing about Kerry's office I must say is, its very impressive and I know you being a new england sports fan may like this, he has a vintage patriots helmet.

[TayTay]

24. Yeah, and Red Sox stuff

And all those cooll pics from his very interesting life. I saw the Senate office a long time ago. I might go and see his office again in Sept. It has been awhile. (I am going next year with my hubbie when Rep Meehan has his "Day on the Hill' for local (very, very local) folks. I should love to see CapHill again. It has been many years.

[JohnKleeb]

25. Yeah and I believe its his conference room that

has old political cartoons. He really is a man of many interests.