Stupid, stupid move Nancy...

[Atman]

The headlines on EVERY Cabal News channel is about the new "Democrat" Congress taking the day off for a college football game...for fucking John Boner!. What on earth were you thinking, Mrs. Speaker? I hope this was just a momentary lapse of reason, and you'll soon understand just how pissed off Americans really are at our government. This may not be strike one, but it was damned close. Don't expect us to give your every move a pass just because of the (D) next to your name. After all, we aren't republics. That's they're gig. We were supposed to be about positive change, remember?

.

[Beaverhausen]

1. You can catch more bees with honey?

She's softening them up for the kill. Don't misunderestimate her. At least not yet.

[AtomicKitten]

44. Show them bipartisanship and then crack the whip.

[bluewave]

2. It's only Drudge and the neocons criticizing this

Most men are going to understand this, since they desperately want this day off too.

[AZBlue]

55. And the irony of it, considering the constant vacation Bush & Co participate in!

eom

[tridim]

3. The house schedule for the rest of the week..

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2007
H.Res. 35 - Select Intelligence Oversight Panel
H.R. 1 - Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2007
H.R. 2 - Increasing the Minimum Wage

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2007
H.R. 3 - Expanding Stem Cell Research

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2007
H.R. 4 - Requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to Negotiate for Lower Prescription Drug Costs

You're overreacting, just like Drudge did yesterday. Relax!

[tblue]

22. Yeah, sounds like much ado about nothing to me. Can we focus on what's important please?

[Atman]

27. Promises aren't important?

We (democrats) are under a serious microscope. Mrs. Pelosi cannot make decisions like this and expect not to take heat. Where is she at least to defend her ridiculous decision to give the ENTIRE congress a day off so that that stupid fuckwad who fucked over the entire country can enjoy a nice day a the stadium?

.

[Beaverhausen]

31. See post #3, then chill

seriously. We get your point.

[tblue]

49. Of course they are. We just have to pick our battles. Whether they work today or not doesn't seem

like the issue to get upset about. If they delay work for a series of days, then I'll be mad, too. But the 110th is barely in its infancy. We need to cut Pelosi a tiny bit of slack. 'The perfect is the enemy of the good,' said Bill Clinton. I know I know I understand lives are in the balance, I agree with you, time is of the essence. But let's not start eating our own untll they really deserve it. I just refuse, at this time, to cry foul just yet. I'm not gonna join the Repugs in a chorus of criticism of everything Democrats do. Not now. Not yet. I'm on the Dems side and I believe they're on ours, and they are our best and only hope for our country's near future. The worst thing we can do is undermine and second guess them every step of the way in this long, hard slog, or we are all in for one miserable couple of years, and the leaders we've been working and waiting to empower, won't be able to deliver anything we put them there to enact. You all should do whatever you want, but I'm gonna chill, at least until tomorrow.

[tblue37]

61. We tblues are naturally sane and sensible. (eom)

[tblue]

64. Hey, cuz! Maybe we were separated at birth!

[WillyT]

58. Serious Microscope ???

The Dems in your own state didn't know enough to keep Lieberman out of the Senate!!!

Physician... heal thyself!

:wtf:

[Mojorabbit]

29. What, football is important?

Not in my book. It's a freeking game and we are in the middle of a war.

[Beaverhausen]

46. Freshmen members are still in orientation today - that is why they are out

From post #32 below:

From the New York Times:

"And next Monday is out since the House, despite Democratic pledges of a disciplined five-day work schedule, will not be in session. The day off was scheduled to allow freshman lawmakers time to return from an orientation session — and others to attend the college football national championship game."

Here's a link to the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/washington/03cong.htm...

[roody]

71. We are out of school Monday because it is

Martin Luther King Jr. day.

[Bill McBlueState]

50. well

whatever you do in your spare time is also silly, since there's a war on. All leisure activity should have been prohibited beginning in March 03.

[Mojorabbit]

60. But I am not running the country am I? n/t

[Dean Martin]

53. No sport is important

In any way shape or form in my opinion. A bunch of idiots proving they're better than another group of idiots at moving some stupid ball around a field. Big deal. There are far more issues more important than anything involving sports.

[Ahpook]

45. No shit...

I haven't heard one damn word about torture and an illegal war. All this seems like a pacifier to me.

Remember that "Fitmas" shit, or however it was tagged? More of nothing.

We are in serious trouble, folks..

[Imagevision]

66. Priorities, setting examples are important! (sleeping with the enemy?)

[tblue]

101. Give me a break. Okay, let's beat Pelosi to a pulp over this. Feel better now?

[babylonsister]

72. Impressive, important schedule; thanks! nt

[Canuckistanian]

75. Ah, that's better

Thanks. I was about to blast the Democratic leadership. Then I read your soothing words.

They're desperate, my friends. It's clutching at straws time....

[Atman]

77. Lots of posters are STILL missing the point.

PERCEPTION. The entire reason we're even having this discussion is the PERCEPTION. Pelosi didn't issue a press release or give a press conference to explain what was happening. She let shit like this thread happen by not being out in front of the perception. Sure, she's got great things planned. We all do. You can PLAN to build a statue of Mother Theresa out orchid petals, but if you shit on the orphans the day before, people kind of focus on the shitting part first.

.

[Canuckistanian]

83. No, no, I agree with you

Perception, language, framing, it's all important.

And yes, they have to pay attention to details like this and the impacts of said details.

But this is so insignificant.

The Republicans wouldn't even have been scheduled to work on Friday if it weren't for the Democrat win.

[Atman]

76. Delete...wrong place...

Delete...wrong place

[SoCalDem]

4. Will the soldiers in Iraq have a "day off" for the game? n/t

[Atman]

7. That was a great line by Cafferty

Nancy has to be a more astute politician, and been out in front of this one.

.

[napi21]

5. This would have been their first real day, and even the Dem congress woman

is going to the game. My initial reaction was the same as yours. If youmake the choice to attend the game, then you just won't have a vote. But then I thought about it somemore. This is the first day, let it go. It's no big deal THIS TIME! As long as the Congress works the rest of the year at 5 days a week, I can live with this one day.

[LSK]

14. actually they already worked 2 days

So if today would have been the 1st day, they are already ahead.

[stillcool]

6. perception creates reality...

but who creates perception?

[fishnfla]

8. *sigh* quote from an article I read;

'everyone will be watching and waiting for Ms Pelosi to trip over her own tits'

some more than others, I see

[Atman]

15. Calling the PC police! Calling the PC police!

Nancy doesn't have "tits." How sexist of you.

Denny Hastert has tits twice as big as Nancy's, anyway.



I'll hold off on telling you were you can put your snark.

.

[fishnfla]

28. I didnt write the quote, man

I think I read it in Rolling Stone.

But its point applies here. Most normal americans can understand a thing like this.

To get so worked up over something so trivial and simple makes her fall easier.

[Atman]

30. You didn't write it, but you apparently agree with it.

Why is it trivial to break such a promise at such a pivotal time? Sure, a football game is trivial. But this isn't about a football game. It is about a promise, and a bunch of extremely well-paid fat bastards getting a day off when the nation just elected a new congress in part to end this very kind of bullshit.

.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. If it's really about a football game...

than it's utterly disgusting.

But I doubt it's over a football game.

[Beaverhausen]

12. It's the national championship- and it's Ohio State

If you know anyone who has gone there, you would understand.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

17. It's a game.

I don't care if it's Ohio, or Boehner's Madden on his playstation.

[Atman]

19. I DON'T UNDERSTAND! THERE ARE 50 STATES, AN LOTS OF US HATE FOOTBALL!

I Don't understand IN THE SLIGHTEST. A football game makes it even more reprehensible, and I could give a shit whether or not it was Jesus playing the entire New England Patriots single-handedly. THIS IS COLLEGE FOOTBALL trumping the work of the congress. Fuck Ohio State, fuck football. What was this election just about?????

.

[lies and propaganda]

96. so doesnt it show to you just HOW fucked up the repugs are?

i dont see why youre anger is at us?
Shes not the truancy officer making your ass come to work.

and some people.states.areas happen to truly love football, and its not party lines.

But it was ONE PARTY who wanted tehy day off, and youre displaced anger isnt directing at the right party.

[Crabby Appleton]

43. Go Bucks!

[Skittles]

92. no, no

a lot of us are not sports morons

[Catherine Vincent]

10. Geeze. Some folks will do anything for a Boner. n/t

[rucky]

11. Tonight is a national holiday...

in Ohio.

[Beaverhausen]

16. when does the game start by the way?

Lots of OSU alums in my family.

[Atman]

21. It hasn't even started yet, and they took the day off?

How the hell long does it take to fly a private corporate-funded jet from DC to Ohio, anyway?

.

[Berry Cool]

47. The game isn't in Ohio, it's in Arizona.

Max Cleland is going, too--Sherrod Brown gave him his ticket. So says the Plain Dealer.

[Bill McBlueState]

52. hey, don't let facts get in his way! n/t

[Name removed]

54. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Atman]

67. I'll try to similarly insult you more politely next time.

:eyes:

.

[LSK]

13. we are finding the littlest things to pick on

bad analogy removed

Sheesh!

[Atman]

23. Bad, bad analogy, LSK

I expect better from you. That is as bullshit and sexist a comment as I've ever heard here. You're trivializing the entire election with comments like that.

.

[LSK]

33. Im just pissed

because when I watch CSPAN the Dems are kicking ass and when I come here people are nitpicking them to death.

[Ezlivin]

34. After six years of Constitutional destruction, we're getting damned anxious

It's hard to wait, even if it's for another day.

Hell, we could have found hundreds of people right here on DU that would have gladly done the day's work for Congress. They actually could stay gone for a few months and we'd get a hell of a lot of things done. And our "boys" would be home for the Fourth of July.

[spanone]

18. I wouldn't trust that prick for one second. He probably personally called Drudge.

[Nutmegger]

20. I wouldn't care but didn't they make this their campaign promise?

To start implementing a 5 day work week?

[Atman]

24. BINGO!

"Unless John Boner wants to go to a COLLEGE football game.

:eyes:

Oy.

.

[sniffa]

25. OH DEAR GOD NO!!!!!!

:cry: :cry: :cry:

i'm going to sLit my wrists.

[LeftCoast]

26. I haven't had much sleep, so explain to me slowly why I should care about this?

:shrug:

[gkhouston]

32. it's not just the football game. Some of the members are still at orientation.

From the New York Times:

"And next Monday is out since the House, despite Democratic pledges of a disciplined five-day work schedule, will not be in session. The day off was scheduled to allow freshman lawmakers time to return from an orientation session — and others to attend the college football national championship game."

Here's a link to the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/washington/03cong.html?bl=&_r=2&ei=5087%0A&en=898cbd5c54f03635&ex=1168232400&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1168298337-HHy5C9XycELrOlgJb53aBA

[Beaverhausen]

35. thank you for finding this

:hi:

[gkhouston]

38. the credit should go to DU'er tofunut

who posted the info in a different thread last night. I stumbled across it earlier today.

[jakem]

36. Grow up congress.

Day off for F-ing football?!

I agree. bad move. I don't care if most people don't care about it- it shows a real lack of follow through. The world is going to he11. Catch the game on Tivo on your own time, not mine.

[Graybeard]

41. Hi jakem! Welcome to DU.

That's why God made Tivo.

[Parche]

37. a momentary lapse of reason

[TheDebbieDee]

39. It's also being done for newbies still at Orientation............

See post # 32

or read the article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/washington/03cong.html?bl=&_r=2&ei=5087%0A&en=898cbd5c54f03635&ex=1168232400&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1168298337-HHy5C9XycELrOlgJb53aBA

[seabeyond]

40. cafferty emails were firmly on the dems side. listening to dobbs on this

dobbs still is not appearing as if they are trashing dems on this too bad. but dobbs does have an actually clock

cafferty was interesting. i only got the emails. but they were firmly saying, dems accomodate and are trashed, if they didnt, they would be trashed, and that kind of email.

i dont know how the rest of it is being presented. but they havent been trashed too awfully bad on these two shows

saw this morning and the lady raised her eyebrows looking so stern on the take off. she looked silly at the deal.

this is being pegged on boehner. that is a good thing.

i think it is all foolish and silly, and not seeing it as something to jump on dems ass about

[ellisonz]

42. Karl Rove just smiled when he read this.

:think:

[Seeking Serenity]

48. Will all of you kvetchers

please just have a scotch and Maalox?

I swear, it seems like some DUers just like to bitch fer bitchin's sake.

Chill. Please.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

51. WHEN IN DOUBT, FREAK OUT!

HYSTERIA WORKS WONDERS!

[WilliamPitt]

56. Oy vey

If this is the kind of flip-outs that are going to happen OVER NOTHING, this is going to be a long two years.

[Pacifist Patriot]

57. Oy vey is right.

*sigh*

[vickitulsa]

62. Ain't that the freakin' truth....

And if anyone seriously thinks our Ms. Speaker Pelosi is not smart, then I reckon you ought to think again.

She's already shown both her great intelligence and her down to earth savvy AND her mettle, and I'm expecting a lot more where that came from. I suspect she thought this move through very carefully, and has answers ready for anyone who gets hysterical over this.

My reason for being so damned optimistic about our Dems in control now in Congress is the brain power of people like our new Speaker! I doubt very seriously that this was a stupid move....

Meanwhile .......... GO GATORS!!! (And I'm a woman -- some of us like sports too.) They're crushing them uppity Buckeyes who were so heavily favored! 34-14 at the start of the 4th quarter.

[Atman]

69. Ah, and more Point-Missers arrive at the party! Welcome! Grab a beer!

This thread is nuts. I should know, I started it!

Doesn't anyone understand anything about marketing and perceptions and public relations? Of course this isn't the end of the world. Yet, despite how so many of you have chosen to characterize my op, no one is "freaking out" over it. Except, of course, the people who are looking for reasons to take us down a peg. And NP needlessly opened the door for the crit by not at least issuing a statement or something explaining this. Doesn't ANYONE understand how under the microscope the dem party is by the REPUBLIC media? They will look to anything to prove we're just as bad, or worse, than the republic congress was. Why hand them the shit on a silver platter?

While all you people fawning over Nancy Pelosi get your knickers in a twist at fellow democrats for asking our new house speaker to be more cognizant of the "PERCEPTION IS REALITY" concept, some of us are able to see the bigger picture.

.

[WilliamPitt]

82. A bunch of congressfolk went to a football game.

Name for me please the voting demographics that will look down on Pelosi et all for this.

Do those demographics outnumber the zillions of Americans who put football just slightly beneath God?

[Atman]

86. Will, I would have expected a bit better reading comprehension from you.

How often do I have to repeat my point? What have the news headlines about this been? That Americans love football, so Yay Nancy? Cuz I missed those.

Everyone whining about "Hey, it's only day one!" is missing it as much as you. You're all exactly right...it is day one (or t-minus day one), and what is the headline? The Democrats, who promised to work so hard and put in a full week, took the day off to attend a college football game. Period. I've yet to hear any news outlet offering America the actual truth as we all know it to be. Nope, it's all about the democrats and breaking promises.

Managing perceptions, Will. It's only day one. I guess you're expecting the republic media to be even nicer and nicer to Mrs. Pelosi as her tenure continues.

.

[WilliamPitt]

90. So guess they'll also shred McCain

who did the opening coin toss.

[vickitulsa]

84. My knickers are in a twist, all right, Atman...

but it's NOT because Madame Speaker chose to do this day-off thing. I have a lot more important reasons than that to be concerned, trust me, and they have to do with what Bu$h and Repugs, not Dems, have done and are still doing.

I think it's obvious you simply seemed too overwrought about it for the true seriousness of the matter... thus the many responses you got to that effect. That's the "big picture" I'm thinking about here. (I've long promoted the wisdom of seeing the proverbial Big Picture, btw, and have posted about it quite a lot.)

What about this?: How could Madame Speaker possibly strike the "correct" pose at every turn and in every situation that would ensure that this "perception is reality" problem won't ever be encountered? It just ain't feasible, IMO.

We all know who the enemy is and who is going to be pointing fingers now that Dems are in the majority. We have to counter their attacks as they come, not turn ourselves into pretzels trying to avoid criticism that's gonna come from them anyway. And I think it's important that we not "eat our young," as someone put it.

If Nancy tried never to do anything whatsoever that would have the Repug pundits accusing her of some impropriety or mistake, she'd end up frozen in place.

...Or maybe like the man who let his daughter pluck out all his gray hairs because she thinks they make him look too old while his wife plucks out all his dark hairs because she likes how distinguished he looks with the gray hair! That guy ends up ... BALD! (And needlessly so.)

I don't think we missed your POINT at all -- just reacted to your ... degree of intensity about it. Okay? Peace, brother. We ARE on the same side.

[NYC Liberal]

73. You bet. Nancy was a hero on Thursday, today she's as bad as Bush

:eyes: Unfortunately, that happens a lot here. We go from practically worshipping someone one day, to decrying them as scum the next. It's really quite pathetic.

[Atman]

74. She's as bad as Bush????

WHOA! I'm sure you have the link to that post, because I can't find it! Please...sounds amazing. I want to read it!

.

[NYC Liberal]

78. There've been more than several posts in the last few days concerning

Pelosi and the Dems not IMMEDIATELY cutting off funding to the war and their statements to that effect.

She's an "enabler," "fuck Pelosi," agreeing that she's "complicit" in Bush's "madness and criminality," etc. etc. etc.

If you agree, fine, but I don't and we ought to wait until the new Congress actually STARTS before we jump the gun with this. The House has not even started its legislative schedule; it starts tomorrow, and yet we're attacking Pelosi and Dems already without even giving them a chance. There is a LOT to do, and Iraq is certainly on the agenda, especially with Bush about to announce his "surge" nonsense in the next few days. And then that will force the issue onto Dems.

So how about we see what they ACTUALLY do about it rather than speculating and attacking NOW?

[Atman]

81. "If you agree, fine,..."

But I don't agree, and why would you say I do? Did my post say any of the things you stated? Did you read anything I've written about my problem with this? The majority of the posters on this very thread knew nothing of the schedule going on, all they heard was the same as what 90% of the 10% of Americans who follow news heard...the bullshit spouted on the Cabal News Networks about Nancy giving Congress a day off to attend a college football game. Does my op speculate about anything? It makes a point about PERCEPTIONS and the bad form shown. Bad form is Mrs. Pelosi at least not holding a press conference or SOMETHING to get out in front of this.

Jesus. Why are so many DU unable to focus on the actual message and context of posts, and instead make up their own bullshit? Again, this isn't about yesterday or next week, or wonderful intentions, or orientation day. It is about managing perceptions when you KNOW the republic media is looking to hang any and every misstep over your head. No one is jumping the gun, because this was about A PARTICULAR INCIDENT. No gun to jump, because it has nothing to do with the future good intention, and has everything to do with managing a particular incident.

But hey, everybody...feel free to put all the words in my mouth you like. :eyes:

.

[NYC Liberal]

85. You say: "the headlines on EVERY Cabal News channel..."

I don't monitor every single news channel on television, but you'd think that if the case, there'd be stories all over the place online, too. But guess what - searching Google News turns up THREE hits for the story, one of which doesn't even work and the other 2 are FOX and ABC. So it's really not as big of a deal as you seem to making it out to be in your OP, and nobody IS making a big deal out of it other than, apparently, you, Fox and ABC.

So apparently, MOST people do not CARE (even you, in your OP, say that "majority of the posters on this very thread knew nothing of the schedule going on"). Which is why lines like these: "This may not be strike one, but it was damned close" and "What on earth were you thinking?" were overreacting to a nonissue.

[Atman]

88. Uh...

Sorry...one last post, for those who think no one noticed...just posted in LBN...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2680810

[LSK]

93. the only one criticizing this are DUers who apparently dont like football

:eyes:

[Harper_is_Bush]

59. u win over-reaction of the year award. Congrats. n/t

[babylonsister]

63. I disagree it was stupid on Madame Speaker's part. Boehner

is the guy who requested it; why aren't you blaming him? And why aren't the media whores? And I 'get' she's the speaker, but it would never have happened if not for the rethug.

[Atman]

70. He could have REQUESTED three whores and a bottle of scotch

Does that mean it wouldn't have been Nancy's job to tell him to STFU and get some work done for a freakin change?

How the hell does Boner REQUESTING something make it HIS fault? Was a gun to Pelosi's head?

.

[babylonsister]

80. Where did you hear the story from and how do you know it's the truth?

Hah! ;-)

[JI7]

65. so the WHORES suddenly got an interest in Congressional attendance ?

[Imagevision]

68. Wow! this is really different. If this was to make a point to Bush for tomorrow's

speech? I guess it will depend on how much of a fool this president will make of himself. John Boner though, no excuse, the man shouldn't be allowed in the same building with you at the same time.

[Bobbie Jo]

79. Step into my parlor, said the spider to the fly....

Ms. Pelosi knows what she's doing, there's not a stupid bone in this woman's body.

[Atman]

87. Well, it's late, and I'm out!

I don't think I have anything else to add to this thread. Thanks for all the diverse opinions, seriously.

Oh wait...we all goosestep together here, right? At least that's what I keep reading on the other boards!

Peace out, my fellow DUers. I'm not nearly as upset as you may think I am...I'm just an "intense" writer.

G'night.

[cui bono]

89. But it was at the Repugs request... so they're the lazy bastards, plus

we get to read ridiculous statements like the following:

Some Republican lawmakers were outraged at the recess, accusing Hoyer of breaking his vow. "We all know the big national championship game is on Monday night at 8 p.m.; but taking an entire day to watch the game isn't what we should spend part of our five-day workweek doing," said Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga.

Price criticized Hoyer for allowing the day off. "Telling the American people one thing in front of the television cameras and then backpedaling less than one week into the 110th Congress is a symptom of a greater problem," he said. (Price was in Atlanta for the day, meeting constituents and doing interviews with national and local media.)

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2779114&page=1

The "greater problem" being the lazy ass repugs who asked for a day off on their third day back at work! :eyes:

[babylonsister]

91. The argument is that Dems are in power and should have nixed it. nt

[cui bono]

94. I understand that. What I didn't realize was that

that meant I wasn't allowed to offer up my observation. :eyes:

[lies and propaganda]

95. wtf can she do?

make him/them come to work?

yeah it sucks ass that the lying media whores are spinning this to have something to do with us, but surely we know it doesnt.

You act like the world changed when the Dems took over. For the time being, were just playing ball in their court.

[depakid]

97. I hope that doesn't set the tone for the year

2006 was a nightmare of repeated ABUSE by Republicans and COWARDICE by Democrats- who punted almost every single issue.

I'm guardedly optimistic that this won't be a repeat of last, but I wouldn't put $1.00 down on a bet that said the Democrats won't continue to pander to the far right.

Much like abused spouses, I worry that they'll let the far right and their crony's in the corporate media right back in to repeatedly abuse us all again.

I suppose, we shall see.

[Matariki]

98. C'mon face it - if she insisted that Congress not take the day off she'd get flack for that too.

who cares. what's the point of repeating the MSM bitch fest anyhoo?

[w4rma]

99. The minority leader asked for this. I think it's good for Dems. Republicans look lazy for asking. nt

[Tin Man]

100. It's now tomorrow - the game is over - and the tempest in a teapot is forgotten

ho-hum.