Almost Back to Regular Programming.......
Beginning September 1, Ohio's second-biggest employer with 36,300 employees will no longer hire smokers. That would be the Cleveland Clinic. I would say that is taking it a step too far, wouldn't you? It's fine if they can't smoke at work or on Clinic property. I don't think too many would have a problem with that. But not hiring someone because they smoke? Lawsuit? I think this could maybe be legitimate.
Great map and story from today's Columbus Dispatch about population growth / decline in relation to the 1-270 ring. In other population news, of the top 10 big cities with population loss, Ohio has 3 of them. Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo all make the list. By the 2032 election, Ohio is going to have about as many Electoral Votes as New Hampshire. Or Mexico - I figure they will have some EV's by then as a concession of some sort.
And lastly, the vote in the Senate today was truly unbelievable. It was an embarrassing defeat for President Bush and the Arlen Specters and Ted Kennedys of the Senate. Once the walls opened, the vote went down in flames - they know it might come back and it could be their last on the record vote on the subject. All targeted Senators except Judd Gregg voted no, plus ones that no on expected (i.e. Sherrod Brown, George Voinovich). For most, it was constituent uproar. Some had other reasons. Webb didn't like his arm getting twisted by Reid. Brown was probably beholden to the opposed unions (I actually think he switched to no after originally voting yes this morning once he saw the outcome). Ensign had to raise some money. Collins was up for reelection. Voinovich - who the hell knows. Who cares. I listened to Harry Reid's speech right before the vote - it was enough to make you throw up. John McCain might have liked it though. (BTW: Brown was the one who read the final vote tally - he looked like he was thinking "I get to announce we killed this vote to the cameras and everyone in Ohio hates the other Senator compared to me. Three years ago I was a loner, liberal congressman who had nothing going for me.")
Republican warriors were Sessions, Vitter, and DeMint. Byron Dorgan did a great job for the Democrats. The Senate phone lines melted down and shut off this morning. The next big battle could be the Fairness Doctrine. And we will be ready again - this doesn't happen often - but when our base gets going we can get it done (etc: this issue, Harriet Miers). Anyways proponents of immigration cloture gained only 1 more vote than they did on the cloture vote of June 7 (45). This time it was 46.
Those who switched today from Tuesday (all yes to no): Bingaman, Brown, Brownback, Burr, Coleman, Collins, Domenici, Ensign, Harkin, McConnell, Murkowski, Nelson, Pryor, Stevens, Voinovich, Warner, Webb.
And now you can rest easy, I am done with this topic for a while.
Beginning September 1, Ohio's second-biggest employer with 36,300 employees will no longer hire smokers. That would be the Cleveland Clinic. I would say that is taking it a step too far, wouldn't you? It's fine if they can't smoke at work or on Clinic property. I don't think too many would have a problem with that. But not hiring someone because they smoke? Lawsuit? I think this could maybe be legitimate.
Great map and story from today's Columbus Dispatch about population growth / decline in relation to the 1-270 ring. In other population news, of the top 10 big cities with population loss, Ohio has 3 of them. Cleveland, Dayton, and Toledo all make the list. By the 2032 election, Ohio is going to have about as many Electoral Votes as New Hampshire. Or Mexico - I figure they will have some EV's by then as a concession of some sort.
And lastly, the vote in the Senate today was truly unbelievable. It was an embarrassing defeat for President Bush and the Arlen Specters and Ted Kennedys of the Senate. Once the walls opened, the vote went down in flames - they know it might come back and it could be their last on the record vote on the subject. All targeted Senators except Judd Gregg voted no, plus ones that no on expected (i.e. Sherrod Brown, George Voinovich). For most, it was constituent uproar. Some had other reasons. Webb didn't like his arm getting twisted by Reid. Brown was probably beholden to the opposed unions (I actually think he switched to no after originally voting yes this morning once he saw the outcome). Ensign had to raise some money. Collins was up for reelection. Voinovich - who the hell knows. Who cares. I listened to Harry Reid's speech right before the vote - it was enough to make you throw up. John McCain might have liked it though. (BTW: Brown was the one who read the final vote tally - he looked like he was thinking "I get to announce we killed this vote to the cameras and everyone in Ohio hates the other Senator compared to me. Three years ago I was a loner, liberal congressman who had nothing going for me.")Republican warriors were Sessions, Vitter, and DeMint. Byron Dorgan did a great job for the Democrats. The Senate phone lines melted down and shut off this morning. The next big battle could be the Fairness Doctrine. And we will be ready again - this doesn't happen often - but when our base gets going we can get it done (etc: this issue, Harriet Miers). Anyways proponents of immigration cloture gained only 1 more vote than they did on the cloture vote of June 7 (45). This time it was 46.
Those who switched today from Tuesday (all yes to no): Bingaman, Brown, Brownback, Burr, Coleman, Collins, Domenici, Ensign, Harkin, McConnell, Murkowski, Nelson, Pryor, Stevens, Voinovich, Warner, Webb.
And now you can rest easy, I am done with this topic for a while.
posted by Ben at
6/28/2007 01:07:00 PM
7 Comments:
What are your thought's on Trent Lott's yes vote?
Sherrod Brown 2008
The pomposity on both sides of the aisle has really shown through in this debate as well as the discussions surrounding the Fairness Doctrine. Throw all of the bums out!
Worst part of this was the amateur level arguments made by those in favor of this crappy legislation. Every time Harry Reid talked he brought up his grandma and father in law being immigrants. So what! 99% of us are the descendants of legal immigrants. What does that have to do with deciding not to enforce our laws. Then you had a few of those arguing for passage basically claiming anyone with a different viewpoint is some kind of racist. Here's an idea, if you want to change my mind speak to the specifics of the legislation instead of calling me a racist for having a different opinion than you.
and it was pushed through under the cover of night
Kyle,
Obvious disapointment in Lott. He seems changed since he became Whip - I dont like it, he always toes the party line. Its kind of a slap in the face to all the people who defended him so hard when he had the Thurmond controversy.
rich is right as well, the way this was handled by the leaders on both sides was insulting.
anon - There is a 98% chance I still wouldnt vote for Brown's reelection, but I am glad he voted no today, regardless of his reasons.
Bill, I dont know if you saw Reid's speech today - it was sickening - just trying to make people feel guilty. It didnt work.
I could see Republican Senators like Lott who go back to their districts for the 4th of July being booed.
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