US Meltdown Day -3 Are They Really That Crazy?

My personal message to Congress is that you're nuts to even think of the possibility of shutting down this great nation.  My personal expectation is that congress funds and reopens the government by a unanimous vote and those opposed should resign and we hold new elections.  Shutting down the US government and crashing the world economy are irresponsible acts and those who cause it to happen should not be trusted to govern.

US Senate Takes Leisurely Course to Shutdown

Maybe it's a strategic move, but after the US House worked over the weekend, you'd think the Senators would be eager to send the rejected budget bill back to the House, but maybe they're smarter than me, I dunno.  I would venture to guess it will become a joke topic on the late night shows, the Democrats left themselves open to ridicule.  Just for the record, I think they deserve ridicule for that.

Wyden speaks to the Senate on NSA

Ron Wyden summarized this issue in a speech on the Senate floor yesterday, read it here.

He made several damning points.
1. The NSA has actively misled (i.e. lied to) the American people and Congress at every opportunity.
2. They are still doing it.
3. The phone metadata collection has produced no value in fighting terrorism. The "liberty or security" argument is a false choice, both are possible.
4. The programs NSA have in place have been abused repeatedly, producing numerous violations of even the miniscule rules the NSA has for themselves. The details of the violations are classified, but Wyden urged every legislator to go to the NSA and see the classified documents themselves. Wyden says the offenses are very serious and troubling, and, of course, much more serious than the NSA has admitted. to.

Wyden has been at this issue for years, he has always known the real truth, but could not reveal it in a lawful way until Snowden broke it open. He is a patriot and I'm proud to live in Oregon and have him as our Senator, and the same goes for Senator Jeff Merkley who has supported Wyden every step along the way.

Filibuster still intact

In a parody of governance that more resembled the wreck of the Titanic, the Senate leaders reached a deal that insures business as usual and will still enable government to be as dysfunctional as before.  They rearranged a couple of rules about when a filibuster can occur, but all in all nothing has changed.  All the Senate Democrats gushed over the deal, probably because Reid and McConnell finally agreed on something, which almost guarantees it will be ineffective.  Ron Wyden signaled he was sorry for Jeff, but sounded like he would vote for the change.  Sad day for reform hopes, with sadder days in the senate in coming months.