# Democrats Hold Sit-In on House Floor **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 22, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060 "2016-06-22T17:19:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/41 "2016-06-22T21:17:49Z")
> [@](#): > > The Secret Service vetoed guns at the Republican convention. Got a cite for this? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/42 "2016-06-22T21:39:30Z")
[Here is an amusing blurbrant](http://www.rawstory.com/2016/06/watch-jim-mcdermott-rip-paul-ryan-during-house-sit-in-hes-up-in-his-office-crying/). WA rep Jim McDermott claims that Paul Ryan was just about to debut his glorious ACA-killer bill when the sit-in shat upon his parade. McDermott says that Ryan went to his office to sob. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/43 "2016-06-22T21:42:43Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > For the number of times that I’ve heard conservatives chide Obama for not understanding the Constitution, I’m surprised you don’t know the answer to this. Art I, sec 5 prohibits the Speaker from unilaterally establishing a six week recess. I’m pretty sure that if the Senate agrees to go on recess for 6 weeks, then the Speaker can unilaterally declare a 6 week recess. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/44 "2016-06-22T21:52:27Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > There is no reason except bigotry to specifically discriminate against white people when it is _African-American_ males who are responsible for ~42% of all homicides despite making up only ~7% of the population. But far fewer mass shootings. They have a much higher incidence of gang violence, much less incidence of targeting innocents. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/45 "2016-06-22T22:01:56Z")
The point I find interesting is that they’re just demanding a vote. They’re not demanding that the vote go their way, just that the matter be decided democratically. And even that much is too much for the Republicans to give in to. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/46 "2016-06-22T22:04:26Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > [Here is an amusing blurbrant](http://www.rawstory.com/2016/06/watch-jim-mcdermott-rip-paul-ryan-during-house-sit-in-hes-up-in-his-office-crying/). WA rep Jim McDermott claims that Paul Ryan was just about to debut his glorious ACA-killer bill when the sit-in shat upon his parade. McDermott says that Ryan went to his office to sob. I support the Democrats over the Republicans mainly because Democrats care even a little about the less fortunate, the victims of discrimination and the environment. But this: “You threw a bomb under the door of his rolling out this health care bill. So if you’re wondering where he is, he’s up in his office crying,” said McDermott. “I mean, he had this thing all set, he had it all ready to go and we did this to him. You think you think there won’t be payback? You don’t know the Irish.” is some stupid shit to say. Especially on the House floor during a protest. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/47 "2016-06-22T22:05:43Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The Secret Service vetoed guns at the Republican convention. Since when does the Secret Service get a veto over our second amendment rights? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/48 "2016-06-22T22:08:57Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > …As to whether it’s safer or not, I assure you both the RNC and DNC will have armed security. So you can’t say they don’t put their money where their mouth is. “People with guns” make large events safer… A trained, professional armed security, yes? Subject to standards and regulations. Rather like a “well-regulated militia”. So, yes, they are “people with guns”, but people of a very specific and exclusive type. You were pretty much OK till you tried to stretch the point, then it snapped. No prob, I was here to help. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/49 "2016-06-22T22:13:44Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Got a cite for this? [http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/274473-secret-service-no-guns-in-convention](http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/274473-secret-service-no-guns-in-convention) > [@](#): > > Since when does the Secret Service get a veto over our second amendment rights? From the article: > [@](#): > > The Secret Service cited federal law that allows the agency to prevent firearms from being carried into venues with protectees present, even in open-carry states. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/50 "2016-06-22T22:23:14Z")
About this “taking away rights” thingy. All of our rights are totally sacred and any limitation on them calls for sober and sombre consideration. But if enough reasoning citizens of good will and prudence decide that a limitation on a right would serve the common good, then such a limitation is just and valid. If some guys bumps your car at the Piggly Wiggly, you can’t go home and print up pamphlets about him being a child molester. You right of free speech remains sacred, but is limited, like you cannot yell “Theater!” in a crowded fire. Why should we believe that a right is negated when it is limited? We have had laws against libel and such for generations, yet we still discuss “free speech” rights as something that persists, something to protect. Who protects something that no longer exists? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/51 "2016-06-22T22:23:25Z")
I’m all for repealing the 2nd amendment, but until that happens we need to respect the constitution and the jurisprudence behind it. Taking away a right just because you’re on some secret list the government has sounds like something out of the McCarthy era. I’m disappointed in my fellow posters here who are so eager to bypass the constitution to pass a bill that is mostly for show anyway. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/52 "2016-06-22T22:25:18Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > About this “taking away rights” thingy. All of our rights are totally sacred and any limitation on them calls for sober and sombre consideration. But if enough reasoning citizens of good will and prudence decide that a limitation on a right would serve the common good, then such a limitation is just and valid. > > If some guys bumps your car at the Piggly Wiggly, you can’t go home and print up pamphlets about him being a child molester. You right of free speech remains sacred, but is limited, like you cannot yell “Theater!” in a crowded fire. Why should we believe that a right is negated when it is limited? We have had laws against libel and such for generations, yet we still discuss “free speech” rights as something that persists, something to protect. Who protects something that no longer exists? Agreed. Is “being on a secret list kept by the government” really something you can buy into that satisfies those criteria? Please tell me you haven’t gone reactionary in your old age, amigo! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/53 "2016-06-22T22:37:09Z")
Not my point. I am not delving into the specifics of the legislation. Just addressing the hysterical dismay of “rights being taken away”. They banned Tommy guns long time ago, was the Constitution torn asunder? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/54 "2016-06-22T22:38:31Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I’m absolutely astonished that people are debating guns here rather than talking about the elephant in the room: whatever the bill’s content the Democrats are fighting for a cause using a traditional protest technique. That and that alone is worthy of being talked about, not another meaningless debate over your personal interpretation of the second amendment. > > And that’s why it’s here in Elections. Gun rights debates belong in GD. Let’s stick to the political implications of this for fall. Are they singing _Kumbaya_ yet? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/55 "2016-06-22T22:39:58Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Not my point. I am not delving into the specifics of the legislation. Just addressing the hysterical dismay of “rights being taken away”. Is anyone doing that in this thread? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/56 "2016-06-22T22:42:43Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Are they singing _Kumbaya_ yet? The Republicans might sing it, if the lyrics weren’t so hard to memorize. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/57 "2016-06-22T22:46:54Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I think it’s that they cannot do business with the disruption on the floor. No bill = no break in the sit-in. And yet, people argue that the Republicans are obstructionist. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/58 "2016-06-22T22:47:47Z")
My point stands though, if they can accept they can’t carry into the RNC than why can’t they accept they can’t carry in churches, schools, and hospitals? Joe American’s life should be as valuable as a candidates surely! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/59 "2016-06-22T22:49:10Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > And yet, people argue that the Republicans are obstructionist. :dubious: Less an argument than an observation. Sky, blue, sun, East, that sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060/60 "2016-06-22T22:54:01Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > For the number of times that I’ve heard conservatives chide Obama for not understanding the Constitution, I’m surprised you don’t know the answer to this. Art I, sec 5 prohibits the Speaker from unilaterally establishing a six week recess. What prevents the Speaker from holding _pro forma_ sessions every few days for the next six weeks? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-hold-sit-in-on-house-floor/758060.md?page=4)