# Frist sneaks pharmaceutical provision into DEFENSE Appropriations Bill **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 9, 2006, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750 "2006-02-09T22:23:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/41 "2006-02-10T23:40:07Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > Sometimes. > > That entire thread was a debate about the merits of what the Derms did versus what the Repubs did. Your 20 word synopsis above is neither accurate nor fair, anyone interested in the, you know, issue instead of a moron’s attempt to summarize it for his own ends should read the thread itself. Sorry Weirdave, you are one of the most partisan posters I have ever read on this board. When I tried to be reasonable and non-partisan in the aforementioned thread, you actually accused me of partisanship. Just be a man, admit that Frist is wrong and stick by your guns… or admit that you are partisan. Why is it so hard? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/42 "2006-02-11T00:06:05Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Obviously, I think you did. By stating that including the rest of congress was not good enough, Frist needed to be condemned alone. Frist _does_ need to be condemned alone. It seems to cause **Dave** physical discomfort to do so. > [@](#): > > Name Frist alone, and all the other congresscritters can’t be implicated. Sure they can be implicated, I just seem to have some crazy notion that implicating each one seperately will yield the most awareness. I think covering it with a big blanket is a dodge. > [@](#): > > That’s what you seem to be demanding.That’s a fair point, but a reasonable person could also say that focusing on Frist alone dilutes awareness of the systemic problem. You fix the system by ousting the assholes carrying out these activities _and_ by closing the loopholes that allow them to operate. We are in agreement here. > [@](#): > > As if getting rid of Frist gets rid of the problem, which it doesn’t. Half the problem is pathetic apologists who won’t hold the politicians feet to the fire. Instead they issue vague condemnations and the tired “you did it too”. The difference is I have no problem calling out one of my own. > [@](#): > > What is “the problem”? Focusing all discussion on Frist suggests to me that Frist is the problem. Frist is a part of the problem. Your apparent inability to comprehend that is not my problem. > [@](#): > > would argue that a system that allows an individual to fuck with legislation without oversight is the more important problem. As is a system that allows the majority party to screw with the committee process. A valid concern. I would argue that a major problem is these people get away with dirty tricks because the public lets them. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/43 "2006-02-11T00:39:00Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > I haven’t “fled” anywhere, RT, you’re the one who hijacked the other thread. Yeah, and posted this there, in plenty of time to keep the discussion over here: > [@RTFirefly](#): > > Seems [there’s already an active thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=358055) concerning the topic of my last post, and **Weirddave** is already posting in that thread. So any responses to my last post should go to the new thread, OK? Of course, you, being the total idiot you are, responded to me over there, for no apparent reason, six hours after I’d pointed everyone over here. > [@Weirddave](#): > > Please quote one place in this (or any other, now that I think of it) thread where I have defended Senator Bill Frist. If you can’t find that, I suggest you stop putting words in my mouth. Damn, Dave, you’ve shorted the irony meter again. Please quote one place in this or the other thread where I said you did. If you can’t find that…😃 ---
**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:** [February 11, 2006, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/44 "2006-02-11T02:08:12Z")
**Weirddave** : If the Republicans don’t wise up and get there shit together, you might just be able to open threads like “Asswhipe **Majority Leader** Pelosi does XYZ” in the Pit this November. That’s a bit of a longshot, but not out of the question. As for the OP, Frist is a slimeball for doing this and the system sucks and I doubt either Party will change it and if by some miracle they do, I bet they’ll leave themselves some other loophole that’s just as bad. Maybe it’s time to give the Libertarians and the Greens a shot? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/45 "2006-02-11T02:12:51Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > **Weirddave** : If the Republicans don’t wise up and get there shit together, you might just be able to open threads like “Asswhipe **Majority Leader** Pelosi does XYZ” in the Pit this November. Wouldn’t that be _Speaker_ Pelosi, as in two heartbeats away from the Presidency - including one very bad ticker? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/46 "2006-02-11T02:16:07Z")
> [@Lissa](#): > > Sorry Weirdave, you are one of the most partisan posters I have ever read on this board. When I tried to be reasonable and non-partisan in the aforementioned thread, you actually accused me of partisanship. Just be a man, admit that Frist is wrong and stick by your guns… or admit that you are partisan. Why is it so hard? Can someone please tell me what is partisan in saying, as I repestedly have, “It’s wrong no matter which side of the aisle does it?”. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/47 "2006-02-11T02:30:49Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > Can someone please tell me what is partisan in saying, as I repestedly have, “It’s wrong no matter which side of the aisle does it?”. Because, **Weirddave** , as has been repeatedly mentioned: when you attack Democrats, you attack solely Democrats; when you attack Republicans, you attack both Republicans _and_ Democrats. You never attack Republicans alone. When you attack Democratic posters here, you accuse us of being partisan idiots. You never attack Republican posters here. Can you sincerely not see that in yourself? Can you sincerely not understand why there is so much confusion here about which party you belong to? Can you sincerely consider that posting style to be non-partisan? ---
**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:** [February 11, 2006, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/48 "2006-02-11T02:37:36Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Wouldn’t that be _Speaker_ Pelosi, as in two heartbeats away from the Presidency - including one very bad ticker? 😃 Either way. I just picked Majority Leader because Frist is the Majority Leader of the Senate. I think the Senate is safe for the Pubs in November, otherwise I would’ve said “Senate Majority Leader Reid.” ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/49 "2006-02-11T02:54:17Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > Can someone please tell me what is partisan in saying, as I repestedly have, “It’s wrong no matter which side of the aisle does it?”. Shorter **Weirddave** : “Lalalalalala, I can’t _hear_ you!” ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/50 "2006-02-11T03:00:29Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Either way. I just picked Majority Leader because Frist is the Majority Leader of the Senate. I think the Senate is safe for the Pubs in November, otherwise I would’ve said “Senate Majority Leader Reid.” I think you’ve a short-circuited synapse. Yesterday you said “DeLay will be the most watched man in the _Senate_.” Yep, definitely a short-circuit. How old are you? Umm, no reason. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/51 "2006-02-11T03:50:40Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Because, **Weirddave** , as has been repeatedly mentioned: when you attack Democrats, you attack solely Democrats; when you attack Republicans, you attack both Republicans _and_ Democrats. In my OP from the other thread, I characterized Republicans as “getting their peepees in a panic that gay people might wind up treated like actual human beings” and classified the author of the bill as a"busy little homophobe". I meant those statements as attacks, not sure how you can see them as not. > [@Frank](#): > > You never attack Republicans alone. When you attack Democratic posters here, you accuse us of being partisan idiots. You never attack Republican posters here. I tend not to start OP’s just to attack Republicans for three reasons. #1, do you really think we need _more_ of that here? Would it add anything at all to the boards? #2 2 or 3 times I have come here to start a thread, and found someone else beat me to it. #3, most of the things that people here want to attack Bush and Republicans on are the things that I think they are doing right. Also, on issues where I really disagree with the Republicans (stuff like stem cell reserch, religion in schools and courts, that kind of stuff) many times all I would say is “me too” to what others have said, and I’ve never been a “me too” poster. > [@Frank](#): > > Can you sincerely not see that in yourself? Can you sincerely not understand why there is so much confusion here about which party you belong to? Just in case you care, I listed a whole whack of issue in which I am generally in agreement with the Democratic position in the other thread. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/52 "2006-02-11T03:52:38Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Shorter **Weirddave** : “Lalalalalala, I can’t _hear_ you!” Nope. That’s **Weirddave** for “You’re not making any sense”. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/53 "2006-02-11T04:08:41Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > Just in case you care, I listed a whole whack of issue in which I am generally in agreement with the Democratic position in the other thread. I’ve read that, and we probably have room for discussion sometime when we’ve both calmed down. Quite frankly, that is the first time I have ever seen you post any reason why you are a Democrat, and even though you have severe gripes with the party, both your reasons and your gripes are now in context for me. I absolutely agree with your ‘put your money where your mouth is’ feeling. Again frankly, the biggest problem I have with the party is that very few people at the highest ranks are willing to be brave. Unfortunately for the sake of any future agreement between you and me, those few are people I agree with and you don’t. Dean, for instance. I would like to officially and unqualifiedly apologize for my “not shake your hand” comment, and I retract it. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/54 "2006-02-11T04:25:26Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I would like to officially and unqualifiedly apologize for my “not shake your hand” comment, and I retract it. But Frank, if you retract it, how can I shake it? 😛😃 No problem. I do get mad, and I fire back gleefully when someone tears into me, but it’s “board mad” if you understand what I mean. It’s kind afun. Doesn’t bother me IRL at all. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/55 "2006-02-11T05:04:50Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > No problem. I do get mad, and I fire back gleefully when someone tears into me, but it’s “board mad” if you understand what I mean. It’s kind afun. Doesn’t bother me IRL at all. Well, that looks like something else on which we have different views. I tend to believe that the way someone presents themselves here is how they are in real life. (I try to, and I think succeed, to act the same way here as I do in real life.) If I like, or don’t like, someone on the board, I feel pretty sure I will feel the same way in real life. Both my original statement, and my apology, were meant the same as if you were someone I see every day. Because you are someone I see every day, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/56 "2006-02-11T10:58:45Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > Nope. That’s **Weirddave** for “You’re not making any sense”. If one poster says X, and someone responds by saying Y which makes no sense to that poster, normal procedure is to respond by saying, “You said, Y, but that doesn’t make any sense because…” rather than simply saying X all over again. When _several_ people say Y, and the first poster just keeps on repeating X, then “Lalalalala” is generally the correct interpretation. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/57 "2006-02-11T11:24:22Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > I do get mad, and I fire back gleefully when someone tears into me, but it’s “board mad” if you understand what I mean. It’s kind afun. Doesn’t bother me IRL at all. If that works for you, then it works for you. I’m with **Frank** , though. Especially once I know someone in both IRL and online, I don’t think of their IRL and online aspects as two separate people, but two views of the same person. It’s kinda like if you know someone who’s pleasant enough to you, but routinely yells at waiters and sales clerks and stuff: that person might think that doesn’t and shouldn’t affect your friendship, but you may find it hard to ignore. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/58 "2006-02-11T12:12:17Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > If the Republicans don’t wise up and get there shit together, you might just be able to open threads like “Asswhipe **Majority Leader** Pelosi does XYZ” in the Pit this November. That’s a bit of a longshot, but not out of the question. > [@RTFirefly](#): > > Wouldn’t that be Speaker Pelosi, as in two heartbeats away from the Presidency - including one very bad ticker? I get the vapors just thinking about that possibility. Joy! Rapture! Back to the matter of non-related riders. The guy that fixes the system where special interests throw money at influential lawmakers to put their little special perks into unrelated legislation is going to win the Nobel Prize. It has been going on for generations and it stinks, but we don’t seem to be able to stop no matter who is in charge. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/59 "2006-02-11T15:19:52Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > If one poster says X, and someone responds by saying Y which makes no sense to that poster, normal procedure is to respond by saying, “You said, Y, but that doesn’t make any sense because…” rather than simply saying X all over again. > > When _several_ people say Y, and the first poster just keeps on repeating X, then “Lalalalala” is generally the correct interpretation. Then I respectfully submit that you are stupid. There is nothing partisan in the statement “It’s wrong no matter which side of the aisle does it”, no matyter how many times you say that there is. You seem to be the only one left who is insisting on reading not what I wrote, but what you assume that I wrote. Unfortunately for you, in this case, that makes you dead wrong. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750/60 "2006-02-11T15:32:28Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I think you’ve a short-circuited synapse. Yesterday you said “DeLay will be the most watched man in the _Senate_.” Oops. Should’ve been _House_, of course. > [@](#): > > Yep, definitely a short-circuit. How old are you? Umm, no reason. 😃 Funny you should ask, as that is a damn sore issue right now. I got, unsolicited, an AARP application in the mail just yesterday. What a drag it is getting old… And that line alone dates me! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-sneaks-pharmaceutical-provision-into-defense-appropriations-bill/343750.md?page=4)