# I Dance on the Grave of Cynical Partisan Obstructionism **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 21, 2010, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199 "2010-03-21T03:20:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/61 "2010-03-21T21:03:20Z")
[7-ish, EDT.](http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/03/21/2235459.aspx) The final vote will happen around 8:30pm or later though. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/62 "2010-03-21T21:04:53Z")
It depends on how successful the GOP is at delaying. So far, they’ve been moderately successful. For example, at one point, when a member used the word “threat” talking about GOP warnings of mid-term disaster, the GOP moved for a ruling on whether the member was talking about a threat to the Congress that must be considered. They will delay as deep into the night as possible so they can say in November than the Democrats voted in the dead of night. I’m guessing the Senate bill gets passed by the House before midnight, and the reconciliation bill not until the early AM. ---
**Author:** ![kingbighair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kingbighair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingbighair)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/63 "2010-03-21T21:14:49Z")
[CSPAN](http://www.cspan.org/Watch/C-SPAN.aspx) live link. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/64 "2010-03-21T21:17:34Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > They will delay as deep into the night as possible so they can say in November than the Democrats voted in the dead of night. More likely, just to keep it off prime time TV. ---
**Author:** ![kingbighair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kingbighair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingbighair)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/65 "2010-03-21T21:18:29Z")
This is great. They are now yielding to each other over and over to delay. I wonder how long they can go. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/66 "2010-03-21T21:43:49Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Your words certainly paint quite the picture. Now, I would only ask that you not take up actual painting. > [@elucidator](#): > > Or photography. Let’s nip that in the bud. Personally, I can’t wait to see his movie. I like bizarre, surreal, disturbing, and funny movies. I especially can’t wait to see what he does with the character of Clothahump. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/67 "2010-03-21T21:50:20Z")
And to make the day even more extra special, remember that Rush is moving to Costa Rica! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/68 "2010-03-21T21:53:44Z")
> [@kingbighair](#): > > This is great. They are now yielding to each other over and over to delay. I wonder how long they can go. This isn’t really to delay; this is to allow them to insert 15 or 20 page speeches into the Congressional Record just as if they’d spoken the speeches on the floor. I have to admit to some bewilderment. There was the vote on the post office name that I mentioned earlier, and now they’re voting on a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day. What the fuck? Why not get on with the purpose of being there today? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/69 "2010-03-21T21:57:09Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > This isn’t really to delay; this is to allow them to insert 15 or 20 page speeches into the Congressional Record just as if they’d spoken the speeches on the floor. No, it’s to delay. Many members who stood in the unanimous consent conga line had already spoken and could have used less time by adding the revise and extend language to the end of their comments (as only one did, and everyone normally does). Instead of following the normal procedure, they broke out the section of asking for consent to revise and extend to use more time. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/70 "2010-03-21T21:57:49Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > I seriously hope that these internet discussions will be archived for future generations. Children 50 years from now should look with puzzled amusement at all the arguments from the opposition. Oh good God, no. If our descendants use internet discussions as their source of history, we’ll have teachers telling students that the reason we have universal healthcare is that Batman was prepared. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/71 "2010-03-21T22:04:57Z")
> [@kingbighair](#): > > [CSPAN](http://www.cspan.org/Watch/C-SPAN.aspx) live link. Damn our system is boring. A bunch of people preaching from the stand, listening to nobody, and playing rule bending like 1st graders. Why can’t we add shouting matches calling people liars and sodomites like the Brits, or even shoe gang brawls like the Koreans? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/72 "2010-03-21T22:06:11Z")
If they put up this fight over a relatively mild, modest, watered-down bill, imagine when the President for Life Amendment comes up. They’ll have a fit! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/73 "2010-03-21T22:06:41Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > No, it’s to delay. Well, assuming you’re right and I’m wrong, it’s pretty pointless. What are they hoping for? That tomorrow’s headlines read: Republicans succeed in postponing Health Care Vote! by two hours Every time they show the clerk reading, Jesse Jr. is playing with the gavel as if he’s barely restraining himself from whacking heads with it. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/74 "2010-03-21T22:08:46Z")
As I said, I believe the point is so that they can declare that the bill was passed in the dead of night (and perhaps to keep it out of prime time, as Elvis suggests). I don’t think it’s a new tactic. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/75 "2010-03-21T22:13:44Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Damn our system is boring. A bunch of people preaching from the stand, listening to nobody, and playing rule bending like 1st graders. > Why can’t we add shouting matches calling people liars and sodomites like the Brits, or even shoe gang brawls like the Koreans? It is a shame, especially because once upon a time in the way back when it must have been _highly_ entertaining. I give you, from the U.S. Senate’s own website: [The Caning of Senator Charles Sumner](http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/The_Caning_of_Senator_Charles_Sumner.htm) > [@](#): > > On May 22, 1856, the “world’s greatest deliberative body” became a combat zone. In one of the most dramatic and deeply ominous moments in the Senate’s entire history, a member of the House of Representatives entered the Senate chamber and savagely beat a senator into unconsciousness. They just don’t make politicians like that anymore. Shame shame shame. I really want to see Pelosi storm into the Senate and start whacking people with a tire iron. ---
**Author:** ![kingbighair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kingbighair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingbighair)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/76 "2010-03-21T22:24:00Z")
But is not Oasis the greatest British band since the Beatles? Can we not vote on this?! ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/77 "2010-03-21T22:25:43Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > You’re invited to kiss my ass too. So is Clothahump. In fact I’ll have one big ass kissing party. I’ll let you guys know the location as soon as the vote takes place. The location is clear, it shows on Google Earth, it’s 10 km around your asshole. Again, you can pleasure yourself by kissing it with you very own lips. Of course you mean the Senate vote, right? ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/78 "2010-03-21T22:29:43Z")
> [@kingbighair](#): > > But is not Oasis the greatest British band since the Beatles? Can we not vote on this?! Try that and I’ll filibuster until the Clippers are NBA champions. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/79 "2010-03-21T22:39:43Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > As I said, I believe the point is so that they can declare that the bill was passed in the dead of night (and perhaps to keep it out of prime time, as Elvis suggests). I don’t think it’s a new tactic. And if they postpone it long enough, the vote won’t happen until after the deadline for most newspaper. ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199/80 "2010-03-21T22:57:43Z")
Why does Steny Hoyer keep referring to the “punk staffers”? An odd term to use when you’re trying to honor someone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dance-on-the-grave-of-cynical-partisan-obstructionism/533199.md?page=5)