Here’s the problem with live blogging and twittering and all that (which is the same as the problem with 24/7 TV “news”) — if I were to write what I’m actually seeing and thinking and experiencing, I’d write stuff like this from sitting in the gallery at the SC Senate:
- The guy who reads the bills aloud sounds a lot like Richard Gergel — but he’s not Richard Gergel.
- We just spent a long time being introduced to a 100-year-old lady by Jake Knotts. One of the things I learned about her (I think) is that she was once John Spratt’s schoolteacher. She was presented with a framed resolution, and the senators sang “Happy Birthday” to her. All this was explained when Jake said, “Miz Kennedy still votes, and you know who she votes for.” Well, bless her heart.
- The senators THEN sang “Happy Birthday” to Hugh Leatherman, after he blew out a candle atop a stack of donuts. A senator explained that this “cake” consisted of 70 donuts, adding that “Each donut represents $1 million in stimulus we’re not going to get.” I guess he meant $10 million.
- Kulturkampf was alive and well in the chamber, as one senator got up and said if we were going to protect children from smoking in cars, we should also protect UNBORN children from smoke in cars. An objection was voiced, so that was set aside.
And so forth, and so on. I came hoping to hear something about Vincent Sheheen’s proposal to get the stimulus funds in spite of the governor. But I either missed it (which I think is what happened), or they’re just too busy with “more important” stuff.
This is why I was an editor all these years — so somebody else could sit through all this stuff, and get to me when something actually happened.
An hour of this can make you FEEL like you’re 100 years old…
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A strong argument for shorter legislative sessions. Is it Texas that gets it done in 30 days (30 legislative days I think) every two years? We have a whole lot of laws we don’t need. The majority of the important work takes place off of the floor anyway. Though we have, I think, progressed from the days when decisions were made by Edgar Brown, Sol Blatt and a bottle of Bourbon.
Some states only meet once every two years.
Being a legislator is supposed to be a part-time job.
Our full-time legislators have to be crooked lawyers trying to peddle their influence before boards and commissions they appoint, or retired people.
Shortening the session to 30 days would encourage lots of more qualified people to run, people with broader backgrounds in accounting, engineering, science, business and medicine.
It will be interesting to see the language of Sheheen’s legislation. Obviously the goal is to have something that can get a veto override and have the final decision made by the Supremes. And when, as I suspect they will, they rule in favor of the legislature in an incomprehensible opinion people will cheer that they have “their” money ignoring the damage done to the balance of power and to the fact that legislative dominance has been assured for an even longer time.
OK, here is a link to the Sheheen Joint Resolution:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/691.htm
My big question regards the second part of Section 1, subsection 5. If this is indeed established law, why has it taken so long for the point to be raised. I suspect that this is wishful thinking generated in the hopes that the Supremes will make fantasy reality.
Good point Greg.
Given that Jean Toal is a rubber stamp for the Old Boys who put her on the court, you can bet that is what Sheheen is counting on.