LibDib

Interesting point. There has to be something that can be done to stop a rogue Speaker.

Hey, Mr. O'Leary. Maybe do us a favor and STOP "investing in real estate" for a while, m'kay? Thanks.

Do those bribes go straight into Trump's pocket? Or into the government coffers?

To pay his contractors? (If I were them, I'd only accept cash from this lying liar too.)

Because... god? And control. Controlling women is a biggie. Gotta lock 'em in good and tight!

The US Criminal Code doesn't say anything about how Congress conducts business. It's authority to create its own rules of conduct comes from the Constitution. And they've been making it up as they go ever since it was signed.

Absolutely agree. With the caveat that the House must be in session and not at home on a paid vacation in order for it to happen.

A few very short paragraphs taken directly from the House.gov website. The few words I cut for length did not change the meaning. You can add lots of extra words to make it sound way more complicated than it is but it's really pretty easy to understand, even for us simpletons who are not you.

Practically speaking, "the House" = Speaker Johnson and we can all agree on that political reality.

House.gov: "The Speaker or Speaker Pro Tempore(1) must swear in members who miss the mass swearing-in ceremony (...) on rare occasions, the House has authorized other Members or local judges to swear-in absent Reps."

(1): "Usually appointed by the Speaker or elected by the (...) majority party."

NOW do you MAGAts get it? Trump isn't trying to save money by cutting food assistance. He has been ordered to release the funds. But instead of "Oh well, I gotta do it" we get "I am going to actively fight like hell NOT to feed people because it's a political win for ME👍🏻!"

What an evil douchebag!

"The Speaker can designate other officials, including a federal district court judge, to administer the oath. While members are typically sworn in by the Speaker, this practice allows for the oaths to be administered in a member's home district." (Granted, this is from AI so... buyer beware.)

All of this is moot anyway. NOTHING can be done until the House is back in session. There is a line of succession, starting with the president, of people who can order the House back, but since they all LIKE blaming others, ain't nobody going against the Speaker.

Because as long as Speaker Johnson keeps the House on vacation, NO ONE can swear her in. If Grijalva couldn't make it to DC for some reason, Johnson could designate a judge or someone else to swear her in there (not likely) but... again... the House must be open for business.

They have been known to place prayer circles around Mary statues. "Mary" must never be left alone and un-prayed to. Statues of Mary dot the front yards of highly Catholic neighborhoods like garden gnomes. And the Christ figure I can't turn my back on in every church? Sounds idolatrous to me!

They're not in session now.

Not true. A judge may administer the oath.

The problem is the House is on permanent vacation. THAT is the roadblock.

They must be in session. They are not. So not even God could swear her in.

Though I can't believe our founders didn't plan for this very scenario.

They are not in session. They can't do shit.

Unfortunately, all the people in line with the power to call the house into session are Republicans and, I'm guessing, not inclined to do so.

But the House has to be in session. Can someone else get around that? Like... say... if the Speaker was ditching work for several months without a note from his doctor? Dereliction of duty maybe? Even "vacating the chair" needs the House in session.

Asleep At The Wheel

Blowing up fishermen makes Petey feel like a respected manly man for the first time in his life. He's so happy he's absolutely giddy!

Not to mention... that's an awful lot of "narcoterrorists" just wandering around the open sea in boats too small to carry much cargo or fuel, and nowhere near our shores. (No imminent threat.) Somebody's committing crimes and lying about it.

The point. That decades of deregulation and cost-cutting so business owners can maximize profits have led to air travel being more dangerous than it should be. No one is suggesting we go back to sea voyages, only that not killing your customers might be something to prioritize.

The plane was on fire by the time they were airborne. A bomb loaded with 38,000 gallons of jet fuel. Landing would not have been an option.

Look up. See that thing flying over your head? Yeah...

My niece was a crew scheduler for UPS until a month ago. That is what distressed her most. She knew the crew, had flown with them many times as a jumpseater. Told me they would have known they were doomed, but just trying to stay in control long enough to limit damage on the ground. Heartbreaking.

Why are they putting stupid gold signs everywhere? Are they afraid Trump might get lost?

Democracy was only ever a means to a profitable end for some people. Those who are willing to bend the knee to a dictator now merely switched means.