Bill And Bob's Not-So-Excellent Adventure
The Senate is currently debating a $410 billion omnibus spending measure. This measure stretches across at least a dozen Cabinet-level departments, and funds our government for the remainder of FY 2009.
As of this writing, the Senate counts 59 votes in favor of ending debate on the omnibus bill. Unfortunately, since this is a spending measure that requires suspension of debate, there must be 60 votes in favor.
What may surprise some of you not following this bill is that there are two Democrats currently voting against it: Senator Bill Nelson (FL) and Senator Bob Menendez (NJ). Their reason is the same: both oppose language in the omnibus that would greatly relax our ongoing embargo against Cuba.
This is the same embargo that Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) has called "ineffective".
This is the same embargo that the Los Angeles Times has called "useless".
This is the same embargo that the United Nations has roundly condemned every year.
This is the same embargo that a majority of Cuban-Americans in Miami oppose.
When the only international supporters for your policy are Israel, the Marshall Islands and Palau, doesn't that indicate that something just might be seriously amiss with your policy?
When our nation's citizens can travel to Venezuela and Iran without restrictions, but can't travel to Cuba, doesn't that indicate that our priorities are just a wee bit backwards?
Would Nelson and Menendez have been surprised to learn that, in 2004, we had six times as many investigators looking for embargo violations than we had tracking terrorist financial networks?
Oh, and did I mention that their opposition is what's holding up a bill that will actually keep the government open for business through September 30?
Oh, and did I mention that Menendez is also blocking two key White House science appointees solely because of the omnibus measure?
This is the same sort of circular firing squad nonsense that Democrats did throughout the Bush Administration. We have no time for parliamentary games - especially from our side of the table.
I'm on record as supporting virtually all of Obama's selections and nominations. Now we'll get to see just how good they are. Mr. Emanuel? You're up.
Great post, Boyd. Three follow-ups by Friday, OK?
March 6, 2009 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love deadlines. I especially love the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. :-)
March 7, 2009 1:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
I lived in Miami for a while. I understand the politics of the Republican support for old Cuban community.
What I could never understand was after Clinton was elected our government position never changed, regardless of the fact that the Cuban community generally did not, and never would, support Democrats.
Pres. Obama apparently does not want to continue the same path.
Hooray for Pres. Obama
March 6, 2009 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is all we need, after we finish debating Castro we can get right back into Vietnam.
We shall overcome. The Minn Court said it is up to Reid to seat Franken. Kennedy is on his last legs but he is a fighter and shows up when needed so far.
Cut Cuba right now. Get it done and then argue Cuba later.
Oh and Boyd, good damn post!!!!
March 6, 2009 7:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, DD. Part of me agrees that we should deal with Cuba later. But part of me also thinks that Nelson and Menendez need some personal attention, Rahmbo-style.
I mean, the embargo isn't working. It hasn't worked. And it gives us a black eye in the international community. Time to let it go.
March 7, 2009 8:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
What does Senator Bill Nelson (FL) and Senator Bob Menendez (NJ), want?
Must Castro die first, and then we will talk?
Is it arrogance, on the part of these Senators and their constituents? Saying in their hearts
“until you get on your knees and beg for forgiveness Mr. Castro, we will punish you and the nation of Cuba”
Is this the Spanish Inquisition where you must renounce your heresy? “Your teachings are against us, for we speak Ex-Cathedral, until you do we will torment you and your people ”
March 6, 2009 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is priceless!
Answer: Yep! You nailed it! Should we name this the "Palau Test?"
And here:
You left out that we can travel to China, Russia, Burma, Darfur, etc, etc, etc. (Oh, and we can travel to Cuba if we just travel first to, say, Mexico, Turks & Caicos, Venezuela, or anywhere else. We just can't DEPART from our own coutnry. This whole Cuba thing stinks to high heaven. It is ridiculous. Thanks for pointing it out.
Menendez and Nelson have an agenda and are not thinking of our country, or what is the right thing to do; in fact I think it's safe to say they aren't thinking at all.
March 7, 2009 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink