Shocked and awed

Just a quick note...

My post tonight will be even shorter than last Thursdays.  On top of my already busy Thursday schedule, the Shepherd University Republicans will be meeting on Thursday nights from 8-9.  Anybody from Shepherd who reads this is encouraged to attend.  For more information, please leave me a comment or send me an email and I'll get you the information.  Also for those interested, we'll be having a little barbecue/picnic this fall, so again, feel free to email me and I'll get you the information.

Tonight we had two special guests for our first meeting.  The first was a young man (probably 1-2 years older than me) who is running for WV Delegate for the south side of Berkeley County.  Just as I said above, if you want some information on this young man, send me an email and I'll get in touch with you with as much pertinent information as I have.  Our second visitor was a representative from United States Congresswoman Shelley Moore-Capito.  Capito is seeking re-election as the only female in the WV Congressional delegation as well as the only republican.  While I am not a huge fan of Capito (for reasons which do not necessarily reflect the way she represents us, but simply the fact that she--a resident of Charleston--goes to DC to represent me (who is about as far from Charleston as possible) because of the silly way the congressional districts have been drawn to prevent the Panhandle from "grabbing power"  This is not her fault, but it is still something that bothers me), I must admit that I do support her in her bid for reelection. For information on her campaign or to donate or volunteer, you can visit her official website.

Finally tonight, I'd like to share a story that was over on Dean's World. Much of the blogosphere has been following (actually leading) the charge to expose the senator(s) holding up the anti-pork bill.  According to Dean, Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) was one of the culprits as reported by The Palm Beach Post.

West Virginia Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd admits that he placed a “secret hold” on legislation that would make uncovering the Byzantine world of federal contracting as easy as typing a Google search.

Tom Gavin, spokesperson for Byrd, confirmed to Cox Newspapers that the senator placed the hold on legislation introduced by Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., before voting on the measure.

Byrd joins Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, for holding up the bill right before Congress left town on August 4.

Why, Bobby boy, why?

Byrd merely wanted more time to evaluate the legislation that would create a new database of some $2.5 trillion in federal spending on contracts, loans, financial assistance and insurance.

“Senator Byrd wanted time to read the legislation, understand its implications, and see whether the proposal could be improved,” Gavin said.

Byrd has released his hold, now that there “has been time to better understand the legislation,” Gavin said.

“Senator Byrd believes that the bill should be debated and opened for amendment, and not pushed through without discussion,” Gavin said.

Byrd is unapologetic about using his hold power.

“The American people ought to demand that bills receive scrutiny by senators before those bills are approved,” Gavin said. “We have seen the consequences of rushing legislation through the Senate without any time for review or understanding.”

That's the Bob Byrd reason.  The real reason?  Well one can only speculate, and so I shall.  Robert C. Byrd owns the state of WV.  Why?  Is it because he so accurately reflects the people of this state?  No.  Is it because there just isn't a better candidate?  No.  Is it because we just really like the old guy?  NO!  It is because, in his 9,179 years (ok, that's an exaggeration) Robert C. Byrd has bought and paid for this state through his power as the ranking democrat on the appropriations committee.  Over and over again Byrd packs his pork (earning him the nick name Pork Prince) onto countless bills to provide buildings (three of which I can see from my dorm room window), research institutes, rock piles and other 'stuff' to the people of WV.  And that's all it takes to win here.  Give us something and we'll vote for you.

So why would Byrd want to support any bill that is going to make public record just what he's spending the people's money on?  He wouldn't.  As long as it remains secret, Byrd can continue to buy his seat with his "1 for the other 49 states, 1 for WV" approach.  Oh well, too bad.  It looks like this bill is going to pass, despite his sneaky attempt to hold things up.  This is why the old poop needs to go.  Let's go JOHN RAESE!

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