Blue Mass Group

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Don’t Tug on Superman’s Cape – Barney Frank Edition

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“Point of orders rarely end in with a question mark. I’ve never heard one that did!”

Could our humble rep be Washington’s new Leroy Brown, “the baddest man in the whole damn town”?

Not since the discovery of the Prime Minister’s Questions have I been so enthralled by parlimentary procedure.  Below is a C-Span clip of Rep. Frank serving notice – the Dems are now in charge.  It’s well worth watching to the end and I challenge you to not laugh out loud.

Tip: Crooks and Liars

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Comments

  2. It’s entertaining when at the end they were reduced to “you did it before”.  Funny response by Barney there, but he did tell him how to get time.  Republicans never had to follow rules before.

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    Barney is my Rep, I’m glad he is.

  5. I love how Barney just cuts through all the fake humility and false civilty!  Plus, he calls it as it is.  It ain’t a point of order if it’s a debate attempt!

  6. I recall Barney Frank clogging the Republicans’ first week in power back in 1994 by using all sorts of parliamentary procedures to stymie them.  They hadn’t been in power for so long, they never knew what hit them.

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    Love it.

    • Here is a narrative account from The Boston Globe

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      Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a transcript.  This is very funny, if you do get headphones or access to a computer with speakers, chack it out.

  8. My partner leaned over my shoulder as I was watching/listening to the Honorable Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) to ask the above (parlimentary) inquiry to me. 
    I don’t know what was funnier, Barney or my mate’s incredulity.

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    Morale of the story:
    A parlimentary question is a question about parlimentary procedure.
    A point of order is a point about the order (rules)
    A debate or point of view, is neither of the above.

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    What a hoot!

  9. Since Rep. Frank has clearly established himself as one of the more entertaining and intelligent people in politics, I thought it was time for a channel for Barney Frank Video on Demand!

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    I have created a Youtube Channel featuring some of Rep. Frank’s recent greatest hits.  Although nothing tops the parlimentary smack down, I thouroughly enjoyed his Bill Maher appearence and his Bill O. confrontation. 

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    I will continue to add to this, so if anyone comes across some good BF video, send it along to tblade5000 at gmail dot com, or post it somewhere here where I will find it. 

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    Enjoy!

  10. I used to watch all the time – I thought it was on PBS. I can’t wait to set my Tivo to it – thanks for the reminder.

  11. for moderator of my town’s Town Meeting.

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    People are constantly interrupting with bogus “points of information” (supposedly, urgent questions) that turn out to be debate.

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    A little of this Barney would be very welcome!

  12. Why aren’t they included in the bill? Is it because their work isn’t worth as much? Hold the Dems feet to the fire for christ sake!

    • The Dems’ plan is to push through much legislation quickly–and by adopting rules to prevent amendments, Dems are avoiding procedural slowdowns.

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      Under the GOP rules, House Dems were often denied the chance to have their amendments and bills considered.  So the Dems are pushing through the things they needed.

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      If you are asking about the “American Samoa” part, some islands in the Pacific that the U.S. controls have been used as “experiments” for sub-minimum wages, and I believe laws exempt the government of Samoa from following Roe v. Wade, so that women can only get abortions there if their lives are in danger, but not in the cases of rape, incest, foetal impairment, or economic/social reasons.  I’ve been trying to dig up a solid link on the abortion law, but I’m not sure if the docs I’m finding are for American Samoa or Samoa controlled by another country.  I’m guessing the Republicans want to at least tell their base, we’ve saved the stem cells in American Samoa.

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      But I don’t think there’s any stem cell labs there.  Just a coupla tuna canneries. 

  13. was when he told “the gentleman” that if he wanted to know what was in the bill, he should read it (an opportunity not available under Republican leadership).

  14. There’s a new sheriff in town, and during the short times this gentleman might be afforded the position he should use it to make sure that RULES are enforced. I know this is a novel idea to the rubber stamp “Republicans”, but it is so.

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