WASHINGTON -- Pick your metaphor: coal-stuffed stocking, Mr. Grinch, nice-and-naughty list. Lawmakers are once again threatening to stay in session as long as it takes during the holiday season.
In a message to House members today, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., warned members that they would not be going home for the year until the fiscal cliff has been addressed.

Paul J. Richards / AFP - Getty Images
Capitol Hill workmen roll up the carpet used by VIP's after the Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on December 4, 2012 on the West Front Lawn of the US Capitol in Washington.
"Members are further reminded that the House will not adjourn the 112th Congress until a credible solution to the fiscal cliff has been found," Cantor said.
The warning comes as the House leaves town today after the Republican leadership canceled Thursday's session, leaving only three currently-scheduled days left on the 2012 legislative calendar to avert the fiscal cliff. GOP leaders themselves will remain camped out in D.C. in case there is new movement on the negotiations, and rank-and-file members have been instructed to expect more added legislative days later in month.
With the fiscal cliff earning everything from doomsday predictions to despairing acceptance from commentators, it's no surprise that Hill leaders are invoking the ghosts of Christmastime sessions past to urge movement in the negotiations. Senate veterans have the memory fresh in their minds after an unusual 2009 Christmas Eve Senate vote on the Obama-backed health care bill.
As time ticks down for President Barack Obama and House Republicans to make a deal on the fiscal cliff before the end of the year, the pressure is stepping up. The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd reports.
According to the Senate Historical Office, holiday season sessions were not unusual before widespread train and air transportation made it easy for members to travel to their home states a few weeks after coming to Washington on the first Monday in December. But, while numerous congresses have come as close as the 23rd, leaders' frequent foreshadowing of Yuletides in the halls of Congress have generally only served to motivate their members to finish their business soon enough to get home before the sun goes down on Festivus night.
While lame-duck sessions historically don't hold many votes, and are not in D.C. for many days, the optics of today's departure won't burnish the image of a Congress with historically low approval ratings facing some of the toughest economic decisions in history. Since returning to DC after the November elections, the House has had only 16 roll call votes, and has been in session for 11 days.
In the last lame duck session in 2010, Congress was around for 19 days, taking 99 votes.


Drag in some cots, order some pizza's, hide the booze from Boehner and lock these Congress-critters sorry asses in a room until they do the J-O-B the were elected to do!
ENOUGH @!$%#ing time OFF already!
I heard somewhere this morning, the house is already scheduled to be in session LESS days than they were this year!
Are they trying to bottom out with an approval rating in the single digits?
WHY NOBODY ASKS THE QUESTION:
WHY THE GOP SAYS THAT INCREASING THE TAX FOR THE RICH DOES HURT THE ECONMY.IF ATTANINED BY INCREASING THE MARGINAL RATES???
BUT IF THE SAME INCREASE HITS THE SAME RICH BY MEANS OF CLOSING LOOPHOLES TO BE NEGIOTED AFTER JAN 1, 2013, ALL IS OK??
Could it be that knowing very well that the latter is arithmetically impossible, all what they want to achieve is that the Bush tax cuts for the rich doesn’t expire Jan. 1 and continuing to obstruct the issue further on?????
Tom - The GOP does not want tax RATES to go up. They are willing to raise revenue from the rich but don't believe that RATES should go up. Haven't you beem listening? They are really trying to help small business people, on the right and left, because the hardest hit with raising RATES are the people who really don't have many deductions. The Americans that are really "rich" use so many deductions that they really don't care what the rate is. It could be 50% and they won't end up paying it. So elimination of deductions can actually bring in more revenue that raising rates, that will probably never go down again.
Feisty - I'm for cold cuts and water. Pizza is WAY too good for them. And, no cots - just blankets - they can sleep on the floor. No pillows either.
Tom Wittmann - I believe you've hit the nail on the head! They are all for protecting the top 1% at the cost of the rest of us. Lower taxes - obviously - have not helped with job creation. Taxes have been higher in the past and more jobs created. They keep relying on lies to get their "points" across!
Dear Santa, please bring me a parachute - John Boehner
Better not serve koolaide either while in session.Better yet!!!!! serve nothing to anybody while in session.If they get hungry or thirsty enough something will happen.If that does'nt work,Close the bathroom up.Something will give sooner or later.
Oh, off topic, but important: Here is a list of the 38 pigs who voted no on the U.N. treaty yesterday. Must research who is up in 2014! They gotta go!
The 38 Republican Senators who voted against the treaty for disabled rights
NAYs ---38
Alexander (R-TN)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coats (R-IN)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Heller (R-NV)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lee (R-UT)
McConnell (R-KY)
Moran (R-KS)
Paul (R-KY)
Portman (R-OH)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rubio (R-FL)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)
People should be asking, Why can't you do both? Raise rates and close loop holes.
The only way our country will ever be fixed is through a Revolution.
There is too much corruption in D.C., and we need to clean out the entire bunch.
Ask yourself, Why would a bunch of rich self serving politicians want to do anything that will cost themselves money?
Therein lies the problem!
I think we all need to run for office. I heard today that Congress actually works for a whole 60 days a year. They get vacations, weekends, and time off for all the other 305 days. I wonder how much their salaries cover only 60 days a year? What else are we paying them for? Are we paying them to run for office? It sure appears like it!!!
Poor Thangs. Ain't like they haven't tried. They've gone all the way back to 1854 at the Ripon, Wisconsin schoolhouse. They've rechecked the historical lie libraries of John Fremont, Simon Cameron, Benjamin Wade, even hoped to find something credible and unused, tied to Spoon's Butler, and/or Rosco Conklin. Came up empty as a wallet lost in a whorehouse. They've told so many lies, recycled 'em so many times, used 'em in so many variations, they haven't anything left that the people haven't already rejected. Hard times for the republicans. Hard times indeed. Hell, they may yet be forced to govern for the people. If they do, they won't take kindly to it.
Sorry folks. In this little card game, the Democrats are holding Aces full of Kings and the Republicans are holding a pair of 6s. Your bet.
Dear Mr. President Obama..... Sequester these fools until this is resolved..... Do not allow the House nor Senate to leave.... This needs to apply as of now..... No Weekends off, No Christmas, No New Years eve..... No Leaving at all until these fools get the job done..... After all we have waited 4 years for them to get there act together and all they have done is TAKE OUR MONEY giving nothing in return..... LOCK THEM UP ALREADY.....
Thanks for the list, AG. I see our embarrasment Grassley is on it.
Surprise Surprise, and Gomer would say....
"....the Republicans are holding a pair of 6s. Your bet."
What? no trey sixes? No 666 for them fools??
Thanks for the list, Miss Alaska Girl! So NOT surprised to see both of my idiot Senators on it. They couldn't distinguish themselves from their party of NO if they tried! Buttheads!
I see no problem with them working a few extra days. After all, they only work an average of 60 days a year. For the money they are paid, we are grossly losing out. They need to work a 40 hour week or more for their ungodly salaries and benefits.
I think that's just silly. Everybody needs to go home and cool off. Is Canton is making this feeble announcement in an effort to prevent any "recess appointments"?
They already know they're going to extend the deadline, so I say do that, rather than keep the American People on edge over the entire holiday while the news shows continue to predict "doom" everyday.
I doubt very seriously if those Congressmen/women are going to stick around Washington instead of going home, especially since Boehner already called it a "stalemate".
Doesn't Eric Cantor just have the biggest effing nerve?
Truth is; should the country fall off the fiscal cliff, or, for those who prefer, step off the fiscal curb, the significance would not exceed that of a whirlwind uniting with a fart. Course those who created the fart (republicans) would have a fit as the whirlwind strewed their smell.
Alaska Girl,
Thanks for posting those senators' names. Make a note, people!
Find out who all your state representatives, senators, congress members, etc. are and send them an email telling them that we are watching how they vote and are taking note of what they are personally doing to help our nation out of this mess that the last GOP Administration left for us.
By 2014, let's vote every one of these procrastinating, corporate-controlled politicans and TP fanatic fringe leaders out of office and get some more honorable men and women put in their place.
Send , call & write your Senators if the were on this list...both mine are. Let them know what you think of this crap. The Republicans just don't GET IT.
I just briefly heard Paul Ryan has attacked Mitt Romney! I guess Ryan is trying to distance himself from that cluster-f— — — he and Romney were part of!
This republican congress really are eating their own, well, after they throw each other under the bus!!
AlaskaGirl-759554
A handful of those on that list belong to the original 13 Obstructionists who met on January 20, 2009 during President Obama's inauguration:
Obama and Democrats want to go down the cliff regardless if they damage the economy of our country just to show to the radical far left he is the winner, the media bias PR for Obama is already working hard pointing fingers to blame Republicans for the unwillingness of Obama to work bipartisan. Republicans already are providing the money that Obama wants , coming from the pockets of the rich, that is what he was asking , but for Obama this is not his way , he want straight hike hike to their income, so this is just Obamas politics looking for the winning circle, where is the compromise. This is not about winners of losers this is about our country, if got his money from the rich who cares how he got it. Not happy with that Obama is demanding no restriction on rising the the debt limit, this is outrageous.
Right the Republicans just don't get it. Maybe what liberals need to do is simply explain to those Republicans how raising 86 billion a year in tax revenue is going to wipe out the 1.2 trillion dollar annual deficits Obama has been running. Maybe liberals could remind Republicans that Obama even added 40 billion a year in yet to be determined Medicare cuts. Or remind Republicans that Obama has already done a smoke and mirrors 1 trillion dollar cut that takes place maybe something in the next 10 years. Add it all up and you basically have Obama knocking 100 billion a year off his 1.2 trillion dollar deficits. Funny how it is liberals claiming the Republicans are the ones that don't get it.
JH, you argue that raising rates on income above $250,000 will harm small businesses. You understand that raising rates means that the first $250,000 net net net, would be taxed at the existing lower rate and only the net amount above $250,000 would be taxed at the higher (whatever is agreed to) rate.
If a 'small' business netted $500,000 income (and at that level I question the use of the term 'small') the lower rate would apply to the first $250,000 and the higher rate to net income about $250,000. Using averages, which is dangerous I admit, to arrive at a $500,000 income after all credits, deductions and exemptions permitted are deducted from gross would likely mean that this small business is grossing something closer to $1 million.
The Tea Loonies in Congress are responsible for the last standoff that led the Treasury to the brink of the Nation's first-ever default that prompted Standard & Poor to reduce our rating, these Clowns violated the trust of the American people that voted them in, this Tea Movement has become an American Nightmare !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What Fiesty said, with 1 additional requirement: lock the bathrooms and install 2 porta-pottys with an irregular cleaning schedule. Oh, and change the pizza to bread, water, and cold beans - in conjunction with the porta-potty, that may provide additional incentive; although the verbal excrement they spew on a regular basis, they are potentially immune.
This group of incompetent nitwits we have in Congress will at least give us 1 small contribution. They are so feckless that the phrase "lame duck" will be replaced by "lame dodo".
I hate that people keep blaming the repulicans for our Financial Cliff. It is Not them, Its ALL Democrats and ALL republicans that have caused this problem. The issues started back in the 60's and 70's when the Democrats paid for the Viet Nam war and all the social programs with Social Security Money, Those IOU's have been coming due. And the other issue is How Long Will the US Government keep spending MORE THAN IT MAKES?
And If you wish to blame someone, I vote for Democrat Ret. Senate R. Byrd, for USING US Tax payer money to BUILD A Library at some local University that has HIS NAME ON IT. That truly pork barel politics at its best... there are more important things to spend money on, like US Roads, Paying our Debt back.... So get the point
Amazes me that the Progressives didn't demand Mr. Obama unplug the Christmas tree lights and then remove the Christmas tree.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., warned members that they would not be going home for the year until the fiscal cliff has been addressed.
Wow, the weasel, Cantor, actually said something that I am in total agreement with!
This statement ought to put a big fire under some of their asses! At least I am optimistic!
Oh, off topic, but important: Here is a list of the 38 pigs who voted no on the U.N. treaty yesterday. Must research who is up in 2014! They gotta go!
The 38 Republican Senators who voted against the treaty for disabled rights
NAYs ---38
Alexander (R-TN)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coats (R-IN)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Heller (R-NV)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lee (R-UT)
McConnell (R-KY)
Moran (R-KS)
Paul (R-KY)
Portman (R-OH)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rubio (R-FL)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)
Thank you for providing a list of the 38 House Republicans who voted against ratifying a UN treaty based on our own Americans with Disability Act.
Shame on them, shame on the people who voted for them, shame on the donors who fund their campaigns. Shame. Shame. Shame.
They are all up for reelection in 2014 and running scared that they might get primaried. What a bunch of morons.
You're welcome, Amy!
Every one of them is up in 2014? I knew that they were all teabanger sweethearts, but haven't had a chance to see which ones were due up on the chopping block. Yes, they are morons, but more importantly they lack morals, nor any sense of patriotism towards their fellow Americans.
AlaskaGirl - yes, thank you!
No, Portman from OH isn't up for reelection until 2016. He rode in on the TP wave in 2010
Hi SS! You're welcome, too!
I posted it again so that it remains further up and doesn't slip into oblivion.
I was never ever a fan of Bob Dole, but it really saddened me that his two closest friends, McCain and Grassley would do what they did to him.
Thanks, Deb, that knocks one of them off my research list!
AlaskaGirl - I think the Republican definition of "friend" is decidedly different than most peoples.
Yes, I agree with you, SS. Oh, hey, I laughed when I saw you wrote "cold cuts". I have not heard that in a long time. That is old school, for sure! My parents(born and raised in the Bronx) always referred to "sandwich meats" that way. I grew up hearing that and to this day I have to check myself at the store because most people have no idea what I am talking about if I ask what aisle the cold cuts are on!
Did any of them serve in the military?
Tea Loonies are a Classic Mix of Nuts and the Voice of Rush Limbaugh !!!!!!!!!!!
Why doesn't it surprise me that MSDNC failed to mention the president will be on a long vacation in Hawaii playing golf and basking on the beach while the Congree tries to fix his trainwreck? What a worthless piece of @!$%# he is. You can't count on him for any type of leadership and you can't count on the media to report fairly. Four more years of the same coming right up, folks.
Safe to say the only worthless piece of @!$%# I see is YOU, little buddy!
Like President Obama is the ONLY President to ever take a vacation!
Let's review what his predecessor cost us... shall we;
Stick your phony outrage up your ass!
Do you have a valid source for your claim?
Hi Fisting Redhead,
Blow me.
The President is never "on vacation." His work follows him wherever he goes. Besides, House Republicans need to work out their compromise amongst themselves. The President has said the only thing he will not bend on is raising taxes on the rich.
And the president likes to demagogue the right for being radical, rigid ideologues, yet he likes to draw lines in the sand. Can anyone say, hypocrite?
I hope that Obama plans on working until the agreement is settled.
I see many posting that it would be best to let the tax hikes expire. better for who?
Hi Lil Michelle,
Taxes going up on everyone is Obama's dream come true. More money to spend by the federal government so that he can dole it all out as kickbacks to his union and socialist thugs that got him re-elected.
Nick the Dick said:
Hi Fisting Redhead, Blow me.
Feisty, I would take that as a no!
Nick - stay away from the popcorn fart machine. Can you imagine anyone stupid enough to use Media Matters for a reference? Pathetis left wing loons.
President Obama is a POS POTUS. He changes his mind as often as Fiesty changes her depends. He is a liar and a failure. Sometrhing the left just loves as long as they get their gifts by stealing others hard earned money.
Lil Michelle - better for the country. The tax cuts for the middle class cost about $3 trillion over ten years and only $700 billion for the rich. You have heard nothing but BS from the libs.
pay no mind to hot coals amy or the red army supporter feisty.
*Waves to JH*
Dear Needle-Dick Nick:
Sorry little buddy, your shouldn't have already shot your wad on your sister!
She told me it takes you forever to "get it up" again... and quite frankly, I just don't have the time to sit around and wait for you!
So, if it's all the same to you, I'll leave it up to her to satisfy your *ahem* needs...
Thanks for the invite though!
xoxo
Feisty
"Taxes going up on everyone is Obama's dream come true. More money to spend by the federal government so that he can dole it all out as kickbacks to his union and socialist thugs that got him re-elected."
Well Nick -- they say you can't fix stupid and you prove it. Neither President Obama or any other president can spend money that Congress doesn't approve. You must have dropped out of school before 8th grade civics. As for your "blow me" comment -- it's simply further confirmation to prove my point
Popcorn fart lady, Like your brother does for you?
Nick-
Awww, whittle Nicky's soiled his diaper again with a foul mouth.
Don't worry, Nickster, Santa will still bring you the official David Duke NRA - Junior Klansman Klub hood and gown you've been wanting all year.
PSSSST.
It also comes equiped with the Super-Duper Racist Action figure of the Duke himself, and a marriage license for you and your sis.
Salud
So a little old lady is standing on a bridge, in her cupped hands is the ashes of her cremated husband. "Nick", she says, "remember that blowjob you always wanted? Well her you go. phooot."
little, dumb Nick - the President is NEVER truly on vacation. He works from wherever he is. See, with all this newfangled communication inventions his office goes with him. I know that is sooooo hard for someone with your limited mental capabilities to understand but - it's TRUE!!!!
Now, I KNOW you'll rest easier!
bcwc - LOL!!!!
Isn't it amazing that crude and classless is a requirement to be a Republican?
must be multitasking in that meeting eh seeking? or was your meeting with the PO quicker than anticipated. the 'meetings' were cancelled im sure
BCWC ..... Thank you! Best laugh of the day! (Going to keep that one in my files!)
BCWC, standing over a toilet is probably more likely.
Nobody with anything that resembled a brain ever complained about 'da Dub' being on vacation. Going back to the office that is a different story.
Where OH Where did Needle-Dick Nick scurry off to?
Not even his "fluff-girl", JH was enough for him to take it like a man.. lmfao!
Poor, poor, bitter Nick. I'm betting when the schedule for 2013 for the House was released recently you just about blew a gasket hearing that they'd be working a whole 126 days next year. Oh, wait, you didn't say a word. Okay, well, I remember when you ripped W a new one for setting a record for vacation while in office... oh, wait... you didn't say a word then either. Hypocrite.
What would you have him do? Is he supposed to be bugging Boehner, 'are we there yet, are we there yet, are we there yet"? Is he supposed to sit at his desk in the Oval Office, pen in hand waiting with bated breath for them to send the bill so he can sign it? Maybe it would be better that he is using the "bully pulpit" on the news daily with his side of the story making a fool of the Republicans led by Boehner. (be careful what you wish for) It is Congress's job to make the laws. All the President does is execute the laws. If you have a used book store near you (or you could get one on line) buy a copy of the US Constitution. It is a fairly short, well written document that will explain the roll of Congress and of the President.
I like it. Needle Dick the Bug Fu**er.
Hey, Ceasar- they pickin' on you again!
Oh, that not you? sorr-eee.
38 Pigs the American people should flush down the Toilet, "AlaskaGirls Rule" for Bob Dole !!!!!
I agree Feisty!
I also want to see Obama on his promise to work bipartisan with these "representatives"! America is in a trance, need to get the deal done and move on!
@Nick - show some respect... Santa is watching!! ;-p
Lil, Santa gave up on this jerk many,many moons ago. Too bad this needledickprick hasn't got a brain. Maybe he and the scarecrow need to go see the Wizard to get their brains.
Meanwhile, in addition to dealing with the fiscal cliff, our President is keeping an eye on Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and Israel, to name only a few hot spots. Sometimes it seems like President Obama is the only one who actually works in the Capital.
The House has nothing to do but figure out how to cut spending without hurting the economy .... get cracking!
Ahhhh, Nick, the president said last week that he will postpone his yearly family holiday plans in order to get the fiscal debacle settled. Try and keep up, K?
Oops! Sorry for the long ginormous space in my other post. I did a copy/paste and didn't realize how far apart they were and I ran out of time!
Oh, Nick! Forgot this tid bit! Didn't Bush continue sitting with the school kids after hearing that our country was under attack? Just sayin' Oh, also, ever hear of conference calling? Even if the POTUS did go on vacation(really not a vacation when you are the POTUS) he is connected 24/7. Stop being such a tool.
Get a clue. His foreign policy on top of continuing most of the Bush policies has been a disaster. The Middle East is on fire, Iran is threatening nuclear destruction and all B.O. can "manage" to do is utter the words, "man caused disaster" and "overseas contingency operation".
Nick, you really gotta seek help for your Fox addiction. It is eating away at your remaining brain cells, and by your comments, I would say you haven't much time.
Nick is just a terrorist supporter, leave him alone guys! It is common knowledge that the largest shareholder outside the Ruppert family is a Saudi Prince with terrorist ties. Everyone knows that if you watch Fox YOUR taking your marching orders from A terrorist.
Nick HATES America and he HATES our President. I just wish he would go back to his mother country, Iran, Iraq, or where ever. if you don't like Ameirca, we certainly will not stop you from leaving. That is what WE AMERICANS call FREEDOM!
The only thing we pay for on Obama's vacation is the airplane trip and secret service. HE pays for everything else. By the way the SS would be wherever he is anyway even in that big white house at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washingto, DC. How many trips in Airforce 1 has he taken as compared to others while on vactation?
"W" spends 20 million and the Loonies think the President 4 million is to much, that's just Insanity !!!
BO has his eyes on vacation, golf, lavish parties with Hollywood elite and hedgefund managers...anything but what is good for this country. I'm sure he had "eyes" on Benghazi while he WATCHED and did nothing while 4 Americans were MURDERED. You pathetic left are blind or is it the taxpayers money that has you cuckholded? You're being bought cheap but I guess it's better than having to get up in the morning and actually contribute to the country you're taking from. Your parents and (if you have any) children must be so proud -- NOT
Just how is Obama's foreign policy anything like Bush's? Which foreign country did Obama invade looking for non-existent WMD's?
C'mon, 10 years to subdue two countries smaller than some US states? WWI lasted 4 years and WWII lasted 6 years. These were wars fought on a global scale. The idiots in charge, good Republican businessmen, lost sight of the goal. More worried about Halliburton's profits than US security, they dithered until the clock ran out and then retired to live in luxury with "thank you's" from Halliburton.
Al Quaeda is our enemy. Al Quaeda doesn't have a country. Al Quaeda is spread among many countries with a distributed network of operatives. How do you fight a ground war against this? You can't!
What you can do is make it very, very dangerous to be an Al Quaeda leader. Obama has done that:
June 2012 - Yahya al Libi killed (senior al Qaeda leader in Pakistan)
September 2011 – Younis al Mauritani captured (senior al Qaeda leader in Pakistan)
September 2011 – Abu Hafs al-Shahri killed (al Qaeda’s chief of Pakistan operations)
August 2011 – Atiyah Abd al-Rahman killed (Al Qaeda No. 2 in Pakistan)
May 2011 – Osama bin Laden killed (Number 1 Al Qaeda, and worlds most wanted)
June 2011 – Fazul Abdullah Mohammed killed (top al-Qaeda operative in Somalia)
June 2011 – Ilyas Kashmiri killed (top al- Qaeda commander in Pakistan)
June 2010 – Hawza al Jawfi killed along with 6 other terrorist (leader in Pakistan)
May 2010 – Mustafa Ahmed Muhammad Uthman Abu al-Yazid killed [aliases Shaikh Sa’id al-Masri and Mustafa Abu al-Yazid] (al Qaeda’s No. 3)
April 2010 – Abu Ayyub al-Masri and Abu Umar al-Baghdadi (Top two Al Qaeda operatives in Iraq)
March 2010 – Qari Mohammad Zafar killed (terrorist leader in Pakistan)
February 2010 – Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar captured (The Taliban’s top military commander)
February 2010 – Sirajuddin Haqqani killed (militant commander in Pakistan)
January 2010 – Qassem al-Rimi, Ayed al-Shabwani, Ammar al-Waili, Saleh al-Tais, Ibrahim and Mohammed Saleh al-Banna killed (Al-Qaeda military boss and senior Al-Qaeda figures in the Arabian Peninsula)
December 2009 – Saleh Al-Somali killed (senior al Qaeda operative in Pakistan)
September 2009 – Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan killed (ringleader of an al Qaeda cell in Kenya)
Now, I ask you - whose foreign policy is more effective at achieving American security? Republicans, who led us to two long, wasteful, fruitless ground wars? Or Obama, who has made it very, very dangerous to be an Al Quaeda leader?
Ah, Nick; you dislike the President so much that you would begrudge him having any Christmas vacation. Bah Hum bug! you say. One thing about modern technology is that it allows individuals to stay in touch with their daily routine from remote places--yes even Hawaii. I'm sure he will be readily available to respond to the Republicans' next offer.
I don't begrudge him a vacation at all, but the guy does little as it is. Over 100 rounds of golf in four years. I don't think I've played that many rounds in my life. The lavishness of all of it is sickening. Over 50 Christmas trees in the WH this year (or should I call them "holiday" trees to make Barack happy?) That is EXCESSIVE especially in a time with the financial issues this country has.
You must pull these numbers out of a sock?
Actually it's his ass... notice how when asked to back them up he runs like a scalded cat?
Here you go woodie,
"Over 100 rounds of golf in four years."
"I don't think I've played that many rounds in my life."
Does playing a round of golf take any more time than, say, watching a football game? What's the big deal?
I always get a good giggle whenever anyone bashes the president over golf. I would really like to see any one of these fools take on the job of the most important person in the world, a job that is literally a 24/7 position, a job with the weight of the country on your shoulders, a job that takes you away from your family for many days at a time, and often. I would like to see if any one of the fools spouting off about a few rounds of golf could even do 1/100th of the job of ANY POTUS.
Nick,
President Eisenhower played 100 rounds in his first year !!!
Nick, have any idea how many rounds of golf the GOP leadership plays????....my guess is about as many times as the president. Ever heard of mixing work with pleasure, and that many business deals are done on the golf course. Get a life, and start worrying more about a "Part-time" Congress than your idea of a part-time President.
People, Nick is a Musslim, he doesn't understand how our Christian President would like to spend Christmas with his family.
Nick watches FOX NEWS, the network of his home country!
Jeez Nick give it a rest. I played golf between 2 and 3 times a week and sailed on weekends while I was working at an upper management position in a Fortune 100 company.
How many rounds of golf did Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush play while in office. What does it average out to per Pres? It would be interesting to find out. Somehow I don't think Obama would win any prize for the most games. I'd rather he play golf than sit on his duff and gain weight. Excercise is good for him.
If one knows anything about doing business they discover that relationships and some deals are made on the golf course. When things are less formal people are willing to open up and to agree to things they wouldn't in a more stiff and formal situation. I don't begrudge any President for playing golf.
He's been on Christmas vacation for 4 yrs -- what's another 4 for you left lapdogs, considering you're always on vacation thanks to the 53% of hardworking taxpayers.
Yeah, you keep flogging that dead 47% horse. And keep ignoring the fact that your 53% number was 63% before Bush wrecked the economy!
Somebody get the poor dears an orange and a chocolate coin.
"poor dears" -- seriously granny?
Scrooged
From the article above:
I'll prefer to think of all my progressive friends as nicely-naughty!!!
(wink)
It's good to see congress is so comitted to serving the American Public.
Considering that they already know what their going to do and are just playing back-door back-scratching games right now to see who in congress owes who a favor and who is going to be who's %$#@&.
It should be a wonderfull Christmas at the Whitehouse, as our newly re-elected by a Electoral Landslide Mandate President Obama and his wonderfull family spend their 4th holiday in the Peoples house.
Deck the halls, Mr. Cantor!!!
or should I say, Shalom!!!
Salud
You betcha, Tomas! ☺
Salud!
Actually, watching baggers heads explode over having to raise the tax rates on the 1% is putting me in the holiday spirit! Course, with the bagger heads bursting in air, it sounds a lot like the Fourth of July!
Hi Al (et al), yes, feeling festive! Strange that Boehner says raising top tax rates would "hurt the economy". Even more strange is the implication that taking the same amount of money from them via eliminating deductions wouldn't have the same effect. Odd logic.
Repubcans are now blaming President Obama for being born in Hawaii and somehow believing that he choose to be born in Hawaii thus costing more for vactions, it is similar to that concept that women choose to get pregnant from rape.
The children are being forced to stay inside instead of going outside for recess and are being kept after school until their homework is done? What a shame.
Oh my, President Obama has played over 100 rounds of golf in 4 years; that's like over 25 rounds a year. Oh my gosh, 7% of his days have been playing golf (not that it takes all day to play a round). And who is to say what work is done during these rounds of golf? Where I live, many a business meeting is held on the golf course. Do I begrduge my boss having golf business meetings? No, he works hard and if he can get his work done and enjoy some physical activity--more power to him. Quit being such a whiner.
Donna
Oh my, we got to see all the work Obama accomplishes while on the golf course during the Gulf Oil Spill. What country were you living in when this all happened. The liberal media reported his leadership or should I say lack of leadership during that crisis.
How can anyone forget the pictures of him golfing next to pictures of specially built oil skimming ships tired up to dock awaiting for his okay to go to work while million of gallons of crude washed up on beaches and contaminated rivers and wet lands for days and days.
Donna: You have taken the words right out of my Dad's mouth! God bless him and thank you. ☺
Keep everyone in Washington until the fiscal cliff is resolved. It is irresponsible not to allow families and business to plan for the future.
Nick-
Awww, whittle Nicky's soiled his diaper again with a foul mouth.
Don't worry, Nickster, Santa will still bring you the official David Duke NRA - Junior Klansman Klub hood and gown you've been wanting all year.
PSSSST.
It also comes equiped with the Super-Duper Racist Action figure of the Duke himself, and a marriage license for you and your sis.
Salud
Get prepared, the middle class is going to end up with the short end of the stick when a temporary solution is agreed upon so congress can go home for Christmas.
Remember when they put together another temporary fix when the Government was going to shut down on August 2, 2011. That temporary fix is the financial cliff we are about to go over.
Austerity has one foot in the door and when they get done with their temporary fix, the door is going to swing open to allow a little more of austerity to impact the middle class.
Did we not hear the same thing last year from these guys?
Both parties seem to agree that a 10 year plan is needed to save 1.X trillion dollars. So how they get there seems to be the problem.
How does saving 1.X trillion over 10 YEARS save anything while we are adding that much to our debt each year for the past 4?
hey tea party what happen to ..,.you need to work for what you get paid for..no time off..remember
remember tea nuts ..we will work until the job is done remember..no matter what it is..you said it not me
what happened-after much searching I was able to find the one article where then RNC chairman Michael Steele took shots at the President playing golf during the oil spill disaster. Is that the outrageous incident you are referring to? Another example of the Republican party politicizing a tragedy. How is Michael Steele and the RNC doing these days? Another one the RNC kicked to the curb!
Donna
How quickly you forget that Obama refused to let the governors of those States begin to clean up the mess.
Live in your fantasy world for reality is going to have you crying like babies when you return to it and you will return to it sooner rather than later. The average 73,077 people that are getting added to the food stamp rolls each week aren't the sign of a growing economy no matter how much you want to believe they are.
Why would anybody care about a resolution from the UN the UN? Worthless organization that takes our money and that's about it.
UN what a Joke only vote that needs to be taken is to kick them out of New York so we can stop the platform given to little jerks like the idiot from Iran to bad mouth us on our soil.
The UN was created and mostly funded by us folks the USA
As the mother of 5 children whom I home schooled in the 70's, I resent that they are using home schooling as an argument. I also resent the fact that I am in an electric wheel chair due to disability and cannot travel to a lot of countries since they do not have facilities. JUST ONE MORE REASON TO DISLIKE THE GOP. THEY ARE AGAINST WOMEN, NON-WHITES, POOR PEOPLE, ETC, AND NOW THE DISABLED.
I would like to wish all REPUBs that they end up in my chair some day but I have a lot more charity towards them than they have for the disabled.
Those who hate the UN are the same people who have a my way or the highway attitude. If it isn't EXACTLY like America it is no good in their little minds. They just can't stand to let others share the floor with great ideas. It is a forum to settle differences between countries, and has been pretty effecive. They aren't perfect but without the UN there might well have been WWIII and, if those opposing the UN had their way we'd be in the middle of WWIV and about to blow up this entire planet.
Jeff and westguy: Please do some research before you spout off ignorance. You do not know what you are talking about, that much is quite obvious. 126 countries have adopted the United States ADA(Americans with Disabilities Act) which was enacted by a Republican president. This treaty would ensure that our disabled veterans and disabled Americans are treated fairly and without discrimination when they go to other countries, and would actually be able to travel to other countries and be assured that if in a wheelchair they can actually get around the damn place. It is important, so I encourage both of you to do a little bit of research so that you will be fully aware. I would not have posted the list of Senators if it were not important. The reason it was voted down was because those 38 Senators are beholden to the tea party, and for some insane reason the tea party folks think that this treaty would somehow affect their home schooling! Now, is that not nutso or what?
Sadsackguy you ROCK!
I'm calling Santa and all the Republicans in Congress are getting nothing but coal (they love coal don't they?) in their stockings.
hey tea party if we continue to give tax breaks forever to the rich..who will pay for future bills that get pass????
14 of the 15 biggest welfare states in the good old US are blue states. So the left must be doing something right! You go guys! You're so good at everything. BTW all of those people are asking for a cell phone and some food, and a place to sleep. Can the Obamas cut the Hawaii vacation down to just 3 weeks? Hang on, the phones ringing... It's Detroit.. something about a loan?
_
If everybody was making a decent livable wage they wouldn't need to be on welfare. The republicans would love to repeal the minimum wage which would just put more people on welfare. And don't tell me different. This past election they were for bills that would hurt their own wives, own parents and own children. So don't come back with they care about America. They only care about their own pious, ignorant, self-serving, pompous, belligerent, fear mongering/terroristic selves.
Where do you get your information?
Let's go to Business Insider:
To break this down for you, Blue states do receive more federal money per capita, but they also pay more per capita.
Of the states that take more money than they give, all of them voted Republican this past election cycle.
Now I know you conservative wingnuts don't believe in numbers, but I can assure you that they say that red states are the real welfare states.
I'm beginning to feel like a broken record: Grover Norquist is not elected to any office; is not mentioned in the Constitution of the United States; and last time I looked, he was not mentioned in the oath of office the members of the House of Representative take when they are sworn in every two years. SO....it is time to remind every Republican member of the House that if they signed pledge to Grover Norquist, they have forsaken their oath of office and have committed treason. It is time that the DOJ and the FBI did their jobs and started putting people in jail, including Grover Norquist.
You hit it right on the nail. Then greatest terrorist threat to this country is the Republican Party. They have purposely been sabotaging our economy for their own gains. During the Bush years they tried to rule by fear just like the Soviet Union used to do. Osama Bin Laden was their greatest ally. With him still alive they could still put fear in the hearts of Americans.
If they can sequester juries........congress should be sequestered in a small room, no air, no heat, no cell phones. water is allowed. until they can do their job and establish a budget. do people realize that Congress's main job is to create a budget. That is their number 1 responsibility. Also, they already announced that they are only going to work 126 days during the next congress. I suggest that all Americans demand from their employers that they will only work 126 days next year. We shouldn't have to work more days than the people we employ which is congress.
p.s. and we still get a full years salary
"Needle Dick Nick" does have a nice ring to it. It's meant to be when you think about it. "Nick" is just a conflation of "Needle" and "Dick"-perfect! Plus, it fits this apparently brainless ___hole to a t.