“We say all hail to our very own Nancy Pelosi, feisty scourge of sneering Republicans, and we give a cheer -- and then we wait for results.” --Jon Carroll
Jon Carroll of the San Francisco Chronicle points out that those results might come sooner if “Democrats could get out in front” and realize it is “Time to put down that cocktail glass and pick up a pencil.”
What message does it send to the American people that the happy and historic occasion of the Democratic Congressional majority and Madame Pelosi’s Speakership require FOUR DAYS of celebration? If Mr. Carroll’s comments (text and link below) seem strong, consider the weak force of Mark Shields on the NewsHour chuckling as he allowed that four days seems “a bit much.” Are the American people chuckling? The grassroots and “radical middle” (as Thom Hartmann calls it) that vaulted the Democrats and Speaker Pelosi to miraculous heights are GRAVELY CONCERNED. And we are not-- by the way-- invited to the 96 hour shindig.
Those concerned about the state of the Union and the comment that “Impeachment is not on the table” have been willing to wait and see how the Democrats engage the issues during the first week of the new Congress. Perhaps the discipline of thorough investigations and committee hearings will achieve what Congressional Democrats are loathe to admit or promise. To struggling workers or grieving military families, four days of frivolity will look like D.C. Business As Usual, rather than a “New Direction.”
The state of the Union is a state of denial. The needs of the nation are urgent. The democratic and Democratic voter tide that lifted the new majority in the House and the Senate does not need the first week of the new session spent celebrating to excess. We need to see that the newly sworn members understand the severity of the problems most Americans face RIGHT NOW THIS MINUTE. We need to see that they intend to uphold their sworn duty to the Constitution of the United States and We, The People whom they serve.
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JON CARROLL
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/01/02/DDGRJN7GU91.DTLToday is the start of the gala four-day celebration of Nancy Pelosi's ascension to the speaker's throne. Yes, four days of large, expensive, celebrity-choked gatherings lauding each aspect of Pelosi's career: the Baltimore years, when she was but a tot; the Washington years, when she was a college Democratic operative; the San Francisco years, where she got her start on becoming the grandmother she so often talks about being; and then the Washington years again. Tony Bennett will sing you-know-what. Gavin Newsom will say a few words. Wyclef Jean will do something or other.
Makes me nuts.
Her enemies have often accused Pelosi of having "San Francisco values," which is probably code for "likes gay people." Still, the phrase has a ring to it -- San Francisco values include tolerance, inclusion, compassion and respect for dissent. They also include, I would hope, a sense of proportion. This is not a time for celebration. The Democrats won everything in sight because the Republicans had so thoroughly screwed up the country. The country is still screwed up; the election of the Democrats was only the beginning of the changing of the dynamic. The work starts now, and I don't think the work should include four days of "Me me me I made it me!"
This may be one of those Beltway deals. I suppose Pelosi feels entitled to this gala-athon. But if the Democrats are truly going to change the mood of the capital, they might want to start by reintroducing the idea of modesty. They might not want to start by spending bushels of money when so many Americans are starving. They might want to start by showing up for work early. I'm happy Pelosi has power. I like what she stands for. I am embarrassed for her and the people who voted for her. The trappings of empire do not suit her. Maybe she should be spending those four days in, say, New Orleans.
<snip>
Democrats could get out in front. They could indicate that they understand that the suffering of any American city is the suffering of every citizen. We are supposed to take care of our own; that's the purpose of government. Where the need is greatest, our attention should be most intense. Pelosi could start that ball rolling. She could wear the vestments of compassion. She could say: This is how Democrats differ from Republicans. The Democratic legislators in Congress are on probation, not just from the people who crossed over to vote for them but also from their longtime allies. Democrats in Congress caved in to the president on the war, on military spending, on waste and corruption, on civil liberties. They had an excuse before. Now they don't. Time to put down that cocktail glass and pick up a pencil.
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