Open Thread

Although the federal government "currently puts hemp in the same category of illegal drug as heroin, LSD and ecstasy," Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) "wants to change that," NBC News reports. McConnell "joined forces Thursday with a pair of West Coast Democrats -- Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley -- to cosponsor a bill that would allow American farmers to grow hemp without fear of punishment." How the hell is Mitch F*cking McConnell to the left of Barack Obama on this issue? On medical marijuana and the legalization of marijuana, the President has been very disappointing.

Last weekend, I watched all thirteen episodes of the new series House of Cards on my Netflix Streaming Account. If you are a political junkie, this is a great show for you to watch, much like the West Wing was. Although it is much darker, and more evil. Indeed, I described it on Facebook as the Evil West Wing. Here are a few clips:

I gotta give credit where credit is due. The freshman Republican Congressman from Michigan, Rep. Justin Amash, said the following true statement (a rarity for a Republican):

"I think it's a mistake on the part of Republicans to try to pin the sequester on Obama. It's totally disingenuous. [...] [Y]ou can't vote for something and, with a straight face, go blame the other guy for its existence in law."

This is on top of Amash's denouncing John McCain for making a racist joke earlier this year. Good job Amash.

Delaware keeps its Triple A bond rating, due to the great stewardship of its Democratic leaders.

All three of the country’s major bond-rating agencies have awarded Delaware that highest rating again based on its fiscal management practices. The three agencies praised Delaware’s financial history, with Moody’s predicting that the state will come out of the recession in a stronger position than most of its peers.

Chuck Hagel's confirmation as Secretary of Defense is now in serious jeopardy because the traitorous Senate Republicans have decided to filibuster a confirmation vote for the first time in the history of the United States. It would appear that while Hagel would be confirmed if a majority vote was held, it would appear that the chickenshit coward Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who refused to reform the filibuster when he had the chance, lacks the 60 votes to break the unprecedented and McCarthyite filibuster by the traitorous Republicans. I have no sympathy for Harry Reid and Senate Democrats. They are the perpetual Charlie Brown and the conniving Repubicans are the Lucy and the football. Maybe one day they will get the spine and do something real to break the Republican Party's traitorous obstruction, but until then we are now left with no Secretary of Defense, and a broken government.

Here's one from Booman, whom I agree with almost completely:

Obama's vision isn't binary. Our government is made up of citizens. Our citizens form governments, large and small, to get things done for each other. If our governments can't help us, then we cannot help ourselves. Obama's vision is diametrically opposed to Reaganism precisely because it isn't binary.

President Obama's State of the Union speech "will be less a presidential olive branch than a congressional cattle prod," Politico reports. Excellent. Hell, if the President wants to curse at the Republicans, I am perfectly fine with that.

Who isn't fascinated by the looming Republican self immolation? I can't read enough about it. Here is a bit of Josh Marshall pointing out that - and I'm paraphrasing - it isn't "radicals" vs "reasonables" it is "radicals" vs. "sick minded, greedy, power hungry freaks"

Senator Carper reacts to the U.S. Post Office ending Saturday service. The Senator's Postal Reform Bill would have ended the ridiculous pension saving requirement the Service is saddled with by statute, which is mostly responsible for the USPS's continued financial woes. Senator Coons gets the chairmanship of the Senate Bankruptcy Committee. Senator from Delaware, but of course. Kavips asks an important question: is the Wilmington port deal the next Fisker?

Bullies always have thin skin and cry when they are hit back. Exhibit A of this: Donald Trump is suing comedian Bill Maher for what Maher said in making fun of the Donald on the Jay Leno show last month. Maher joked that Trump must be 'the spawn of his mother having sex with an orangutan' because he had orange hair.