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He was claiming it only had to do with regards to judicial appointments, but it would in fact end up being in regards to all presidential appointments as they would fall under the same classification. My guess is that this would also be the case for treaties that the President signs and come before the Senate for ratification. I don't see how something purely "legislative" could be covered under this, as any change to the Senate rules requires a 2/3 majority vote. The "Constitutional" or "nuclear" option was available to Frist for the judicial nominations, as the VP would be settling a question of whether the rule applied, not changing or creating the rule. Even if he had the stones to try it (or any Senate Majority Leader had the stones for that matter), I don't see how he could frame the issue in a way that allowed bypassing the 2/3 rules modification requirement. I might be missing something, but I don't see how other rules changes could be made in at their discretion. If there is a portion of the Senate rules that contradicts my understanding, please let me know; I would like to look at that, but in my reading of them I don't see it. Dave.

I don't believe that Frist would be able to change the rules without having a 2/3 majority. I don't see either party (or even pro life or choice proponents) getting to 67 any time in the near future. An abortion related bill would not be subject to "nuclear option" which was considered for judicial nominee review. The "nuclear option" was (as far as I can figure out) an effort to have "executive" matters not covered under the Senate's rule XXII regarding "legislative" matters. I agree that there would be tremendous pressure, from both sides, regarding federal intervention into the matter. I just don't see how anything substantial would ever survive a threatened filibuster. Dave.

If Roe is overturned, I absolutely see the issue going back to the state level. I would be extremely surprised if you got a federal law that addressed the entire issue (either pro or con) because there is just too much interest group fire power to get 60 votes on either side. You would still have smaller restrictions imposed at the federal level (e.g., no partial birth abortions, parental notification, etc.) but you will not see major legislation passed either way. This, however seems to be a moot issue at this time. This is an issue that brings up much passion on both sides, and Congresscritters, while liking their partisans to be fired up, loathe having the other guys' partisans fired up. There are many politicians on both sides that are very comfortable with the status quo. The last vote regarding a Roe case went 6-3 in favor of upholding the precedent. With Bush replacing Rehnquist and O'Conner, that will still sit at 5-4. As long as all the Congresscritters realize that the next 2 new Justices don't change the balance of power on this issue, they can all play their games and keep their interest groups happy. It'll be a lot more interesting when one of the other Justices step down. Dave.

That is f*cking hilarious! Dave.

I don't think they had a chance to hesitate on that decision. They had already burned all 3 time outs. I also think they would have challenged the touchdown run if they could have. I haven't seen the replay, so don't know, maybe Carr was more obviously inbounds than I thought. Dave.

What the heck does Red Green have to do with PPP? (By the way, one of the 4 greatest things Canada ever gave to the US. In no particular order: hockey, Canadian beer, the Ballet, and RG.) Dave.

Rian Lindell. Misses 39 yarder in 1st half to keep score 7-0. Houston, due to one fumble recovery in Bills territory, 1 good drive, and 1 horrible pass interference call go up, 13-7. With 12 minutes left in 4th quarter, Lindell lines up for a 24 yarder to bring Bills within 3. Kick hits new long snapper in the butt, ball bounces back toward Lindell, he tries to throw ball forward, has it knocked out of his hands, right to Moorman. Moorman takes the ball at the 9 and runs around end untouched. 2 point conversion is good. Neither team can move ball rest of the game. Bills win 15-13. Lindell named most valuable player (if he'd have made the kick, Bills likely would have lost 13-10) and is promptly cut in the morning . Dave.

Didn't Bush ask both the last 2 previous Presidents to help garner support for the tsunami relief effort? I believe he did. Where were the Newsweek articles about him using the last President to boost his credibility at that time? It is possible that they were there and I just missed them, but I don't recall hearing that criticism at that time. Consistancy would be nice, unfortunately the only consistancy we seem to get is: "BUSH BAD". Dave.

Didn't the Red Cross try to bring food and water to the Superdome and was told by LOHSEP to NOT bring food and water to the Superdome? Isn't the Red Cross one of the agencies that FEMA relies on to help with that portion of typical relief efforts? If the people you thought WERE bringing food and water AREN'T, your response might be a little slower than otherwise hoped for. Dave.

Now that Brown appears to be on the way out at the federal level, how long before Blanco tries to blame state and local mishaps on LOSHEP director Landreneaux? Dave.

Seneca county has been trying hard and unsuccessfully for a few years to figure out what to do with the old Seneca Army Depot. Any word on whether that is one of the facilities they are looking at? Dave.

Thanks for update. Dave.

Here's a thought, spurred by your question. Had Kerry won, it would be interesting to know whether FEMA would have even HAD a chief administrator as we are only 7 months after he would have taken over. My guess is that it would, but I know that not all of Bush's appointees were installed by August of '01, and there are several deputy positions that are not filled today; so it is not a given that Kerry's choice would be in place. I honestly believe that the response at the federal level would not have been any better than the actual response, and quite possibly could have been worse, as new people were getting oriented into their positions. As I've stated in other threads, I'd like to see the situation under control before all the congressional hearings and what not are assembled to determine blame. Heck, I don't even think we need congressional hearings. This board seems to have that pretty well covered already. Having lived many years ago in Louisiana, I am not overly surprised by the mayor's actions pre and post Katrina. I am surprised by the governor's. I would not be surprised to learn that there were things that FEMA did not do as well as possible, but again we are dealing with a disaster whose scale has never occurred in this country. Dave.

You mean they've slipped from #1? Well, good for them. Dave.

When I lived in Baton Rouge, I used to go to Ivar's to watch hockey. It is a great little sports bar. I would be shocked if you couldn't see the game there. Address and phone are below. Ivar's Sports Bar & Grill (225) 388-0021 2954 Perkins Rd Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Dave.

I was lucky (?) enough to go to XXVII. I will NEVER forget walking out of the stadium with the Cowboys "fans" chanting "3 Beat, 3 Beat, ...". They weren't saying "we're champs" or "we're #1", but "3 Beat". The really cool thing about it was, the moron's favorite team had also lost 3 superbowls (Colts & Steelers twice), so I guess they were more psyched about their past history than the events of that day. I still like the Fish less than the Pokes and do not have anything against Bledsoe, but I hope they don't win a game this year. As for Peerless, the thing that will always stand out in my mind was the interception in the Pittsburgh game. Dave.

Thanks. Dave.

Thanks for the update. If you do hear more of what is "actually" going on down there, I'd be interested in hearing about it. As for the people being testy, that doesn't surprise me much. We've lost power in the Rochester area for multiple days a few times, and that MINOR difficulty can make normal life very difficult. These people are being kept in close quarters with thousands of others, with little privacy, few of the amenities of home and tremendous uncertainty about the status of loved ones and their former/new lives. I would not be surprised to see that situation become ugly if it lasts for much more than another week. Hopefully, more "homelike" accomodations can be made in the near future. You mentioned the possibility of using old army barracks. That isn't a perfect solution, but sharing quarters with 20 people and having trees and lawns around has to beat sharing quarters with 10,000+ and having pavement outside, if the people can even go outside. Dave.

What's obvious? I would expect that wherever the Saints games end up getting played, that the SAINTS Season ticket holders would get 1st crack at the tickets; as they actually BOUGHT tickets to the Saints homegames with an expectation that the games would be played. The fact the games will not be played in New Orleans should not bump them out of their priority. I also would expect that the league would try to honor any single game tickets bought. With that being said, I doubt that many Saints season ticket holders are overly concerned about the games at this point in time and that most of the seats in the Ralph (if that is where the game moves to) are available. I'd expect that Bills season ticket holders would be given the next priority on purchases, but I definitely don't expect them to be "bonus" games. Nor would I expect season ticket holders to get priority on their "normal" tickets. Does anybody know any Giants ticket holders, as the league will probably distribute seats in a comparable manner as that game? Dave.

There's 2 guys drinking at a bar near the top of the Empire State Building on a hot summer day, so the windows are open and there's a pretty good breeze blowing through. The 1st guy says to the 2nd one, the breeze, because they are so high up, is strong enough to keep an object from falling if it's tossed out the window. His friend, incredulous says - "no way". 1st guy says, not only is it strong enough to keep a coin or something small like that from falling, but that it can keep a person from falling. "Bulls**t" says the 2nd guy. 1st guy says: "I'll bet you 50 bucks that if I jump off that window ledge, the breeze will blow me right back into the window." 2nd guy: "You'll kill yourself!" 1st guy: "No, I won't; you cheap prick." 2nd guy: "OK, you're on." 1st guy goes to the window, climbs gingerly onto the ledge, and then says "Geronimoooo" and jumps. He starts going down, but after about 2 floors down, his fall slows; and after about 5, he actually starts going back up! He lands safely on the ledge, climbs back in, asks the bartender for another drink and gets his money from the 2nd guy. 2nd guy says: "That's cool! I'm gonna try it." He goes out onto the ledge, shouts "Geronimoooo", and jumps. He falls past the 1st 2 floors, doesn't slow down, and keeps going. 1st guy walks back to bar and picks up his drink. Bartender says to him. "Damn, you're a mean drunk, Superman." Sorry, Dave.

Saints or Bills? Dave.

How are they working the relief effort in the dome? I heard that they are giving the people staying there access to showers and 3 hot meals per day and have set up a postal address for the dome. Are they letting the people in and out of the complex, or are people stuck inside the dome 24 /7? If they are letting people outside, what are the people doing for money and transportation. There isn't exactly a whole lot to do in that part of Houston, or at least there wasn't 10 years ago. Thanks, Dave.

I don't think you are furthering your argument by bringing up Hitler. The right can pull up some really nice people like Stalin and Mao if the point is guilt by association. I wouldn't associate ANY of the posters on this board with either of those 2 "gentlemen". Was the real purpose of your post to associate the people with a right wing slant with Hitler? If it was, then all I can say is "wow". Dave.

People, or the media? I don't know a whole lot of people (on the left or the right) who aren't in the media who care what these people have to say. Dave.

Bo - Bosworth. Dave.