http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/2010/12/examiner-editorial-closing-books-worst-congress

Michale.....

The treaty itself has not been changed. The Russians are miffed with the non-binding resolution that accompanies the treaty which states that the US is free to continue development of strategic missile defense systems. Specifically, the European Missile Shield that is currently in the works..

Maybe it's just me, but when an adversary tells me, "You don't need to develop a defense system.. Trust me.." it gives me pause....

Michale.....
210

For some strange reason, Obama and the Democrats don't seem to have a problem with this interpretation of the treaty.

Republicans in Congress want to make sure it's on the record that this treaty, in NO WAY, limits the US's ability to develop missile defense systems..

Hence, the additions to the treaty that was passed by the US Senate..

I am still not very happy with Article V, Section 3 of the current treaty..

Each Party shall not convert and shall not use ICBM launchers and SLBM launchers for placement of missile defense interceptors therein.

Why would the US agree to limit our DEFENSIVE options???

It's madness..

Michale.....

Please. pray tell, the difference between golf days and Ranch days other than golf days usually end at the white house...

They are both "vacations" of a sort...

You and I both know that the POTUS is NEVER really on vacation, whether in Hawaii, on the golf course or at a ranch in Texas..

My "tongue in cheek" bitching about Obama's infamous golf days is simply a poke at the Left for their silly and utterly ridiculous castigating of Bush over "vacation" days...

CW,

You know I hate disagreeing with you.. :D Especially when you are wrong. :D

The Russian Duma will not get down to the second reading of the law on ratification of the Russian-US Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, before January next year.

The Communists and Liberal Democrats are opposed to ratifying START due to their concern about the reservations that the US Senators have made to the treaty Preamble, and also due to a likely weakening of Russia’s defence capacity in view of the US plan to deploy its ABM system in Europe.
http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/12/24/37640004.html

The NEW START is still a bad treaty, VERY bad for the US..

But, with these little provisos that the GOP put it, it's a little less bad..

Time will tell if the Russians approve the changes or not.

Wouldn't THAT be a hoot, eh?? The Russians do not ratify New START....

Michale.....
208

First off, I've said it before and I'll say it again -- nobody will ever surpass Eisenhower (or even, say, Ford) in the "Golfer In Chief" category.

And, likely, nobody will ever surpass Dubya for vacation days (Reagan is a distant second).

But one thing you said you need to check.

As for START, at least Democrats had the good sense to go along with Republicans and amend the treaty slightly to address reasonable concerns.

Now, it remains to be seen if the Russian "Congress" will also approve the treaty...

Um, no. This was legislative sleight-of-hand. They amended the "resolution" passed, but not the actual treaty, which passed completely intact.

That was the whole point -- if the GOP had been able to amend the actual treaty, we would have had to renegotiate the whole thing with Russia. The Dems successfully defeated all attempts to do so. They allowed the GOP the booby prize of amending the meaningless document which went through the Senate, but not the treaty itself. It was a win for the Dems, not the GOP, sorry.

-CW

Combined...

Please. pray tell, the difference between golf days and Ranch days other than golf days usually end at the white house...

Back atcha... :D

Michale.....
207

Don't be a Grinch, Michale :). Merry Christmas!
-David

Obama's Golf Days has already surpassed the last 3 Republican Presidents...

Combined...

Obstructionism is a two way street and those with a mandate get blamed for inaction...

Those who can't spin as well get blamed for inaction.. :D

Guess who's gonna get the blame?? :D

Michale.....
205

Yawn...call me when Obama has caught up to the last three republican presidents...

I should just let ya'all enjoy the victory celebration because it's likely the last one the Democrats will see for a long LONG time to come. :D

Obstructionism is a two way street and those with a mandate get blamed for inaction...

I really shouldn't piss on ya'all's parade..

I should just let ya'all enjoy the victory celebration because it's likely the last one the Democrats will see for a long LONG time to come. :D

Michale.....
202

w00t!!!!

President Obama already was planning to put a heavy focus on jobs and the economy in next week's State of the Union address, but his top aides are signaling that pivot is going to be even sharper in the wake of the Democrats' stunning election defeat in Massachusetts.
-21 Jan 10

The new focus on jobs comes as the first stimulus plan's impact remains unclear. The Obama administration says more than 640,000 jobs have been saved or created by employers who received funds.
-3 Dec 09

And people STILL believe in this guy???

It's mind-boggling...

Michale.....
200

DING!!! DING!!!! DING!!!! DING!!!!!

Two Hundred Posts!!!!!! Woot!!!!! :D

DING!!! DING!!!! DING!!!! DING!!!!!

"And I'm spent..."
-Austin Powers

As for START, at least Democrats had the good sense to go along with Republicans and amend the treaty slightly to address reasonable concerns.

Now, it remains to be seen if the Russian "Congress" will also approve the treaty...

Further, I find it hilarious how everyone concentrates on Vacation Days of Congress but never once has anything to say against Obama's Golf Days...

Guess "The One" can do no wrong, eh?? :D

Michale.....
198

Ooooh... wait... I know this one:

"What is 'too damn many,' Alex?"

Heh.

:-)

-CW

This, if true, is kind of cool. Here is the first comment I got on this article on HuffPost:

"Dude, Lawrence O'Donnell opened his show with your words tonight. He only said "a blogger for huffington Post" So cool."

I checked MSNBC's site, but tonight's show hasn't been posted yet. I'll post a link here when I get it, but just had to say, Christmas came early to CW.com....

:-)

-CW