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Boehner Caves, Clean Debt Ceiling Bill Passed

The House of Representatives has voted 221 to 201 to pass a Clean Debt Ceiling bill. The bill extends federal borrowing authority for one year with no strings attached and avoids a Government shutdown at the end of February.

Without an increase in the statutory debt limit, the U.S. government would soon default on some of its obligations and have to shut down some programs, a historic move that would likely cause market turmoil.

The Republicans are in disarray.

The episode showed that Boehner still has difficulty exerting control over his fractious caucus, in which conservatives backed by the Tea Party movement hold considerable sway.

WAPO has more on Boehner's bad day.

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    He also chose the bill that would be voted (5.00 / 8) (#2)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Feb 11, 2014 at 07:32:06 PM EST
    On that would restore the military retirement cuts.  And those cuts have been restored.  They could find 6 billion dollars in the trash can of a Pentagon bathroom, but the bill chosen that could be voted on took 6 billion out of Medicare.  Boehner should be utterly shamed all to hell, but the news must report what the Repubs chose to do.  There were several bills to choose from, and this was the choice.

    Surprise! (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Feb 11, 2014 at 09:19:25 PM EST
    Ted Cruz wants to filibuster the clean debt ceiling bill in the Senate. Who'da thunk it, eh?

    What a maroon!

    Is he gonna go all Wendy Davis? (none / 0) (#4)
    by nycstray on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 12:29:29 AM EST
    Maybe Politico (none / 0) (#5)
    by jtaylorr on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 07:52:14 AM EST
    (or as I like to call it, Tiger Beat on the Potomac) will write another But What About Ted Cruz!!!! article.  

    Parent
    Ted Cruz doesn't have... (none / 0) (#15)
    by DebFrmHell on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 09:53:45 PM EST
    the balls to go after Wendy Davis.  Mid-terms are coming up and none of the "conservatives" are attaching themselves to Bush or Cruz.  

    One of them, Dan Patrick, IIRC, even harkens back to his Reagan days.  Did he have to go back that far in the GOP Magic Time Machine?  

    Makes me smile.   8-)

    Parent

    If you (none / 0) (#20)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 07:55:30 AM EST
    ever listen to Republicans they always mention Reagan but never mention the other GOP presidents we've had in the last 60 years.

    Parent
    Has to be a five... (none / 0) (#16)
    by DebFrmHell on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 10:18:16 PM EST
    just for Yosemite Sam!  Makes me laugh every time I see him.

    Parent
    Just when I think you can't be any (5.00 / 5) (#36)
    by Anne on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 05:02:54 PM EST
    more juvenile, you prove that there are still levels of immaturity you haven't explored yet...which isn't exactly good news.

    Grow the fk up.  This isn't a playground and we're not 5 years old.  If we're at the point where you're accusing people of being members of some club you also feel compelled to give a derisive and condescending name, you've already lost the argument.

    The grown-ups figured that out long before your latest exhibition, which is why you aren't winning anyone over to your "side."

    Haha (1.00 / 1) (#38)
    by squeaky on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 08:12:54 PM EST
    you are showing your age, and wisdom has not come with it.

    You seem to be hell bent on preaching a standard here yet your comments are no better than those you revile, full of insults and presumption, and potty mouth platitudes.

    Must be that you are human. THat is a good sign.


    Parent

    Trolling (1.00 / 1) (#7)
    by honesttalk on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 01:04:24 PM EST
    I am new to this site.

    I did not know what "trolling" is.

    I looked it up.

    Now I know:  It is the means by which a different opinion can be silenced.   That is consistent with my opinion of Liberals.  What surprises me is that the Republicans like "trolling" also, so how can they be in "disarray?"  But they are.  

    The reason I believe Republicans like "trolling" is that they attacked Ted Cruz "better" than Democrats!

    Isn't that special? (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Repack Rider on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 01:38:04 PM EST
    Looks to me like your difference of opinion is being respected here.  Your post is not a "troll," so you're still in safe territory.

    I'm so liberal I would have been arrested in the '50s.  I'm also a US Army veteran, E-5, Honorable Discharge. On that basis, I respectfully request that you do not question my patriotism.

    Because I am liberal and open-minded, I want to hear the conservative side of every argument, so I value your participation here.  If you can make your conservative points with logic and facts, without references to BENGHAZEEE! and stay away from ad hominem or strawman arguments, you would be a valuable asset, since many of the conservatives who have shown up here have failed to respect those limits.

    Please proceed.

    Parent

    And then I found... (5.00 / 4) (#9)
    by Repack Rider on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 02:13:35 PM EST
    ...this article about a study of Internet trolling by researchers who figure out why people do mean and weird things.

    In a finding that turns the obvious conclusion on its head, they wrote that people who do mean and weird things on the Internet are mean and weird when they are not on the Internet.

    Who woulda ever thunk it?

    Parent

    So who the he!! (5.00 / 3) (#10)
    by Zorba on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 05:01:12 PM EST
    has accused you of being a troll?  I looked up your comment history (two whole comments).
    I do not see anyone who has responded to you, who accused you of being a troll.
    Exactly who here is silencing you?
    And I might add that my opinion of "Conservatives" (at least, many of the current crop), is that they tend to think that anyone who disagrees with them in any way is trying to "silence" them.


    Parent
    Just this site? (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by unitron on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 10:58:18 PM EST
    "I am new to this site.

    I did not know what "trolling" is."

    I'm guessing you're new to all of the internet, then.

    Any trolls you come across here at TalkLeft will be, comparatively speaking, rank amateurs.

    Parent

    Internet (none / 0) (#41)
    by Mikado Cat on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 12:26:50 AM EST
    is not a place for the thin skinned.

    This forum tends to be both blind and hostile to other opinions, but it is so tame vs other places.

    I genuinely like to know what other people think, and don't have a big problem if they choose to express themselves in a nasty fashion, or include personal attacks. Reflects on them as far as I am concerned.

    Parent

    Boehner's problems (none / 0) (#1)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Feb 11, 2014 at 06:56:53 PM EST
    with his caucus are nothing new or even newsworthy. I guess it must be a slow news day or something.

    Debt Ceiling (none / 0) (#6)
    by honesttalk on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 12:56:15 PM EST
    Now Boehner can go back to "sipping" his favorite beverage - red wine (acknowledged on Jay Leno) - and keep his finger up his ear as he watches Obama "walk all over the Constitution."

    News flash: (none / 0) (#18)
    by shoephone on Wed Feb 12, 2014 at 11:32:47 PM EST
    Your opinion means nothing to me, and you prove why with practically every comment you post.

    Yeah, I troll rated him, because...he's trolling. Imagine that.

    And your whine is pretty darn funny, considering that you are one of the all time kings of troll-rating.

    In fairness (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by sj on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 11:03:35 AM EST
    squeaky is right. He doesn't give troll ratings. He settles for name calling, and twisting words so that he can do even more name calling.

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#46)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 11:51:52 AM EST
    I prefer the direct approach... passive aggressive not my style

    Parent
    Nice to see that you agree (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by jbindc on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 12:38:23 PM EST
    He settles for name calling, and twisting words so that he can do even more name calling.

    "The direct approach."

    Also known as, "What 5 year olds do."

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#48)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 12:48:44 PM EST
    Also known as, "What 5 year olds do."

    just like your friend says:

    settles for name calling, and twisting words so that he can do even more name calling.

    Mirror?

    hahahhaha


    Parent

    Proving my point (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by jbindc on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 12:51:10 PM EST
    Thanks.

    Parent
    Astounding (none / 0) (#52)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 01:24:42 PM EST
    You hurl insults but others that do are acting like 5 year olds?

    Self reflection is obviously not your thing.

    Parent

    I completely agree with you (5.00 / 4) (#53)
    by sj on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 01:34:25 PM EST
    I prefer the direct approach... passive aggressive not my style

    Passive agressive you are not. Agressive agressive is more like it. You tend to shoot first but your targets are not always what you think they are.

    Doesn't seem to slow you down any, though. You just keep shooting.

    Parent

    Face it: this is never going to end with (5.00 / 5) (#54)
    by Anne on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 02:33:54 PM EST
    squeaky admitting that his style, demeanor, delivery, approach, are anything but just fine.  His aggression is acceptable, because he thinks it's honest.  His abrasiveness should not be seen as a negative, because it's just how he cuts through the BS.  His confrontational attitude should be admired, because it forces people to see the flaws in their reasoning.

    It's not worth one more minute of anyone's time.


    Parent

    Exactly. (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by shoephone on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 03:32:54 PM EST
    The OCD trainwreck in this thread has been a pathetic, tiresome thing to witness. Five bucks says it isn't going to end anytime soon.

    Parent
    Doubt I need to say it, (5.00 / 2) (#57)
    by shoephone on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 03:37:44 PM EST
    but my last comment was in alignment with Anne's.

    Parent
    Funny (none / 0) (#55)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 02:51:58 PM EST
    This is exactly what I see you doing:
    Face it: this is never going to end with squeaky admitting that his style, demeanor, delivery, approach, are anything but just fine.  His aggression is acceptable, because he thinks it's honest.  His abrasiveness should not be seen as a negative, because it's just how he cuts through the BS.  His confrontational attitude should be admired, because it forces people to see the flaws in their reasoning.

    Care for some examples?

    Parent

    You are providing diversion, I gather, on a slow n (none / 0) (#58)
    by oculus on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 04:33:34 PM EST
    Hardly My Intention (none / 0) (#59)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 04:43:55 PM EST
    Zorba asked the new commenter who he thought called him a troll,
    and I pointed out that shophone did by troll rating the comment.

    Anne then mistook my comment as one addressed to shoephone not Zorba, and suggested that I was just looking to punch someone, which was hardly the case.

    then Anne started in to rewrite my comment to one she thought was more suitable for me, including insults and attacks on my character.

    the spiral continued..    

    OK, I am avoiding fully diving into a major project... so yes a bit of diversion.

    Parent

    Really not worth the effort to (5.00 / 2) (#60)
    by oculus on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 05:25:14 PM EST
    Correct the record. This is why J should bucket the archive of comments.

    Parent
    Yes (5.00 / 2) (#61)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 05:32:31 PM EST
    Agree....  and starting with deleting this thread... hahhaha

    Parent
    Troll Rating (none / 0) (#43)
    by squeaky on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 08:35:23 AM EST
    And your whine is pretty darn funny, considering that you are one of the all time kings of troll-rating.

    In my thousand plus or however many ratings I have given, I have never given a troll rating. I only give 5 ratings when I think a comment is really good.  It is possible that I inadvertently gave one or two troll ratings inadvertently when the rating system started.

    Parent

    Shoephone Downrated (none / 0) (#21)
    by squeaky on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 09:02:12 AM EST
    THe only reflexive thing on my part was to point out the hostility to a new commenter..   poor... And for someone like you , miss manners, it seems particularly hypocritical to support the troll rating, even tacitly.

    And for someone like you, (none / 0) (#25)
    by Zorba on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 03:40:52 PM EST
    You apparently failed to notice that honesttalk made his/her comment about trolling before he/she received a one rating from shoephone.
    And, BTW, before you criticize the mote in anyone else's eye, you might consider the beam in your own.

    1 JUDGE not, that ye be not judged.
    2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
    3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
    4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
    5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

    --Matthew 7:1-5 KJV


    Parent
    And for someone like you, (none / 0) (#26)
    by Zorba on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 03:41:02 PM EST
    You apparently failed to notice that honesttalk made his/her comment about trolling before he/she received a one rating from shoephone.
    And, BTW, before you criticize the mote in anyone else's eye, you might consider the beam in your own.

    1 JUDGE not, that ye be not judged.
    2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
    3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
    4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
    5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

    --Matthew 7:1-5 KJV


    Parent
    Sorry for the double post (none / 0) (#28)
    by Zorba on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 03:41:53 PM EST
    Don't know what happened.

    Parent
    The fates must have thought that (5.00 / 3) (#30)
    by MO Blue on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 03:48:01 PM EST
    reinforcement was needed.

    Parent
    LOL! (none / 0) (#32)
    by Zorba on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 04:02:02 PM EST
    n/t

    Parent
    I guess you really wanted to (none / 0) (#31)
    by oculus on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 03:48:58 PM EST
    make your point.

    Parent
    Or the website itself (5.00 / 3) (#37)
    by Zorba on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 05:05:16 PM EST
    wanted me to reinforce that point.    ;-)

    Parent
    Hmmm (none / 0) (#35)
    by squeaky on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 04:31:33 PM EST
    As I said, the new commenter complained about trolling before shoe phone gave a one rating.

    As you said? did not see that... besides it is irrelevant. The commenter did not complain about trolling. I assume s/he saw it on the commenting rules page and looked it up.

    I assume you and others are defending shoephone's troll rating.
    pretty poor, imo.

    SITE VIOLATOR (none / 0) (#40)
    by shoephone on Thu Feb 13, 2014 at 11:11:49 PM EST
    Indonesian SPAM.

    And since I sorta work for CONTROL, I know all about KAOS.

    Maybe (none / 0) (#42)
    by Mikado Cat on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 12:28:27 AM EST
    we can get the spammers to cry UNCLE?

    Parent
    Or cry (none / 0) (#45)
    by Zorba on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 11:33:12 AM EST
    "PAMAN."
    (In Indonesian)

    Parent
    What now, Ted Cruz? (none / 0) (#50)
    by christinep on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 01:05:13 PM EST
    Watching the Texas junior interject himself into legislative maneuvering where many say he shouldn't go seems like watching a meteor.  I keep anticipating the political crash any day.  Yet ... I also remind myself that the man is no dummy, meteoric rise in Texas or not.  

    Does his ideological display do more than pander to the Teapots?  For instance, is Cruz a kind of designated hitter who allows other conservative Repubs to look moderate and reasonable by comparison ... is he a kind of designated "maverick" of the right, the Senator who keeps the Teapots close to the party despite all their whining urge to jump ship?  Certainly, Cruz could be cut off from establishment life-blood--$$$ and suchlike--if the Repubs really wished to do so. What is the source(s) of Cruz funding anyway?  

    Maybe it holds a fascination not unlike following fire trucks.  Maybe that meteor really is crashing in Texas.  Any thoughts about his usefulness to the Repub party?  (His recent public rebuke of minority leader McConnell either was a step too far or it served some still-unseen purpose?)

    Some thoughts (none / 0) (#51)
    by jbindc on Fri Feb 14, 2014 at 01:09:06 PM EST
    From one writer.

    What especially stood out for me was this:

    Cruz's Senate future may be uncomfortable. That said, Cruz is still going to be a backbencher in a caucus whose leaders may feel he has attacked them personally. That could mean few favors, chilly meetings, and less desirable committee assignments, among other things.

    State primary polling is not particularly accurate, and Kentucky's GOP primary is still months away, but all indications are that McConnell's lead over his tea party challenger is in the double digits. If anything, McConnell appears more concerned about the Democratic candidate, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, who leads by a narrow margin in recent polls.

    Yet right now, Republicans also have a better-than-even chance of capturing Senate control. That means McConnell could return as majority leader. Hmmm, are there any offices in Senate basements to which Cruz could be exiled?



    Parent