Monday, July 26, 2010

What I saw at the Dem convention

As you may know, Nebraska Democrats held their convention in Columbus last weekend.

Since we wanted to get an idea of what went on -- from the inside -- we asked a conventioneer if he would report back to us some of the goings-on.

So, here is a brief synopsis of some of the excitement from last weekend, by the one and only, Democrat, Brian T. Osborn.
Just before I headed out for the Nebraska Democratic Party State Convention last Friday, Sweeper asked me if I would consider reporting on the proceedings from my personal perspective. Since Leavenworth Street is THE place on the web for discussions concerning Nebraska politics, I agreed.


The purpose of the convention, other than the election of the various party officers, caucus chairs, and the filling of other positions on committees and such, is to generate or modify the rules that govern how the party is supposed to function and to construct a party platform. Seeing how those rules and principles are so universally ignored following a convention, maybe it would be best if we just concentrated on electing a Chair for the party, handing him/her dictatorial powers, then adjourning to go enjoy an adult beverage or three.


The discussions concerning the Platform were predictably long, tedious, and a vision of what hell must be like. This is the time that all those in love with their own voices have the opportunity to wax poetic.


Never will anyone hear more 'whereases', and 'be it resolveds'. When a simple statement such as, "The Nebraska Democratic Party favors good, and abhors evil," could suffice, we end up, instead, with paragraph upon paragraph of narrowly defined verbiage to assuage the egos of the authors. If everyone's personally favored group or cause isn't mentioned, there comes a flood of amendments, motions, and comments for and against ad nauseam.


Since the Platform discussions take place early Sunday, while everyone is still fresh, they are alloted much more time than those dedicated to the the arguments over the Constitution and Bylaws (C&B) on Saturday.


Never-mind that the C&B are the rules that govern how the party is run, and delineates the authority granted the various officers, caucuses and committees; ignore the fact that the Platform, once adopted never sees the light of day until the following convention, since it is universally ignored by practically every candidate and elected official; it is the Platform that gets the lion's share of attention.


From a personal perspective, there were two or three highlights I would like to share.


Perhaps the most irritating of them took place during the 3rd CD Caucus. Brent Hultine, a member of the NDP Rules Committee, someone you would think SHOULD know better, made a motion to donate $500 to each of the statewide candidates from the 3rd CD Organizations treasury.


Now, let me explain that the CD Caucus and the CD Organization are two completely different groups, however comprised of some overlapping membership, and the CD Caucus has no treasury. I pointed out the idiocy of such a move to the Chair, Marion Bahensky, who basically told me that it was appropriate, since she is the Chair of both groups.


Once the caucus finally realized that error, the Chair then basically said, "That's alright the CDO's Executive Committee can decide to give the money, totally disregarding the fact that the CDO's Bylaws only allow the EC to spend up to $50 without authorization by the group's convened body. I then told her that doing so would result in me filing a complaint with AG Bruning and somebody would be going to jail. Of course, many of the delegates decided that it was I who was the a** in the situation. Go figure!


Sunday morning we were "blessed" by the presence of Sen. Nelson. As the Sweeper's regular readers will note, I consider Sen. Nelson to be nothing more than a Republican in Democratic clothing. He blathered on about a bunch of stuff he'd love to take credit for, and strategically ignored the sins against the Democratic Party that he has so recently committed.


Finally, as everyone at Sunday's meeting wondered just what I was up to when I stepped to the microphone during the time for crafting resolutions (rumors I had spread that I would enter one censoring Sen. Nelson obviously had some of them nervous) were dumbfounded by what came out of my mouth.


I declared that I wanted a resolution to state, "The Nebraska Democratic Party supports and promotes the legalization of medicinal marijuana." After the laughter died down, and Robin Quarles seconded the motion, I explained my reasoning. Anyone who ever watched a loved one die a lingering, painful death from cancer or some other debilitating disease would probably give them anything they could to alleviate the suffering. Marijuana is a God given herb that does just that. It does it better than most of the pain killers manufactured by corporate pharmaceutical companies.


The resolution passed. Finally ... my faith in the NDP was somewhat restored.

And on the speakers...
A variety of speakers appeared before the gathered delegates at the NDP State Convention this past weekend. Some were able to get the crowd pumped up, others could have a great career producing audio recordings to aid insomniacs get some much needed sleep, and others were, thankfully, somewhere in between but brief. A suggestion to anyone that ever finds themselves in the position of addressing such a crowd ... leave the Power Point at home, memorize your speech, make it brief and learn how to use the microphone.

Don Walton wrote about Sen. Ben Nelson rallying the Democrats. That he did, although I personally found it to be nothing but boiler-plate blather in the best traditions of vote pandering candidates - take credit for all that has gone right whether you were directly responsible or not, and avoid addressing those things that could incite a lynch mob to come after you. I saw many in the audience that I know to be harsh critics of Nelson flapping their fins and barking their approval like so many trained seals. I couldn't bring myself to join in. It would have been an offense to the unemployed that Ben has turned his back on.

Sen. George McGovern, although a very laid back speaker, enthralled the audience with his tales of how, during WWII as a B-24 pilot, he was more proud of having delivered loads of food to refugees than he was for having dropped bombs on the enemy - not that he regretted having done that. The experience has driven him to fight hunger world-wide as an envoy for the United Nations. He offered up some bon-mots on his political experiences, but preferred, it seemed, to harangue the crowd more about the fight against hunger.

All the candidates had their turns. Tom White and Mike Meister delivered pugnacious presentations that seemed to meet with much approval. Pulling punches evidently aren't in either of their bags of tricks. As the campaigns heat up, I think that Nebraskans will find them to be more than merely entertaining. The ladies, Ivy Harper and Rebekah Davis were much more reserved. Their demure addresses, while heartfelt and well presented, just didn't have the punch that the guys delivered. I have to note, however, that I am more familiar with Ms. Davis, since she comes from my district and I'd have to say that she is doing a much more effective job of communicating than she did earlier on. She is a soft spoken, yet articulate and thoughtful young woman that Rep. Adrian Smith had best not write off too readily.

I'll admit I didn't really listen to the fellow that spoke about unions and such, I was busy working the back of the room. But what I did see and hear, while it appeared to be informative, would have had me snoring like a drunken sailor in short order. But that's just me.

Thanks BTO!

111 comments:

Anonymous said...

zzzzzzz.......zzzzzzz......zzzzz.....zzzzz......zzzzzz

John Kerrey said...

Senator Rogert you can always take your boat to a different state.

Anonymous said...

I must say BTO behaved himself during the convention and didn't do anything too crazy.

Macdaddy said...

So Tom White was right at home preaching to the choir. Any word on when he's going to step out on the street corner?

I will have to say that Rebekah Davis sounds very impressive by what she has written on her website. Unfortunately, it matters naught since she has a D after her name and will vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker.

ANGRY DEMOCRAT said...

I too was at the latest meeting of minds for the Democratic Party and I would have to agree with our first comment...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

I live in the second district and I am considering writing in Brian Osborn's name in the place of Sen. White.

The speeches were way to LONG and I actually saw a few of the Convention Officers starting to nod off on the stage.

The one bright spot was actually our candidate for Treasurer, Mark Stoj. Not only did he have good things to say, but he made it humorous for us as well...If you want to survive a bank robbery...ask him how...he survived 4.

John Gale has nothing to fear...I actually did nod off to Janet Stewart's speech that went on and on and on and on...hell her husband's speech was better than hers.

To Brian's diatribe on the Platform...well I would have to agree somewhat...they made some structural changes that got everyone confused about what the heck was going on.

It was good to see some Dems we don't get to see all that often and some people we wonder if are really democrats. Oh and Kris Pierce was there...didn't he retire or something...although he didn't run for anything...although I did hear firsthand that some were wanting him to run for one of the officer jobs.

What I found most interesting and concerning was the overwhelming cheers and clapping and hoopla that Mike Miester got for "stepping up" to be our candidate for governor. Heck, many of the people there had no clue who the heck he was.

I feel bad for him though and with the same leadership (or lack of) in the state party...I don't think he will get the help and real support he needs and will end up doing worse than Hahn did just four years ago...if we ever thought that was possible.

DEMOCRATS...LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER...AND I AM UNFORTUNATELY ON OF THEM

Anonymous said...

I much preferred Ann Coulter's coverage from the '04 Democrat Nat'l Convention -- especially her description of dem women as, among other things, "hursuit, slightly aromatic, hippie-chick pie-wagons."

Mary Jayne Fields said...

Easy there Anonymous above!!! I take offense to that!

Anonymous said...

Given that so many republican men have such secret yearnings to couple with their own gender, Ann Coulter's adams apple probably really gets them hot. Speaking of "aromatic" the fact that she looks like she's been dead for three weeks probably really appeals to their necrophiliac tendencies as well.

Anonymous said...

Has BTO ever heard of editing?
Tom White delivered something "pugnacious"--way to go Tom--at least we know you exist. Sad day when McGovern has more life than White's Congressional campaign. What say you, Ian? Rounding up all those western precincts and bringing them home through silence. Clever boy.

Anonymous said...

This just in on Omaha.com "Hole opens in Iowa dike" Great headline writing Mr. Kotok

Anonymous said...

Is there any flooding in Hastings???

Anonymous said...

The only thing Jane Kleeb showed up for at the NDP convention in Columbus was to videotape her hero, Ben Nelson, give his speech. She didn't even fulfill her duties as a delegate to the convention because she was too busy promoting herself.

Anonymous said...

Did Jane vote for anything?

Anonymous said...

She only made a comment when it appeared someone had the nerve to leave Bold Nebraska out of a list of organizations in their resolution. She was too busy texting on her phone and laptop the whole time.

Anonymous said...

From what Kleeb has written on Bold Nebraska it looks like they are working to set Nelson up as an Independent run for the Senate in 2012.

ANGRY DEMOCRAT said...

Unfortunately we have our own Ann Coulter
here in the Dem Party: Jane Kleeb

Lots of talk and lots of hot air and no real answers.

Here is an interesting note, Jane Kleeb lied to the
convention on Sunday. In her only action during the
convention (to promote her Sold Nebraska) she was
asked if she was a delegate to the convention. Her
answer was yes, but since registration ended at 10 am
on Saturday, and she did not arrive until Sunday,
then she could not have been a credentialed delegate
to the convention.

I guess that the rules don't apply to everyone.

Walter Kleeb said...

BTO suggest the NDP's dictatorial elite uses scheduling slight-of-hand to focus convention discussion onto the Platform that is ignored and off of the Constitution and Bylaws that cannot be ignored. This helps keeps Party dictators in power and out of jail.

That's the way the GOP manipulates their convention attendees, and the way America’s two-party-system manipulates American voters. Most Americans sit back and watch the show, boo or applaud various candidates’ promises, which are promptly ignored the minute the candidate enters the beltway.

It is also reported the NDP is irresponsible with money, inept in its handling. I am afraid that is endemic to Democrats.

Monetary ineptitude oozes from Obama, his tax evading Treasury Secretary, and Democrats in general. After all, as Democrats so frequently tell us, all the money-grubbing money-making greedy businessmen in America are Republicans. That necessarily leaves the Democratic Party full of fiscal retards, except for a few billionaires who already have theirs and can afford to act as generous now as they weren’t while amassing their fortunes.

Fiscal ineptitude aside, sweaters and clogs look better on Democrats than on Republicans. Everything has its upside.

Anonymous said...

Sweaters and clogs. Mike Dukycacas.

Anonymous said...

For all Jane's digging up stories on Lee Terry it would be interesting to know if she has ever thrown back a drink or two with Mr. Holland while negotiating how much moola she wants out of him. Holland isn't an elected official but Jane could be as guilty as the lobbyist she is implicating.

Brian T. Osborn said...

Walther PPK - Yup, we Dems like to wear those American wool sweaters, made in America by Americans, while wearing our hemp clogs, made in America by Americans, with American hemp.

I guess the alternative is to wear all that Republican supported WalMart polyester manufactured in the Chinese sweatshops that you and your corporate pals own. Thanks to Ronnie Rayguns.

Brian T. Osborn said...

I'd like to write more tonight, but family matters require my attention. Maybe tomorrow ...

Anonymous said...

BTO left out the part how people were walking around with smiles on their faces saying, "we finally shut the jerk up". BTO's all yours now, Republicans. He can be your favorite Democrat and we present him without hesitation into your care. Just a correction to his little story. Every action taken in his caucus was voted on and approved despite his constant interruptions. He was lucky he wasn't tossed out on his butt for his behavior and calling the chair names.

Anonymous said...

Hmm..BTO must have forgotten he was reprimanded for his behavior by the convention chair. He also forgot his only attempt to amend the by-laws to his liking received the loudest opposition vote of the convention. Yep, time for him to move on, they say Venezuela is nice, it would be his kind of government too!!!

Anonymous said...

Its awesome how Suttle is blackmailing Omaha...saying he'll get rid of the restaurant tax if the Legislature and people approve a sales tax increase

Jamie said...

suttle is an moron with the incompetence of vic covalt... jim vokal 2013?

Brian T. Osborn said...

I'll assume the anonymouse posting at 9:28 and 10:09 is one and the same coward, and I have a pretty good idea which six people, including him, were walking around with smiles believing that they'd accomplished something. I'd like to remind him that there is a LOT more to the 3rd CD than just Hastings.

So Brent, you seem to have had your ass handed to you pretty handily in your run for Chair of County Chairs. Is that why you proposed an illegal action during the 3rd CD Caucus? To seek revenge?

As a "six year member of the rules committee," don't you think it is time that you actually sat down and read the damned NDP Constitution and Bylaws? If you were such an expert on them, you'd have known that all the actions you proposed, and that the fools approved, misguided as they were by the 3rd CD Chair, were violations of those documents. You should read the bylaws of the 3rd CDO while you are at it as well. Or maybe you can get Deb Quirk to read them to you. She seems to be the one pulling your strings.

As for my "calling the chair names" ... liar is something I never call anyone lightly. If I do it, it is because they are experts at prevarication and have earned the appellative.

I have "forgotten" nothing. I'm not as simple minded as you. I made a wisecrack at your "boss" because I was sick and tired of hearing her sitting there in front of the microphone with that tobacco infested, raspy, cackle making snide remarks. Just because she carries around a copy of Robert's Rules doesn't mean she understands them. And the next time she gets off that fat ass of hers and reminds everyone that she used to be the NDP State Chair, I'll remind her that during her reign we lost more Democrats than at any other time in NDP history. It would also take a very small stone to inscribe her accomplishments while representing the county chairs on the SEC.

I got a resolution passed. What did YOU accomplish?

Nathan said...

While I agree with the medical marijuana platform, why not just legalize it all and tax the hell out of it? Have people get a license, 300$ a year and they can have up to an ounce of marijuana on them at any time. And then have local growers and distributors and tax it then too. I bet the state and city would make a lot of money by doing that. And they might as well because people (lots of them) are going to do it anyway.

Ricky said...

Thanks for the synopsis. I am a registered Democrat but did not attend the convention, as I am not that involved with the party.
But from what I heard from other news sources about George McGovern's speech, he said one big mistake Obama has made is to escalate the war in Afghanistan.
Those released classified documents support McGoverns position, the war is a lost cause and we are killing a lot of civilians.
You won't hear much chatter on Fox about these documents because it is the one thing that channel and Obama agree on; the war in Afganistan is worth continuing and whomever leaked the papers is a dog.
And both Fox and Obama are wrong. Senator Nelson is on the Foreign Affairs committee and he has done nothing to help get us out of that quagmire. Maybe these documents by Wilileaks will change his mind.

Ricky From Omaha

TexasAnnie said...

Brian T. Osborn:
Is there anything in the state platform about r-e-a-l-l-y fixing the Beatrice tragedy?

Right Wing Professor said...

Thanks also, BTO!

I object to the medicinal marijuana motion only because I'm tired of the 'medicinal' charade. Marijuana is a by-and-large harmless drug and should simply be legalized. And in case anyone asks, I don't use it myself.

GeosUser said...

TexasAnnie,
How could anything to "really fix" Beatrice facility come out of a Democrat convention? The facility embodies the Democrat approach to resolving social programs that should be addressed by private charity(s)? The current proposed "fix" for Beatrice is also straight out of the Democrat handbook..."Let's just throw a ton more money at {insert problem name here}." I'm sure Senator Mello already has plans to do so.

Anonymous said...

Yep, BTO's all yours now, Republicans. It's our pleasure to hand him over!

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm...It seems Tom White has been doing business with a Female Lobbyist while in the Unicameral.

Omaha Voter said...

No Tom White does not associate himself with Lobbyists!!!!

Brian T. Osborn said...

BH - Sorry to disappoint you in your most recent anonymous post, Brent, but since I was a delegate to the NDP State Convention - and was elected as an alternate to the NDP SCC - I guess I'm still a Democratic insider, and yes, I do intend to hold your feet to the fire for all the idiotic things that you do.

Texas Annie - No one ever hears another word about anything that goes into the NDP Platform, nor about any of the resolutions voted upon by the NDP State Convention delegates once the convention is over. It is sad, but true. The platform should serve as policy requirements for the officers and directors of the party. But it will be a cold day in hell before that actually ever happens. I'm certain the same holds true for the Republican Party.

GeosSnoozer - Typical winger B.S. Our Republican Governor and his administration caused all the woes at Beatrice, and you blame it on the Democrats. You couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with the truth if you stood two feet away from it.

Brian T. Osborn said...

I just realized that I left out Mark Stoj, the Democratic candidate for Nebraska State Treasurer. Mark was an entertaining speaker at the convention and proved himself to be an exceedingly well qualified candidate. I enthusiastically recommend that everyone give this guy an honest chance. Go to his website, see what he has to say, then make your decision. Don't just give him a knee-jerk dismissal because he has a 'D' behind his name.

Nathan said...

RWP,
Its something we agree on. I abstain from it myself but from seeing people up close using it I think it is less harmful than alcohol by far. I love a good beer or scotch whisky so I know about the harmful effects of those. I would imagine its better for you than tobacco as well because of all the chemicals in cigarettes and I love a good cigar with my scotch.

Anonymous said...

Tom White would never be seen drinking with lobbyists in Lincoln, right Ian????

Anonymous said...

What's funny is that BTO thinks Brent comes to LS. But whatever fantasy strokes his ego. Just makes BTO look stupid.

Anonymous said...

FWIW, I have personally witnessed Tom White drinking with lobbyists in Lincoln.

And, RWP, the objections to the legalisation of pot aren't limited to whether or not pot itself is harmless or harmful. Those who smoke pot are much more likely to then try other drugs as well. Meth, for example.

And those who move on to other more dangerous drugs don't simply harm themselves. Just ask the guy who was the victim of the home-invasion robbery by kids trying to get some quick cash to support their drug habit. Or the toddler who was locked in a hot closet for a weekend while his " single-mom" mother went on a 3-day meth bender.

Actually, you can't ask the toddler because he died in that locked closet.

Anonymous said...

Well at least Tom White is doing something with someone. I heard he's running for Congress, but his people have convinced him to say nothing, do nothing and just wait until after election day and then campaign. It's a new way of politics. You don't confuse the people by making promises or telling them your position on issues. That way they can be surprised without all the outrage.

Anonymous said...

Tom White has ties to a female lobbyist!!!

Big Oakland said...

So does Kent Rogert. Where's Joe Jordan when you need him?

Brian T. Osborn said...

A 2:22 - You are just spewing J. Edgar Hoover era propaganda fabricated by the tobacco and alcohol lobbies. I would bet, if you looked at the statistics, a lot of pedophiles smoke tobacco and drink alcohol. So maybe we'd better outlaw those as well.

IF there were a reason why anyone using marijuana could wind up experimenting with other illegal substances, I would say it is more caused by the effect of having to be exposed to the criminal element in order to obtain it. Make it legal and those ties are severed.

Marijuana is NOT meth-amphetamine. Blaming the negative side effects of using one drug on the use of another is just plain bogus. Don't you suppose anyone was ever murdered by an alcoholic so that he could get a drink, or that children died because their parent was too drunk to care for them?

In reality, even if a parent did smoke pot, they'd just wind up on the couch with the kids laughing at Sesame Street and snarfing Little Debbie snack cakes. The law would expect the same kind of restraint in the consumption of pot that it currently does with the consumption of alcohol.

Good for the Goose said...

Hey Ian did you write this?

Senator White's Cozy Relationship with Lobbyists and Special Interests: Too Close for Comfort

Omaha, NE – Today, Omaha Voters called on State Senator Tom White to come clean to Nebraskans about his cozy connections with Lincoln lobbyists and special interests.

"Lincoln lobbyists and special interests are funding the majority of Tom White's campaigns, and he owes Nebraskans an explanation of exactly what he’s promised them in return," said Ian Russell

Senator White should disclose the following:

* His schedule for the Unicameral though his career.
* Any and all meetings with lobbyists, both during the day and after-hours, and the topics of discussion during those meetings – issues, policy, legislation, or other matters.
* Any legislative action taken at the request of lobbyists.
* Any statements written by lobbyists in whole or in part and used in floors speeches or read into the Unicameral Record by White.

"Senator White's coziness with Lincoln lobbyists has had a direct impact on his voting record," said Russell.

Anonymous said...

Tom White, please enlighten us with the names of every lobbyist you have consumed alcohol with in Lincoln.

Right Wing Professor said...

The association of marijuana with harder drugs is probably a result of its illegality. If you smoke dope, you break the law yourself and associate with people who break the law worse, by selling it. Once you've passed that threshold of lawbreaking, it's likely you'll be less reluctant to use other illegal drugs that are far more harmful.

I absolutely agree meth is nasty stuff; dangerous to make and dangerous to take.

Anonymous said...

Wonder if the lobbyist have to keep records of all the drinks and such on their expense reports, and are they subject to review by the public?

I suspect tom white isn't the only one who is out with lobbyist. heck on any given day you can see Rogert out with one of the young jr female lobbyist.

but suppose that's the way business is done in politics.

Anonymous said...

I've seen too many people ruin their lives and brains with drugs. Most of them were democrats, of course, but that shouldn't make anyone take the problem of drug abuse any less seriously.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, but there are almost NO good looking female lobbyists in Lincoln. There are a couple who are repulsive. I'd actually be less surprised to hear that youmger female senator(s) were shagging the male lobbyists. THAT I could believe.

Brian T. Osborn said...

A 4:35 - Please provide the verifiable study that you used to derive your assertion that the majority of people who have ruined "their lives and brains with drugs" were Democrats. Don't forget, alcohol, tobacco, and prescription medicines are also drugs that can fry a brain and I believe many Republicans use those for recreational purposes as well.

Most of my friends that I knew to use marijuana and psychedelic drugs back in the day are now Republicans. One of them, an avid user of LSD, is now a multi-millionaire, owns two Lear jets, has branches of his business all over the country and overseas and is a Tea Party Republican. I remember him always saying, "Yeah, Holdrege has a drug problem, I can't find any." How do explain that? Maybe use of illicit drugs is what explains why Republicans are the way they are now.

Anonymous said...

Only Dems do drugs? I remember the first person I heard publicly come out for the legalization of all drugs -- it was, yes, William F. Buckley, Jr. Right then, right now.

Blah Blah Blah said...

I like to consider myself a true conservative. Thats why it amazes me that so many so called conservatives don't favor the legalization of pot. Aren't we supposed to be the ones who want gov't out of our lives? The war on drugs has been a miserable failure and a huge waste of tax dollars. Legalize and tax it. End the nonsense.

Anonymous said...

How's Kent Rogert doing with his female lobbyist?

Nathan said...

I've just never understood why society thinks it can lock a man in a cage for smoking one kind of plant, but not another. And from first hand experience and watching others, people are far more likely to do something stupid and dangerous when alcohol is involved than when marijuana is.

Anonymous said...

BTO,

Why don't you make a motion at your next CD3 Organization meeting to give $500 to each of the candidates from the Adams County Democrats' treasury. That would be the same kind of motion that Brent Hultine made wouldn't it? He would surely support you on that.

Anonymous said...

Did anybody see Abbie Cornette or Brad Ashford at the convention?

Anonymous said...

Bold Nebraska is nothing more than a shadow organization for Ben Nelson's re-election. Ben's hedging his bets just in case the Nebraska Democratic Party does to him what what the Connecticut Democratic Party did to Joe Lieberman.

Anonymous said...

Is anyone going to take on Mark Fahleson for chair of the Republican party this weekend in Fremont?

Anonymous said...

Oh please, please, please, please, please! Anybody but Fahleson again.

seo nebraska said...

this blog is very nice.I like it.

GeosUser said...

BOBrian,
You're mistaken as always given your ignorance of the origins of state funded warehousing operations for the disabled, mentally ill, aged, etc. It's straight out of the socialist liberal philosophy of "let's have government throw taxpayer money at a social problem by doing something well-intentioned but ultimately misguided and wrong that in the end hurts people instead of helping them" democrat political BS you spew at length incessantly. Shouldn't you be going on an extended vacation again after your grueling weekend of pissing off your supposed fellow Dems???

Anonymous said...

didn't "Snow Plow" marry her lobbyist?

I am more interested in the lobbyist TW drinks with after he flies them around on his plane. To be clear though, I am only assuming he drinks after, not before or during.

Tom White should release all flight information for his 2 private planes for every day of session during the last 4 years. Or is that why he keeps them in Iowa like Fahey did?

Anonymous said...

I think Senator Scott "if it feels good do it" Lautenbuagh would probably be interested in introducing a marijuana legalization bill. Proven that he is very pro-smoking. The pro-pot folks would have to kick in some contributions and he would be good to go to make sure he gets re-elected.

Mark Fahleson said...

Thanks for the votes of confidence, but my term is not up until January 2011. But feel free to join us in Fremont this weekend at our state convention.

Brian T. Osborn said...

GreaseUser - For one that spreads B.S. far and wide I find it amusing that you claim others are ignorant. So please, enlighten us with your overabundance of "wisdom," and tell us how you would handle the situation in Beatrice. Could it be the same way you've stated on how we should handle the war in Afghanistan? Nuke 'em ALL and let God sort 'em out?

As for "pissing off my "supposed fellow Dems," you got the "supposed" part right. There are a lot of good Democrats in the party; however, a few weeds still need pulling.

Anonymous said...

Say what you will about Mark Fahleson, he's not the bare-knuckled street fighter that Vic Covalt is. Given Vic's pysical attributes, he must have learned at an early age that the only way he was going to keep his lunch money was to kick his adversary in the nuts right away and just keep kicking. When it comes to smearing an opponent, no one in Nebraska holds a candle to Vic Covalt. The closest he's ever been to the high road is reading about it in a book.

TedK said...

GU, most people have moved beyond the philosophy that "social problems" (disabled, mentally ill, aged are some of your examples) should be handled by charities, not the government. That worked very well last century before we had social security. So what if the elderly were the poorest age class and were often left to starve in the streets during the Great Depression.
Most of us understand that "social problems" are too large to be left to charities to solve. They simply don't have the resources. The government, i.e. all of us, needs to be involved. Now you may be content to live under animal rules that include survival of the fittest, but most of us have moved beyond that stage.

Anonymous said...

To Ted K.

Nebraskas biggest budget item is Social Services. Nebraskans pay a lot for many deadbeats that abuse the system!!! Eat it you dead socialist.

TedK said...

10:12, there are always people that abuse the system. While I'm sure that there are many honest people on Wall Street, I'll bet that they've stolen much more than these "deadbeats" that you're worried about. Please provide some evidence giving the percentage of people using social services that are abusing the system. This is typical right-wing selfish crap. If a very, very small minority gets something they don't deserve then screw everyone else that has a legitimate need.

Street Sweeper said...

10:12, and the rest,
Lighten up, or I'll just start deleting comments.
If you can't be civil, leave.
-Ed.

Starla said...

I think Lee Terry's defense that he has "never socialized with a lobbyist" will come back to haunt him. Mostly because it is an easy to prove lie. It's always the cover up that will get you in the most trouble.

Clinton-like deja vu - I have never had relations with that woman.

RCLNK said...

To 10:12, Nebraska's largest budget item,$797 million,is state aid to education. Followed by $540 million to university and state college system.
Source: Nebraska Legislature, State of Nebraska, FY2009-10 and FY 2010-11 Biennial Budget, Table 15, page 31, May 2010(For those of you who prefer fact based discussions to name calling.)

Anonymous said...

To RCLNK: with federal funds NE HHS budget is over a billion dollars a year. Not Chump Change!!!!

So how much more should we spend?

Anonymous said...

So Tom White has 2 plans, flies lobbyist around, pushes female senators around? Interesting character traits there.

Does White do with his planes like Kerry and Rogert do with their boats?

very interesting.

RCLNK said...

11:46, Who says we have to spend more or less? I thought the Governor had a plan, right? He has been leading this state for almost six years with four to go, I would think he has this all worked out and some guy on the street like me has nothing to worry about.

Brian T. Osborn said...

RCLNK - Please don't confuse the armchair experts with facts; they only understand Newspeak.

You made a good point though - Heineman has been running this state for years, both in the Governor's office and in his rubber stamp Legislature. I'd like to know how it is that the Democrats, being in the minority, are at fault for all of Nebraska's woes. Can someone please enlighten me?

Anonymous said...

BTO Boulder posted about you. Your their hero!!!

Anonymous said...

If you don't like lobbyists, then outlaw them.

If you outlaw lobbyists, then the only people with a voice will be Union Members.

If Unions have all the influence, then we're all screwed-just look at Omaha's budget busting problems.

Maybe they should require all votes cast by elected officials to be done in public, within the boundaries of their elected jurisdiction, and only after a 72 hour public viewing of what they are to vote on.

They could only go to their centralized place of government for the purpose of committee markups and all public floggings-oops, I mean committee hearings-should be done in the community where the accused lives and works.

AND NO MORE PER DIEM PAY!!!!! Actual and verifiable expense reimbursements ONLY!

By the way, how much do Tom White and Ian Russell make off their per diems and did they pay their's back for the days they were verifiably in Washington, D.C. begging for DCCC cash instead of in Lincoln, NE on a Unicameral vote day?

SHAME ON YOU TWO GROWN MEN.

Street Sweeper Runs Over Man said...

Check out the article linked from my name.

Police in Vermont say a street sweeper backed over a construction worker, leaving only his boots sticking out from under the vehicle. He escaped with only minor injuries.

A little off topic, I know, but come on.

That is all.

Street Sweeper said...

"minor injuries"...THIS time...

Mary Jayne Fields said...

All I know is that Tom White will vote for Cap & Trade and to provide free health care to all. This race is going to get interesting!

GeosUser said...

BOBrian,
How I'd "fix" Beatrice. First, I'd announce that the facility is closing in one year. Second, I'd abolish the NE HHS Dept. Third, I'd cut state income and property taxes by at least as much as the HHS budget. Then I'd give any Nebraskan a $2 for $1 income tax credit for any in-state charitable donations for the disabled, mentally ill, aged, etc. Couldn't produce any worse results than government supported warehousing has produced. In reality, you are confusing altruism with self-delusion and combining it with the police power of the state to support your supposed altruism. That's an unsustainable combination.

Brian T. Osborn said...

Joe'sUser - Yeah buddy! You've got a WONDERFUL idea there ... depend on everyone's magnanimity. THAT idea worked so well in the past. I'm certain all who think like you would just fall all over themselves to contribute.

In the meantime, you'd just throw those poor people that need our help under the bus and hope they get run over, backed over, and run over again. What a class act you are!

Anonymous said...

One of Bold Nebraska's newbies is extolling the virtues of the Sandhills while driving through there, apparently for the first time. What, Kleeb's hired people who have never been west of Lincoln? Hope they've got GPS so they can find their way around this big State while they're being so bold and all.

Anonymous said...

Why if Tom White or Ian took the Per Diem while in DC, wouldn't that be unlawful? I sure hope someone does a FOIA request on that! Heck not to mention conflict of interest for anything white signed onto.

It's funny how conflicts of interest can get a person all hung up. Why I suspect there are a couple of bills which were signed into law that
"Should" have COI's filed.

Anonymous said...

You can't get a Freedom of Information Request on Tom White and Ian Russell

Tom White voted to keep all records of his time in the Nebraska Legislature away from the prying public's eyes.

I wonder what he's hiding in all those private, unattainable records in his publicly funded office?

TexasAnnie said...

Thank-you Brian T. Osborn, TedK and RCLNK for your input, which, I took to mean you care about the developmentally disabled and others in need of public support. Often while I lived there, I perceived and believed that almost no one did care! It was a very isolating and depressing living circumstance for me, and all the worse because our family was literally brought there to pay taxes under one of the tax-subsidizing "economic development" schemes so rampant there. I MUST inform you that Democrats in the legislature and Gov. Ben Nelson were just as negligent of the developmentally disabled then as Republicans have been in recent years.

GeosUser: RCLNK is correct to assert that the Governor has assured Nebraskans of a fix for Beatrice as well as the whole HHS department. He has new administrators in place. And in conjunction with the Unicameral, he funded that fix during the 2009 budget negotiations. But then, $10 million was retracted during the special session in November. So it appears that the Beatrice fix is now underfunded. If you are truly alarmed about the cost of social spending, why not work to make the postsecondary educational institutions self-supporting? Just raise up the tuition to cover the 1-2 to 2/3rds cost currently born by taxpayers. After all, postsecondary spending, unlike K-12, is only discretionary spending, constitutionally-speaking (Art. VII, Neb. Const.)

Anonymous said...

TexasAnnie: You have said several times that your family was brought to Nebraska to pay taxes under LB 775. So you were an indentured servant to the State of Nebraska? There was no pay raise involved to have you or your spouse up and move to Nebraska at the behest of the evil economic incentives for corporations bill? And you were forced to remain in Nebraska how many years under this servitude? Makes you sound like a victim of the State. Wouldn't anyone who didn't stand to improve their lot financially probably have remained where they were?

TexasAnnie said...

One might think we could have stayed here in fabulous Texas. But when your employer says jobs have moved there, there are no longer any jobs here, you move. Interestingly, the "raise" was just enough to cover what was then a very significantly progressive income tax there (as compared to no income tax here). It was sixteen l-o-n-g years of servitude. During all that time I watched as families with a developmentally disabled loved one waited, and waited, and waited still, for those "social services" denied under Governors Nelson, Johanns and Heineman. Those families were/are paying taxes in support of "social services" provided at universities which their loved ones can't make use of. Do you think that's fair? It's no wonder some of those loved ones ended up at Beatrice...

I was terrorized by the thought that my loved one might be left dependant upon Nebraskans some day. So upon retirement, we beat it back to Texas where we use our annual 10K plus tax relief for her benefit.

For all the "conservative" blather going on in Nebraska one might think that the tax structure would be conscionable. But noooo! The state portion of our sales tax is higher here. But we pay less in property taxes and we have 22 acres here with a similarly priced house as compared to our home on only a quarter acre in Omaha. So you see, we were not better off financially (other than the fact that we still had a job) by moving to Omaha.

The "evil economic incentives" cost Nebraska taxpayers more than merely lost revenue. They cost a lack of institutional integrity. And they cost a fast and loose reading of the Nebraska Constitution. I believe earnestly that if the incentives were ever challenged they would be struck down. Don't you experience even the slightest regret about using people as a means to an end? Under the Judeo-Christian ethic, philosophically-speaking that is, Nebraska's method of importing taxpayers without regard to those taxpayers' needs, is "sinful." It is as egregious to do so with families such as our's, as it is to use illigal immigrants to supply a low-wage workforce.

Do you realize that when you pay for jobs via tax subsidy, you have established a "welfare" system? Do you understand that corporate welfare IS a form of social engineering? Are true "conservatives" okay with that? 'Cause if not, you might want to raise a stink about the "jobs" Dell is currently shedding in Lincoln. You paid for 'em!

TexasAnnie said...

One might think we could have stayed here in fabulous Texas. But when your employer says jobs have moved there, there are no longer any jobs here, you move. Interestingly, the "raise" was just enough to cover what was then a very significantly progressive income tax there (as compared to no income tax here). It was sixteen l-o-n-g years of servitude. During all that time I watched as families with a developmentally disabled loved one waited, and waited, and waited still, for those "social services" denied under Governors Nelson, Johanns and Heineman. Those families were/are paying taxes in support of "social services" provided at universities which their loved ones can't make use of. Do you think that's fair? It's no wonder some of those loved ones ended up at Beatrice...

I was terrorized by the thought that my loved one might be left dependant upon Nebraskans some day. So upon retirement, we beat it back to Texas where we use our annual 10K plus tax relief for her benefit.

For all the "conservative" blather going on in Nebraska one might think that the tax structure would be conscionable. But noooo! The state portion of our sales tax is higher here. But we pay less in property taxes and we have 22 acres here with a similarly priced house as compared to our home on only an urban plot in Omaha. So you see, we were not better off financially (other than the fact that we still had a job) by moving to Omaha.

The "evil economic incentives" cost Nebraska taxpayers more than merely lost revenue. They cost a lack of institutional integrity. And they cost a fast and loose reading of the Nebraska Constitution. I believe earnestly that if the incentives were ever challenged they would be struck down. Don't you experience even the slightest regret about using people as a means to an end? Under the Judeo-Christian ethic, philosophically-speaking that is, Nebraska's method of importing taxpayers without regard to those taxpayers' needs, is "sinful." It is as egregious to do so with families such as our's, as it is to use illegal immigrants to supply a low-wage workforce.

Do you realize that when you pay for jobs via tax subsidy, you have established a "welfare" system? Do you understand that corporate welfare IS a form of social engineering? Are true "conservatives" okay with that? 'Cause if not, you might want to raise a stink about the "jobs" Dell is currently shedding in Lincoln. You paid for 'em!

TexasAnnie said...

One might think we could have stayed here in fabulous Texas. But when your employer says jobs have moved there, there are no longer any jobs here, you move. Interestingly, the "raise" was just enough to cover what was then a very significantly progressive income tax there (as compared to no income tax here). It was sixteen l-o-n-g years of servitude. During all that time I watched as families with a developmentally disabled loved one waited, and waited, and waited still, for those "social services" denied under Governors Nelson, Johanns and Heineman. Those families were/are paying taxes in support of "social services" provided at universities which their loved ones can't make use of. Do you think that's fair? It's no wonder some of those loved ones ended up at Beatrice...

I was terrorized by the thought that my loved one might be left dependant upon Nebraskans some day. So upon retirement, we beat it back to Texas where we use our annual 10K plus tax relief for her benefit.

For all the "conservative" blather going on in Nebraska one might think that the tax structure would be conscionable. But noooo! The state portion of our sales tax is higher here. But we pay less in property taxes and we have 22 acres here with a similarly priced house as compared to our home on only an urban plot in Omaha. So you see, we were not better off financially (other than the fact that we still had a job) by moving to Omaha.

The "evil economic incentives" cost Nebraska taxpayers more than merely lost revenue. They cost a lack of institutional integrity. And they cost a fast and loose reading of the Nebraska Constitution. I believe earnestly that if the incentives were ever challenged they would be struck down. Don't you experience even the slightest regret about using people as a means to an end? Under the Judeo-Christian ethic, philosophically-speaking that is, Nebraska's method of importing taxpayers without regard to those taxpayers' needs, is "sinful." It is as egregious to do so with families such as our's, as it is to use illegal immigrants to supply a low-wage workforce.

Do you realize that when you pay for jobs via tax subsidy, you have established a "welfare" system? Do you understand that corporate welfare IS a form of social engineering? Are true "conservatives" okay with that? 'Cause if not, you might want to raise a stink about the "jobs" Dell is currently shedding in Lincoln. You paid for 'em!

TexasAnnie said...

...and I did not mean to record my explanation three times. I still have difficulty getting comments to post. Does anyone else experience this phenomena? Using the 'Anonymous' option is much easier, huh?

Anonymous said...

TA: You have answered my query. Sounds though like the years didn't treat you so badly if you now have 22 acres in TX and you're retired. A lot of folks who similarly labor in NE all their lives will never achieve that.

GeosUser said...

BOBrian,
Pull your head out of your ass for a moment...I know that would be a major effort and would make a strong statewide news item...and think about the real world implications of your philosophy for a change. Do I bear any actual responsibility for "the least among us" that are not members of my own immediate family? No. You and I may both have been raised to think there is some personal moral responsibility but in actual fact there is none. All you continue to tout is using the police power of the state to seize an ever increasing proportion of the income my labor produces to spend upon others according to your personal misguided and self-delusional sense of altruism. Instead of allowing me to keep more of the income I produce and, using my own freewill, decide if I want to contribute to charitable organizations and in what amount. Once again, I have no responsibility for "the least among us" unless I choose to accept such. Just take a moment to think about how "the least among us" will do when the government union workers and welfare crowd start rioting in the streets as the "free" money starts to run out. Can't happen here??? Just look at Greece, Italy, Spain, Ireland, etc. and you can see that future charging right at you.

Anonymous said...

it stinks when a long post just doesn't make to the board.

anyway the short of it is

The Gov will be re-elected in 2010 and true to his word he won't run for the Senate seat in 2012, no he will be running for either the POTUS or VPOTUS.

Stenberg will run for the Senate seat. Bet there are more than a few voters who wish he had been successful in his first bid:)

just think about it, Carter Clinton and Bush were all Gov's who no one thought would make it.

The Gov is leading a state through tough economic times without raising taxes, unemployment at less than 5%

3 of the top 10 cities to live in are in Nebraska

The early primaries of Iowa and SC are his....

Has great Ag support

Has great Business Support

Will be leader of NGA next year

The National Republican Party will want a Gov.

Pete Ricketts is in the National Party Leadership

He isn't Obama!!!!!!

He isn't Gingrich/Romeny/Palin

He is a very clever politician, look he beat Osborn!

So it will be interesting to watch unfold.

TedK said...

Pretty short-sighted thinking, GU. Maybe you need to study history. Ever hear of the French Revolution? That's what happens when an underclass gets too big because those in power are only concerned with enriching themselves. Obviously you only care about yourself and "your immediate family". But in the long run it will be in your interest to ensure that the "least among us" are doing okay.

Brian T. Osborn said...

GeosUserer - I don't claim to be a very religious person, but a lot of conservative Nebraskans are, and I think they would find your philosophy pretty darned abhorrent. The only thing you understand is greed. You aren't by chance the CEO of a major corporation or a banker are you?

I can assume from your writings that you are obvously a very lonely, angry and delusional person. Hopefully we'll get that medical marijuana legislation enacted and our doctors can prescribe some for all of us that find you to be such a horrendous pain in the ass.

Anonymous said...

TedK, you and your ilk are the shortsighted ones. The more government decides to do for people, the more the people will let the government do and the less they'll do for themselves. Conversely, the less the government does for people, the more they'll do on their own. When people don't expect the government to bail them out, they tend to behave a little more prudenty.

The government should only do for people that which they cannot do for themselves because gov't doesn't have it's own resources and cannot give to you without taking from me. It's unjust to take from me to provide you with something you could have produced on your own.

TedK said...

10:07, you either don't want to or can't understand my post. It's in ALL of our best interests to not have an underclass, or too large a gap between the upper and lower incomes. In the late 20's before the Great Depression the top 1% had 23% of the income, virtually the same as now. In 1979 it was only around 9%. I guess you could say that maybe these top 1%'ers have gotten a lot smarter or maybe the system is rigged in their favor. Thanks to Bush and R company, their tax rates were slashed. For those of you who buy the Fox meme that we are taxed so heavily, taxes are 28% of GDP, well below the developed country average of 36%.

Nathan said...

Geo
We all bear a responsibility for the well being of our citizens, that is what makes us Americans. We are a better country and a better state because of the fact that we dont let disabled people die on street corners. We are better people for the fact that we feed the hungry. We are better for the fact that we have after school programs for kids who else would turn to gangs. We are better for the fact that we have public schools and that people long ago realized we as a whole and individually when everyone receives an education. We decided that when a parent dies their children are given benefits until they reach adulthood, because why punish a toddler for mother dying in a car accident? We decided long ago that every man, woman and child deserves to be treated with human dignity, regardless of their parents economic status or their own physical and mental disabilities. I'm not a religious man, in fact I am a proud atheist. But the old saying "but for the grace of God go I" couldn't be more true.

TedK said...

Always thought it ironic that atheists have more Christian attributes than the "Christians" who post here.

Nathan said...

Tedk,
I was born and raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools until I went to college (Catholic college tuition is ridiculous), so Ive been around it for awhile. I believe religion has many redeeming qualities and can teach people great morals and how the should live their lives. Indeed I think the world would be a better place if we all practiced most of the morals laid out in the bible, even if we didn't have the promise of heaven waiting for us at the end.

Nathan said...

Apparently my mind was moving faster than my fingers, this is how I wanted that 5th sentence to read.

We are better for the fact that we have public schools and that people long ago realized we as a whole and individually are better when everyone receives an education.

TedK said...

Same story for me as far as being Catholic and Catholic schools. Getting divorced then remarried (Lincoln diocese) turned me into "one of them" as a nun at my son's school so directly put it. So I switched to the United Church of Christ. Best move I ever made, especially since the Catholic Church is nothing like the one I grew up with in the 60's. They've let abortion take supremacy over every other Christian tenet. And with no scriptural basis I might add.

Anonymous said...

So wait wait wait, you guys can go to the Dem convention take pictures and blog but its a travesty when someone from the other side does the same thing????? hmmm.....

Anonymous said...

Some of "we guys" are Democrats.

Anonymous said...

Im sure I said "you guys" not "we guys"... you seem to have some tense issues...

Anonymous said...

And A 5:38 wins the internet nitpicking award for August 2nd, 2010. Congratulations! Now go back to picking your nose.

Anonymous said...

Oh, great. Vile Kyle wants to know what being called a "goober" has to do with living in western Nebraska. Coming from an eastern Nebraskan that has never lived west of West O Street in Lincoln, that really says a lot. Not.

Anonymous said...

@7:37 I dont think I have heard come backs like that for about 20 years... kudos on the vintage insults...