ms. roth goes to washington
I'm having a pretty democracy-heavy few days. Observe:
Yesterday morning I attended a memorial service for one of our former presidents, Molly Yard. It was incredible. Sens. Harry Reid and Barbara Boxer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi spoke at this woman's memorial service, as did the presidents and founders of at least three prominent civil rights organizations. Her brother-in-law is Lou Harris, founder of the Harris Poll and he told wonderful stories about her in her heydey of political and social activism.
Listening to the tributes given by all the people this woman has touched, I felt so inspired to live a life of greatness. Yesterday evening my coworker and I were invited to a cocktail reception at the Capitol held by Air America Radio. It was cosponsored by Harry Reid, who I saw on the way in. I stopped him and told him I had enjoyed his remarks at the memorial service. (How could I pass up that chance??) He was very nice and gave me a little hug. "She was a wonderful lady," he said.
We went in and grabbed gin & tonics and mulled about the room. The stupid Hill staffers who can't afford groceries had already snagged all the food, but it was no big deal as soon as I saw one of my senators, Dick Durbin, walk into the room. I told my coworker I would consider the night a waste if I didn't get to sidle up to Durbin and whisper in his ear, "I'm from Chicago. No on Alito!" but he left the room right after his little speech, so I missed the chance. Oh, well. The opportunity shall arise again, I'm sure!And since my Inbox has been full of e-mail alerts (sent by my own organization) about the budget cuts that House Republicans were intent on passing yesterday, I made sure to scan the headlines to find out what happened. After a delay by the Democrats, the GOP forced through the cuts early this morning on--get this--a vote of 217-215. Naturally I wanted to know who had voted and how. I discovered that two Democrats had neglected to vote, and I got pissed. I called Rep. Boswell of Iowa and Rep. Towns of New York to find out why.
BOSWELL STAFFER: Hello, Rep. Boswell's office.
CAM: Hi, I was wondering why Rep. Boswell didn't vote on the budget yesterday.
B.S.: Yes, Rep. Boswell is in Iowa recovering from surgery. But he was against it.
CAM: (feeling slightly sheepish but undeterred) OK. Thanks!
TOWNS STAFFER: Hello, Rep. Towns' office.
CAM: Hi, I was wondering why Rep. Towns didn't vote on the budget yesterday.
TOWNS STAFFER: Hang on one minute.
CAM: (smirk)
NEW TOWNS STAFFER: Hello, Rep. Towns' office.
CAM: Hi, I was wondering why Rep. Towns didn't vote on the budget yesterday.
TOWNS STAFFER: Rep. Towns has not told his staff why he was not there last night.
So there you have it, residents of Brooklyn, N.Y. Your congressional representative, slacking on the job!
Yesterday morning I attended a memorial service for one of our former presidents, Molly Yard. It was incredible. Sens. Harry Reid and Barbara Boxer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi spoke at this woman's memorial service, as did the presidents and founders of at least three prominent civil rights organizations. Her brother-in-law is Lou Harris, founder of the Harris Poll and he told wonderful stories about her in her heydey of political and social activism.
Listening to the tributes given by all the people this woman has touched, I felt so inspired to live a life of greatness. Yesterday evening my coworker and I were invited to a cocktail reception at the Capitol held by Air America Radio. It was cosponsored by Harry Reid, who I saw on the way in. I stopped him and told him I had enjoyed his remarks at the memorial service. (How could I pass up that chance??) He was very nice and gave me a little hug. "She was a wonderful lady," he said.
We went in and grabbed gin & tonics and mulled about the room. The stupid Hill staffers who can't afford groceries had already snagged all the food, but it was no big deal as soon as I saw one of my senators, Dick Durbin, walk into the room. I told my coworker I would consider the night a waste if I didn't get to sidle up to Durbin and whisper in his ear, "I'm from Chicago. No on Alito!" but he left the room right after his little speech, so I missed the chance. Oh, well. The opportunity shall arise again, I'm sure!And since my Inbox has been full of e-mail alerts (sent by my own organization) about the budget cuts that House Republicans were intent on passing yesterday, I made sure to scan the headlines to find out what happened. After a delay by the Democrats, the GOP forced through the cuts early this morning on--get this--a vote of 217-215. Naturally I wanted to know who had voted and how. I discovered that two Democrats had neglected to vote, and I got pissed. I called Rep. Boswell of Iowa and Rep. Towns of New York to find out why.
BOSWELL STAFFER: Hello, Rep. Boswell's office.
CAM: Hi, I was wondering why Rep. Boswell didn't vote on the budget yesterday.
B.S.: Yes, Rep. Boswell is in Iowa recovering from surgery. But he was against it.
CAM: (feeling slightly sheepish but undeterred) OK. Thanks!
TOWNS STAFFER: Hello, Rep. Towns' office.
CAM: Hi, I was wondering why Rep. Towns didn't vote on the budget yesterday.
TOWNS STAFFER: Hang on one minute.
CAM: (smirk)
NEW TOWNS STAFFER: Hello, Rep. Towns' office.
CAM: Hi, I was wondering why Rep. Towns didn't vote on the budget yesterday.
TOWNS STAFFER: Rep. Towns has not told his staff why he was not there last night.
So there you have it, residents of Brooklyn, N.Y. Your congressional representative, slacking on the job!