North Buffalo

Agreed and he gets 8 weeks to exclusively negotiate. Seriously, trading one third round pick outta 4, this isnt football where a third rounder can step in this year.

Yeh just Gods news:(

What abt Laine?? old man disease setting in ?

True but the 60 vote majority for a fillibuster has been around for a long time, my guess from JEFFERSON, best info probably is "Rules of The Senate" by Lyndon Baines Johnson, may have a better answer when I can get at my pocket constitution.

Because the vote of 60 would be needed to sustain a likely Presidential Veto, I would have to assume. Yes you need 60 votes to end a filibuster, this rule is to prevent the tyranny of the majority, part of the checks and balances set up by the framers. Id have to reread my history of its implementation and the use of a fillibuster within Senate rules.

This kind of research is not new. It plays to the idea of branding and brand loyalty and marketing 101, it still doesnt mean that there are people that are undecided and can be persuaded. It does mean that the the only way there is a poltical change in peoples minds is if there is a seminal event that makes people uncomfortable enough in their widely held views to cause them to consider an alternative. Even that changed can be temporary if not reinforced. The Great Depression was one such event, the Clinton election and over- reaching of the Dem majority was another allowing for the return to the status quo so called Republican Revolution of the legislative branches. I forget who originally I read in poly sci classes who postulated this theory. Will do some research, but remember that there were a number of authors discussing various forms of it. It is not cut and dry but works as a general rule of thumb.

Also interesting news: Dem Senators announce fillibuster on gun control legislation http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/sen-chris-murphy-starts-talking-filibuster-over-gun-control-224369, also on AP wire but couldnt figure out link.

And that may be a valid concern, except that he taints his own arguement by laying out his bitterness towards being laid off in the form of an ad hominem attack. Hard to tell the validity without more info about his political bias and the actual hires and instructions to those hired. Guess we wont really know till the post mortem tell all books that will surely follow.

And this means what?? All administrations do this to get people they trust in positions of authority. Its not nefarious and does not equate anything necessarily about policy other than this guy was not considered trust worthy by Obamas folks. This is SOP, I had to resign upon Bush II's win and may have had to if Gore had won too??? Sounds like political prose with actual substantiated evidence. Its fine to have an opinion, but again the clearing house of politicals and their allies is a normal process with new administrations... so what.

Neo and Whiskey thank you for your prose. Appreciate the thoughts and sentiments. And while this feels like a crisis, it is of the moment. Again the melenials will learn as I did borderline gen x and babyboomer, this is cyclical crap. Love the civilized debate here. Despite what some of you think, and despite the passion, this debate has remained relatively civil and an inspiring read as a result everyday. Folks from both sides are challenging my thinking, forcing modification to it and reinforcing how proud I am to be an American and Sabres fan with folks like you willing to share your views.

Well organized and politically connected in DC on both sides with large resources at their disposal and the ability to work behind the scenes letting others take credit... Yup I agree.

Been there done I feel you during 911 was in US Capitol, then month later got hit by Anthrax, had family in NYC near trades so we all were checking on each other. One cousin took a while to repond and scared us all. You never forget, but time heals some of the anxiety. Still check overhead airplanes especially when they are low.

Because it was an anti-Bush underground conflict between Bushes and Sadam. Sadam threatened Bush Senior, post falling out b/c of Sadam's expanionist motives and thinking US aquiesqued to his invasion of Kuwait and resulting gulf war 1. The wmd was just an excuse for payback. All about oil and Kuwait and its allies in Saudi Arabia.

more of a list : http://www.dpc.senate.gov/dpcoversight-hearings-iraq.cfm

A little background despite partisan bias: http://www.dpc.senate.gov/dpcdocpr.cfm?doc_name=fs-110-1-74

kicking the can... Great game... played on Summitt Ave a lot as a kid. Agree, but there has been a level of desire by the American public, including some statement from above self described conservatives to end this quickly, not gonna happen.

Disagree, it was in the middle of imploding and we could see it happening in 2005... just kept happening under O, maleki was both irresponsible and Bush et al finally started to disavow him. Took a while for Obama to hit his stride about responding, but these scenarios were going to happen regardless of who the President was and the intelligence community couls see it coming. Senate DPC wrote as well as Congressional Research Service wrote unclassified reports to that effect even in 2004.

pS This President is not a firebrand or a joke teller, even when making a tough speech it doesnt sound it. He always sounds intellectual, a strength a times, but often perceived as justifiably as a weakness. But I wouldnt call him a weak, look at all the insistent consistent drone attacks, the willingness to use advisors and quick strike targeted special forces. I think a lot of people including myself in hindsight underestimate his resolve. His record says otherwise. But he on first blush doesnt come across as tough opening himself to criticism. Hmmm need to think about this more because I have been really disappointed about his inadequate use of the Bully Pulpit, leading to a feeling sometimes that he is not a strong leader. Bush II at least had an angry Cheney to get his message across. Biden doesnt have that power or roll.

Except you myopically ignore the fact that Obama has used to those terms islamic extremists and Jihad, it is not all of Islam as some would portray, but it is a significant enough groups linked to a version of the religion using it for power purposes against the west. The question in my mind and it does not have a short term answer as many on the right wing would have us believe is how to best subdue the extremist and allow moderate or more tolerant arabs to gain control. Just as words are important, who is supported is as well and the last President fell down on that score as well. Dealing with fallout as stated above is much more important than a war declaration imo.

Except to piss off potential allies and solidify enemies. So words do matter.

Early on especially parents were buying kids going to gulf high end vests because military had bought a bunch of substandard chest armor. So family stepped rather than wait for military to respond. Big embarrassment for DOD. Yes, problem again is you need someone who likes busting info sharing bureaucrats, to make sure they do so consistently and to never take their eyes off the petulant kids.

Dont think 2nd amendment applies, would probably be a good thing if used properly, to have an assessment made, still open to abuse, because parents and contractors or others going into war zones made have a need. Report to whom?

I agree but this is the silly season so I tune a lot of this out. The gun issue is even more intractable because as it often turns out law enforcement bureuacrats were playing compartmentslization game in this case and not sharing info or taking action. Like a middle school teacher you gotta keep on the students to make sure they arent fighting among themselves. PS I am generally pro second amendment but think background checks need to be rigorously vetted and enforced instantly and held back if any questions arise initially.

JJ I also apologize, i tend to br a resident right wing basher as well, not because I am not conservative on budget issues, but because I cut my teeth politically during the Gingrich/Clinton era where we all bashed each other in the press and put aside to get things done behind the scenes. Today's politicians have lost that skill. Couldnt stand Gingrich on a visceral political level, because I was there, but to his and Clinton's credit they got things done and balanced the budget. I personally always believed buteaucrats need to be held accountable and or be be defunded, wish the line item veto was reinstituted... worked wonders and still does in Virginia...NY could use it. But on specific issues I lean liberal except when it comes to spending money. VA is a good government state and balanced budget state... bang for the buck is important, but that includes the military and tax breaks.

Balsy idea, will admit not sure if it works but it might hmmm depend on how down they are on first round talent