Byrd's Ridge Promotion

Townhall.com ^ | March 25, 2002 | Robert Novak

[olliemb]

Inside Report: Byrd's Ridge promotion

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Robert Byrd, insistent that Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge testify to Congress, has inserted in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill a provision promoting Ridge to Cabinet status against President Bush's wishes. Bush has refused to let Ridge testify on the grounds that he is a confidential presidential adviser, but all Cabinet members must appear before a congressional committee when summoned. Byrd is expected to insist that the Ridge provision be included in the final version of the emergency money bill.

A footnote: As Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, Byrd also slipped a provision into the bill urging nationwide federal action against "puppy breeding establishments" who have caged dogs "in extremely inhumane conditions." Byrd has been mourning the death of his 15-year-old dog, Billy Byrd.

[olliemb]

Bobby Byrd is the biggest porker in the Senate. He has been continuously fighting with the Bush administration over the status of Ridge. And he continues to add more pork to his "pet projects".

[EODGUY]

I wish our Klansman in the senate would concern himself about confirming judicial nominations rather than creating cabinet positions (for strictly partisan reasons) for a president he has obstructed since President Bush was elected.

[gaspar]

Byrd doesn't care about Ridge or Homeland Security, he just wants a piece of the budget.

[mattdono]

This is absolutely ABSURD! I guarantee that our founding fathers didn't intend to let RACIST elected officials like Robert Byrd use (and I mean use like Klintoon uses a sink) the Senate for their own agendas. This is blatant misuse and abuse of power!

[ex-snook]

I thought we already had a Department of Defense. Or is that Department just for defending other countries and we need a separate Defense just for the USA?

Scratch all of the Ridge function, let's not obfuscate responsibilities. Rumsfeld is the Defense Department not the War Department.

[SCHROLL]

Fine let the Klansman have his way and promote Ridge to the Cabinet. When he calls Ridge to testify, he can take the 5th and stick it to Byrd. If Byrd wants Ridge held in contempt, Bush then pardons him.

[knarf]

"Byrd doesn't care about Ridge or Homeland Security, he just wants a piece of the budget."

It's not money these commies want ... it's the greatest, free-est piece of real estate on the planet!

Every 'rule', 'law', and 'ammendment' further adds to the annulling of our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

And they freepin' know it.

Gentlemen and ladies ... we are at war within our own borders. A war of words and concepts that translate into action.

Those of us with the ability to speak, must speak.

Those with the will to kill, must (eventually, ultimately) kill.

I'm sure those farmers on Lexington Green wanted nothing more than to till their land and sow their crops, but Nooooooo ... some freepin' invaders, intent on destroying the developing and blossoming freedom of this country decided they were going to put a stop to that.

The rest is history.