Free Republic

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans in the House of Representatives said on Wednesday they decided to shelve tax break legislation for investors, citing Senate inaction and disagreement among themselves over items to bring to a vote ahead of the congressional elections. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert of Illinois said Republicans at a meeting on Wednesday decided it was better to wait until after the Nov. 5, congressional election to deal with the tax bill some Republicans were pushing to help investors and individual retirement account holders weather the current market slump. "There is just not total agreement on it," Hastert...

<p>Before September 11, the Bush Administration seemed to be treating China as one of the biggest threats that the U.S. faced worldwide. There was the incident of the U.S. spy plane that went down on China's Hainan Island as well as President Bush's talk about doing whatever it takes to defend Taiwan from Chinese aggression. Republicans talked about treating China as a competitor rather than as the partner envisioned by former President Bill Clinton.</p>

Luciano Hastert. Staffers were stunned yesterday to hear some warbling coming out of the inner sanctum of Speaker Dennis Hastert's (R-Ill.) office. It turns out that the Speaker was singing a patriotic tune that will be used in public service announcements promoting tourism in D.C., which has been hit hard since Sept. 11. Hastert's line was, "Of thee I sing, baby!" The producers will splice together clips from Hastert, Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle (D-S.D.), first lady Laura Bush and other celebs to use in commercials. "He may have a career as an opera singer," cracked Hastert spokesman John Feehery....

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge stood firm Sunday in his refusal to testify before Congress about the White House's anti-terrorism budget, saying his appearance would violate the constitution's separation of powers.</p> <p>Ridge said he will continue to meet informally with lawmakers, but he has no intention of testifying because he is an adviser to the president, not a Cabinet member obliged to appear on Capitol Hill.</p>

Apparantly some local peacenicks want to hassle Dennis Hastert tonight in Aurora Illinois at Walter Payton's Roundhouse. The Roundhouse is a fine establishment with an excellent selection of beers from the in house brewery to quench your palate after a night of fun and leftist heckling. Also there is the Walter Payton museum. Sounds like a good friday night to me... I am going to price megaphones on my lunch break.