Free Republic

A theatrical production of unusual pomposity will open on Wednesday when Republicans assume control of the House for the 112th Congress. A rule will be passed requiring that every bill cite its basis in the Constitution. A bill will be introduced to repeal the health care law. On Thursday, the Constitution will be read aloud in the House chamber. And in one particularly self-important flourish, the new speaker, John Boehner, arranged to have his office staff “sworn in” on Tuesday by the chief justice of the United States.

The high cost of pomp and circumstance By Andrew Miga/ Online Exclusive Thursday, June 17, 2004 WASHINGTON – Back when the Democratic National Committee first awarded its 2004 convention to Boston nearly two years ago, local pundits gushed about how the event would showcase Boston’s new image as a city that works. There were lots of lofty predictions about boosting tourism and luring more conventions – recasting Boston’s old image of anti-busing violence from the 1970s and its reputation for petty, parochial political backfighting. There was a lot of self-congratulatory hugging and puffing about the “new Boston.” One prominent Hub...