Putz.

By way of illustration, yesterday I visited a job site where the parking lot was in dispute. The asphalt was poorly done and didn't drain properly over a portion of it, although much of the work was satisfactory; the contractor felt he had been given inadequate instruction and had warned about poor conditions. No payment for work has yet been made, six months after the work was done.

The discussion devolved into an argument; at one point the contractor threatened to remove the asphalt and sub grade, claiming that it was his since he had paid for it.

But we stuck in there, and developed a course of action to resolve the dispute. It remains to be seen whether it will result in a resolution; but progress was made.

Yousee, sensenbrenner; that's what adults do when faced with quarrels and disputes: try to find common ground and a way to move the disagreement. Stamping our little feet and banging our little hammer and then storming from the room is the behavior of a six year old who's been denied a cookie.

Claiming after the fact that the discussion had wavered from the matter at hand doesn't wash. As a matter of fact, Guantanamo bay DOES reflect the Patriot Act, since many of the prisoners there were imprisoned using its provisions.

During the hearing, Republicans used the opportunity to complain yet again about Amnesty International. Dammit you thugs, the simple way to respond is to say "look for yourself." But they can't do that, because the KNOW that Camp X-Ray is a travesty; they know that if observers were allowed to review it (if America were held to the same standards as Hussein) that the worst suppositions would be true. Sensenbrenner even blew it, talking about the 'enemy combatants' imprisoned ther, when if they were actually enemy combatants, the Geneva Conventions woould apply. The claim that Amnesty endangered soldiers' lives by making the gulag reference is laughable on the face; show me a causal relationship. Make the case, if you think there is one; Pick a new tune, boys, this one is getting old.

But Sensenbrenner saw an opportunity to change the subject, from the Patriot act to unruly behavior; it also had the potential to deflect attention from his faux pas. So he took it.

Never mind that his behavior, and the following Republicans, is as bald a demonstration of their basic contempt for democratic procedures. Never mind that their true fascist mentality was exposed; that their unwillingness to accept dissent, even from their colleagues was displayed for anyone to see.

No, never mind that. In our local fishwrap excuse for a newspaper, Sensenbrenner is portrayed as the protector of decorum and as the playground monitor, nobly preventing a scuffle. The opposition was presumed to be in the wrong, and Sensenbrenner had no choice.

Pah. Sensenbrenner is a fascist thug, and the Journal Sentinel is yet again carrying piswater for the Right.

Republicans. For when you can't tolerate opposing viewpoints.

Read Here.

And Here.