Question! How can it be a "political attack" when Halliburton/KBR are not a political entity? I understand they've had politicians there before, but I'm not sure I get how a private company can be under political attack.
Well, of course. The only people who need protection more than KBR are those poor little ol' insurance companies. I'm glad there are fearless senators like Jeff Sessions who protect these private companies from mean citizens.
Meanwhile, someone from NOW is going to be on Anderson Cooper tonight to talk about David Letterman and his ill-advised but, as far as we know, consensual workplace relationships.
The Senator who called it a "political attack on Halliburton" is Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama. If you want to call and tell him he is an idiot... and a supporter of rape... dial (202) 224-4124.
@TabithaIapetus: Listening to Senator Sessions prompted my boss to say, "you know, I understand why literacy tests are unconstitutional when required for voting, but you'd think they could require them for people actually holding office."
I love Al Franken, so much. Loved him on SNL, love him even more now. Can Massachusetts borrow him for a while to fill Teddy's seat please? :)
And just when I thought my opinion of Republicans couldn't go down ANY further, here we go. They disgust me. That is all there is to it. I honestly don't understand how anyone can claim to be Republican in this day and age when the party is behind a never-ending stream of absolutely horrendous bullshit. Democrats are by no means perfect, but at least they don't align themselves with this kind of sexism, racism, homophobia, war-mongering, etc. etc. etc. Ugh. Yay for Al Franken standing up to them!
I can't wait for my husband to stop working there. He works for KBR in the IT department and everyday I hear about this poor woman I feel guilty that my husband works there and that's where we get alot of our money. I'm glad this bill passed, even though it means KBR won't be doing as much business. They fucking deserve this "political attack."
@Pearl Forrester: I completely understand. My daddy's in the military and my mom's (retired) cop. One of my facebook friends insists on posting every single news item about police misconduct she can find and asking me about it.
Like what am I supposed to say/do? My parents aren't like that, and their jobs put a roof over my head and food in my mouth all those years.
My letter to my Senators (sent via email on their websites):
I'm not sure I can adequately express how embarrassed and repelled I am by your vote against the Franken Amendment No 2588 of the DoD Appropriations Act, 2010, but I will try. The fact that you have positioned yourself to stand with those who would provide that rape and sexual assault are "employment issues" that should be determined under the purview of an abritration agreement is absolutely disgusting.
Women's rights (and men's, because women are not the only ones assaulted) are civil liberties and should be protected to the utmost under criminal laws, which arbitration is NOT established to uphold.
In the course of dealing with a DoD contractor, the best and most efficient way to maintain that these fundamental freedoms are protected is through the use of acquisition policy. This is not a new idea--minimum wage, safety, and equal opportunity standards are all mandated for DoD contractors through the use of acquisition policy.
Just as the rights and well-being of small business owners, minority groups, and HUB-Zone companies are protected under acquisition policy, so is it right and fair to protect those employees under the same policy.
I am thoroughly embarrassed that, once again, Alabama can be painted with the broad brush-strokes of the Far Right Wing, due to your vote against the fundamental right of employees to demand justice for violations of civil liberties from their employers.
Your vote will effect MY vote in the future.
...there is no reason for them to have not accepted that amendment. I read it, it is exactly what it says it is and there is no pork or other language in it except relating to that.
@RStewie: Whoa, I am so hearting you for this. Sessions is one of my senators too and I cringe every time I see his name in the media because I just know it's not gonna be for something good. He is one of the reasons I kind of hang my head when people ask where I'm from. I should not have to be ashamed of my place of residence but damn, Jeff Sessions, you're not making me think otherwise.
@RStewie: I'm not quite sure what you mean by your 2nd sentence - imo the rest of it looks fine.
(I'd do some things differently stylistically, but those are all just choices.)
And don't be embarrassed - the point is that you caught it before you posted on your FB page! :-)
@RStewie: I like it the way it is.
"This will affect my vote", from a constituent, is something every politician had better understand from the first moment s/he raises the first dollar.
Remember, you always want to reach your audience. :-)
I am so proud to say that he is my senator!!! He impressed me every time he stands up and says what I would want to say. Also, he uses his pocket Constitution. Hell yeah!
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Also, Go Al Franken. Seriously.
10/07/09
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10/08/09
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(sigh)
10/07/09
He's never been so HOT akshully. Go AL!
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The opposition says that like it's a bad thing.
10/07/09
10/07/09
And just when I thought my opinion of Republicans couldn't go down ANY further, here we go. They disgust me. That is all there is to it. I honestly don't understand how anyone can claim to be Republican in this day and age when the party is behind a never-ending stream of absolutely horrendous bullshit. Democrats are by no means perfect, but at least they don't align themselves with this kind of sexism, racism, homophobia, war-mongering, etc. etc. etc. Ugh. Yay for Al Franken standing up to them!
10/07/09
10/07/09
Like what am I supposed to say/do? My parents aren't like that, and their jobs put a roof over my head and food in my mouth all those years.
10/07/09
I'm not sure I can adequately express how embarrassed and repelled I am by your vote against the Franken Amendment No 2588 of the DoD Appropriations Act, 2010, but I will try. The fact that you have positioned yourself to stand with those who would provide that rape and sexual assault are "employment issues" that should be determined under the purview of an abritration agreement is absolutely disgusting.
Women's rights (and men's, because women are not the only ones assaulted) are civil liberties and should be protected to the utmost under criminal laws, which arbitration is NOT established to uphold.
In the course of dealing with a DoD contractor, the best and most efficient way to maintain that these fundamental freedoms are protected is through the use of acquisition policy. This is not a new idea--minimum wage, safety, and equal opportunity standards are all mandated for DoD contractors through the use of acquisition policy.
Just as the rights and well-being of small business owners, minority groups, and HUB-Zone companies are protected under acquisition policy, so is it right and fair to protect those employees under the same policy.
I am thoroughly embarrassed that, once again, Alabama can be painted with the broad brush-strokes of the Far Right Wing, due to your vote against the fundamental right of employees to demand justice for violations of civil liberties from their employers.
Your vote will effect MY vote in the future.
...there is no reason for them to have not accepted that amendment. I read it, it is exactly what it says it is and there is no pork or other language in it except relating to that.
10/07/09
10/07/09
10/07/09
Psst -
"Your vote will effect MY vote in the future."
You want "affect" here.
Either that or "Your vote will have an effect on my votes in the future."
10/07/09
But maybe because I actually haven't voted in AL for the Senatorial race we can use it as the verb "to create"??
Because I will SOOO be voting in the next round.
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(I'd do some things differently stylistically, but those are all just choices.)
And don't be embarrassed - the point is that you caught it before you posted on your FB page! :-)
@crustaceangirl: That last is good. That's very good.
10/07/09
Not the way I originally intended, and I would change it given the chance...but it makes me feel better thinking it might still make sense.
10/07/09
"This will affect my vote", from a constituent, is something every politician had better understand from the first moment s/he raises the first dollar.
Remember, you always want to reach your audience. :-)
10/07/09
10/07/09
Should I be embarrassed that I thought that was hot?