Cheap Blogging Crutch 10.08

Approval of U.S. Congress Falls to 21%, Driven by Democrats
Approval of Congress has fallen from 39% to 21%. I know what you're saying: "There was a point in time where 39% of the people liked Congress?" Yes, it was the mythical era known as "March." The drop in popularity is fueled by one thing: Democrats. Both the spinelessness and ineffectiveness of the elected kind and the general disgust of the voting kind who put them there. I'm sure this will all be improved by a few more months dicking around on health care before making minor incremental changes.

Franken Wins Bipartisan Support For Legislation Reining In KBR’s Treatment Of Rape
Sen. Al Franken (psst, he used to be a comedian) has a vision for America. One that states that people who get raped, sexually assaulted, abused, or discriminated against while working for a government contractor overseas should be able to, I don't know, go to court over it. And he decided to write this law just because there were a few times where that didn't happen. Seems pretty cut and dried, right? No, apparently this was too controversial for 30 Senators who voted against prosecuting rape. And people wonder why I have no hope for any issue being voted on in the Senate. They can't even come to a consensus on rape being bad.

Pakistan's Military Rejects US Aid Bill
I don't understand. Why would Pakistan, struggling from internal strife and in desperate need of some money, consider turning down billions in American aid? Oh, because it's tied to clauses stating that we actually get to monitor whether or not they're fulfilling their end of our anti-terrorism "partnership." Makes sense. It's much easier to have success when you don't actually have to prove it in any way. I'm so glad we send them billions.

Left claims 218 in sight
It's time for me to irrationally get your hopes up. The House is approaching a majority for a health care bill that is really, really leftist and includes a "robust" public option. It's even more leftist than other leftist House bills. So everyone get excited about actual progressive change of the health care system. Just don't think about the part where it has to be reconciled with a Senate version and then pass the Senate. Still, robust public option! Hey! I can still see you thinking about the Senate. Don't. Delude yourself into thinking this will be the final bill.

Chamber To Apple: You Don’t Understand Our ’21st Century Approach To Climate Change’
In an effort to explain why Nike and Apple have recently taken public stands against the Chamber of Commerce's stance on climate change and have left the organization, the CoC has instead claimed the the two companies just don't want to be involved in a 21st Century approach to climate change. Which is to say, they don't want to deny that it exists. I don't know who to trust here: one of the most progressive corporations on earth that is committed to believing science...or the group that called for a Scopes monkey trial on climate change and thinks the best way to improve the environment is to not do anything and ignore the eggheads. Choices, choices.