Menendez Holding Up NOAA Appointment?

Senator Bob.... (0.00 / 0)

...is miffed about an obscure part of the omnibus budget bill which would allow limited travel (and trade?) to Cuba, so Cuban Americans could visit their relatives.  The Senator vehemently opposes any thaw in the 50 yr old "embargo" despite its lack of political results (except the further impoverishment of Cubans).  In this case I think he is governing with his heart rather than his head, and he is being unnecessarily obstructionist.  He's made his point, now it is time to step aside.

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by: jfc521 @ Sat Mar 07, 2009 at 13:54:04 PM UTC

In another diary (0.00 / 0)

Jeffg111 says he called Menendez' office and they denied placing the hold.

He concludes that the Sen. is not or he is directing his staff to flat out lie.

I agree with you - if it is the Sen., its really time to give it up.

I also thought it might have been Mel Martinez who put the hold on.  The people at TPM don't think so.

We've got enough R obstructionism with Obama appointments.  We don't need the D's abetting them.

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by: SmartyJones @ Sat Mar 07, 2009 at 14:50:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Bob Menendez Must Put His Loyalty.... (0.00 / 0)

...to the best interest of the United States of America above his personal ties with with right wing of the Cuban community, who, still haven't come to terms with the existence of Fidel Castro.

The old Cuba is dead, and it isn't coming back.  As horrific and un-democratic as Castro was/is we need to understand that America supported a corrupt evil dictatorship in Cuba...and that had we not done that, the Cuban people would have not been vulnerable to the Communist bullshit they fell for.

We are STILL making the same mistakes throughout the world.  That's why this issue is so important.

America needs to make human rights and democracy the central pillar of our foreign (AND DOMESTIC) policy.   Lip service doesn't cut it.

We will either learn these lessons or we will be just one more failed superpower/empire on the trash heap of human history.

It's all connected, folks.

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by: Nick Lento @ Sat Mar 07, 2009 at 15:21:46 PM UTC

Time to eliminate this bizzare system (0.00 / 0)

of anonomyus holds.  If I as a local governent official wish to discuss a matter or express dissention with my six fellow councilpeople, a public meeting must be had.   New Jersey like many states has sunshine laws.  

Our State Senators may block appointments in their county, but we find out quickly who they are.

Yet at the most important level of government, Senators can place holds and not have to reveal it is them.  

So If our Senator insists it's not him, and that he is being hurt by these rumors, will he agree to Senate Rules changes to eliminate this bizzare system.

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by: CouncilmanBruceCarlson @ Mon Mar 09, 2009 at 20:29:15 PM UTC