Beting Against America, a draft

To be trimmed and sent to pundits and democratic strategists:

Last week, we saw popular and just legislation for 9/11 rescuers and civil rights in the military stymied by cynical Republicans in Congress.  For the last two years, they have been stonewalling progress on every front for their own political gain.  Republican politicians have been crying, "Things are terrible," while banking on the situation getting worse, so they can run on Obama and the Democrats not fixing things.

Times _are_ tough, but we, as a people, have always known ours will be a better tomorrow. We share this faith. Nevertheless, in fighting aid to workers, small businesses, first responders, and our armed services; in refusing to work on health care, energy, and immigration reform; in constantly stalling, saying 'no', and hoping for the worst, Republican in Congress have bet against America.  They are wrong.  Every one of us knows, you don't bet against the American people, and you don't bet against the United States.

We know things _will_ get better, but it will be harder for everyone if Republicans in Congress, and especially in the Senate, persist in pushing only gridlock and measures benefiting the richest among us.  The Senate's recent passage of a major tax-cut compromise has been greeted with relief, simply because it bucks the trend of inaction.  However, Republican leaders in both the Senate and the House remain firm on their general strategy of _not_ compromising and not allowing the other side anything akin to an accomplishment.  They have set their sights on defeating Obama and the Democrats, rather than fixing the problems faced by our nation.  This strategy is new, it is hurting America, and it is wrong.

In times of crisis, Americans have always worked together, and come through for the common good.  It is time to follow the example of generations before.  It is time for people to be as patriotic as they say they are.  It is time for responsible Republicans to push for more than just tax cuts, and to start working across the aisle.  It is time for Republicans in Congress to start helping, and stop betting against America.
...

And revised:

Last week, we saw popular and just legislation for 9/11 rescuers and civil rights in the military stymied by cynical Republicans in Congress.  For two years, they have been stonewalling progress on every front for their own political gain.  They have been crying, "Things are terrible," while banking on the situation getting worse, so they can complain Obama and the Democrats haven't fixed our problems.  By fighting aid to Americans in time of need; by refusing to work on reforms; by constantly stalling and hoping for the worst, Republicans in Congress have bet against America.  They are wrong.  Every one of us knows, you don't bet against the American people, and you don't bet against the United States of America.  Times are tough, but Americans have always known ours will be a better tomorrow.  Our brightest days _are_ still ahead, but it will be harder for everyone if Republicans in Congress persist in pushing only gridlock and measures most benefiting those who need it the least.

The Senate's recent passage of tax compromises has been greeted with relief, simply because it bucks the trend of inaction.  However, Republican leaders in both the Senate and the House remain firm on their general strategy of _not_ compromising and not allowing the other side any accomplishment.  Rather than fixing the problems faced by our nation, they have set their sights on defeating Obama and the Democrats.  This strategy is new, it is hurting America, and it is wrong.

In times of crisis, Americans have always worked together for the common good.  We need to follow that great example.  It is time for politicians to be as patriotic as they say they are.  It is time for responsible Republicans to push for more than just tax cuts, and to start working across the aisle.  It is time for Republicans in Congress to start helping, and stop betting against America.

[Addendum from  February  3, 2011:  Storing this away, and not sending it to anyone, given the change in tone following the Phoenix shooting. Still possible this might be applicable later, but likely not if the House can work with Obama on some things, which is the only way anything will get done.]

A brilliant move from Lieberman

Joe Lieberman is making noise about pushing through a stand-alone repeal of 'Don't Ask Don't Tell', alongside Senator Susan Collins (Republican of Maine).  He claims to have the votes.  If he can get this done, he'll have a nice liberal feather in his cap for his 2010 reelection.  Considering that he had roughly 25% job-approval ratings in his home state at the beginning of the year, he'll probably need it. 

Just being able to claim he co-wrote this, the most significant federal civil rights bill in recent memory, would be a major victory for him in Connecticut, and do a lot to mend fences with Democrats, many of whom have come to revile him for his hawkishness and anti-health-reform views.  If it passes, he may even end up a hero.

A brief note on MMA's rules

In Mixed Martial Arts' current unified rules (used by almost all promotions and athletic commissions in the United States and Canada), fighters are scored on are effective striking, grappling, aggression, and cage control.  I would suggest dropping 'aggression', and instead focusing on penalizing fighters who stall. Points should not be given for effort, but for effectiveness.

This would encourage competitors to fight smarter and more technically, while discouraging them from merely defending themselves or finding a position to rest in and staying there.  This would make for better fights and easier judging.