What do you think of congress with the 5 minute speeches ?

[blues90]

I try to watch some of it but the more I hear the more it becomes insane . Why could they not get together in groups and let one of each group speak for the others that agree . I becomes so boring and you forget who said what .

I just feel they are going about this the wrong and long round-about way .

[NYC Liberal]

1. Members can yield time to someone else. Of course, they're simply

choosing not to do that. I agree, they should have a few people speaking who can sum up the argument well.

[goclark]

2. I like them each to speak so we will have video clips

of each of the Chimp's CONS to stand up and be counted.

[DURHAM D]

6. I agree - this was a really smart decision by Pelosi and

Dem leadership. I wonder when the last time was that they designated 5 minutes for every member over 36 hours of debate.

[JuniperLea]

9. Agreed!

Most people have never given a five minute speech, which is not as easy as some might think. But to blather on with fibs and such, oh my! That must be exceedingly difficult! Having taped evidence is the best!

Now all those dumbass Repubs who have been whining about "when do we get to speak?" have a chance to lie to us on tape.

[abluelady]

3. I think It Will Work Well for the 2008 Elections. eom

[blues90]

11. Yes this must be the point

I missed that because I am so far from thinking about 2008 elections . Not to say this is wrong for people to consider 2008 , I am just to wrapped up in the moment that I can't think past 2007 since we just went through months in 2006 with all the candidants and this Iraq occupation as well as bush just keeps getting so much worse .

I suppose I feel strongly about now and all that has lead up to now that I am frozen . I at times fear we will not make it to 2009 in one piece , not the way things are going and I still can;t get past how many dems voted for this war knowing bush was a complete freak not to be trusted . I guess you can say I don't trust politicians very much these days , words and grand speeches are one part , action is another .

[saltpoint]

4. Our Democrats shine in that format, while most Republicans

have to struggle to form a sentence, let alone fill 5 minutes with coherent thought.

I say nice move by Speaker Pelosi for making those GOP Neanderthals go on record trying to defend an indefensible war.

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. I LOVE watching it. Especially when they argue.

That's fun.:)

[pdxmom]

7. I have no problem with the 5 minute speeches, but I'd like to actually

hear someone address what is being said by the other side. Steny Hoyer came down from his office to address things, but for each Congressman to give his little 5 minutes, saying the same things over and over and not specifically addressing what the other side is spouting isn't the kind of debate I was hoping to see.

[AlCzervik]

8. i think for this vote it's working because them that tend to be long winded

and idiotic get shut down quickly. This whole debate is making my blood pressure rise though.

[durtee librul]

10. Well to go against the tide here...

I think it is the most inane things these fools have ever done.....it is a waste of time (mine and theirs) to 'talk' about a non-binding resolution to 'send' a message to *. He's past the stage of caring what anyone says....and why can't they put some time in doing something worthwhile.

And as far as all the neoCONS getting up and looking like ijuts, fine. But again, it's all show and they love the cameras so what are we actually accomplishing....nada.

So many important items they could be pursuing and here we are again,...a do nothing congress TALKING about ending or curtailing a war the people unequivocally TOLD them last November they wanted over.

Sorry, I read all the posts which thought this was great and to a certain extent, I can see your points, but sorry, just don't agree at all with them.

[Danieljay]

12. I'm with you... I don't think this is doing much good for the Dems

[Vinca]

13. I want them to introduce a bill to end the war and start bringing

troops home now. Just put the damn bill up for a vote.

[the_sheep_look_up]

14. 5-minute speeches in Congress

I've watched a number of these and it become apparent early on that you'll not hear anything new from the Republicans. It's always "you gotta support the Commander-in-Chief or you're not supporting the troops so I'm not going to vote for it". In my opinion, most Democrats don't take advantage of an opportunity to lay the current mess at the feet of the Republican-controlled congress that didn't let debate go forward for far too long. Republican references to "this congress" being responsible for that mess should elicit a response something like "It wasn't this congress, it was your congress" but usually it is just passed over.
If there's one good thing about this, it's that everybody is being captured on tape and at some point they should expect that what they said is going to jump up and bite the in the ass.
x(

[classof56]

15. Welcome to DU, TSLU.

Keep the faith!

TOC