There just aren't enough hours in the day for Mitch McConnell (Keene Sentinel editorial)

[struggle4progress]

Published: Tuesday, December 21, 2010

... But that, he averred, was probably it for 2010. This was evident from what he said later about a more explosive issue — a nuclear arms limitation treaty with Russia — that awaits Senate action.

McConnell complained about the unreasonableness of those who have been calling for ratification. “Rushing it right before Christmas,” he said, “it strikes me as trying to jam us.”

Jam the Senate? During the first seven months of the year, three Senate committees held no less than 20 hearings and briefings on the treaty, which builds on agreements backed by huge bipartisan majorities in the past. Apparently, McConnell and his colleagues couldn’t get their questions asked in those sessions. For reassurance, they could have turned to endorsements of the treaty by (a) former secretaries of state and defense in both Republican and Democratic administrations and (b) the nation’s top military leaders. But that, too, could have taken time, reading those statements. Nouns and verbs. Paragraphs. Transcripts. Republicans (excepting New Hampshire’s Judd Gregg, among others, who’s been warming to ratification), just may not have enough time, McConnell said.

A recommendation for McConnell’s team: Consider, when returning to work after the hectic holidays, to take a course in time management. Business people do that sort of thing all the time. McConnell might also consider throwing in a class on speed reading, which the taxpayers would probably support if they knew that such things as nuclear Armageddon hung in the balance ...

http://sentinelsource.com/articles/2010/12/21/opinion/sentinel_editorial/free/id_422140.txt