tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post113889195907090577..comments2024-03-26T05:18:53.709-04:00Comments on Pen and Sword: Who's Running This Asylum?Jeff Huberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1138985692157735952006-02-03T11:54:00.000-05:002006-02-03T11:54:00.000-05:00Michael, I have no problem with Feinstein's polici...Michael, <BR/><BR/>I have no problem with Feinstein's policies and she's obviously very popular in her state. <BR/><BR/>I do, however, think she says things at times that are contrary to her desired effect. Another instance I can think of was her repeating "plenary powers" over and over at the Alito hearings. I think she was unwittingly acting as a wall in the echo chamber that attempts to make Americans think that "plenary" presidential powers actually exist. <BR/><BR/>Best of luck with the campaign, and thanks for dropping in and posting. <BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1138985501613024812006-02-03T11:51:00.000-05:002006-02-03T11:51:00.000-05:00It will be difficult to get those memos because th...It will be difficult to get those memos because the Democrats don't have a majority on the Committee.<BR/><BR/>As for Feinstein, she is a great Senator and gets a lot done because of her reputation for being a moderate and bi-partisan. Of course, I'm a little biased because I worked in her office in DC for a while on education policy. But she has a really great judiciary staff helping her out on these matters. The problem I see is that she never went to law school and doesn't have a law degree - and she is serving on the judiciary committee. She's still a really smart woman - she graduated from Stanford and was a prestigious Coro fellow.<BR/><BR/>But she stall has no official legal training. Her JUD staff can give her the best scripts possible but that's all they are - scripts - she has a more difficult time asking improv questions of judicial nominees or acting on her own without advice from the people in JUD.<BR/><BR/>She's still a great Senator and I'm still going to vote and campaign for her this year. She has provided strong leadership on numerous important Democratic issues such as the Assault Weapons Ban.SFLawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07756313978004133791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1138979798645480772006-02-03T10:16:00.000-05:002006-02-03T10:16:00.000-05:00Whoever gave Stein the job had to be pretty high u...Whoever gave Stein the job had to be pretty high up in DOD, which means he or she is a Rumsfeld crony (or Rumsfeld himself) and will never be held responsible.Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1138979530267496222006-02-03T10:12:00.000-05:002006-02-03T10:12:00.000-05:00Yes, I need to know who put Stein in charge of $82...Yes, I need to know who put Stein in charge of $82 million. And how much that person got. And if they're hiring any more motivated self-starters...!<BR/><BR/>Slightly off-topic, but SOTU final point: Thomas Jefferson stopped addressing Congress for the State of the Union, saying that it was too much like a monarch. He filed written reports instead. <BR/><BR/>"What's all this we hear about the Founders' original intent? Hmm? Speak up? How convenient!"<BR/><BR/>Even if it is in the office of the President, we now have a monarchy, or dictatorship, take your pick.Jeff (no, the other one)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04030611459552848949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1138918042188556392006-02-02T17:07:00.000-05:002006-02-02T17:07:00.000-05:00IMO, Feinstein does and says a lot of not too smar...IMO, Feinstein does and says a lot of not too smart things. During the Alito hearings, she constantly referred to John Yoo's claims of "plenary" presidential powers, given credence to the claim as she was theoretically trying to refute it.Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.com