Some Republicans have repeatedly declined to spend time with Obama. Boehner chose not to be photographed with the president at last year’s White House Christmas party and has refused invitations to five state dinners in a row. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has also turned down multiple state dinners. Many new Republican House members chose not to come to a reception Obama held for the incoming freshmen in 2011. . .Boehner and McConnell also both turned down an invitation to watch “Lincoln” at the White House, along with three Republican senators — Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Olympia Snowe of Maine. Washington PostI cannot imagine turning down an invitation from a sitting or retired President. It's inconceivable. In my work in broadcast sales, I've spent plenty of time with people I didn't like or agree with. It's my job. I've worked for people I didn't like. It wasn't easy but it was my job. John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, Lamar Alexander, Tom Coburn missed the memo. IT'S THEIR JOB. No wonder nothing ever gets done.
Olympia? She doesn't count. Her term is up.
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New York lawmakers agreed to pass the toughest gun control law in the nation and the first since the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, calling for a stricter assault weapons ban and provisions to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill who make threats. . .The measure also calls for restrictions on ammunition and the sale of guns. It is expected to pass Tuesday. Huffington PostIt's a start. Kudos to Gov. Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg for spearheading the passage of strict new gun laws in New York state. Now, if our other 49 states will belly up to the bar...
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And then there's THIS guy:
Recently reelected Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas) has barely had a chance to get his feet wet in Congress again, after serving one term from 1995-1997. But already he's making bold threats to file articles of impeachment against President Barack Obama over gun control measures being sought in the wake of December's mass shooting in Newtown, Conn. Huffington Post~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the Dept "Oh How the Mighty Have Fallen and Can't Get Up"
While he can’t save his career or his fortune, an admission of doping might rehabilitate Lance Armstrong’s charity and, ultimately, his legacy. . .The disgraced cyclist, who denied doping for more than a decade, admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. . . “Lance knows he’s poison as is, and my guess is he believes if he apologizes... and cries big crocodile tears it won’t solve his problems immediately, but it will at least start the process,” said Richard Burton, David Falk professor of sports management at Syracuse University. . .“His brand value during his yellow jersey days was almost immeasurable,” said Mark Serrano, CEO of ProActive Communications. “I think there were probably few brands in the world that were worth in excess of $20 million a year, and he was one of them.”...
“Today we’re looking at a brand value of near zero,” Serrano said.
