Sibby Online

Herseth not compassionate

Stephanie Herseth was among the 162 in the House of Representatives who voted against protecting the unborn from the pain of abortion. Anyone want to bet that the South Dakota Drive-By media will not report on this tomorrow? Here is a press release from Concerned Women for America:

A significant pro-life bill, which would have protected unborn babies, failed today by a vote of 250 to 162 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, H.R. 6099, introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey) would have required abortionists to notify their patients that an unborn child as young as 20 weeks old undergoes excruciating pain during an abortion. The bill would also have required abortionists to provide patients with a consent form requesting or refusing anesthesia for the unborn baby.

CWA President Wendy Wright said, "Abortion not only kills a baby, it tortures them. Women deserve full information before making a life-altering decision that will end their baby’s life and haunt them forever. We hope that women will have compassion on their child when they learn their baby will experience extreme pain and choose instead for their baby to feel the loving touch of an embrace. Regrettably, congressmen – many who denounced the use of torture against suspected terrorists – have voted to not let women know that abortion will torture their innocent unborn babies."

"There are strict federal humane slaughter rules which mandate that animals experience death in the least painful way possible. Unborn human babies deserve that courtesy times ten," said Lanier Swann, CWA’s Director of Government Relations. "Women deserve to know the facts about the way their baby will suffer if they choose to end its precious life. Far fewer women would be stepping into that procedure room if they knew their baby would physically suffer the consequences of their decision. Evidence shows that the baby feels the pain even more acutely than the mother. An informed mother might think twice before letting an abortionist inflict this inhumane torture on her child.

"Rep. Smith showed great leadership in introducing this bill and we applaud him for his efforts. Rep. Smith, along with his colleagues who voted to pass this bill, recognizes the value of human life. It is disheartening that some elected officials do not hold to that same standard," said Swann.

How will Herseth vote?

From LifeNews:

A national organization for pro-life doctors today urged passage of a federal bill that would inform women considering an abortion about the potential pain experienced by their babies after 20 weeks of development.

The House of Representatives is slated to vote on the bill Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

The 17,000-member Christian Medical Association says no matter where members of Congress stand on the issue of abortion, they should agree that women deserve complete information about abortion before having one.

"One thing both sides of this issue should be able to agree upon is that women should be fully informed about the medical science concerning their developing babies," CMA CEO Dr. David Stevens said in a statement LifeNews.com obtained.

"Women deserve to know exactly what an abortion involves for their baby," he explained. "Imagine the heartbreak a woman would experience after being led to believe that her 22-week developing baby is simply a 'blob of tissue' only to learn after an abortion that her baby likely experienced excruciating pain."

"The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act states the medical science and requires that women be fully informed before proceeding with an abortion," Stevens added.

Dr. Stevens said the science behind the measure is "clear and compelling."

He said there is substantial evidence that by 20 weeks after fertilization, unborn children draw away from certain stimuli in a manner which in an infant or an adult would be interpreted as a response to pain.

Dr. Gene Rudd, an obstetrician with the CMA agreed and pointed to existing federal laws that seek to diminish the suffering of animals.

"This bill cites laws protecting animals from inhumane treatment, while a developing human has no such protections," he said. "What does this say about our blindness to the humanity of our developing babies?"

The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, H.R. 6099, also requires abortion practitioners to offer the mother a chance to give the baby anesthesia beforehand.

The House will consider the bill under the "Suspension Calendar" which means the legislation needs a two-thirds vote in order to pass.

Pelosi, Herseth, and Max Sandlin

Remember this from Roll Call in the fall of 2004:

The Capitol Hill publication Roll Call has an item in today's edition headlined "Sitting in a Tree," regarding Stephanie Herseth's relationship with Rep. Max Sandlin, a Democrat from Texas:

Sorry, guys. The newest, most eligible bachelorette in Congress appears to be off the market.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D), who just won the special South Dakota election, had a boyfriend waiting for her on Capitol Hill when she arrived last week.

He's Democratic Rep. Max Sandlin, a four-term Texan.

The couple met during Herseth's failed 2002 election bid against then- Rep. Bill Janklow (R-S.D.), who recently was released from prison for his second-degree manslaughter conviction. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has its own version of a "big buddy" program, appointed Sandlin to be Herseth's mentor during that campaign.

Maybe the DCCC should have a match-making business on the side?

"Representative Herseth and Representative Sandlin met during the last election cycle. They remained friends after the 2002 election and have had a relationship for approximately a year," her spokesman, Russ Levsen, told HOH.

Sandlin, who is divorced with four children, also worked hard to campaign and raise money for his girlfriend during her winning campaign against GOP state Sen. Larry Diedrich in the June 1 special election.

He said having just arrived in Washington, the new Congresswoman has not found permanent housing yet. For now, he said, she's staying at the Capitol Suites.

But Herseth, 33, and Sandlin, 52, were seen Wednesday morning in front of Sandlin's apartment building near D and First streets Southeast.

Now we have this from a report that details Nancy Pelosi’s career:

When she became leader, she pushed through the appointment of Max Sandlin to the Appropriations Committee. Sandlin, a moderate Texan, was a sensible choice, since he had been stung by redistricting and the slot would raise his profile and appeal. He was also among Pelosi's most valuable supporters, since he helped her to deflate claims that her appeal was limited to the political Left. But Sandlin hadn't asked for a seat on Appropriations - he had requested the Ways and Means Committee. Since Members spend years building support for an appointment to either of these elite panels, jumping from one list to the other is akin to changing planes mid-flight. It just isn't done. But here Sandlin was, being ushered past all those who had been waiting their turn. And yet, this was not even what made the appointment most notable. As it happens, Sandlin was also the boyfriend of Nancy's daughter Christine - a fact widely known among Democrats. So the move wasn't just disruptive; it also bore the taint of nepotism. Pelosi's exceptionalism could not have been more starkly shown. But in case there were still doubts, she also gave Sandlin a top position in leadership.

Pelosi became leader in fall of 2002, which is about the same time Sandlin was Herseth’s mentor, and also dating Pelosi's daughter. As Todd Epp would say…Hmmmm.

And before I move off Pelosi’s career, this little bit would make one wonder about her promise to clean up Washington DC:

At one point, it seems to have occurred to Pelosi and her associates that she could double the amount of money she raised - and thus double the amount she gave - if she opened a second political action committee. It never seems to have occurred to the group that, as a matter of law, this was preposterous. If one could double-up by simply opening another committee, why not ten committees? Or one hundred? Pelosi appears not to have had anyone at the time who could point out the obvious to her. So her machine, based in San Francisco, went ahead with the plan, opening a second PAC that was identical to the first in all but name. And soon that committee was taking and giving money in the usual order. The treasurer of both, former California Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy, told me he had phoned the Federal Elections Commission beforehand and was told there was nothing wrong with the arrangement - a dubious story, since not even the commissioners are permitted to provide legal guidance over the phone. The FEC eventually fined Pelosi's original PAC $24,000 for the screw-up. Her committee was also forced to retrieve all the illegal money that had been given to candidates and to reimburse its donors.

All is fair when it involves love and war.

Herseth Pregnant? not true

Bill Harlan has a post on Mount Blogmore declaring the Wikipedia entry I posted on Stephanie Hersth to be "not true".

South Dakota War College says the entry was removed, but doesn’t know by whom:

From the evidence at hand, it looks like this Wikipedia Entry was changed tonight by someone at the IP address of 67.82.48.187. Now, from looking, it traces out to a location in the Bronx and is part of Optimum Online (Cablevision Systems). So, you've got me on who has that address, why they updated her profile (several times, I might add) and what they hope to accomplish.

The closest guess I can find as to who is utilizing that internet address is registered are posts to a website utilizing that same internet IP. Of course, the name attached to that IP is a moniker from a science fiction movie. The more I look, the more I'm thinking it's a dynamic IP address that they had for a few days, and then it was gone forever.

So this shows us that Wikipedia is not a reliable source. A false entry can be made without knowing who made it. Bill Fleming used Wikipedia frequently at Mount Blogmore to support his arguments. And others on Mount Blogmore also used Wikipedia to support their far-left positions. That is why I refer to them as the "lying left".

Herseth pregnant?

[UPDATE: See this post that states the Wikipedia entry has been removed.]

From the far-left Wikipedia about Representative Stephanie Herseth:

She opposes abortion rights, citing her new found change of heart after announcing her pregnancy with fiancee Ajay Bruno's baby.

Now isn’t that convenient. Herseth's polling data maybe postitive about HB1215.

Comments are open on this one.

Herseth sides with terrorists

Here is an excerpt from a report on the vote on House Resolution 895 that states in part, "Supporting intelligence and law enforcement programs to track terrorists and terrorist finances conducted consistent with Federal law and with appropriate Congressional consultation and specifically condemning the disclosure and publication of classified information that impairs the international fight against, etc.":

Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said the leaks and the publication of information about the SWIFT program were essentially treasonous behavior that endangers American lives.

"It is clearly against the law, and then to brazenly report it on front pages of newspapers ... is aiding and abetting the enemy,'' Oxley said.

The resolution, which passed 227-183, with 17 Democrats joining nearly all House Republicans in voting for it, praises the financial tracking program as a success that respects civil liberties and, without mentioning any newspaper by name, says Congress "expects the cooperation of all news media organizations in protecting the lives of Americans and the capability of the government to identify, disrupt and capture terrorists by not disclosing classified intelligence programs.''

Representative Stephanie Herseth voted against the resolution.

Murtha fundraiser for Herseth

From Sibby's mailbag:

"Please join me in helping my colleague and friend, Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth.  I am hosting a breakfast for Congresswoman Herseth on on Tuesday, March 14th and I hope that you will join me.

Stephanie Herseth is South Dakota's at-large Member of Congress.  She is committed to a strong national security and is a strong supporter of our Armed Forces.  Working with South Dakota's two United States Senators, Congresswoman Herseth played a critical role in convincing the Base Realignment and Closure Commission to remove Ellsworth Air Force Base from the Base Closure List.  She has secured funds to upgrade infrastructure at the base, is working to expand Ellsworth's mission, and continues to build support for the B-1 bomber program.  During her short time in Congress, she has visited Iraq twice as well as Afghanistan.

The breakfast will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at the Hotel George located at 15 E Street, NW.  Coffee will be served beginning at 7:30 AM followed by breakfast at 8:00 AM.

Suggested contributions for this event are $500 for individuals and $1000 for PAC.  Please make checks payable to:

Herseth for Congress

c/o Susan O'Neill & Associates

5910 Gloster Road

Bethesda, MD 20816

I hope you will support Cong. Herseth and look forward to seeing you on March 14th.

Sincerely,

/s Jack Murtha

John P. Murtha"

Herseth playing politics on tax cuts

Americans for Tax Reform has a news release regarding a important vote in US House regarding tax relief that will end on 12/31/2005 for South Dakotans. It provides some insight regarding the posturing of Representative Stephanie Herseth of South Dakota. Excerpt:

The vote is expected to be close and an aid to Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) admitted that she will not vote for extending the package, despite the fact that South Dakota residents will lose the ability to deduct their state sales tax from their federal income tax. Rather, Herseth’s aide told CQ Today she will vote for an alternative measure (which she knows will not pass) to say she actually did support the measure, when in fact she didn’t.

SDP has coverage on the House passage of Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act and the favorable impact tax cuts have on our economy and on job creation. As predicted by the Americans for Tax Reform, Stephanie Herseth voted "Nay". Looks like Nancy Pelosi has Herseth whipped into line.

Heresth, Sibby and freedom for bloggers

The Aberdeen News has an AP report by Dennis Gale on yesterday’s House vote on the Online Freedom of Speech Act. Here is the introduction:

Rep. Stephanie Herseth split from most of her fellow Democrats Wednesday when she voted for a bill that would have excluded blogs, e-mails and other Internet communications from Federal Election Commission regulation.

The bill, entitled the Online Freedom of Speech Act, attracted 225 votes in the House. That was 47 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed under a procedure that limited debate time and allowed no amendments.

Herseth and 45 other Democrats joined 179 Republicans supporting the measure. Among the "no" votes were 143 Democrats, 38 Republicans and one independent.

Here is a quote from Herseth:

Herseth said, "We've seen a lot of activity on the Internet that I think has actually been good for the public discourse and question the FEC's ability to regulate that in an effective way and not stifle the type of discourse and the type of activity that allows candidates who don't have access to large major donors or the interest groups that are so much a part of modern-day campaigning to be more active as candidates or political participants."

Later, some kind of legislation might be needed regulating that activity, "particularly as it relates to campaign financing," she said.

Here is what Gale included from an interview I had with him earlier today:

Steve Sibson of Mitchell, who writes the conservative blog "Sibby Online," said those intent on getting around any FEC rules would find a way to do so.

"All it does is restrict the good guys, and the bad guys still find ways to be bad guys," he said in an interview.

Sibson said the FEC is trying to tell bloggers that it doesn't want to restrict their speech but rather whether they're affiliated with or paid by political forces.

"What we want is to be treated the same as the media," he said. "We want the same media exemptions that they enjoy."

Bloggers don't get paid for what they do, said Sibson, an accountant. But it would be nobody's business if somebody were paying him, he said.

"But if somebody does want to pay us and compensate us for our efforts, and then all of a sudden we have to comply with a bunch of rules. ... That I'm starting to have a problem with."

Gale ended with what the pissed off the South Dakota Democrats:

Jon Lauck, who was a South Dakota State University history professor, received $27,000 as a research consultant from John Thune's campaign when the Republican was looking to oust Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle.

Lauck's "Daschle v. Thune" blog scrutinized Daschle and his voting record throughout the campaign.

Lauck has said many people knew he was a paid consultant to Thune's campaign, but he didn't believe he had to post any "flashing banner" on his site.

Steve Hildebrand has made a big deal about "Thune’s paid bloggers". It is because of their outrage that we bloggers are receiving attention from the FEC. Now that he is paying bloggers himself, they try to get around the issue by claiming Hildebrand is not paying the bloggers to blog, but only paying them to be consultants. They wouldn’t allow that argument from Thune and Lauck, so why are they making it themselves? This is just another example of how the Democrats want rules to restrict conservatives, but they refuse to have them be applied to themselves. Often times, such as in regard to the issue of paid bloggers, they get by with lies and denials. As I said in the above report:

"All it does is restrict the good guys, and the bad guys still find ways to be bad guys,"

I also said that it is nobodies business who pays bloggers. But I do like making the Democrats taste their own medicine. It tends to make their partisans like Chad Schuldt gage all over their keyboards.

UPDATE: Glenn Reynolds has reactions.

Here is more from RedState.org.

Democrats against lower energy costs

SDP points out that Stephanie Herseth votes against a bill to add more refineries. More refineries will help solve the supply problem that has increased the cost of energy. Instead of allowing the free enterprise system to provide affordable energy for us all, the Democrats are happy to allow energy costs to rise. This way they can make more Americans dependent on their big government with energy assistance funding. They could care less about how this will continue to add to the deficit and how higher energy costs will have a negative impact on the economy. Democrats do not make America stronger.