Mukasey Vote
The AP feed of the Senate Vote.

tag: senate, democracy, Blogpower, Lord Nazh

Labels: senate, vote

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 09:52   | View blog reactions |

2fer The Dream Act dies (again): From Hotair, but almost everyone has this

For now. Cloture fails, 52-44. Standby for the roll and reaction.

Update: I’m hoping to get some video up of Durbin but the Beauchamp news may have me sidetracked for awhile. Here’s the roll, though, as promised. Recall that the shamnesty cloture vote this summer failed with 53 votes, not 44, although it was more politically important for the participants to be seen on the right side in that one than it was here, which probably accounts for most of the difference.

Quick and easy scan of Democrats voting against: Baucus, Byrd, Conrad, Dorgan, Landrieu, Pryor, Tester, and good ol’ McCaskill, whose objections to amnesty evidently don’t end at labor concerns. Republicans voting for: Bennett, Coleman, Collins, our friend Larry Craig, Hagel, Hatch, Hutchison, Lott, Lugar, “Amnesty Mel” Martinez, Snowe, and Sam Brownback, who was free to show his true colors today sans 11th-hour switch.

Allah posts the actual votes on his site also (visit and see, read the comments);

The Jena 6 news that you probably don't know:

Media myths about the Jena 6

A local journalist tells the story you haven't heard.

By Craig Franklin

from the October 24, 2007 edition

Page 1 of 3

Opinion editor Josh Burek talks with Craig Franklin about the distorted story of the Jena 6.

Jena, La. - By now, almost everyone in America has heard of Jena, La., because they've all heard the story of the "Jena 6." White students hanging nooses barely punished, a schoolyard fight, excessive punishment for the six black attackers, racist local officials, public outrage and protests – the outside media made sure everyone knew the basics.

There's just one problem: The media got most of the basics wrong. In fact, I have never before witnessed such a disgrace in professional journalism. Myths replaced facts, and journalists abdicated their solemn duty to investigate every claim because they were seduced by a powerfully appealing but false narrative of racial injustice.

I should know. I live in Jena. My wife has taught at Jena High School for many years. And most important, I am probably the only reporter who has covered these events from the very beginning.

The reason the Jena cases have been propelled into the world spotlight is two-fold: First, because local officials did not speak publicly early on about the true events of the past year, the media simply formed their stories based on one-side's statements – the Jena 6. Second, the media were downright lazy in their efforts to find the truth. Often, they simply reported what they'd read on blogs, which expressed only one side of the issue. [link]

Read it all. This is from someone who actually lives there and seems to know what they are talking about.

After you read it, remember what all those anguished congress people said about this story and try to imagine the relevance.
tag: HotAir, DREAM, amnesty, Jena 6, Craig Franklin, Blogpower, LordNazh

Labels: amnesty, crime, criminals, senate

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 13:25   | View blog reactions |

Sen. Craig Resigns Top story on Yahoo is about Sen. Craig (R-Idaho) resigning after the sex 'sting' in the airport bathroom:

GOP Sen. Craig resigns over sex sting


By JOHN MILLER and MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press Writers 16 minutes ago

BOISE, Idaho - Idaho Sen. Larry Craig resigned Saturday over a men's room sex sting, bowing to pressure from fellow Republicans worried about a scandal dimming their election prospects.

"I apologize for what I have caused. I am deeply sorry," Craig said, his wife Suzanne at his side.

Craig's resignation completed a stunning downfall that began Monday with the disclosure that he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge following his arrest during a sex sting in a Minneapolis airport men's room.

Although leading members of his own party had called for him to step down, Craig steadfastly resisted resigning for days, contending he had done nothing wrong and that his only mistake was pleading guilty Aug. 1 to a misdemeanor charge.(link)

I've read all kind of 'tolerant' people heaping mounds of ridicule on this man, from right-wing people to lefty liberals and their agenda of inclusion. From what I've read (and the audio of the 'arrest') the Senator didn't do much that would be considered illegal. Yes he pled guilty to a misdemeanor, but this small fine has now cost him his job.

I don't really want to get into the Democrats vs Republicans on scandals, but I do want to talk about how they respectively handle them. The Dems will rally around their troublemaker and take a stand, 9 times out of 10 this gets the person off the hook (so to speak) and they continue to serve. The Repubs will circle like sharks in the water and attack. They force resignations at a whim to avoid looking 'bad' in the public (and end up looking bad all the same).

While I personally believe homosexuality is a sin and against G-d, that gives me no right to judge someone for what they believe or do. Had Sen. Craig been caught having sex in a public place, maybe I would feel different about this issue, but he was not. He was caught 'proposing' to have sex, something that happens every minute of every day from schools to bars to public transportation. When that becomes illegal, this country truly will die.

Labels: resignation, senate, sex

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 14:13   | View blog reactions |

House tried, now the Senate tries (and fails) After the House recently tried (and failed) to surrender in Iraq, the Senate stayed up all night (yawn) to try their hand at giving up. Too bad the only thing the Democrats could lose is the vote to surrender (to bad for them that is).

Senate scuttles troop withdrawal bill

By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer
15 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans scuttled a Democratic proposal ordering troop withdrawals from Iraq in a showdown Wednesday that capped an all-night debate on the war.

Notice from the language just who the reporter was betting on? (hint, it's not the guys with R behind their name)

The 52-47 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate under Senate rules. It was a sound defeat for Democrats who say the U.S. military campaign, in its fifth year and requiring 158,000 troops, cannot tame the sectarian violence in Iraq.

"We have to get us out of a middle of a civil war" said Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee. A political solution must be found "so when we leave Iraq, we don't just send our children home, we don't have to send our grandchildren back."

The best way to avoid sending his (or your) grandchildren to Iraq is to win the war; and avoid a draft. As it is at the moment NO ONE sends their children to war (a point lost on the liberal left).

Republicans were mostly unified in their opposition to sidetrack the legislation, with four exceptions. Three Republicans — Sens. Gordon Smith of Oregon, Olympia Snowe of Maine and Chuck Hagel{heh-LN} of Nebraska — announced previously they support setting a deadline on the war.{surrender-LN}

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who is up for re-election next year, also voted to advance the bill. Spokesman Kevin Kelley said Collins believes the measure should be subject to a simple majority vote and not the 60 votes needed to end a filibuster. She opposes the legislation, however, Kelley said.{don't believe the lie, if she voted to send it to a vote, she wants it to pass, but wants a safe vote for re-election} (link)

We need some Republicans in these seats... not these RINO's. Love how Kelley tried the yes-cloture to no-pass vote trick, after all the writing that has been done on that procedure, you'd think someone up for re-election would learn. Of course, it is Maine and the N.E. is mostly blue.

Labels: senate, vote, war

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 15:43   | View blog reactions |

The Bill is finally DEAD!

Senate drives stake through immigration

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, Associated Press Writer
5 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - President Bush's immigration plan to legalize as many as 12 million unlawful immigrants while fortifying the border collapsed in the Senate on Thursday, crushing both parties' hopes of addressing the volatile issue before the 2008 elections.

The Senate vote that drove a stake through the delicate compromise was a stinging setback for Bush, who had made reshaping immigration laws a central element of his domestic agenda. It could carry heavy political consequences for Republicans and Democrats, many of whom were eager to show they could act on a complex issue that has sparked deep public concern.

The writer of this article definitely wanted the bill to pass, too bad for him eh?

The bill's Senate supporters fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed to limit debate and clear the way for final passage of the legislation. The vote was 46 to 53 in favor of limiting the debate.

Voting to allow the bill to proceed by ending debate were 33 Democrats, 12 Republicans and independent Joe Lieberman, Conn. Voting to block the bill by not limiting debate were 37 Republicans, 15 Democrats and independent Bernard Sanders, Vt. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., who has been absent from the Senate all year due to an illness, did not vote. (link)

There's 12 republicans that need a serious challenger when their seats come up.

Labels: illegal immigration, law, senate

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 17:12   | View blog reactions |

Please kill this bill

Bush accelerates border security funds

By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
7 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - President Bush called for $4.4 billion in accelerated funding for "securing our borders and enforcing our laws at the work site" Thursday, as his administration and key senators struggled to revive controversial immigration legislation.

"We're going to show the American people that the promises in this bill will be kept," Bush said, two days after launching a personal rescue mission.

The measure's most controversial feature envisions eventual citizenship for many of the estimated 12 million immigrants now in the country unlawfully. At the same time, it calls for greater border security and a crackdown on the hiring of illegal employees.

Bush made his remarks a few blocks from the Capitol, where the bill's supporters said they were closing in on a tentative agreement that could clear the way for the measure's revival within two weeks. (link)

Do W and the Democrats think that this will make the bill more palatable to the people? Why is it that we need 'emergency-type' funding to do what they SHOULD BE DOING ALREADY? Enforcing the border and the immigration laws have nothing to do with a NEW amnesty try. The laws are already on the books, it's almost like the anti-gun crowd has a hold of this one. If you simply write more laws, the problems will go away (ala gun laws) instead of enforcing the laws you have.

Some Senators are still skeptical (hopefully at least 41) enough that this won't push them over (they rightly ask why the spending is tied to this bad bill and not seperate), and the Democrats definitely want this bill passed before election season is truly in. With luck we can stall or kill this until a new president is sworn in. We know Fred won't sign this bill and probably not Rudy or maybe even Hillary (Obama would).

I just wonder why it is so hard for the pro-illegals to figure out why we are so adamant about enforcing the LAW... but might as well ask why they are tolerant of everything (that agrees with them) and have a love for Islam.
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Reason amongst the dhimmikrauts

Labels: amnesty, senate, W

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 17:57   | View blog reactions |

The (anti) Surge "We don't have a plan, but we don't want you to have one either." That seems to be the word from the Dems (and some 'republicans') in the Senate. Not only are they going to attempt to pass their non-binding resolution, they've taken out the part about it 'not being in the interest of the U.S.' on the surge.

Since the nbr was specifically against the surge, now exactly what is it for? Oh yeah, votes. That's what drives most politicians. They legislate with polls and voter sentiment. The democrats I can (sorta) understand, Bush's numbers are low and support for the war is low. But for the 'republicans' it's really hard to figure. Three out of four Republicans support the war, the President and the Surge; so what's the thinking behind alienating your voters? Who knows, but hopefully these politicians will pay the ultimate price for their shenanigans: ie. loss of job.

Senate corners Bush over troop increase

Mark Tran
Thursday February 1, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

US marines patrol west of Baghdad. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images.

George Bush was today facing further political isolation over his policy on Iraq after top Senate Democrats and Republicans agreed on a provisional resolution opposing a troop increase.

The White House has been lobbying fiercely to head off such a resolution and its failure to do so underlines the unpopularity of Mr Bush's plan to send an extra 21,500 troops to Iraq.

Several proposals had been circulating in the Senate, but the Democratic chairman of the senate armed services committee, Carl Levin, and his predecessor, the Republican senator John Warner, have managed to craft a resolution designed to attract maximum support from both parties.(link)

The article didn't give a specific list of 'republicans' who support this measure (and the one that will go around the House), but I'm sure it's the same thugs who were signing on earlier (represented in the Pledge). If you haven't signed up for the pledge, do so now. Let these politicians (and the NRSC) know that we do not support these people.
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Reason to care

Labels: Iraq, senate, TWoT, war

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 09:26   | View blog reactions |

Yes everyone else has already posted this, but I had a physical today and rough day at work, so I didn't get to do it earlier (heh).

Seems that the Iraqis are trying to step up. Granted they had to get help, but in a fight this size thats not necessarily a bad thing right now. (of course, the key is how will they handle it when we leave)

Iraqi army kills leader of Shiite cult

By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer 4 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq -

News | News Photos | Images | Web

Iraq's army announced Monday it killed the leader of a heavily armed cult of messianic Shiites called "the Soldiers of Heaven" in a fierce gunbattle aimed at foiling a plot to attack leading Shiite clerics and pilgrims in the southern city of Najaf on the holiest day of the Shiite calendar.

Senior Iraqi security officers said that as part of the plot, three gunmen were captured in Najaf after renting a hotel room in front of the office of Iraq's most senior Shiite spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, with plans to attack it.

The fierce 24-hour battle was ultimately won by Iraqi troops supported by U.S. and British jets and American ground forces, but the ability of a splinter group little known in Iraq to rally hundreds of heavily armed fighters was a reminder of the potential for chaos and havoc emerging seemingly out of nowhere. Members of the group, which included women and children, planned to disguise themselves as pilgrims and kill as many leading clerics as possible, said Maj. Gen. Othman al-Ghanemi, the Iraqi commander in charge of the Najaf region. (link)

Also, I would like to point out to any of the 'cut-and-run' or redeploy or whatever you call it crowd the easiest way and fastest to end the U.S. intervention in Iraq is to get the Iraqi Government to ask us to leave. All the protesters and feckless Senators need to simply convince Maliki to ask Bush to pull the troops out and per our agreement and the U.N. mandate, we will simply leave. That would be much easier than Hillary Clinton claiming that it is irresponsible to not pull the troops out before the next President (wonder who she's voting for?) is sworn in.
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Reason to fight

Labels: Iraq, Middle East, senate, TWoT

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 19:22   | View blog reactions |

Prayers for the Senator : Death to the Tyrant : Goodbye to the Flu Our prayers continue to go out for the Senator from South Dakota:

Johnson Remains in Critical Condition Dec 28 5:52 PM US/Eastern
By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON

Sen. Tim Johnson turned 60 on Thursday, two weeks after emergency surgery to repair a brain hemorrhage that has left him in critical condition.

Julianne Fisher, a spokeswoman for the South Dakota Democrat, said Johnson won't be present in the first days of the new Congress next week but is continuing to improve. She said he is responsive to directions from his wife but has not yet spoken.

It's too early to tell how long recovery will take, Fisher said.

In a statement Thursday, Johnson's doctors said he remains in intensive care at George Washington University Hospital. They have released few new details about Johnson's condition and prognosis since the days after the Dec. 13 surgery to stop bleeding in his brain.

Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, head of Johnson's surgical team, said in a statement that the South Dakota senator's overall condition has improved and he is gradually being weaned off sedation to help his brain heal. (link)

He's not talking yet, but is responding, so good news for him and his family.

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Good news from the M.E.:

Saddam to be hanged by Sunday

Ex-dictator’s execution expected to be carried out by start of Eid holiday

NBC News and news services

Updated: 2 minutes ago

Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, sentenced to death for his role in 148 killings in 1982, will have his sentence carried out by Sunday, NBC News reported Thursday. According to a U.S. military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, Saddam will be hanged before the start of the Eid religious holiday, which begins this Sunday.

The hanging could take place as early as Friday, NBC’s Richard Engel reported.

The U.S. military received a formal request from the Iraqi government to transfer Saddam to Iraqi authorities, NBC reported on Thursday, which is one of the final steps required before his execution. His sentence, handed down last month, ordered that he be hanged within 30 days. (link)

There's a bit of a controversy brewing on this one, HotAir has the scoop. Seems the government can't decide on just when he is to be hung.

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Snake oil salemsen line up:

The vaccine to cure every strain of flu
by FIONA MacRAE
Last updated at 22:20pm on 28th December 2006

British scientists are on the verge of producing a revolutionary flu vaccine that works against all major types of the disease.

Described as the 'holy grail' of flu vaccines, it would protect against all strains of influenza A - the virus behind both bird flu and the nastiest outbreaks of winter flu.

Just a couple of injections could give long-lasting immunity - unlike the current vaccine which has to be given every year.

The brainchild of scientists at Cambridge biotech firm Acambis, working with Belgian researchers, the vaccine will be tested on humans for the first time in the next few months.

A similar universal flu vaccine, being developed by Swiss vaccine firm Cytos Biotechnology, could also be tested on people in 2007 - and the vaccines on the market in around five years.

Importantly, the vaccines would also be quicker and easier to make than the traditional jabs, meaning vast quantities could be stockpiled against a global outbreak of bird flu.

Martin Bachmann, of Cytos, said: "You could really stockpile it. In the case of a pandemic, that would be a huge advantage.

"If you were to start making a traditional vaccine at the start of a pandemic, there is no way there would be enough."

The Government believes a bird flu pandemic is inevitable, killing 50,000 people in Britain alone.

However, it acknowledges that the bug could be much more lethal - infecting one in two people and claiming more than 700,000 lives. (link)

This would be great news if it pans out. Some time in '12 we may say goodbye to the flu. This would really help my little girl who would be eleven at that time. She is prone to getting sick.
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Reason amongst the dhimmikrauts

Labels: medical, Middle East, prayers, senate

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 21:43   | View blog reactions |

Update on Senator Johnson | New Democrat born

Doctor: Senator's Progress 'Encouraging'
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Tim Johnson was experiencing post-surgery swelling in his brain Friday, but his doctors said his recovery was still encouraging. They said he would remain hospitalized until the swelling went down. The South Dakota Democrat, who suffered a brain hemorrhage Wednesday, remained in critical but stable condition Friday, just short of three weeks before the new Senate is to convene with his party holding control by a single vote.

AP Photo/CHARLES DHARAPAK

The timing of his return is uncertain, but Democrats would still be in control of the Senate if his recovery period extends into the new session.

The surgery has been described as successful, relieving pressure on the 59-year-old senator's brain and stopping the bleeding.

"Considering his initial presentation, his progress is encouraging," Dr. Anthony Caputy, chairman of the George Washington University Hospital department of neurosurgery, said in a statement released by Johnson's office.(link)

Good news from the watch on Johnson, everyone is still praying for his recovery (even if they people are speculating on political matters) and praying for his family in this trying time.

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Medical marvel? or just a liberal?

Man with no pulse considered a medical breakthrough

PETER RAKOBOWCHUK

Canadian Press

MONTREAL — A 65-year-old Quebec man who received a new long-term mechanical heart last month is being described as the only living Canadian without a pulse.

Dr. Renzo Cecere implanted the “Heartmate II” mechanical heart into Gerard Langevin in an three-hour operation Nov. 23.

Officials at the McGill University Health Centre say the device, which is about the size of a flashlight battery, could last up to 10 years.

That is longer than other models which are thought to be good for only two or three years.

The new mechanical heart, which is powered by batteries located in pouches on Mr. Langevin's body, provides a continuous flow of blood so the patient has no pulse.

“Mr. Langevin happens to be the only individual currently living in Canada without a pulse and without a measurable blood pressure,” Dr. Cecere said Wednesday.

Mr. Langevin admitted to reporters that, before the operation, he felt his time was up after he suffered his second heart attack in July.

He had the other in 2002.

“I was finished. I had no time left. I probably had only a few months left to live,” Mr. Langevin said.(link)

Ok so it was a lame joke, but this really looks cool. Imagine going for a physical and not telling the nurse about it :)
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Reason to pray

Labels: medical, prayers, senate

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 19:00   | View blog reactions |

Johnson Update / Miss America / Rafah / UN Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) is recovering after surgery. Lots of people talking about this. DKos, The News-Press, the Examiner, WashingtonMonthly, the WSJ, Michelle Malkin (with video from the View^TM talking conspiracy), InstaPundit (with a link to PajamasMedia), WaPo, PowerLine, Captain's Quarters, TNR and JS over at Observations.

As you can see, people from both sides of the aisle and even those on the fence are writing about the Senator. Some people do indeed write about the outcome if he doesn't get better, but on the most part it's all about support. Everyone continue to pray for Mr. Johnson and his family.

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TMZ reports on the Miss America situation:

Miss USA Dethroned?

Posted Dec 14th 2006 7:30AM by TMZ Staff
Filed under: Gossip/Rumors

TMZ has learned that officials from the Miss USA pageant will make a "major announcement" today and may strip reigning Miss USA Tara Conner of her title due to inappropriate behavior.

Sources tell TMZ that executives from the Miss USA organization and NBC (which broadcasts the pageant) met Tuesday to discuss Conner and alleged incidents of her inappropriate behavior, including her conduct at New York City bars. While no one from the pageant would comment on the rumored troubles, several sources tell TMZ that a big announcement is expected some time Thursday. According to these sources, officials are extremely unhappy with the current Miss USA's conduct in public. (link)

Later in the article they have updates where 'the Don' states that Miss America is not being dethroned and they will work with her to fix her behavioral situations. This would be the 2^nd Miss America dethroned that I can remember, so slightly big news (if you follow M.A. at all).

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Meanwhile in Rafah:

Dec. 14, 2006 16:19 | Updated Dec. 14, 2006 22:41 18 wounded as Hamas, Fatah, Egyptians clash at Rafah By YAAKOV KATZ AND AP Talkbacks for this article: 32 Eighteen people were wounded on Thursday night in renewed clashes at the Rafah border crossing, hours after Hamas gunmen tried to seize control of the terminal, on the Egypt-Gaza border. Witnesses said Hamas gunmen were firing at the Egyptian side of the border, drawing return fire from the Egyptians and presidential guards from Fatah. During the battle, masked gunmen in three cars and a bulldozer stormed the terminal, witnesses said. The gunmen went on a rampage inside the building, destroying computers and furniture inside and plunging the area into darkness, the witnesses said. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh was still being held back from returning to the Gaza Strip just a couple of hours after Israel had given him permission to embark. (link)

Palestinians try to throw their luggage over a barrier as they wait to cross the border into Egypt at the Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Palestinians vs Jews, Palestinians vs Palestinians, now Palestinians vs Egyptians & Palestinians. Seems to me that Israel isn't really the trouble spot in this region.

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The U.N. gets a new chief:

New U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon vows to restore trust

Labels: Middle East, Miss America, Palestine, politics, senate, U.N.

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 15:15   | View blog reactions |

Prayers go out to Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)

Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S. D., has been hospitalized with symptoms described as stroke-like. The seriousness of his illness has not been disclosed. ...

Johnson became disoriented during a call with reporters at midday, stuttering in response to a question. He appeared to recover, asking if there were any additional questions before ending the call.

Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fisher said he had walked back to his Capitol office after the call with reporters but appeared to not be feeling well. The Capitol physician was called and Johnson was taken by ambulance to the George Washington Univeristy Hospital in D.C. for evaluation.

A statement released by Johnson's office said, "Senator Tim Johnson was taken to George Washington University Hospital this afternoon suffering from a possible stroke. As this stage, he is undergoing a comprehensive evaluation by the stroke team. Further details will be forthcoming when more is known."

Via Captain'sQuarters (from MSNBC).

The letter behind the name means nothing when it's life or death. G-d help him.
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Pray no matter the reason

Labels: medical, prayers, senate

 posted by Lord Nazh @ 19:05   | View blog reactions |