Boehner. Gleam-Eyed Boehner. Bestride the mountain of power longer than the others, but, so what, hey, there they are, together, mountaineers. Admittedly, it is a COMPOST mountain, but nevertheless it is a mountain, their mountain, and they own it, if anybody does.

Take a puff. It's Springtime.

Posted by: HorizonScanner | March 9, 2007 08:48 PM

It looks to me like both sides are winning the name calling, insulting, and arrogance awards in a large chunk of this thread.

The idea that "red" states only produce food and get all of the subsidies (or none, depending) and the idea the the "blue" states only produce goods and money seems rather ignorant to me.

The states are for more diverse than that. And subsidies go across the board. I personally don't see much of a difference between the Dems and the Reps from the viewpoint that they're both constantly trying to legislate how I run my life. And they both portray themselves as being the opposite of that. Ultimately I don't trust either one of them, although I'm currently pretty damned sick of the level of venom coming from the left. However, I recall it being just as bad from the right during the Clinton years...

Posted by: NameCalling | March 9, 2007 08:58 PM

I just love election time...McCain will say and suck up to anyone to get votes and to have people like him...Edwards, is a total idiot! He can't even handle his own staff, do you honestly think that he would be any good under extreme situations, Iran with Nukes, or North Korea? And my favorite line from him so far was when he said Jesus would be appalled by America(Then he turned and went into his Hotel,oh wait his house)I like Obama, I like Clinton. There is just no way anyone will be us this time around...

Posted by: Belial666 | March 9, 2007 09:16 PM

I really must educate GB about the term "nanny state". It doesn't refer to a specific state or a specific geographic location or group of states. It refers to a federal government where the majority of the population begins to depend on it to provide not only for there financial welfare in some way, but their view that personal choices such as where and when a person can smoke a cigarette and where they can eat trans fats and any multitude of other personal choices can be best made by government beauracrats.

To make this a red state/blue state issue is just silly. I'm not calling you silly, I'm just poking fun at your point of view on this matter.

Posted by: Richard | March 9, 2007 09:32 PM

re: anti-smoking policies.
one of the most universal programs to prohibit smoking in public and government buildings,was not initiated by the left liberals in the u.s. but by the "left full government controll freaks" of nazi germany in c1933-1945,and of course all the same arguments about the reduction of cancer cases etc. were cited. It makes you think dose'nt it?


Posted by: george | March 9, 2007 09:54 PM

look at my name.

Posted by: penis | March 9, 2007 09:59 PM

And where does he go when he wants to snort coke and do hookers?

Posted by: Mr Magoo | March 9, 2007 10:11 PM

"look at my name."

....that might well be the most intelligent thing I've read throughout these posts.

Posted by: iron_man | March 9, 2007 10:23 PM

Nothing like being exempt from the rules.

Personally, I hope they all get cancer from it. Democrats, and republicans.

It just makes my blood boil that they can just exempt themselves from the rules that everybody else has to follow.

They have the best healthcare, that we fund, and don't have, vote themselves raises (or have to vote to NOT get one). It's endless.

They have no idea what it's like to live in America any more. They think they're above it all. They're so out of touch.

And I hate it so much.

Posted by: George Johnson | March 9, 2007 10:37 PM

You suck, Penis.

Posted by: Llamahrdr | March 9, 2007 10:39 PM

It is funny how a simple article on a Republican visiting the Dems resulted in name calling and a call for a civil war of red vs blue. We all claim to be sick of political mud-slinging, yet our first response is to do the exact same thing. I guess we never progressed much farther than the 3rd grade. Grow up and debate with logic, not insults.

Posted by: CDC | March 9, 2007 10:46 PM

Thank you for running this story. I have been staying home to drink since the smoking ban started, now I know I can smoke at the NDC, so I'm going to join up tomorrow so once again, I can smoke and drink at the same time in public. Up yours, Mayor Fenty and the Nonsmoking Fascist Brigade!

Posted by: Barclay | March 9, 2007 10:47 PM

I'm sorry for being me.

Posted by: nancy pelosi | March 9, 2007 10:55 PM

Why, Magoo - the Clinton library, of course!

Posted by: beez | March 9, 2007 11:11 PM

Red State - Blue State
The liberals wouldn't even allow that to stand as correct. Red has traditionally stood for the left as in Commie-pinko. Could it be that they are not real proud of what they are doing or they would be waving that red flag. This is the type of real blue smoke Boehner will get and on which we,in fly over country,are choking.


Posted by: True Blue | March 9, 2007 11:51 PM

I hate smoking, though I have the occasional cigar at times.
As much as I hate the Cig. smoke, I am starting to hate the anti Cig. people more.
I think I liked our leaders more when they drank more and smoked. What a wimpy society we have become. I think I may take up Cigs at age 45, what the heck. I will be 95 before I have to worry about lung cancer, right!

Posted by: TG Special | March 10, 2007 12:11 AM

I met Boehner in the 1990s, and he smoked like a chimney then. John, quit, before ya keel over.

Posted by: Cuthie | March 10, 2007 12:17 AM

I came here expecting to see a lot of funny comments on the irony of this news item, and what do I find? Right and left wing wack jobs taking their war to the internet once again. Don't you people have lives? Just once, ONCE, I'd like to arrange for you all to meet in a dark alley with lethal weapons. Maybe then the rest of us could come out here without being assaulted by the rantings of idiotic extremist political automatons. You people suck. I'm going out for a smoke. While I still can.

Posted by: JohnnyT | March 10, 2007 12:20 AM

look at my name

Posted by: cock | March 10, 2007 12:27 AM

The real poin is that we all seem to be ignorant of reality. There is something bigger than all of us. Yes, I speak of our Creator. I dare to say we did not create ourselves and we should look to God for guidance. There is no greater force than God's Love. Say what you want, that should be our starting point with all these discussions about politics in this great country.

Posted by: Immegrant | March 10, 2007 12:39 AM

www.myspace.com/joblessbob

Posted by: Jobless Bob | March 10, 2007 12:47 AM

I like to eat kittens when I smoke cigarettes.

Posted by: Ed Finklestein | March 10, 2007 01:14 AM

Ed, you're a poo-poo head!

Posted by: Burger King | March 10, 2007 01:15 AM

Leave it to some ninny to complain about smoking. Personally, where smoking is prohibited I try to expell as much gas as humanly possible.

Posted by: Scott | March 10, 2007 01:27 AM

I would rather keep my money at home, and use it for the betterment of my family, not taken by the "wise" federal government to be given to the "underprivilaged". I would much rather see a consumption tax, such as HR-25 ( [link to www.fairtax.org)] that would tax spending, not income.

The only reason that the Democrats are back in power is that they seek to buy votes, by offering huge handouts to the lower class, by working to remove as many Americans as they can from the tax rolls, and by raising taxes on those that actually earn the money in the country.

Remember, the top 1% or wage earners in this country pay 40% of the taxes, and the top 5% pay around 90%. How about tax cuts to those that actually earn the money? Works every time it's tried.

Posted by: Lothar | March 10, 2007 02:51 AM

I'm Newt Gingrich & Karl Rove's butt love child.

Posted by: PantyWaste | March 10, 2007 03:06 AM

We talk about Red/Blue states having this great divide. America is not at all a polarized nation, in fact most Americans (like myself )are very close to the center.

Think of the Red and Blue states like the Yin and Yan of Chinese medicine, when they are in balance you have good health.

Posted by: Mechanic | March 10, 2007 03:50 AM

democrats are idiots, they believe in welfare programs which means the poor stay poor because there is no point for them to try in school because they could get free money/food and the money we earn that we worked for all through school, the 2o+ years is given to the people that dont try, you also don't want war, we are hated by many right now and us getting hit by terrorists has a higher probability and you want to decrease our army spening haha you guys are fools

Posted by: Jake | March 10, 2007 03:59 AM

Civil war between the Red and Blue? Blue will have all the stock certificates, merger documents and business contracts. Red will have all the food and the guns. Hmmm... I'm good with that. How about you folks?

Posted by: Robert | March 10, 2007 04:05 AM

MAA: THIMMESCH here! Yes, it is a bit early in the morning (4:20 to be exact: what a coincidence) but nonetheless proud that AKERS! ran this blurb: The Washington Compost is getting its money's worth with you, darling! Well done: Roll Call, eat your heart out!

Love: THIMMESCH!

Posted by: [email protected] | March 10, 2007 04:23 AM

look at my name!!

Want one?

Posted by: hot karl | March 10, 2007 04:48 AM

I love working 4 to 5 months a year to help pay lazy asses to sit on their asses and do nothing. Ah socialism isn't it great. Thanks Dems brialliant sociilist ideas it works for everyone.

Posted by: real red | March 10, 2007 04:51 AM

just more liberal hypocrisy, they want to ban smoking everywhere but where they go.


Go Dems, you duh SURRENDER PARTY. GET US OUT OF IRAQ.


Posted by: M algore | March 10, 2007 05:54 AM

I am sitting here at my desk in Alaska.
Just got done eating a Caribou sausage, on homemade bread. (yes, I shot it, and processed it)
While reading these whining comments. I have a cigarette burning in the ashtray, and a strong pot of java brewing on the wood stove.(not Starbucks)
It is -36 deg. F out side, as I type this. But, I know that I have a big wood pile that I cut, split and stacked.
I glance around the cabin that my wife and kids, built ourselves years ago. Over my desk is a copy of the Constitution of the United States of America, a Cross, and a picture of my wife. I see the pictures of the kids, and Grandkids on the walls. The honorable discharges and military awards, by the gun cabinet, and foot locker.(from a war fought far away) The LEO certifications and shooting trophy's, in the far corner, by the reloading bench. The dogs curled up on the rug covered floor. The cat on the couch, next to the quilt.(that my wife made)

I see a life's achievements, the touch of a wonderful loving wife, and the Grace of God.

I know in my heart, that we are a dying breed.

We raised up two girls, and one boy.
They grew up to be hard working, drug free. and self sufficient. They are now all happily married, and parents themselves.

NOT ONCE, did ANY family member get public ASSistance, nor welfare.

We believe in the following:

God
King James Bible
Family values
The Constitution Of The United States

As a old fart.
I find some of the comments made here appalling.

This country USED to be.
"RED WHITE and BLUE"

A man WITH a gun is a CITIZEN
A man WITHOUT gun is a SUBJECT

BTW: As a Conservative American, I am lighting up another cigarette!

Out here. NO Liberal panty waist, is going to TELL me that I cant smoke.

The ONLY ones who have the authority to tell me what to do.

Is God, and my wife.

Take care, be safe.
God Bless.
Chris - Alaska

Posted by: Grizzly | March 10, 2007 06:20 AM

I think a lot of you guys are missing the point here. This article is meant as a bit of light humour. Rest your polemics for another space.

Posted by: | March 10, 2007 06:22 AM

God Bless you Grizzly! The rest of you need to lighten up!

Posted by: chris | March 10, 2007 06:53 AM

Can't anyone in this group spell anything correctly?

Posted by: susankit | March 10, 2007 06:58 AM

golly, how much does a hot shot sleuth like Mary Ann get for coming up with her sLight humor?

Posted by: Sandy | March 10, 2007 07:21 AM

Good Lord folks.....the story was about a gut wanting a smoke. The only real question is, did he smoke ciggerettes or did he have enough class to smoke a decent cigar? Jeez, does everything have to start a uncivil war?

Posted by: tomasco50 | March 10, 2007 08:44 AM

The Constitution gives Congress the exclusive right to legislate over the District of Columbia. What is the source of the power of the District of Columbia to regulate where members of Congress smoke -- or do anything else, for that matter.

The District of Columbia is not a State; it is the seat of the government of the United States and nothing more. This is not a recent change; I doubt if there are very many people living there now who were alive when the Constitutional status was established, so anyone who is there now is there with the full knowledge of the status of the District. If they are unhappy with that status, they are free to move elsewhere.

Posted by: lgp | March 10, 2007 09:09 AM

Democrats, under Pelosi's poison-regs would have us Americans give up our less than perfect lifestyles, while allowing their own imperfections excused, legislated and indulgenced. Very much like Al Gore's indulgence to squander natural energy in his lavish lifestyle while asking us to cut back on everything. Typical, typical typical of Democratic double standards

Posted by: Bob Kord | March 10, 2007 09:22 AM

right on Grizzly!!!

Posted by: xo | March 10, 2007 09:23 AM

This is just typical of people in power. They feel all wonderful about "smoke free workplaces" but when they realize that means they can't have a smoke with their after-work drink, then they try to carve out exemptions for themselves.

The rest of us have to live under the continuing oppression. And I'm not just talking about smoking laws. I'm a non-smoker

Posted by: Jason | March 10, 2007 09:28 AM

"I love working 4 to 5 months a year to help pay lazy asses to sit on their asses and do nothing. Ah socialism isn't it great."

Well I certainly see who's more intelligent. You slave away 60+ hours a week at a desk, while they sit on the front porch of their free government housing and light up. They have all the free time for friends, family, and fornication while you barely get a week or two a year where you have to take care of home maintenance, sick kids, and major holiday preparations. You get sensitivity training and learn never to approach a woman for fear of harrassment charges, they're out living your wildest fantasies and breeding like rabbits. Your bitter that you've been outsmarted and outvoted but your greed and pride just won't let go. You've been shackled like a beast of burden to pull the sled upon which they ride...and still you think you're the smart one!


Posted by: Bling | March 10, 2007 09:34 AM

Red-blue, black-white, male-female, gay-straight... where does it end? You all exemplify what is so very wrong with this simple minded and divided country. We look like fools and for good reason. There's so much more to the world than our petty bickering. Over-population, disease, pollution, crime, education, conservation, energy... we are failing miserably. Remember what happened to Rome? We too shall fall. Maybe we already have.

Posted by: PJK | March 10, 2007 09:38 AM

"But I'm probably being a little too nuanced for some of you "simpler" folks, so I'll sign off."

Simpler isn't stupid, GB. Although I can see where it might appear that way to you when you consider the fact that those "simpler folks" are out working while you're sitting at home posting on a blog.

Posted by: semkins | March 10, 2007 09:58 AM