Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for February 03, 2009

A bit of coincidence, read today that the media was fretting over who had his number.

Just an observation mixed with a silly pun but, depending upon your point of view, I believe we all think we’ve got his number.

He’s a politician. We’ve got ALL their numbers (heavy, cynical sigh). Maybe he’ll be better than the last few.

Better than the last few? I doubt you’ll think that, Roger. One definition of politics is that it’s the art of compromise. However, since you - and everyone else not in office - don’t have to choose those decisions or take responsibility for their consequences, you - and everyone - don’t see any reason to compromise on an issue. When Obama does - and he will quite soon, if not already - it will simply be a confirmation of your admitted cynicism. Heck, Roger, that’s the great thing about being a cynic - by definition you can’t lose.

Al, I believe in compromise (and you’re right, compromise is necessary and isn’t always bad), and it’s too early to tell how this administration is going to go. But I’ve been around long enough and voted for enough politicians to be cynical about their having the country’s best interests in mind. To paraphrase Ben Franklin, I always hope to be pleasantly surprised, but that hasn’t happened a whole lot of times.

I feel the same way Roger, I don’t think the party system or electoral college does this country any good anymore. They’re just a basis for more political radicals on both sides. . I just want someone who can bring those radicals together and cooperate for the good of the country. But I guess that’s just too much to hope for. . Hopefully the ambitions of this administration’s advisors will benefit this country rather than themselves.

plus4 - or until only one is left alive. But then he would be immeasurably stronger, and free from doubt, to paraphrase Tolkien.

Cool, a reappearance for Ginny. Haven’t seen her in a long while.

Plus4- or a UFC match! Old fashioned beat-down, and to the victor go the spoils!

“plus4 says: Sometimes I wish we could lock political opponents in a room together until they came to an agreement (or at least a compromise) on the issue at hand.

There is someone who can do that. “USC, Article II (Presidential Powers) Section 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; … ”

The President can convene both Houses, and keep them convened in session as long as he desires.

Convene them in one chamber, confiscate all phones,cellphones, pda’s, etc., bring in 40 Porta-potties and a few hundred cases of MREs, leave one dumb terminal connected directly to the Oval Office (with a printer only at the Washington Post to keep things legal ) and lock the doors.

They can choose to adjourn as often as they wish, he simply reconvenes them without unlocking the doors.

They can pass bills for him to sign or veto, even override his veto, and exercise all other legislative powers, they just can’t leave the chamber until he says so.

Does anyone has his (Obama) email address?