Reid's Wish for the Death of an Industry

During an event in Las Vegas, where Harry Reid was feted by the Chamber of Commerce this past Wednesday, it seems there was more than one dark cloud marring the Senator's day. Although the monthly luncheon meeting was attended by nearly 500 people, and Reid was at his most urbane, which perhaps isn't saying much with his dryer than dirt mien, he enjoyed more than a  spattering of applause and waxed poetic in his promise to give bipartisanship a two-week chance upon his return to Washington this month. Unfortunately, he also promised that should Republicans and conservative Democrats refuse to jump on board with Health Care Reform, his plan is to deploy Reconciliation. For those of you who aren't familiar with this practice (although I doubt any reader of the Heretic is in ignorance) Reconciliation would allow the passage of the Bill with a 51 vote majority, rather than a 60 vote filibuster-proof bloc. In other words, he intends to bypass every Republican and every Democrat who opposes health care reform. Now for those storm clouds I mentioned. Before good ol' Give Em Hell Harry entered the Four Season's Hotel where the luncheon took place, he was met by a large group of angry protesters, who held various signs which read, "Impeach Obama!" and "Dump Reid!". Surely, at this point, Reid must have realized he isn't as popular as he likes to believe, and would have toed the line carefully, to cultivate any political support he could garner. Not Harry. During the simple meet and greet, you would think Reid, who should be capable of showing just a modicum of class and dignity, would pass this, the simplest of requirements with ease. Instead, during this ceremony he encountered Bob Brown of the Las Vegas Review Journal, the largest newspaper in the State of Nevada. While shaking Bob's hand, Harry told him, "I hope you go out of business." http://www.lvrj.com/news/56540017.html Excellent suggestion to a state that has seen the third largest unemployment rate, the second to worst housing market, and the anger of the voters. A wise wish, Harry. More people on the dole. Bravo. You're following the new Reich of National Chicago Politics as well as Obama himself. Normally, I believe a newspaper would lay low after such a blatant threat, however Sherman Frederick, the publisher, chose not to take such a sneaky punch and give up the fight. Instead he wrote a column lambasting Reid, saying he considered Reid's statement"a full-on threat perpetrated by a bully who has forgotten that he was elected to office to protect Nevadans, not sound like he's shaking them down." In response, Reid's spokesman, Jon Summers claimed the statement was misunderstood and blown out of proportion. However he also didn't deny it, stating, "Clearly he wasn't serious. Once again, the editors and the Review-Journal got it wrong." I can easily debunk whether this was an attempt at humor, or the true sentiments of a Senator facing a losing campaign in the next year. First, Harry Reid doesn't possess anything remotely resembling a sense of humor. He's so dry he makes the desert seem like an oasis of green. When he speaks, he puts insurance lecturers to sleep. In fact, I understand his speeches are passed around among several insomnia help groups, and is proving to be more effective than Halcion and Xanax combined. So tell us, Senator, how is a newspaper giant like the Review-Journal's demise going to help Nevada? Whose side are you on here? Well I know the answer to that as well. Washington. You've long since forgotten who you're supposed to be representing, in your rush to be San Fran Nan's terrier, and Obama's whipping boy. Enjoy your time in Washington, it will be short-lived indeed, because when you wish for the failure of a company long entrenched in Nevada's history and business province, you're wishing for the failure of your state and the people who call it home.