Fla. congressman asks Pelosi for football break

[DogPoundPup]

Source: A/P

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Thursday's championship football game between No. 2 Florida and No. 1 Oklahoma is obviously a big game, but big enough to shut down Congress? Rep. Cliff Stearns hopes so.

Stearns, a Republican from Ocala, wrote to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday asking her to move votes scheduled for Thursday evening and Friday so House members from Florida and Oklahoma can go to the Bowl Championship Series national title game.

Stearns wrote, "As you may be aware, on Thursday January 8, the University of Florida and the University of Oklahoma will play for the national football championship. Members of the Florida and Oklahoma delegations have expressed interest in attending the game as the congressional schedule allows. However, votes are currently scheduled to continue into Thursday night and Friday afternoon. We ask that you move these votes to either Wednesday and/or Thursday morning to allow Members to attend this historic game."

Oddly - or maybe not - none of the other members Stearns referred to as "we" signed the letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BCS_CHAMPIONSHIP_CONGRESS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-01-06-21-46-44

[WhiteTara]

1. yes, we must set our priorities! n/t

[muntrv]

2. We know, Cliff. BCS title game more important than turning around economy

or dealing with debacle in Iraq.

[peaches2003]

3. Pelosi will do as he asks

Should Congress ever be denied anything they want?

[acmavm]

4. Hell no? And we'll gladly pick up all expenses, won't we taxpayers?

[Liberal Veteran]

5. Hmm. Lessee. Are you a republican?

Oh, yes. I see that you are. You go ahead and go to your game and we'll carry on without you. It will be hard without your pivotal role in matters, but I think we can manage.

[thunder rising]

6. House members from Florida and Oklahoma can go to the Bowl Championship Series national title game.

How did he get tickets?

[Clovis Sangrail]

7. gator football is big here

:eyes:

[jmowreader]

8. Let's all encourage them to go

On the theory that if the heavily-Repuke congressional delegations from Florida and Oklahoma are sitting in Miami watching a football game, they can't be sitting in Washington damaging the country any more than they already have, I think We The People should be proud to pick up the tab for their football junket.

[agentS]

12. I second that motion

Here's hoping a stray or bobbled pass hits one of them in the jaw.

[iamjoy]

9. Layin' Down The Gauntlet

Stearns has laid down the gauntlet. Pelosi doesn't want to get a bunch of Gators and Sooners ticked off at her, now does she? You can't reason with some of these football fans.

Of course, the championship game on a week nite is a sore point with me anyway. First, if you want to watch the game and you're on the East Coast you have to stay up really late and stagger into work the next day while if you're on the West Coast you have to dash out of work to make it home in time. Second, student fans are partying and probably skip class the day of and/or after the game. Third, the players and band have to miss class for the game. Now, this is going to sound a bit schoolmarmish but the point of college is not sports, it is academics (getting an education). Extra-curricular activities shouldn't usurp classes.

You see, if the championship were on a weekend, a lot more people could enjoy the game without losing site of what's really important.

[revolve]

10. Most Colleges have not started classes again

They start next week.

[underpants]

14. Miami is the "battleground" area not Gainesville or Tallahassee

they have flights between DC/BWI and Miami I am sure. Stearns should have someone on his staff look into that

[yellowcanine]

11. Vote and then go watch it on TV, asshat. Your job is in Washington.

Potential opponents take note. This is political shitstorm material.

[No Elephants]

13. I wish I had a seen Pelosi's face when she read that letter.

[underpants]

15. Stearns was Olbermann's WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD last night for this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=256818&mesg_id=256818