Treaty to expand disability rights overseas is threatened in Senate, frustrating Senator John Kerry

[Mass]

How to deflect criticism from the GOP on their blocking of the CRPD

Easy, and McCain certainly succeeded doing that this morning.

The CRPD ("Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities&quot is on the way of being blocked by some RW (Santorum wings of the Republican Party).

The Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relation Committee, a certain John Kerry, gives a press conference along with the Republican manager of the bill, a certain John McCain.

Oh, McCain is going to complain about his fellow Republicans who block a treaty that should normally be ratified easily? Really? He must be a maverick.

But not so fast. Introduced by Kerry, McCain addresses him as Mr Secretary, and to be sure, our very smart media will not remember anything else than the current Rice scandal (not sure why they still speak about that, but they do), and the reason of the press conference is totally missed to our media corp (OMG, McCain called Kerry Mr Secretary. What else matters).

At least, the Boston Globe spoke about it somewhat, which is how we know about this

http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2012/12/03/treaty-expand-disability-rights-overseas-stalls-senate-frustrating-senator-john-kerry-and-advocates/WB3LBv2IIuFYiXHz5GGuKO/story.html

Treaty to expand disability rights overseas is threatened in Senate, frustrating Senator John Kerry and advocates

Despite the overwhelming wish among Americans for an end to partisan standoffs in Washington, the fate of a treaty to promote international rights for people who are blind, crippled by disease or war, and otherwise disabled indicates that the Senate continues on a divided path.

The treaty’s troubled fortunes provide a twist on the usual tale of congressional gridlock, however, because Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts and other supporters of the pact enjoy considerable bipartisan support as well as broad backing from the business community and veterans groups.

Two prominent Republicans, Arizona Senator John McCain and former attorney general Richard Thornburgh, joined Kerry at the Capitol on Monday to demand passage. It is backed by former Kansas senator Bob Dole, the GOP presidential nominee in 1996, and former president George H.W. Bush.

Yet Republican senators threaten to kill the pact Tuesday based on what proponents call groundless allegations that it would encourage abortions overseas, threaten home-schooling programs domestically and elsewhere, and potentially separate children from their parents. The conservative Heritage Foundation is among opponents who also have suggested that giving an international entity advocacy powers for the disabled would erode US sovereignty and pose threats to the profits of American multinational corporations. Some in the GOP oppose the measure on procedural grounds, saying a lame-duck session of Congress should not entertain a treaty vote.

...

[wisteria]

1. To bad this is being blocked. I do not understand the reasoning fo the Heritage Foundation.

This treaty would amount to repect and fair treatment of the diasabled. So are we to assume that any treaty or bill for that matter that wants to strengthen the rights and treatment of the disabled should be shot down because of speculation over abortion, homeschooling etc. If I didn't know better I would assumed all these wacky ideas were coming for Santorum along.

[JI7]

2. that's how republicans always are , this is similar to the rape comments from republicans

during the campaign but at least then the media gave it some attention.

but right now they are completely ignoring it. even when Dole was ill and taken to the hospital the one thing he said was he wanted this bill to pass .

[Mass]

3. 24 Hours to Decide

http://www.kerry.senate.gov/press/in_the_news/article/?id=de57c54c-5056-a032-5201-5180bb473c83

24 Hours to Decide
Monday, December 3, 2012
by John Kerry
Huffington Post

Watching cable television you might not know it, but the Senate is on the eve of a major decision that -- regardless of outcome -- will ripple around the globe. It's time for action in the Senate on the Disabilities Treaty, and it's time for grassroots action to help push us across the finish line.


Here in the Senate, with all the world's eyes watching, we can tomorrow approve the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and keep faith with the best of America's tradition of leadership in the world when it comes to empowering people living with disabilities, wherever they live.

You'd think this issue can transcend politics. The Disabilities Convention is a non-discrimination treaty that will extend essential protections for millions of disabled Americans when they leave our shores.


Twenty-two years ago, when we passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, the United States set the standard at home to end discrimination against people with disabilities. Approving the treaty now won't require any changes whatsoever to American law -- none, zero, zip. It simply requires other countries to improve their own record on disability rights -- in effect taking our gold standard here at home and exporting it to countries that have never heard of disability rights or have never changed their laws to accommodate people with disabilities.

Fair treatment for persons with disabilities is a human rights issue like any other. And no one understands that connection in a more personal, searing way than Chen Guangcheng -- the self-taught lawyer and blind Chinese activist who suffered mightily at the hands of local authorities, but who refused to be silenced.

...
.

[Mass]

4. Just listening to Kerry's closing argument.

Excellent, but this will not be enough, I fear.

These idiots will vote against a treaty started by George HW Bush, signed by Bush, supported by Dole and McCain, for purely frivolous reasons.

ADDED after vote: well, 38 idiots who are more interested giving a defeat to Obama than caring about the right of disabilities.

[beachmom]

5. All I can say is ugh and WTF??? So the rump of the GOP remains strong.

The Religious Right. Sheesh. Homeschoolers. Seriously?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/12/republicans-un-treaty-disabled.php?ref=fpa

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), a proponent of the treaty, was flummoxed by the opposition.

“I’ve heard some of my Republican colleagues talk many times about making the rest of the world more like America,” he said. “I hate to think that now, when we have an opportunity to do that, they will retreat from the core conviction and oppose a treaty modeled on the United States example which has no recourse in American courts and no effect on American law.”

The conservative Republicans warned that the international community is a scary place.

“I have been an advocate of human rights around the world,” Inhofe said. “However, I do not support the cumbersome regulations and potentially overzealous international organizations with anti-American biases that infringe upon American society.”

[ladym55]

7. One of the idiots was from Ohio

We have a GOOD Senator ... Sherrod Brown, and then we have Rob Portman, the man who was almost Rmoney's running mate. I was SO mad that he was one of the 38 morons who apparently makes decisions based on whack-a-doodle conspiracy theories. He got quite the email from me tonight. I reminded him WHO negotiated the treaty and WHO was sitting in the chamber waiting for his vote.

I heard Kerry's closing argument. It showed his frustration with the incredible stupidity of his fellow Senators. I want to know when the Republicans will figure out that they need to grow up and participate in the life of this nation.

[wisteria]

8. Somethings should trump politics and this was one. I can't help but view those no votes as heartless

and pathetic. One of my PA senators voted against it-guess which one.

[YvonneCa]

6. Tweeting...

...here:

https://twitter.com/JohnKerry

[Mass]

9. Incredibly, somehow John Stewart seems to think that Kerry was unfair to little Johnnie!

http://www.washttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/12/06/the-daily-show-on-the-kerry-mccain-ribbing-video/washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/12/06/the-daily-show-on-the-kerry-mccain-ribbing-video/

Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart took stock of the situation on his Wednesday night program.
“McCain teased you about the job you might get. You hit him with the failure of his life,” Stewart said.

EDIT: This was seen by many as positive for Kerry, but both my husband and I saw it differently, so I may be wrong.

[beachmom]

10. It would have only been cruel if JK hadn't had the SAME experience.

Plus, McCain's seeming compliment was way worse because nothing has been decided, and McCain has been actively denigrating Rice. It put Kerry in a bad spot.

I will not watch that episode, but frankly I'm not surprised. Stewart always uses the same joke on JK (that he is long winded and boring), so since JK was actually pretty good here, thereby ruining the dull image of JK Stewart likes to push, he had to be knocked down a peg or two.

[karynnj]

11. I just saw Steward as weird

His overlong pretend pompous "Kerry" was NOTHING like what was chosen. First, Kerry's initial reaction (face palm) was caught and the fact that he spoke of TWO losers, not just McCain makes it not mean. The one clearly creating the awkward situation was McCain - who knew it would not be welcomed.

[JI7]

12. he always does these things to try to show he fair, like when he compared Olbermann and Michael Moor

to some crazy wingnuts. i don't even really like Moore but the comparison was just stupid.

and calling the presidential loss a failure of mccain's life is worse than what kerry did. and the thing is that KErry has not gotten the job and considering the way mccain has treated rice it does not come off well coming from him.

if it had been someone else who said it then it would have been ok. like the time kerry and hillary had some exchange of them each other being president. (i think this wad during sos confirmation hearings ).

[politicasista]

13. IMO, the Senator needs to distance himself

from McCain and the GOP for good.

They always make him look bad among Liberals, Democrats a Dem not to like, even if they love Obama/Biden and other good Dems.


He deserves to be just as respected as any Dem, Liberal, Progressive, our POTUS/VPOTUS and SOS HRC.


JAHO

[karynnj]

14. Exactly how would he get the 67 votes needed for the treaty with no Republicans?

Kerry has been a good liberal Senator. There is no one with any sense who thinks he is too close to McCain or Republicans. He is respected by many because they know him as a person and for the work he does.

Frankly, he does not need Jon Steward's approval. Nor does he need the support of every Democrat on twitter or in the blogosphere. The fact is even OBAMA does not have that! Not to mention, EVERY one of the people you list have negative twitters on them from someone on the left. No one is 100% liked.

You can find many conservationists happy with Kerry, left leaning Israelis for Kerry - right leaning ones who are very unhappy with him. You can go far too the right -- and there are swiftboaters and the like.

As you point to all AA negatives on Kerry, look at this obnoxious, indefensible attack on HRC that hides as praising Kerry. Reading it, I think the latter phony and the former the agenda. (deleted link because I do not want to spread it) Now obviously, you can read this and KNOW that this is not representative and you will not spread it. Yet if you flip the 2 people, you would!

It is idiotic that you keep thinking that Kerry having a cordial relationship with R Senators is a problem.

[wisteria]

16. She has a point if you consider how much Dems in some circles malign Kerry.

What other leading Democrats are you aware of that have cordial relationships with Republicans that are as public as Kerry's? It does create mistrust, IMO or some. I am not saying it is a bad thing for him, or others to reach accross party lines or even to have cordial relationships, but in the poison atmosphere in Washington, everything is suspect to some people. Now, whether you give these mistrusting and negative people any reason to continue poisoning the opinion of good people by acknowledging them, I would have to say no. And, regarding the treaty, you have to compromise and work the votes, but not everyone is aware of the entire process and the number of votes needed for passage. Less negativity is in order and more education.

[Mass]

18. Yes, but nobody said Kerry was wrong to talk to the GOP about the treaty.

I have seen a couple people talk about the fiscal cliff, but these people are also blasting Obama, something that PA ignores, because her goal is to create doubts about Kerry and his popularity among Dems, which is, BTW, pretty good. By now, her game is pretty transparent.

I agree with your frustration with some people, but there are idiots everywhere, and there are people who will disagree with Kerry on one issue or another, but her persistent whining that liberals do not like Kerry actually does not help. (actually, she posted that in a thread about Brown attacking Markey. Why?)

[politicasista]

25. You are right. Obama did get bashed

Last edited Thu Jan 3, 2013, 02:29 AM - Edit history (2)

and was accused of caving, but everyone knew in the end, he was going to get what he wanted.

Obama working with any GOPer is uncomfortable, but compromise has to be done. It wasn't fair that he got bashed for. And it isn't fair that Kerry gets bashed for working with McCain or Lieberman. If I was bashing the Senator, that wasn't the intent.

Just don't think that people trust McCain on anything after what he did are suspicious of Kerry working with him.

[wisteria]

35. I don't think her goal is to malign Sen. Kerry.

I believe she supports him. And, I don't think she is a troll. She just comes at things from another perspective. Perhaps, by letting people know what others are saying, she hopes some of her concerns will be addressed by others. I can take being called an idiot and stupid, but others are more sensitive to such language. Just saying.

[politicasista]

21. No they are right and I am wrong side of things

Last edited Thu Jan 3, 2013, 01:52 AM - Edit history (3)

and this issue.

I was wrong to even say anything in the first place, so will just keep things to self from now on.

[karynnj]

27. Both Clintons had and have at least as close relationships with Republicans

Bill Clinton seemed to have been almost adopted by the Bushes.

[wisteria]

36. True, but the Clinton's hold more power than Kerry,

and their relationships don't ever come into question, because of their mostly beloved status. But, they are a good example.

[politicasista]

20. It is not idiotic when Dems who have nothing but positive praise

for Obama/Biden, and other Democrats, Liberals are maligning Senator Kerry aka the future SOS.

Not downplaying the treaty or anything. That was an accomplishment. However, McCain and the GOP have proven to be toxic and only hurting, not helping the Senator among Democrats.

It may not be a big deal here anymore, but we can look the other way or realize that it is an issue that needs to be address.

Obama doesn't need this, nor does Biden. And Senator Kerry doesn't deserve that kind of hatred from O's base.

[karynnj]

26. They do not have 100% praise - its just that you have the ability

to ignore the negative comments on them - even on DU. YOU are the person who is most likely to trash EVERY JK thread - saying that people Kerry, when no one did.

[politicasista]

28. There are other people that are worse

Haven't called the Seantor anything. Never said anything personal about him or Momma T.

[karynnj]

29. true, but few are as consistent in always being negative

[politicasista]

34. You are right. I am wrong.

Last edited Thu Jan 3, 2013, 02:32 AM - Edit history (1)

I have said some positive things about Kerry and Momma T before and commented below.

Again, I may not be welcomed here after today, if that is the case, that's fine.

Maybe I will just never understand how politics works. I am a language and person, so maybe I will never understand how the current political climate works.

[Mass]

15. So you intend to go after all the recent threads with your negative and stupid posts.

Biden just negotiated with the GOP and got us a less than optimal deal, after Obama failed negotiating with Boehner. So, if your friends (because this is not the liberals, just you and a few of your friends) like Obama/Biden and not Kerry, this is not because Kerry has decent relations with a few GOP people. Just ask yourself why? Poorly informed? Because your friends are not liberal?

The fact is that Kerry's nomination was appreciated by true liberals, while some wannabee pundits just repeated what they heard from the RW media.

Finally, it is stupid to say that Kerry should distance himself from the GOP for this treaty. How would they get the 67 GOP votes if they did not talk to the GOP and the independents/

[wisteria]

17. She is a Kerry supporter and is only posting out of concern. n/t

[Mass]

19. I do not believe that anymore.

Look around. She has gone through three or four threads here posting the same thing. Why? Once was not enough.

BTW Happy New Year and good night. I am going to bed.

[politicasista]

22. I understand I am not welcomed here anymore

Last edited Thu Jan 3, 2013, 02:30 AM - Edit history (1)

because of everything I have said, so will just go back and delete everything and be quiet. I said something positive about Kerry and posted an article it got ignored and it was positive.

[karynnj]

31. What I don't get is that they were all essentially dead threads

Happy New Years to you and hope it is a good one.

[politicasista]

33. Never got around to

the original thoughts.

I don't have an agenda and I am sorry people think I do. Was trying to post, but didn't want to start an OP.

You all are right. I am wrong. I have been for a while now. I said something positive below, but I understand if it will be seen differently.

[politicasista]

23. That's ok

It seems that some things aren't a big deal anymore.


I'm out. Peace.

[karynnj]

30. I am not sure of that - her remarks seem passive/aggressive to me

Only when we push back does she ever add anything positive. This has been the case for 6 or 7 years now.

[politicasista]

32. Well, here is something positive

I think Senator Kerry will be a great SOS. That isn't sarcasm, it's the truth.

[wisteria]

37. 6 or 7 years seems like a long time to be a troll.

Last edited Sat Jan 5, 2013, 01:11 AM - Edit history (1)

And, still trying to persuade people by posting supposedly negative things. I just think she sees things from a different perspective.

[politicasista]

24. You all are right.

Last edited Fri Jan 4, 2013, 02:10 AM - Edit history (4)

I have been wrong on a lot of things. The treaty would have never done well without GOP votes.