Harry Reid: In the last 30 hours 80 people have killed themselves

[wrkclskid]

And we aren't doing anything about it.
Talking about all the people who have lost thier jobs, their health care and have applied for foodstamps since the filibuster began.
Got real personal about suicide, says his father did it.
Says Senate should pass infrastructure stimulus.

My only quibble is he may have wnated to pick a time beofre the 11 o'clcok news for this, maybe get a soundbite on the news.

Something has happened the past 30 hours, the Dems are getting along, all of them. Pryor and Corzine, Southern Centrist and Northeast Liberal, were smiling at each other in the wee hours last night. Landrieu ripped Hatch to shreds. The dems have started proposing things, raising the minum wage, a real economic stimulus, extending unemployment. They are also not temepring their criticism of the four appointees. This may be a turning point in the Senate, the repukes strategy has backfired and now msot dems feel united. Our senators take their jobs seriosuly, and are sick of the little ones being in charge. They are rallying behind their beliefs.

[Hippo_Tron]

1. Yeah I'm loving it, except.

WHERE THE HELL IS DASCHLE? Reid and Schummer are basically running everything on the democratic side. He hasn't even come out to make a single speech.

[wrkclskid]

3. He has been on

Saying the same as everyone else. From what I understand he is running the show behind the scenes, helping gather stats, giving press conferences, etc. He is doing his part.

[Hippo_Tron]

6. I don't see anything on c-span.org but I'll take your word for it n/t

[ShaneGR]

5. Daschle was on late last night, about 2AM EST, which is smart

He spoke for about 20 minutes. Talked about how the Democrats were going to take this opportunity the Majority Leader had provided for them to talk about all of the things in America the Republicans are ignoring, in favor of spending 30 hours to talk about 4 extremists. He mentioned the 168 judges who we had confirmed, and the 60 judges the Republicans had blocked during the Clinton Administration.

He then confirmed the schedule of the speeches for the next day and thanked the Majority Leader.

Classy, and the correct strategy. In this circumstance, the Party leader should act as the strategy and schedule maker, NOT THE MOUTHPIECE. How many times has Frist spoken? Not too much. The leaders are easily criticized, so they tend to stand back and conduct the warfare.

[Hippo_Tron]

8. Oh I agree...

Unless the leader is absolutely brilliant and perfectly tactful (neither the majority or minority leader are) but I was concerned that he had not come to the floor at all.

[stopbush]

9. Daschle's doing the TV circuit

I saw him today on Buch & Press and Capital Report, to name a few.

[Kanary]

2. Do you know where he is getting the figures?

I'd be very interested in knowing.

I also know that there are going to be *lots* more suicides as more cuts take effect.

This didn't make the news during the REagan cuts, and I want to see it become an issue this time around.

Kanary

[drfemoe]

4. Will look for exact figures

but he probably is basing it on standard suicide stats.

Info:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suifacts.htm

Suicide took the lives of 29,350 Americans in 2000.1

More people die from suicide than from homicide. In 2000, there were 1.7 times as many suicides as homicides.1

Overall, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death for all Americans, and is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24.1
....
continued ...

...

[Kanary]

7. Thanks, drfemoe

I appreciate it.

I do know that there were thousands and thousands of suicides directly resulting from the Reagan cuts. Wasn't considered "newsworthy". I really appreciate any politician making an issue of this. There *has* to be attention paid to this result of policy this time!

It's a sad loss of life that must be addressed. And not just "suicide prevention" crap, but dealing with the actual causes.

Kanary

[Maccagirl]

10. Nothing like lack of sleep

to finally piss people off! This circus will backfire on the Thuglicans, just like the '95 government shutdown. Just keep saying these words like a mantra...

Hypocrites!!! Hypocrites!!! Hypocrites!!!

[theoceansnerves]

11. AIDS in Africa

he also mentioned 10,000 people will die of AIDS in africa, number of large scale layoffs, and number of people that are applying for food stamps for the first time (3000+)

[newyawker99]

12. Hi theoceansnerves!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: