Removing The Demons From The State Senate, By Vote Or By Divine Intervention
"Right now in the name of Jesus, we call the NYS Senate to order, right now in the name of Jesus."
Okay. We've tried everything else.
Negotiations. The courts. Extraordinary sessions. Threats.
Nothing but nothing seems to work.
In fact, it gets more and more bizzare by the minute.
Here's an account from Capitol Confidential, the political blog of the Albany Times Union:
So there has been progress today. No camping out on the rostrum, no dueling sessions.
At 3 p.m. Democrats file in and Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins calls the chamber into extraordinary session.
Pledge of allegiance, moment of silence. They conduct no legislative business, and adjourn. Lights on, microphones on, television on.
In 5 minutes flat, they file out of the chamber, including the stenographer and Senate Journal Clerk Tommy Testo.
The lights stay on!
Senate Secretary Angelo Aponte and Senate Democratic counsel Shelley Mayer greet Senate GOP counsel Jack Casey. Exchange pleasantries.
Aponte: “Lights on, mics on, tvs on. You should be all set.”
Casey: “Thank you.”
Another stenographer settles in. Jack Casey takes the Journal Clerk spot at the rostrum, Sen. George Winner presides.
Senate Republicans and Sen. Pedro Espada file into chamber. call themselves into extraordinary session.
Pledge of allegiance, moment of silence. They conduct no legislative business, and adjourn.
By 3:20 p.m. it’s over.
Bizzaro world, to say the least!
If intervention by the courts, the Governor, and former leaders from both sides of the aisle won't bring an end to this most inane impasse, what options have we left?
Bring on The Exorcist, and let the demons of the Senate be gone!
