Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Harry. I am happy you are back leading the Senate. The Democrats needed you.

February 24, 2015
By Jason Easley

In an extraordinary (click here) sequence of events, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell offered Democrats exactly what they have been asking for Tuesday — “clean” full-year funding for the Department of Homeland Security. And Minority Leader Harry Reid said “no” — or at least, “not yet.”
 
McConnell’s offer of such a bill shorn of provisions blocking President Barack Obama’s recent immigration executive orders — which he said could happen quickly with Democratic cooperation — was put on hold by Reid, who said he was waiting to hear Speaker John A. Boehner agree to pass it through the House first. 

“We have to make sure that we get a bill to the president,” Reid said. “Unless Boehner’s in on the deal, it won’t happen.”...

But, in a personal note, I hope you right eye is healing well. I noticed your pressure patch is off and that is good news. The eye still needs help and the dark glasses are a help. If nothing else Harry, the dark glasses are mysterious and sexy. I don't know if I can even write the word sexy on Blogger anymore, but, I persist in all chances I will disappear into darkness forever. But, alas I am sure your wife is more than indulgent to the status of the attractiveness of your dark mysterious eyeglasses.

I may have mentioned this once before, but, I once had a serious eye injury to my right eye. It took several weeks to completely heal from the injury. I was walking across a parking lot toward of all places a hospital and a wind blew some debris on the ground into my face and my right eye. It was fortunate I was at the hospital that cared emergently only to be followed up daily for the next week by a very qualified MD. But, that is neither here nor there. 

As I aged I began to have pain in my right eye. It has been mostly minor pain, but, it was there and annoying. I had seen an ad for a multivitamin with lutein for my eyes. It worked Harry and I take one of the vitamins everyday. If I forget to take it, my right eye reminds me. I hope you won't have any more trouble with your eye sight once you heal, but, my experience should be reassuring to the effect of Lutein on helping the eyes.

One other thing, Harry. This is important because it is Chicago and you are a Democratic leader with a good deal of power. I am sure you share the priority the inmates in Gitmo need to be moved off the island to mainland facilities. But, the really disturbing thing reported first in The Guardian and then this evening on "All In with Chris Hayes," is the fact the Chicago Police Department has a Black Site to handle citizens in Chicago. One of the police officers even served as a interrogator to Gitmo detainees. He tortured at least one of them. 

Harry, I know Chicago is not your jurisdiction per se, but, the power to investigate and immediately close the Chicago Black Site is within your power. I think it needs to be closed and sealed immediately and then it needs to be searched by federal investigators from top to bottom in complete transparency to the American public. I want to know if Gitmo detainees were brought there and I want to know what if found in that building including any torture rooms and the report of the death of a citizen of Chicago in the facility.

I hope you can do something about this Harry. Chicago has always been a Democratic stronghold and I am sure you can appreciate the concern for complete transparency about this site. 

Thank you, Harry. I hope all goes well with your recovery and I sincerely mean it when I thank you for returning to Senate leadership. The Dems, the Prez and we need you there.

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