What should we make of this?
Senate Democrats entered the locked Senate chamber through a back hallway on Tuesday afternoon and locked themselves in, pulling off a sneak attack of sorts in the ongoing battle for control of the State Senate.
The move took the Capitol by surprise, and left Republicans scrambling to plan their next procedural move. Republicans had planned to enter the chamber at 2 p.m. - an hour before the special session called by Gov. David A. Paterson was scheduled to begin. Who would be in the chamber first became a key question on Tuesday as Republicans and Democrats failed again to reach a compromise over the disputed Senate leadership.
"At this point, they refuse to enter into an operating agreement," Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, a Democrat who represents the Upper West Side, told reporters just before he and his fellow Democrats sneaked into the chamber. "We hope that they will come back to the table, and that we'll be able to agree on rules. Our view is that we cannot ignore the people's business that the governor is calling us back to do."
One one hand, it's good to see the Senate Dems take initiative and not just react as the GOP plays them. On the other hand, this is just childish and embarrassing. What's next? Will the 2 sides decide who gets control via a duel? (actually, that proposal would at least serve as a term-limit action of sorts). Are we still living in the United States of America here or has New York become a banana republic?
How many times have we all said "Just when you think Albany can't get any worse..."
Ugh.
Update: I know the Judicial branch doesn't like to meddle in the internal affairs of the other branches of government, but there are some times when there is no other choice. This might be one of those times.
UPDATE 2:Robina puts it perfectly
I feel a little like a boxing fan-- I know it is rigged, and I'm a bit embarrassed I'm still watching.
|
