From John
John Boehner looked a little bit rattled as he was introduced as the winner of House Speakership by Nancy Pelosi yesterday. Mr. Boehner was elected unanimously by House Republicans two years ago. However, negative demeanor was displayed publicly during the roll call vote yesterday (January 3rd) when each Republican member announced their choice for Speakership. Ten Republicans voted for someone other than Mr. Boehner, one voted “present” and two remained silent even though they were in the chamber. It was only at the end of the vote that Boehner cleared the majority he needed.
Who were these Republicans that will no doubt be trouble makers for the next two years:
Three are the ones who were thrown off committees by Boehner last fall. Tim Huelskamp of (R, Kansas) voted for Representative Jim Jordan (R,Ohio); Justin Amash (R, Michigan) voted for Raúl Labrador (R, Idaho); in turn, Raul Labrador and Mick Mulvaney (R, S. Carolina) remained silent when they were asked for his vote; and Walter Jones (R, N. Carolina) voted for David Walker, a former United States comptroller who is not even in the House.
In addition, Jim Bridenstine (R, Oklahoma) and newly elected Ted Yoho (R, Florida) voted for Majority Leader Cantor (I am still missing the 3rd vote for Cantor), and Thomas Massie (R, Kentucky) voted for Mr. Amash (R, Michigan). Newly elected Steve Stockman (R, Texas) voted “present.”
On the Democratic side Jim Cooper (D, Tennessee), voted for Colin Powell and John Barrow voted for John Lewis (D, Georgia).
Nancy had to be careful after she turned over the gavel to John.
Hopefully the newly elected Congress will show more sanity with an increase in the female gender. We will watch these women as well.
wow, John. this photo of the fems certainly warms the cockles of my heart. what are cockles anyway?
I always wondered.
forgot to write. these women are worth the watch.
@marylou
Well, there are several theories concerning the etymology of “the cockles of my heart.” One is that cockle in this context derives from the Latin description of the chambers of the heart, cochleae cordis. As you know, for centuries, the heart was supposed to be the seat of emotion. Then there are the cockles referenced in the Irish ballad “Molly Malone” which were mollusks with vaguely heart-shaped shells. Why they were called cockles is unclear since the Latin root for mollusks is not at all similar to the root for heart. Perhaps back in the 15th century the word was slang.
Cockles also once was used to refer to the chambers of a kiln. The analogy would have been that like the chambers of a kiln which must be heated to work best, the heart too is fullest when warmed by a tender or nostalgic experience. I tend to favor this last, not because it is the most romantic but because it makes the most sense from a peasant’s point of view. The common folk of the 1400s would likely have been more familiar with the innards of a kiln than those of the human heart.
More than you wanted to know??? LOL!