Senator Harry Reid Doesn’t Need To Hear “Sanctimonious Lectures” On The Meaning Of Christmas

video

by Matt Schneider | 6:14 pm, December 15th, 2010

» 60 comments

It seems like not many in Washington are embracing the holiday spirits. First Republican Senator Jim DeMint expressed his anger to Politico about potentially having to work through Christmas, saying “you can’t jam a major arms control treaty right before Christmas, [this] is just wrong. This is the most sacred holiday for Christians.” And Senator Jon Kyl told the New York Times political blog that it’s impossible to get everything Democrats want done by the end of the year, “without disrespecting the institution and without disrespecting one of the two holiest of holidays for Christians.” The effort to paint Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as the Grinch who will steal Christmas did not sit well with Reid, and earlier today he hurled a few verbal lumps of coal in the direction of his Republican colleagues.

Reid first wanted to agree with the assessment of some Congressional observers that he’s presided over the “most successful, productive Congress in the history of the country” and which was done in spite of all the Republican roadblocks. Then he blamed Republicans, and more specifically their 87 filibusters, for creating wasteful delays throughout the year and putting the Congress in its current time-constrained predicament. Reid then really let loose:

I don’t need to hear the sanctimonious lectures of Senator Kyl and DeMint to remind me of what Christmas means. . . . [S]ome of my Republican colleagues have the nerve to whine about having to stay and actually do the work that the American people pay us to do. We make large salaries . . . we could work as most Americans do during the holidays. . . . It’s offensive to me and millons of working Americans across this country for any Senator to suggest that working through the Christmas holidays is somehow sacrilegious or disrespectful.”

Then Reid suggested Kyl and DeMint have been in Washington too long, because many Americans across the country have to work hard during the holidays to support their family and not many get off for a full two weeks at any time during the year. Reid’s final shot was a tough love warning to Republicans, “if they decide to work with us we can all have a happy holiday. If they don’t we’re going to continue until we finish the people’s business.”

Despite not helping to spread the holiday cheer, it’s hard to disagree with Reid. Members of Congress get much time off throughout the year, including typically taking a week or two off for major holidays and taking off the whole month of August. If Kyl and DeMint don’t want Reid’s policies to pass, that’s fine, but stay there as long as necessary, debate the issues and vote. As Reid correctly points out, that is in fact their job. In this tough economic environment, Republican elected officials should not expect to find sympathy from the American people if they want to avoid their responsibility to celebrate the holidays while Americans across the country still desperately look towards Washington for solutions.

Watch the clip from C-SPAN below:

C-Span, Christmas, Holiday, senate, Senator Reid

Fox News: Waging war against secular governance

Unlike most Americans, The Rethuglicans in Congress need 2 weeks to celebrate the meaning of Christmas. David Vitter needs at least that much time to play with all the sex toys he gets from Santa.
The ReaI Royal King

Fox News: Waging war against secular governance said:
Unlike most Americans, The Rethuglicans in Congress need 2 weeks to celebrate the meaning of Christmas. David Vitter needs at least that much time to play with all the sex toys he gets from Santa.

Wow. Do you write your own material? Or does your sister’s toddler help you out.

Are you still living in their basement?
Big Eddie

Reid has put enough over on the American people for the year . This nasty little wimp has to answer to Obama , who wants to take off on another long vacation . Most recent presidents stay at Camp
David on Christmas to allow more Secret Service agents time at home with their families . Not Barry , though .
Fox News: Waging war against secular governance

The ReaI Royal King said:
Wow. Do you write your own material? Or does your sister’s toddler help you out.

Are you still living in their basement?

Quit hijacking people’s identities you POS.
michiganruth

ah, mediaite: Missing the Point Since 2009 ™. you obviously didn’t hear Mitch McConnell the other day, pointing out that Reid could have had these votes any time, but instead he waited. and then he noted that this insane Christmas rush to get unread legislation passed was becoming a tradition, since it also happened last year under the Dems.

so it isn’t hat the GOP are whining about having to work; they’re whining that Reid is up to his old tricks again. this is how healthcare passed: a mad rush and a breathless declaration that “we don’t have time to read this!”

far from being unsympathetic to Republicans, I think most people aren’t even thinking about them. instead, a lot of people are going to be irritated that Reid and his gang are trying to pull this crap again. did you already forget what happened on November 2? the message clearly was “stop passing 2,000-page bills you haven’t read.” did you not get that?
sticks

Reid suggests that Kyl and DeMint have been there to long ?… Thats some funny chit, considering how long he’s been there… You would’nt think he would be to keen on bringing that up… And Reid wants to stay and do the peoples business ?… Since when ?… Harry Reid wants to do some Harry Reid busuness, he does’nt give two chits about the people…
SarahP

sticks said:
Reid suggests that Kyl and DeMint have been there to long ?… Thats some funny chit, considering how long he’s been there… You would’nt think he would be to keen on bringing that up… And Reid wants to stay and do the peoples business ?… Since when ?… Harry Reid wants to do some Harry Reid busuness, he does’nt give two chits about the people…

What exactly is a “chit?”
Hawk11

435 congressmen and 100 senators put themselves out there to be elected to serve the 300 million people of this country. There’s no such thing as a holiday in these positions. I’m sorry, but they are hired to serve us and they so often prove that they don’t. Much of the country are working the holidays and don’t have a choice. Cops, firemen, retail, hospital workers, military, etc….
Vote them all out and let’s start over. Enough already.
The ReaI Royal King

Fox News: Waging war against secular governance said:
Quit hijacking people’s identities you POS.

Sorry, Iris.
The ReaI Royal King

Fox News: Waging war against secular governance said:
Quit hijacking people’s identities you POS.

It’s just that I heard your brother in law wants to kick you out.
Big Eddie

There’s a good king !
BFD

“you can’t jam a major arms control treaty right before Christmas, [this] is just wrong. This is the most sacred holiday for Christians.”

YEAH, WHAT WOULD JESUS THINK OF ALL THESE PEACE TALKS DURING HIS BIRTHDAY, I BET HE WOULD BE ROLLING OVER IN HIS GRAVE IF HE WAS STILL IN IT!!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Clifford-EElisary/1434665168 Clifford E.Elisary

Listen hear you dumb Bastards, the Republicans has for two years done everything to slow down the process and now they are crying about not having enough time to consider these Bills, what clap trap bullshit!!!!! When Pres. Clinton was President he had the Congress at this time in his Presidency approve nearly 80% of all of his Judicial appointments, President Bush had at the same time had his Judicial appointments approved at a nearly 70% rate, well guess what these Fox-Republicans have help to approve only 30% of all of President Obamas appointments, not just Judicial Appointments but through out the whole system of Government, THAT MY FRIENDS IS THE F**KING PROBLEM!!!!!!
The ReaI Royal King

BFD said:
“you can’t jam a major arms control treaty right before Christmas, [this] is just wrong. This is the most sacred holiday for Christians.” YEAH, WHAT WOULD JESUS THINK OF ALL THESE PEACE TALKS DURING HIS BIRTHDAY, I BET HE WOULD BE ROLLING OVER IN HIS GRAVE IF HE WAS STILL IN IT!!!!!

Who are you, Lewis Black? It’s a good joke but you didn’t have to scream at us.
ChiliPeppersFan

Big Eddie said:
Reid has put enough over on the American people for the year . This nasty little wimp has to answer to Obama , who wants to take off on another long vacation . Most recent presidents stay at Camp
David on Christmas to allow more Secret Service agents time at home with their families . Not Barry , though .

that’s great, someone from the right criticizing a pres taking vacation….after that unindicted conspirator bush spent what? a year and half on vaca?
then you got reagan who, when he wasn’t on vacation, was pretty much on vacation.
ChiliPeppersFan

Hawk11 said:
435 congressmen and 100 senators put themselves out there to be elected to serve the 300 million people of this country. There’s no such thing as a holiday in these positions. I’m sorry, but they are hired to serve us and they so often prove that they don’t. Much of the country are working the holidays and don’t have a choice. Cops, firemen, retail, hospital workers, military, etc….
Vote them all out and let’s start over. Enough already.

not to mention the mother of three who has to work or she can’t afford christmas presents…thank god the republicans held out so she could get a tax break….or was that someone else?
More Liberty

Hawk11 said:
435 congressmen and 100 senators put themselves out there to be elected to serve the 300 million people of this country. There’s no such thing as a holiday in these positions. I’m sorry, but they are hired to serve us and they so often prove that they don’t. Much of the country are working the holidays and don’t have a choice. Cops, firemen, retail, hospital workers, military, etc….
Vote them all out and let’s start over. Enough already.

I agree. Starting with the President
sticks

SarahP said:
What exactly is a “chit?”

You…
ChiliPeppersFan

michiganruth said:
ah, mediaite: Missing the Point Since 2009 ™. you obviously didn’t hear Mitch McConnell the other day, pointing out that Reid could have had these votes any time, but instead he waited. and then he noted that this insane Christmas rush to get unread legislation passed was becoming a tradition, since it also happened last year under the Dems.

so it isn’t hat the GOP are whining about having to work; they’re whining that Reid is up to his old tricks again. this is how healthcare passed: a mad rush and a breathless declaration that “we don’t have time to read this!”

far from being unsympathetic to Republicans, I think most people aren’t even thinking about them. instead, a lot of people are going to be irritated that Reid and his gang are trying to pull this crap again. did you already forget what happened on November 2? the message clearly was “stop passing 2,000-page bills you haven’t read.” did you not get that?

mitch mcconnell is full of shit…rachel maddow did a report on it last night that over the last two years, the republican pieces of crap have filibusted almost twice as much as any other congress…ever.
i’m all for the underdog, but that is ridiculous, and mcconnell even said it…that it is purely political.
SarahP

sticks said:
You…

More specifics please, you’re being cryptic.
The ReaI Royal King

ChiliPeppersFan said:
not to mention the mother of three who has to work or she can’t afford christmas presents…thank god the republicans held out so she could get a tax break….or was that someone else?

Why don’t you send her some money, Kumquat?
The ReaI Royal King

ChiliPeppersFan said:
mitch mcconnell is full of shit…rachel maddow did a report on it last night that over the last two years, the republican pieces of crap have filibusted almost twice as much as any other congress…ever.i’m all for the underdog, but that is ridiculous, and mcconnell even said it…that it is purely political.

Hmmm. And here I was told the Dems had a filibusterproof super majority. But I guess if Rachel Maddow said so it must be true.
The ReaI Royal King

sticks said:
You…

ROTFLMAO
Big Eddie

Long live this king !
SarahP

The ReaI Royal King said:
ROTFLMAO

Actually makes sense when you think about it.
The_Reasonable_Lib

The commercialization of the birth of our lord and savior which actually corresponds to a pagan holiday is the most sacred day of the year for Christians? Maybe we should re-work that then. Furthermore millions of Americans have to actually WORK on Christmas. When senator Demint and his wife go to the movie theater on Christmas day those are Christians taking tickets and working the projectors. Soldiers are dying on Christmas. You wanted to serve your country as a senator well suck it up and stop being a little bitch!
The_Reasonable_Lib

More Liberty said:
I agree. Starting with the President

I disagree. let’s keep the president and start with Bitch Mcconnell.
ChiliPeppersFan

The ReaI Royal King said:
Why don’t you send her some money, Kumquat?

and people wonder where stereotypes come from like a heartless republican asshole.
ChiliPeppersFan

The ReaI Royal King said:
Hmmm. And here I was told the Dems had a filibusterproof super majority. But I guess if Rachel Maddow said so it must be true.

a filibuster is blocked by a 3/5 majority or in the case of this senate, as few as 41 members can hold a filibuster.
notsofast

Congrats Harry- You and Pelosi are the leaders of the lowest rated Congress in history. What a surprise.
notsofast

The ReaI Royal King said:
Are you still living in their basement?

I am so glad that you are still such a rancid POS, you loser.
notsofast

ChiliPeppersFan said:
mitch mcconnell is full of shit…rachel maddow did a report on it last night that over the last two years, the republican pieces of crap have filibusted almost twice as much as any other congress…ever.

Not exactly. A filibuster is the successful blocking of legislation in the Senate by forcing a failed cloture vote. How many failed cloture votes occurred in 2009?

There wasn’t a single filibuster in 2009. Not one.
SUPER Chundy

sticks said:
You…

Literally, we have chimpanzees throwing their feces at one another. But I guess Mediaite won’t stop the chimps form soiling each other as long as it drives up page views. Remember everyone: as long as Dan Abrams and Colby are making the green, we can keep rolling around in the brown.
Judge Mental

Cry me a river, Harry. You think we’ve forgotten that Congress adjourned in late September without dealing with all these “urgent” bills, so they could go home and campaign?

http://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/congress/congress-set-adjourn-without-addressing-expiring-tax-cuts
SUPER Chundy

Those poor Senators! They might miss Christmas because they have to be in the Capitol.

It’s almost as depressing as our soldiers serving in war zones, who have to miss another holiday with their families because no one in Congress or the White House has the guts to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Almost.

Everyone keep in mind what the true meaning of Christmas: It’s the time of year we can all gather around our computers to call other people POS on the Internet. Just as Jesus intended.
sticks

sticks said:
You…

SUPER Chundy said:
Literally, we have chimpanzees throwing their feces at one another. But I guess Mediaite won’t stop the chimps form soiling each other as long as it drives up page views. Remember everyone: as long as Dan Abrams and Colby are
making the green, we can keep rolling around in the brown.

This is what you picked to start your bashing today ?… Amateur !!!…
SarahP

sticks said:
This is what you picked to start your bashing today ?… Amateur !!!…

You have a pony as an avatar. Or is it a jackass? Either way, very sweet.
SUPER Chundy

sticks said:
This is what you picked to start your bashing today ?… Amateur !!!…

Oh chit! You’re right I forgot to call you a misspelled curse word and then proceed to proclaim how stupid you were. My bad. Won’t let it happen again, I promise.

It must be because I’m not a graduate of Gordon’s “School of Lousy Internets Commenters”
SmartAlec

The ReaI Royal King said:
ROTFLMAO

The REAL Royal King finally gets more thumbs up than down
sticks

SUPER Chundy said:
Oh chit! You’re right I forgot to call you a misspelled curse word and then proceed to proclaim how stupid you were. My bad. Won’t let it happen again, I promise. It must be because I’m not a graduate of Gordon’s “School of Lousy Internets Commenters”

That was’nt my point… But kudos for being slightly more humorous…
sticks

SarahP said:
You have a pony as an avatar. Or is it a jackass? Either way, very sweet.

Thank you SarahP… I admitt to being the jackass at times…
Patrick Henry

Fox News: Waging war against secular governance said:
Quit hijacking people’s identities you POS.

Quit breathing you POS.
Patrick Henry

SarahP said:
What exactly is a “chit?”

Look in the mirror.
http://none pyrope

I would rather have a delay in passing any kind of legislation than see poor legislation passed into law. The country will NOT fall apart if votes on these bills are postponed until after Christmas. As for Mr. Reid, perhaps he should consider taking some time management courses. The PX7 program is something from which Dingy could benefit.
http://none pyrope

Patrick Henry said:
Look in the mirror.

hahahahahahahaha
http://none pyrope

Big Eddie said:
Long live this king !

He’s finally started taking his meds.
http://none pyrope

Hawk11 said:
435 congressmen and 100 senators put themselves out there to be elected to serve the 300 million people of this country. There’s no such thing as a holiday in these positions. I’m sorry, but they are hired to serve us and they so often prove that they don’t. Much of the country are working the holidays and don’t have a choice. Cops, firemen, retail, hospital workers, military, etc….Vote them all out and let’s start over. Enough already.

Most astute observation and excellent rationale.
The Real Royal King

I’m having a hard time taking sides. I’m not sure among Demented, Kylie and Senator Reid there is a Christian in the lot. I don’t know why any of them would be concerned about Christmas.
lazzzlo

Actually, Harry Reid was holding out hope that he could get his online poker bill passed; however,

Wednesday evening, several sources indicated that Internet gambling prohibition will continue in the US for the foreseeable future. Reid’s bill, which would have regulated an industry that currently involved millions of Americans, will not be voted on as a stand alone bill, nor will it be attached to any other legislation in the final few days of the lame-duck session.

source
The Real Royal King

pyrope said:
He’s finally started taking his meds.

And, he became semi-literate. That must make him much easier for you to understand.
Tucker P.

LOL Harry . LIE LIE LIE was anybody even in the room ?
nrgetick

wow is that a shred of spine in reids back pocket today. Could it be he finally got the memo that people on his side dont like him because he is a pussy. Whoever stapled it to his forehead (sen sanders?) , I hope they visit obama next
Just4thefax

Fox News: Waging war against secular governance said:
play with all the sex toys he gets from Santa.

Fact: You should know your avatar has a dick in it’s mouth!
Just4thefax

SUPER Chundy said:
Literally, we have chimpanzees throwing their feces at one another. But I guess Mediaite won’t stop the chimps form soiling each other as long as it drives up page views. Remember everyone: as long as Dan Abrams and Colby are making the green, we can keep rolling around in the brown.

Fact: Google a site that fits your needs or shut the fuck up looser!
Just4thefax

SUPER Chundy said:
Gordon’s “School of Lousy Internets Commenters

Fact: Students of Gordon’s school of idiots shouldn’t criticize their master!
ProgLib

Just4thefax said:
Fact: Google a site that fits your needs or shut the fuck up looser!

How do you shut up “looser”?
Just4thefax

ProgLib said:
How do you shut up “looser”?

Fact: That an easy one. To shut a liberal up is squeeze their legs together after returning their Kool Aid jug back up their ass!
Nachi

Serve that man some Jesus Juice!!
http://none pyrope

Clifford E.Elisary said:
Listen hear you dumb Bastards, the Republicans has for two years done everything to slow down the process and now they are crying about not having enough time to consider these Bills, what clap trap bullshit!!!!!

Check your grammar and tell me who the “dumb bastards” are. The fact is, the Dimocraps could have brought these things to a vote at any time because THEY have a majority. They did not. Instead, they were hoping to ram this crap through just as they did with -0bamacare–in the dark of night WITHOUT reading it! (“We’ve got to pass it so we can find out what’s in it.”–Nancy Pelosi) Personally, I believe that those who vote for or against legislation–or for or against a candidate at the polls–should be informed and know what the deal is. I would venture to guess if the voters knew whom they were voting for, most Dimocraps would never get elected.
http://none pyrope

The Real Royal King said:
And, he became semi-literate. That must make him much easier for you to understand.

It depends on what “understand” means. If you’re talking about understanding what’s trying to be communicated, you’re right. If you’re talking about understanding why those things are being written, I guess I’ll never understand that.