IL State Rep. Mike Bost (R) is mad as hell and not going to take it any more

[Joe Republic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PhbRcDZiJJc

Pretty epic.

muon2, please tell us you were a first-hand witness to this. 

[LastVoter]

Lol

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

LET MY PEOPLE GO!

[dead0man]

I like the lady in the upper right corner texting as if nothing is going on.  Or everybody else around the guy for that matter.  Clearly these people learned nothing from that fellow in the background when the crazy lady ranted about gay issues in Lincoln last week.

[Donerail]

Man, nothing like that ever happens in my state legislature... We've got stuff like:"Council and general Government Policy Council and Agriculture and Natural Resource Policy Committee, Rep. Van Zant, Cannon, and others, CS for CS for CS for HB 1219, an bill to be entitled An Act Relating To The Regulation Of State Lands And Oil And Gas Resources. Rep. Van Zant, you are recognized to explain your bill.", and you've got "LET MY PEOPLE GO!"

[Torie]

I meant to get around to putting this up, with the exact same headline!  And with a cc to muon2 to boot. I hate you Joe.

[anvi]

I live in Carbondale most of the time, so Bost is my rep in Springfield.  I'd really love to make merciless fun of him, but considering the state of American politics, the throes of the budget in Illinois, and the quality of life in downstate, I'm pretty much on the edge of throwing fits like this all the time too, as some posts by me on this forum occasionally attest.  I've decided that shrugging my shoulders, having a few good beers and playing guitar are a much better remedies.  Maybe I should figure out Mike's birthday, send him a get well card, a nice big Stein and a Gibson.

[muon2]

It's fascinating to be present for a viral video in the making. Though to be honest, I think Mr Moderate had a better view of it than I.

[Torie]

It's fascinating to be present for a viral video in the making. Though to be honest, I think Mr Moderate had a better view of it than I.

Mr. Moderate?  Our Mr. Moderate? In Springfield?  

What happened after? Did anyone offer Bost a valium, or offer to take him out for a drink, or give him a hug or anything? 

[minionofmidas]

He deserves a hug.

[muon2]

It's fascinating to be present for a viral video in the making. Though to be honest, I think Mr Moderate had a better view of it than I.

Mr. Moderate?  Our Mr. Moderate? In Springfield?  

What happened after? Did anyone offer Bost a valium, or offer to take him out for a drink, or give him a hug or anything? 

Mr M was in the press box. His Facebook post that evening described it as "a highly contentious session".

After session there were some beers shared as the event was discussed, but no one had any idea how viral the rant would become.

[Zioneer]

Holy crap, did that guy not get enough hugs as a child?

[CatoMinor]

Was it the bill itself he was upset about or just not getting enough time to read the bill?

[tpfkaw]

Was it the bill itself he was upset about or just not getting enough time to read the bill?

The latter, since he couldn't decide on the former without reading it.

[All Along The Watchtower]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!


LOUD NOISES!!!

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Indeed, I was sitting in the press box for this. Well, more accurately, I was getting a refill on my cup of water when I heard screaming. After a beat, I realized it was coming from the chamber, which immediately set off an, "OH MY GOD I AM MISSING SOMETHING" alarm in my head.

I caught most of the rant, though, including the beautiful invoking of Moses to address an issue relating to pension reform. I think that's really what struck me most about the rant -- it was over something that shouldn't have evoked that kind of passion.

It looked like the whole thing was very forced to me, and I think Bost got exactly what he wanted out of it -- press. It stinks being the oft-ignored minority in the lower house, it really does.

[anvi]

It stinks being the oft-ignored minority in the lower house, it really does.

Yeah, this is exactly what I was thinking when I heard this rant too.  Most of us mere observers often feel alienated from government and decision-making and all that, and look at how much it frustrates us on the forum everyday!  But to be actually in government and still be alienated by a majority, it must get incredibly frustrating.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

It stinks being the oft-ignored minority in the lower house, it really does.

Yeah, this is exactly what I was thinking when I heard this rant too.  Most of us mere observers often feel alienated from government and decision-making and all that, and look at how much it frustrates us on the forum everyday!  But to be actually in government and still be alienated by a majority, it must get incredibly frustrating.

I hear in New York, when you sign into the building you are recorded as voting yes on all bills that day unless you actually show up to vote. So the majority leader could be the only member of his party there and still be passing tons of bills.