Senator Paul's Filibuster

Senator Rand Paul

On Wednesday, Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, began a filibuster of the vote on John Brennan's nomination to be the new head of the CIA.

Senator Paul began at 11:47 EST and went for three hours before he started to be joined by others. He was then joined by Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas, and Jerry Moran of Kansas, all Republicans. Discussions between the Senators have focused upon whether or not drones should be used on American soil.

In the fourth hour, Ron Wyden of Oregon, a Democrat joined them, to be followed by Marco Rubio of Florida and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Republicans. Near the end of the fourth hour Harry Reid of Nevada, Democrat, attempted to see an end to the filibuster, but did not see his goal accomplished.

As the fifth hour began, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Republican, began his addition to the filibuster, and was later followed by John Cornyn of Texas. Jerry Moran of Kansas, Republican, returned near the end of the sixth hour.

About seven and a quarter hours in, Paul offered the Democrats a resolution, which would require the President to answer the question of whether drones will ever be used against the American people. In the form of Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Democrats rejected the unanimous consent request.

Ted Cruz returned at about seven and three quarter hours in, and read a list of Tweets, supporting Senator Paul. As the ninth hour began Mike Lee made his own return. Nine and a half hours in John Barrasso of Wyoming, Republican, joined in the filibuster and called for the Democrats to reconsider the unanimous consent request of Paul's. Barrasso's question into a mini filibuster, in itself.

Cruz returned again about ten and a third hours in, with more tweets and then proceeded into a mini filibuster of his own. He held the floor for a hour and seven minutes, quoting Ayn Rand, Shakespeare, Patton, and Reagan. After he was done, Marco Rubio returned. With his speech he brought out quotes from Wiz Khalifa, The Godfather, and Jay Z. He in turn was followed by John Thune of South Dakota, Republican.

Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Republican, joined in as the time approached twelve hours. He was quickly followed by the return of Pat Toomey. Minutes after it became twelve hours of filibuster, Dick Durbin returned to ask a question of Paul. Durbin's questions were quickly responded to by Paul, who had earlier answered them in his statements. He was followed by Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Tim Scott of South Carolina, and Jeff Flake of Arizona, all Republicans. At twelve and a half hours, Mike Lee made another return, as did Durbin and Cruz.

Then it all came to a close with less than five minutes til it hit thirteen hours. Rand Paul yielded the floor. He was quickly followed by a move for adjournment, from Dick Durbin. The filibuster officially ended, with a time of twelve hours and fifty-four minutes.

Arab League Authorizes Weapons to Syrian Rebels

On Wednesday, the Arab League officially offered Syria's seat to the Syrian National Coalition, which represents the rebel forces.

They will have until the League's next meeting, March 26-27, to select someone to fill the seat.

Algeria, Lebanon, and Iraq all refused to acknowledge them as official.

The League also authorized members to send weapons to the Syrian rebels.

As a body the League will not be sending anything beyond medical aid and food supplies, but now individual countries officially can send weapons.

UN Peacekeepers Seized by Syrian Rebels

Twenty-one members of a UN peacekeeping force have been taken at gunpoint.

They are part of the UN force which monitors the cease fire between Israel and Syria, just east of the Golan Heights.

While they were on a routine supply mission, at least thirty armed people came at them and forced their surrender.

There are no reports of shots being fired.

The UN quickly condemned the actions against their soldiers.

It is believed that their captors are Syrian rebels.

Hugo Chavez Has Died

Hugo Chavez, fifty-eight, has died.

The new came just hours after Venezuela admitted that he was gravely ill.

Chavez ruled the country for fourteen years.

Under Venezuelan law a new election must now take place, within thirty days.

Til that time the Vice President takes over the country.

The election will likely put Vice President Nicolas Maduro against Henrique Capriles Radonski, who ran against Chavez in last year's election.

Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee Passes 7 Gun Control Laws

On Monday, seven gun control bills passed the Colorado Senate judiciary committee.

The bills will now be have to be put through another committee, and then put to vote before the full Senate, where they are expected to pass.

Four of the seven have already passed the House, while the other three will be sent to the House, if they pass the Senate.

Almost all of the voting has been on party lines, with Democrats voting for them and Republicans voting against.

• House Bill 1224 limits gun ammunition magazines to fifteen rounds.
• House Bill 1226 ends Colorado's law which keeps public college campuses from banning concealed weapons.
• House Bill 1228 revives fees for gun purchasers who need background checks.
• House Bill 1229 adds a background check requirement for guns sold in private transactions.
• Senate Bill 195 requires people seeking concealed carry permits to take gun training courses in person, not online.
• Senate Bill 196 adds legal liability for gun sellers and owners.
• Senate Bill 197 expands a ban on gun ownership for people convicted of certain domestic violence offenses.

TSA Allows Some Knives and Other Objects Onto Planes

On Tuesday, the TSA announced that certain objects will once again be allowed on planes.

Headlining the list were pocket knives, as they have specifications attached.

Knives will be allowed if they have blades shorter than 2.36 inches long, less than a half inch wide, are not fixed or lockable, and do not have a molded grip.

Among the other items now allowed are: billiard cues, ski poles, hockey and lacrosse sticks, two golf clubs, and toy bats less than twenty-four inches long and weighing less than twenty-four ounces.

All of those items had been banned after September 11, 2001.

Not everyone is pleased about the TSA's decision.

Multiple flight attendant unions spoke out against it, calling the changes dangerous.

UN Says Colorado and Washington Can't Legalize Weed

The United Nations has decided to declare that Colorado and Washington do not have the right to legalize weed.

According to the UN's drug agency, legalization is against international treaties, and therefore illegal.

Marijuana is illegal in the US, but Colorado and Washington voted to legalize it, to varying degrees.

The US government has yet to decide if it will contest the states' votes, but such a move is expected soon.

DRC Fighting Renews

At least seventy people have been killed over the last few days in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Some reports suggest that it is more than triple that number.

Military forces and rebel groups have renewed their fighting for control of the country.

Most of the current round of violence has been between the APCLS and government forces.

Hundreds of homes have been destroyed and thousands of people have fled the fighting.

Larayedh Forms New Tunisian Government

Ali Larayedh has successfully formed a new government.

The new Tunisian Prime Minister took eleven days to decide who would fill the positions of his ministers.

For the most part he kept things as they had been, but bowed to demands placed upon his predecessor in regards to the defense and foreign ministries.

The opposition had demanded that they be filled by people who weren't members of Ennahda or other Islamist parties.

Last week, Ennahda agreed to such a concession, as long as both were filled by independents, who weren't part of the opposition.

As this was agreeable to all involved, Larayedh has selected two independents for the posts.

Venezuela Admits Chavez is in Critical Condition

Hugo Chavez is extremely ill, and Venezuela's government has officially acknowledged that.

While in the midst of cancer treatments, Chavez apparently came down with a severe respiratory infection.

This is causing him difficulties in breathing and keeping him in critical condition.

The news was met with mourning by his supporters.

Key political allies and the heads of the military are meeting at the presidential palace.

Venezuelans are facing the reality that soon they may be without Chavez.

This brings many questions into play, especially who will follow him.

A new election would legally be required, but the courts have already shown a willingness to bend the laws to keep Chavez in power, so they likely would for his chosen successor.