Senate Shenanigans

Okay, it's enough already.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate was called to order for 11 seconds on Wednesday as the last political scuffle of the year between the White House and the Democratic-led Congress played out.

Nearly all the senators left the Capitol for the Christmas holiday last week, but Democrats are keeping the Senate in session to block President Bush from making any recess appointments -- a constitutional mechanism that allows the president, during congressional recesses, to fill top government posts for up to one year without Senate confirmation.

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Virginia, opened and then immediately gaveled the Senate session to a close. He spent 57 seconds in the chamber.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, announced December 19 that he would keep the Senate open with a series of "pro forma" sessions through mid-January. (H/T - CNN)

If you were wondering why Congress has lower approval ratings than President Bush, here it is in blue and white. Shenanigans, chicanery, and tomfoolery are running wild on the Senate floor, all because the Democrats refuse to allow the President to make recess appointments - appointments that have been made by almost every President in modern history. Seems a little juvenile to me, but what do I know?

Of course, I am one of the few people in America who remember Nancy Pelosi telling us how magnanimous the Democrats would be when they came to power:

"I accept this gavel in the spirit of partnership, not partisanship."

Sure, Nance. Sure.