Lawmakers of course know they are not permitted to eat, drink or smoke on the House floor. But who was going to have the nerve to stop Rep. Julia Carson (D-Ind.) last week as she was wheeled onto the floor for a vote wearing dark rose-colored sunglasses and happily unwrapping and eating a Snickers bar?
She began eating the Snickers off the floor in the Speaker’s Lobby but continued eating once on the floor. Was she having a “substantialicious” moment, as Snicker’s new ad campaign indicates? Or was she undergoing a “hungerectomy”?
Carson’s spokesman, Chad Chitwood, did not respond to requests for information about the congresswoman’s apparent affection for Snickers. Carson had heart-bypass surgery in 1996, but both she and her aides have said she is healthy. Carson has recently been using a wheelchair.
Lawmakers are not permitted to eat or drink on the House floor, but they do it anyway, according to a security source close to the floor.
“You’ll see them bring in cups of coffee,” the source said, adding, "They’re not supposed to drink, they’re not supposed to eat, wear coats, talk on the phone. They’re not supposed to do any of that.”
I don't recall reading anything in the local media advising us on Carson's health requiring her to be bound to a wheelchair. You may recall this item in The Hill earlier this year:
Rep. Julia Carson (D-Ind.) was spotted on the House Floor and in the Speaker’s Lobby in a gray sweat suit and sneakers last week. Her attire, which is forbidden by House rules, and the fact that the 68-year-old lawmaker is often seen getting physical help from an aide, is causing comment.
I stand by my prediction that she will resign her seat in 2007. Thanks to the anonymous tipster for calling our attention to this item.
27 comments:
At 88, Betty Ford gets around better than Carson, who is more than 20 years younger than Ford.
This is so sad. She has richly earned a rest.
Ms. Carson will visit several parties tonight and then attend midnight services at her church. Tomorrow she will be at the many Democratic swearing-in ceremonies here and there all over the county. Doesn't sound too restricted. Then it's off to DC for her own swearing-in and the election of Nancy Pelosi as the Democratic Speaker of the House!
The GOP haters certainly seem to be out in full force tonight !
Choose a different name, if you have to post anonymously.
I have to wonder how new any of this is, with the exception of the wheelchair. I think what we have is a long, slow decline, which for the most part the Star has ignored, at least pre-election. I know this is not a new story, but some years ago, Rep. Carson told the following yarn on herself -- she was at the House and had just gotten on the elevator. Her appearance was vintage Julia: a little disheveled, a little elderly, a little scruffy, to the point that a man already on the elevator took one look at her and said, "You do know this elevator is only for members of the Congress."
"Your point?" she replied, cooly.
I agree that she has earned a rest, and if she isn't feeling well, she should step aside and smell the roses. There's no dishonor in that! But then as Wilson points out, she has amazing resources and she just keeps rolling along.
Wilson,
Any New Years Eve Party worth attending, will not start until shortly before mid-night. Carson won’t attend any party that is not attended by the influential. Your post about Carson attending several and being at Church for mid-night service is very hard to believe.
Superman couldn't accomplish that feat. We know that Carson isn’t able to tap dance two feet, let alone party all night. Please stop lying for her...your rants are doing her a disservice... and were tired of hearing them anyway.
Once again, Maureen Hoppe gets upstaged by The Hill. She's completely worthless as a Capitol Hill reporter for the Star.
It's not hard when she's handled all over the place. It's Weekend At Julia's!
Starring Tony Duncan and Carl Drummer.
She began eating the Snickers off the floor
Eating from the serving trays at a neighborhood association candidate forum is one thing, but eating a candy bar off the floor?? GROSS!!
[tongue in cheek I know the context of the sentence]
Like I said before: the hate-filled contingent of "The Sorest Losers of 2006" certainly is out tonight in full force. The comments on this thread are really mean-spirited and venomous.
12:52, I simply asked that you should a name other than the one you chose if you intend to post anonymously.
I believe her name is Maureen Groppe. She rarely writes anything about Carson as the Star's D.C. correspondent.
"Like I said before: the hate-filled contingent of "The Sorest Losers of 2006" certainly is out tonight in full force. The comments on this thread are really mean-spirited and venomous."
Stating FACTS that at best are mis-leading is "mean-spirited and venomous"; the readers of this blog are not stupid.
Wilson most of us have a mind of our own and can use them. Common since tells us that a lady pushing 70 and who needs a wheel chair, won't be going to several parties and be at Church before mid-night.
Wilson, your lies define you.
julia carson is every bit as bad of a leader possible.
With all the record homicides, especially black on black, she kept her mouth shut. When her campaign staff was questioned about her silence, they said she was ill.
She has to go and go soon!
and btw, I am a democrat
Julia has been our "Fool on the Hill" far too long! She is an embarassment to Indiana and a disgrace to congress.
-and as for her remaining silent on crime: her family is probably helping to commit it! How many criminals does she have in her family???
You don't like the Congresswoman? Vote her out! It's the American way.
Of course, on November 7th the majority of voters in Indianapolis again supported her so she's in DC while the "Sorest Losers of 2006" continue to insult, moan and wail...
Indiana is such a joke in DC, we get no representation! Trust me, no one is going to Julia for assistance on ANYTHING!!! Such an embarassment.
I must say, regarding Maureen Groppe's coverage, I believe it was totally tips from alert readers that finally spurred the Star to awaken from its lethargy and look at Rep. Carson's voting record.
No offense against Julia, but everyone in Congress deserves a watchdog at home.
God bless the blogs for caring more about Julia Carson -- in spirit as well as voting record -- than the blankety-blank local mainstream media. Asleep at the switch, while the rest of us rascals are in there pitching. And caring, at every level.
Agreed, Ruth. Groppe provides far more information about Indiana's other congressmen, who are largely outside the Star's daily reach, than she does Carson.
Doesn't Ms. Groppe report for Gannett in general so she's reporting on the entire Congress for all of the Gannett owned newspapers? So expecting her to report on one do-nothing congressperson for one Gannett property which in reality spikes anything negative about her anyway ...
You get the drift.
Did you happen to see or hear about Dr. Phil's show yesterday? The show was about liability of blog owners and those who post on blogs with lies and malicious intent. Do you worry about being sued or how owning a blog might impact your livelihood?
2:40 PM - We know who the true liar is around here.
As far as the "big picture" goes all such a thing would do is create a market for hosting of blogs outside the reach of US laws.
Hailstone, not tracking with your 'true liar' comment.
My comment is one of trying to understand how or why a lawyer would want to take the risk of owning a blog given the likelihood of legal suits against blog owners. We're going to be hearing about several such suits in the news very shortly, IMO.
Gary has a law career and it seems odd he would risk it to have his words out there on a blog. If he wants to write professionally (as he does from time to time) that is quite different. As a blog owner he could be responsible for his comments as well as of those posted by others on his blog (legally speaking).
Julia: You are an ignoramous that has done Indy a disservice by embarassing the city and our state! Take your crime family and your ignorance and, especially, your ghetto-mafia of Carl Drummer & Tony Duncan away from us.....
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