Today at TRNS

Today at Talk Radio News, the Washington Bureau will be covering Vice President Joe Biden’s announcement for funding to be given to Amtrak, a discussion on “A Year After the March 2008 Protests: Is China Promoting Stability in Tibet?,” a news conference on respiratory and immune disorders, a discussion “Iran: Internal Social and Political Dynamics,” a discussion on “Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty: A Reconciliation,” and a book discussion on “Life Equity: Realize your true Value and Pursue Your Passions at Any Stage In Life,” with author Representative Marsha Blackburn, (R-Tenn.).

Students protest peacefully in Saint Paul

Today at Mears Park in Saint Paul the Swift Students For Truthiness gathered to advocate their standpoint on contemporary politics.

The peaceful, non-partisan organization, mainly comprised of students from Wisconsin and the Will Mitchell University in Michigan, stood promoting their progressive views on education, taxation, war and other similar issues.

Thomas Fraint, one of the organizers, said "I think one of the biggest reasons I'm out here is because we have been hurting for the past eight years and I don't think [McCain] really realizes it."

He detailed one of the group's liberal views when he spoke of universal health care: "from a moral standpoint, every American deserves health care; but from an economic standpoint we spend more money than any other country, yet we are ranked right above Cuba, so maybe it's about time we should steal someone else's good idea."

When asked why the group is non-partisan as opposed to Democrat (since the Swift Students For Truthiness clearly share the Democratic point of view), he replied: "if I was out here with an Obama sign wearing blue, people's minds would then close."

Tattered cake, rainbow leis mark Social Security's 73rd birthday

"You cannot make a program that works for everyone only work for some Americans", said Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.). She attended a protest, which was held outside of the Republican National Headquarters in Washington D.C, to celebrate Social Security's 73rd birthday.

Protesters were greeted by Republican National Headquarters employees handing out rainbow leis, referencing Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) decision to vacation in Hawaii in the thick of campaign season. Protesters rallied across from the headquarters until greeted by Norton, who led them across the street where she gave a short speech blasting Sen. John McCain's strategy to privatize Social Security. Afterwards, she joined the crowd in signing "Happy Birthday", and cut a tattered cake that was filled with holes to represent what the protesters feel are holes in Social Security's coverage.

Washington D.C.'s Shadow Senator Paul Strauss attended the protest as well, attempting in vain to deliver a birthday card signed by protesters to the Republican Headquarters. However, he was met with locked doors and security guards. The senator also caused several interns and other employees to run away as they made their way to the locked doors when he tried to pass the card to them. After several attempts, Strauss accepted defeat, saying "well at least there's more cake for us!"

Republican press conference interrupted by vocal protest

“I hope that you have noticed in the last three days of debate by the Republicans up here that we have tried to be civil and appropriate. I would ask you to compare that with the supposed Democrat representative we’ve had here today and his rudeness and screaming and yelling”, said Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) in reference to an outburst from a bystander. As Carter and fellow Republicans discussed their party’s ongoing speeches on the House floor, a member of the crowd called the Republican representatives the “largest group of lying scoundrels” he had seen in one place. The man was promptly removed from the conference.

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) said that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) should call an emergency session of Congress in spite of the recess to address the rising costs of energy in America. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) echoed Hunter’s sentiments, encouraging the Congress to specifically consider the American Energy Act. Gohmert believes the bill would allow for the development much-needed energy resources. He also maintained that, despite recent criticism, the bill does not favor oil companies.

When asked whether Gohmert felt his comparison of America’s oil crisis to the fight against slavery in early American history was inappropriate, he responded that he felt the Republicans were doing what is right for the American people. He also said that the crisis cuts across all racial lines, and that gas prices affect all Americans.

Chicken rants at Pelosi on Capitol steps

Democratic congressional primary contender Shirley Golub (D-Calif.) sent one of her representatives to the steps of the Capitol building dressed as a chicken to protest the decisions made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her time in office. Golub’s goal was to demonstrate the uselessness of electing another “chicken” to the House of Representatives. Golub is running against Pelosi in the upcoming California congressional democratic primary.

Golub’s chicken ranted on the west steps of the Capitol yelling different anti-Pelosi sentiments, such as, “Where are all the congressmen? Did they all fly the coop?” and “Shirley Golub sent me here to demonstrate what its like to send a chicken to Congress.” When the chicken was asked why he was protesting, he said that Pelosi was being a chicken about the war in Iraq and impeachment, and even claimed to be one of her cousins.