Politics and religion.

[Grace]

From USA Today -

By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY

Members of Congress say they'll donate their pay to the U.S. Treasury or charity if the government shuts down.



Add House Speaker John Boehner to the growing list of members of Congress who say they'll skip their paycheck if the federal government shuts down tonight.

By law, members of Congress and the president would continue to receive their pay in the event of a government shutdown.

Boehner is sending a letter to House lawmakers explaining how the House Administration can help them return their pay to the U.S. Treasury, which he plans to do.

Several lawmakers in both parties have said they will either donate their pay to charity or give it back to the U.S. Treasury if a budget deal cannot be reached and the government closes its doors at midnight.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has joined an effort led by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., to get members of Congress to give up their pay. Manchin's "no budget, no pay," pledge has attracted support from two dozen lawmakers, including Republicans John McCain of Arizona and freshmen senators Mark Kirk of Illinois and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.

Boehner's annual salary is $223,500 -- the most for a member of Congress because he is by law second in line to the presidency. Reid earns $193,400. Members outside of the top leadership group receive $174,000 for 2011.

And from FOXNews -

Not only will neither chamber pass the other's no-pay bill, but the 27th Amendment to the Constitution provides that laws changing congressional pay don't take effect until the following term.

Issa noted this concern, as did Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Del. But Coons said the Constitution wouldn't prevent lawmakers from volunteering to give up their pay.

"There is a constitutional issue here. We might have to voluntarily give back our pay in the event of a shutdown. But I think the pain here ought to be spread broadly," Coons told Fox News. "The average folks out there watching this ought to know that we in Washington get it, that a shutdown is an embarrassing failure on our part to do the job we were hired to come here and do."

Dan Weiser, spokesman for the chief administrative officer of the House, said members of Congress have to receive their paychecks by law, but that, if they don't give them to charity, they can also use them to pay down the national debt. However, The Washington Post reported last month that just a few lawmakers have gotten in the habit of doing that, and that donations from Congress to the debt totaled just $15,000 in 2010.

[lizbud]

The looming government shutdown is a sad state of affairs, but even
worse is the awful news I heard about yesterday. Fox network is NOT
renewing Glenn Beck"s TV show. Where ever will I get the REAL INSIDE
SCOOP on politics now? We are all doomed.

[Edwina's Secretary]

The looming government shutdown is a sad state of affairs, but even
worse is the awful news I heard about yesterday. Fox network is NOT
renewing Glenn Beck"s TV show. Where ever will I get the REAL INSIDE
SCOOP on politics now? We are all doomed.

I heard and am desvastated. <<Snicker>> Who will idolize Sarah Palin now? Who will connect the conspiracy dots for us? Who will make the tea for the tea party???

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I REALLY am sorry to hear that. Don't agree with everything he says. But I liked him.

Looks like Spooky Dude finally got him off the air.

[Karen]

He's not dead, I'm sure he'll be all over other media outlets, like radio.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I just visited his web site. He's not been cancelled. He has just made a new deal with Fox. So we will wait and see.

[Grace]

Something a bit more cheerful -

From Politico -

Giffords office plans for shuttle
By: Meredith Shiner
April 8, 2011 01:38 PM EDT

The office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) released details of her potential appearance at the launch of the the space shuttle, Endeavor, which her husband Capt. Mark Kelly is expected to command.

The launch is scheduled for April 29.

In a statement Friday, the recovering congresswoman’s office indicated staff is “making plans” for Giffords to attend, pending medical approval from the staff at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she has been since the end of January when she suffered a gunshot wound to the head during a mass-shooting in Tucson.

“Our office is making plans for her to attend, pending medical approval,” the statement read. “Doctors overseeing the congresswoman’s recovery at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston will have the final word on whether Giffords will be able to attend the launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.”

Giffords’ office said the dates of her travel have not yet been determined and that she would not meet with the media or issue a statement from Florida if doctors clear her to attend the launch.

Instead, members of her staff plan to hold a press conference “to discuss the event and her reaction to her husband’s latest mission.”

Giffords’ chief of staff Pia Carusone and Communications director C.J. Karamargin, Giffords’ communications director are expected to speak on her behalf.

Attending the launch has long been the stated goal for Giffords, whose recovery so far has been cited by doctors as “miraculous.”

[blue]

Dont worry ladies, you can still listen to his radio show, and he will still be collaborating with Fox News Channel. No need to panic.