Bill Straub: For Thomas Massie here’s a ‘no’ vote, there’s a ‘no’ vote, everywhere there’s a ‘no’ vote – User-generated content
Early Wednesday evening, in a 406-16 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Japanese-American World War II History Network Act, simple legislation directing the National Park Service to produce and disseminate material handbooks, maps, interpretive guides and the like relating to the Japanese-American experience during the global conflict.
You may recall that thousands of American citizens of Japanese descent were forcibly removed from their homes and dispatched to internment camps during the war, an event that stands as one of the darkest sins in the nations history. Interestingly, German-Americans, many of whom were Fifth Columnists, werent treated in similar fashion. The measure, offered by Rep. Jay Obernolte, a California Republican, is aimed at assuring such mortifying developments never disgrace this nation again.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-SomewhereorotherLewisCounty, voted against it.
A bit earlier that same day, the House passed, in a 403-25 vote, legislation designating the El Paso Community Healing Garden as a National Memorial, thus honoring the victims and survivors of the Aug. 3, 2019, domestic terrorist attack that resulted in 23 deaths and 22 serious injuries. The perpetrator told police he intentionally targeted Latinos in the massacre.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-SomewhereorotherLewisCounty, voted against it.
On Thursday, in due recognition of the war crimes Russia is perpetrating on neighboring Ukraine, a tragedy fueled by Vladimir Putins blood lust for power that already has run up thousands of civilian casualties, including children, the House voted 424-8 to withdraw Russias most-favored trade status.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-SomewhereorotherLewisCounty, voted against it.
Its been an interesting few weeks for Massie, the MIT Wonder Boy who just cant seem to help himself when it comes to favoring guns, his favorite play-pretty, expressing his admiration for war criminals, and opposing any legislation that might help people. Some forward-thinking lawmaker should introduce legislation designating the Whiz Kid as a National Embarrassment, a measure everyone should get behind, save for one nay vote, of course.
A few days before flipping off these three bills, Massie spent his copious free time joining only two others in voting against a House resolution declaring that the United States stands fervently with the Ukrainian people, and further urging open-ended military aid to Kyiv in its fight against Russia.
Oh, and on Feb. 28 he was one of three opposing the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act of 2022, which, as you may have deduced, makes lynching a federal hate crime.But wait! Theres more!
Massie has joined a handful of other lawmakers of dubious wisdom, including that perennial all-star, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Bowling Green, in a lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seeking to overturn its rule requiring passengers to wear masks on airplanes and other forms of public transportation as part of the battle to limit the spread of COVID-19.
This comes just as researchers are expressing concern over the spread of a new variant of the disease that has killed almost 1 million Americans. No one has ever said the old Wonder Boys timing was all that great. And apparently traditional methods, like convincing fellow lawmakers to address the issue statutorily, failed to enter into his considerations. The current mandate, by the way, ends April 18, meaning the entire mess could be moot by the time it reaches the bench.
Oh, by the way, in regard to another lawsuit filed by our wildly litigious hero, Massie recently lost his case against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, who fined our boy $500 for refusing to wear a mask on the House floor. The federal judge declared she was within her right to do so.
Are you getting the feeling that the 4th District congressman is little more than a whiny child?
Of course these items constitute only Massies most recent assaults on the body politic, not to mention reason. There was the disgusting and indefensible e-Christmas card showing our boy and his kin armed to the teeth with weapons that would be better served in the arms of the Ukraine army, along with a note asking Santa to bring ammo.
And there was his strange admonition, odd even for a flake of Massies tremendous stature, declaring, Over 70% of Americans who died with COVID, died on Medicare, and some people want #MedicareForAll? That led Rolling Stone magazine to pose, It took nearly two years of batting back competition from hordes of right-wing commentators and conservative lawmakers, but the Republican from Kentucky appears to have devised the single dumbest take on the COVID-19 pandemic, which has now killed nearly a million Americans.
Good lord! Almost forgot. Its only been six weeks since the whole Voltaire rigmarole.
Massie elected to hop on the right-wing bandwagon excoriating Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Bidens chief medical advisor and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases better known as the man leading the nations anti-COVID campaign with a tweet depicting a giant hand crushing a group of small people with the legend, To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.
The poor boy misattributed the quote to Voltaire, a renowned 18th-Century Enlightenment writer and philosopher. It actually came from Kevin Alfred Strom, aneo-Naziwhoonce pleaded guiltyto possession of child pornography. And the hand illustration had anti-union origins.
Now we could go on, believe you me, but in deference to those who suffer migraines or have weak stomachs, lets end the lengthy indictment here.
It would be justice if anyone were to assert that Massie is an ass and a boil on the nations backside who has no business coming within 500 miles of the nations capital.
But, sadly, it would be going too far in this day and age to maintain that our homegrown Wonder Boy is the worst member of the 117th Congress, which tells you all you need to know about the current state of politics in this country.
Congress over the years has attracted its share of weirdos, nut jobs, and worse. You may recall guys like Jim Traficant, a Democrat from around Youngstown, OH, who wore his hair (actually a wig) like the top of a green onion and wailed nonsensically on an almost daily basis in the well of the House.
Traficant was harmless, crooked but harmless. He would hardly stand out in todays Congress that features folks like Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-CO, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, who tell wild tales of dubious veracity and do so with a degree of nastiness seldom heard in the hallways of the Capitol.
While Boebert has exhibited sympathy for the Jan. 6 Capitol insurgents, Greene has managed to nonetheless separate herself from the rest of the dunderheads, aping Russian talking points regarding its invasion of Ukraine, heckling Biden with Boebert during the State of the Union address, attending a conference sponsored by a white supremacist outfit and disparaging gay and trans folks.
There exists an unusually large crop of these folks in the current Congress, perhaps because former President Donald J. Trump lowered the bar well below sea level when it comes to truth and civility in political campaigns. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-TX, is the grandaddy of this bunch and includes folks like Rep. Paul Goshar, R-AZ, with a lengthy history of ties to White nationalists, and Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-NC, who is confined to a wheelchair and uses it to carry a veritable armory with him.
Now, before you point it out, this confederacy of dunces is solely populated by Republicans, tis true. The GOP has tried to paint Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, under the same rubric, insisting that shes stupid to boot. The problem is Ocasio-Cortez is far from dumb she graduated cum laude from Boston University with a bachelors degree in international relations and economics and can more than handle herself in a debate.
Regardless, Massie is a party to this crew assiduously turning American-style democracy into a bad joke. The fact that he isnt the biggest nutjob in the House is a disturbing proposition indeed. How anyone in good conscience can vote for this man, given his extensive list of inanities, is one of the great mysteries of the universe.
Go here to read the rest:
Bill Straub: For Thomas Massie here's a 'no' vote, there's a 'no' vote, everywhere there's a 'no' vote - User-generated content
- Rand Paul: The government is open, but a hemp industry shutdown has just begun | Opinion - The Courier-Journal - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Rand Paul warns McConnell-backed provision will regulate hemp industry to death - LINK nky - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Rand Paul warns McConnell-backed provision will regulate hemp industry to death - the-messenger.com - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul threatens to delay government reopening over hemp language - The Independent - November 11th, 2025 [November 11th, 2025]
- Black Tie CBD Stands with Senator Rand Paul to Defend the Future of Legal Hemp and THCA Products - Reuters - November 11th, 2025 [November 11th, 2025]
- Rand Paul wants hemp vote to speed up shutdown endgame - Politico - November 11th, 2025 [November 11th, 2025]
- Republican Senator Uses Trump Post to Dunk on Rand Paul: Common Sense Is Illegal - Yahoo - November 11th, 2025 [November 11th, 2025]
- Rand Paul demands vote on hemp amendment before proceeding with tally to open government - Washington Examiner - November 11th, 2025 [November 11th, 2025]
- Itll take them 5 days': Rand Paul could be obstacle to quickly ending shutdown - Politico - November 10th, 2025 [November 10th, 2025]
- Republican Senator Uses Trump Post to Dunk on Rand Paul: Common Sense Is Illegal - Mediaite - November 10th, 2025 [November 10th, 2025]
- Trump Drags Rand Paul for Blocking Bill to Withhold Pay From Senators: He Wanted to Be Paid! - Yahoo - November 10th, 2025 [November 10th, 2025]
- U.S. Sen. Rand Paul hopeful ongoing discussions will end government shutdown - WCHS - November 10th, 2025 [November 10th, 2025]
- RAND PAUL: THE SWAMP SMILES FOR EVERY CONCESSION MADE BY THE GOP "Tonight the process of opening the govt begins. Less chaos is a good thing but... - November 10th, 2025 [November 10th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Again Warns Against Regime In Venezuela: 'Risks Empowering The Very Cartels We Are Trying To Defeat' - Latin Times - November 10th, 2025 [November 10th, 2025]
- Rep. Thomas Massie announces marriage to former staffer of Sen. Rand Paul - WLWT - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Senators Tim Kaine and Rand Paul on Tariffs and U.S. Trade - C-SPAN - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Rep. Thomas Massie announces his marriage to former staffer of Rand Paul - WAVE News - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Rep. Thomas Massie marries ex-Rand Paul staffer a year after wifes death: Of course we served raw milk! - New York Post - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul blasts health care subsidies for rich people as shutdown drags on - Fox Business - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Civilized People Dont Do This! Rand Paul Torches Trumps Insane Strikes on Alleged Drug Boats - Yahoo - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Opinion - Bill Straub: Rand Paul shows backbone in recent efforts to kill Trump's damaging tariff policy - NKyTribune - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Kentucky Senator Rand Paul urges compromise to open government - WAVE News - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Takes to Fox News Sunday to Condemn Trump Over Shutdown Gridlock, Extrajudicial Killings On Suspected Drug Boats - Yahoo - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
- How Rand Paul says Congress can work together to end government shutdown - The Courier-Journal - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- PolitiFact FL: Is Rand Paul right 25% of Coast Guard searches of suspected drug boats come up empty? - WLRN - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul calls for immediate action to pay federal employees and end shutdown - LEX18 - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- US warships in Caribbean, Rand Paul reaction - WPSD Local 6 - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Pitches Novel Shutdown-Solving Idea to Trump - NOTUS News of the United States - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- GOP Sen. Rand Paul Again Slams Trump Admin Over Strikes Off Venezuelan Coast: 'Akin To What China, Iran Do' - Latin Times - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- 'They are afraid': Rand Paul thrashes fellow Republicans for not having the 'guts' to stand up against Trump in fear of being ostracized - The Mary... - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Rand Paul: "In the one instance you're killed on sight. On the other instance, if you're captured, we just say, 'Oh well, we're gonna send you... - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Says 20 GOP Senators Are Grumbling Over Trump Policy But Dont Have the Guts to Criticize the President - Yahoo - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Recipe for Chaos: Rand Paul Piles on More Harsh Trump Criticism After Being Called Nasty Liddle Guy - Yahoo - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Colin McEnroe (opinion): Chasing unity with Rand Paul and Aaron Rodgers - CT Insider - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- SEN. RAND PAUL: TRUMP IS CARRYING OUT SUMMARY EXECUTIONS OF VENEZUELANS "I would call them extrajudicial killings. This is akin to what China... - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Rand Paul on Trump's strikes on boats: "I would call them extrajudicial killings. This is akin to what China does, what Iran does with drug... - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Trashes Republicans for Always Caving to Trump - The New Republic - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Rand Paul: Trump could see all hell break loose with further involvement in Ukraine, Venezuela - Yahoo - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- GOP Senator Rand Paul Cut From Fancy White House Lunch for Voting Against Trump - The Daily Beast - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Rand Paul pokes back at Trump after snub from White House reception - USA Today - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul says he was not invited to Rose Garden lunch - Politico - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul Slams Trump Admin For Strikes On Alleged Drug Boats: 'It's Summary Execution!' - HuffPost - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul Again Slams Trump Over Strikes On Alleged Drug Boats Off Venezuela: 'A Lot Of Reasons To Be Worried' - Latin Times - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul says he was not invited to Republican luncheon - WNKY - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul to Newsmax: Persistent Critic of Overspending - KABC-AM - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul visits Johnson County to talk Eastern Kentucky tourism - Mountain Top Media - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul: 'All of these people have been blown up without us knowing their name' - Politico - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul explains why he is voting against spending bill - WDRB - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Rand Paul responds to Trump post calling him a 'nasty' guy. What he said on 'Meet the Press' - The Courier-Journal - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Rand Paul Awkwardly Confronted About Trump Calling Him a Nasty Liddle Guy - Yahoo - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Rand Paul Thought He Could Get Away with Bucking Trump. He Was Wrong. - NOTUS News of the United States - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Rand Paul Responds Humbly to Trump Calling Him 'Nasty Little Guy': 'Still One of His Best Supporters' | Video - TheWrap - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Rand Paul Again Slams Trump Over Military Pressure On Venezuela: 'Regime Change Isn't Always What You Expect' - Latin Times - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Donald Trump posted a vicious attack on Rand Paul, but it hasnt scared the loyal senator away. - Yahoo - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul questions legality of Trump administrations strikes on alleged drug traffickers - Washington Times - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Kentucky US Sen. Rand Paul explains why he is voting against spending bill - WDRB - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Rand Paul says he will support paying federal employees but not ending shutdown: Full interview - Yahoo - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul says Caribbean boat strikes 'go against all of our tradition' - NBC News - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul introduces tourism project for EKY - WKYT - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul highlights new tourism initiative to boost Eastern Kentucky economy - LEX18 - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, SEN. RAND PAUL AND SEN. TIM KAINE THIS SUNDAY ON MEET THE PRESS WITH KRISTEN WELKER... - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Trump Slams Rand Paul After He Moves To Block Military Pressure Campaign Against Venezuela: 'Nasty Liddle' Guy' - Latin Times - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul announces new organization to focus on Eastern Kentucky tourism - WOWK 13 News - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Rand Paul COVID vaccine theories aren't helping to bridge public health divide | Opinion - Yahoo - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Rand Paul COVID vaccine theories aren't helping to bridge public health divide | Opinion - The Courier-Journal - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Press Release: Rand Paul Proposes Amendment to Terminate Federal Reserve's Assistance to Major Banks in 2026 NDAA - Quiver Quantitative - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Republican Sen. Rand Paul Set To Cosponsor Initiative To Prevent Trump Admin From Striking Boats In The Caribbean - Latin Times - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Press Release: Chairman Rand Paul Introduces Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025 - Quiver Quantitative - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Article | Rand Paul blocks Senate extension of cyber information sharing law - POLITICO Pro - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- There has to be someone who 'believes debt is a problem,' says Sen. Rand Paul - Fox Business - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul weighs in on government shutdown, believes it will be 'short lived' - Yahoo - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Press Release: Senator Rand Paul Releases Report on TSA's Targeting of Veterans and Lawmakers - Quiver Quantitative - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul: Bidens TSA Targeted Veterans, Lawmakers, Mask Critics, and Air Marshals Wife - The Daily Signal - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Slams GOP Funding Bill on Fox News Warns It Will Wipe Out DOGE Cuts - Yahoo - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul appears on 'Face the Nation' on CBS - WLKY - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul says he would "prefer not to have troops" in Portland, but supports Trump's action - CBS News - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Transcript: Sen. Rand Paul on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Sept. 28, 2025 - Yahoo - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Targeted by Trump, Rep. Thomas Massie teams up with Rand Paul for district tour - Louisville Public Media - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Trump-targeted GOP congressman Massie tours his Kentucky district with support from Sen. Rand Paul - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Rand Paul quips Kimmels thanks is first time Ive ever been on his program - Kentucky Lantern - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]