Unbelievable

I'm amazed at what I just saw on C-Span, alerted by Atrios and AmericaBlog respectively--in a hearing about the so-called Patriot Act, James Senslessbrenner, House Judiciary Committee Chair, not only wielded his gavel like a sledgehammer (and recognized members out of order), but ended with a huff-and-puff that would've done Scrooge proud, claiming that any number of member questions/statements weren't germane to the matter at hand--oh, and he managed to insult the witnesses to boot. Senslessbrenner concluded with an abrupt close to the hearing--despite additional questions from House Democrats that were VERY relevant, and even directed that microphones be shut off...how "patriotic."

If you want to watch the streaming video, check it out here.