What's Your Hurry, Trent?

While the exact reason Lott is stepping down before he finishes his term is unknown, the general speculation is that a quick departure immunizes Lott against tougher restrictions in a new lobbying law that takes effect at the end of the year. That law would require Senators to wait two-years before entering the lucrative world of lobbying Congress

Josh Marshall and Think Progress both quote MSNBC as author of that passage, and they link it here. Even Google lists it. Apparently MSNBC changed the article, because that information doesn’t exist on that page now.

It sounds like a perfectly political reason to make the move, though, doesn't it?

....and hey, do what you want....you will anyway.

Update: MSNBC does have the passage, but it's here.

It's Real This Time

It turns out the Capitol Police have bolstered security around the U.S. Capitol after a recent al-Qaeda communique threatened an attack on Washington. Lott, according to Roll Call, responded with characteristic gravitas. In light of the heightened threat, Congress can either amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or all of us can run screaming into the inferno.

  TPM Muckraker

The latter choice sounds way more interesting to me. From a visual standpoint particularly.

Actually what Lott said was, or "the disaster could be on our doorstep." And...

Further demonstrating his counterterrorism sagacity, when asked if people should leave Washington, D.C., during the month of August, Lott replied that "I think it would be good to leave town in August, and it would probably be good to stay out until September the 12th."

September 12? Because the magic date will have passed?

Practical fellow, isn't he? Where will all the citizens of DC go for a month and a half? Those that don't have vacation time built up. FEMA trailers in Pittsburgh?

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.

Suppose you were a member of Congress. And suppose you were an idiot. But I repeat myself." -- Mark Twain