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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Missing teen Hannah Thomas-Garner found safe Public Meetings: March 9-13 Since You Asked: What are those wetland creatures in the creeks? Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Emergency services, March 8 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 8 Jackson County searchers looking for missing man Emergency services, March 7 Emergency services, March 6 Arkansas man arrested for robbery in Medford Politics and Elections Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Education Willow Wind students raise money for water District considers options to keep school tracks open, safe Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Ashland district rethinks transfer approval process MSD to save taxpayers nearly $10.5 million by refinancing Environment Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade State News Federal judge orders speedier Klamath wildlife refuge management plan Former Josephine County students sue school district over alleged abuse Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Eastern Oregon dig uncovers ancient stone tool Team tracks new baby orca Nation - World Obituaries Joseph Elsworth William "Les" Mason Irene Meredith Barbara Anne Knuth Wolfe Howard Johnson Jr. Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Comets Cruise Spartans win series, advance to semis Washington stuns No. 13 Utah, 77-68 T-Wolves snap Blazers' win streak, 121-113 Gutches wins fourth title, leads SOU to second Varsity 541 College Sports Washington stuns No. 13 Utah, 77-68 Gutches wins fourth title, leads SOU to second Raider relay team second at nationals Colorado stuns No. 8 Oregon State Four Raiders in semis at NAIAs Pro Sports T-Wolves snap Blazers' win streak, 121-113 Lowly Philadelphia knocks off Atlanta Ace helps Holmes expand Doral lead Spartans cruise to playoff victory Morgan's goal sparks 3-0 U.S. win Community Sports Business Latest Stories Business briefs: March 7 Blog: A Few of Our Favorite Places New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Harry & David announces new president Real Estate News Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, March 8 George Will: Obama needs GOP to approve the TPP Dana Milbank: Hillary vs. Hillary Charles Krauthammer: Netanyahu's Churchillian warning Letters to the Editor, March 7 Editorials Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Our View: Small climate steps add up to big ones Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government Other Views: Brown's list of challenges is lengthy Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 8 Letters to the Editor, March 7 Letters to the Editor, March 6 Letters to the Editor, March 5 Letters to the Editor, March 4 Columns George Will: Obama needs GOP to approve the TPP Dana Milbank: Hillary vs. Hillary Charles Krauthammer: Netanyahu's Churchillian warning Philip Maddocks: Homeland Security is prepared to let its protection of Congress run out after this week Matthew T. Mangino: Pennsylvania officials battle over possibility of rare execution Guest Opinions GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Lifestyle Latest stories Pet of the Week: Sunday, March 8 SOUTHERN OREGON JOURNAL: Beware the vacation club sales presentation 'Robotic Alice' as a future caregiver Growing Gardens, Growing Communities When silence gave way to noise Food Community blog: Airy mousse rivals ease of pudding from a box Page Onorato: Please don’t take my Goo Goo Clusters away Season Stepp: Celebrate Pi Day with these tasty pie recipes Tammy Kelly: Bring back the potatoes Pantry pride Home and Garden Dear Monty: Home seller seeks to start bidding war Paul Rogers: Looking for signs of new life Home Help: Enhance your home-office experience Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Dear Monty: Home seller questions agent ethics Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Community blog: How I Became Radical: The Power of Acceptance Hiking Biking Faith More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Live Music in Local Clubs Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Alice DiMicele plays the Unitarian Fellowship Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble to present 'All American' Theater TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment Music ZEPDRIX! at the Historic Ashland Armory The Bee Eaters play Headwaters Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Craterian Theater Live Music in Local Clubs Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Dining Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Missing teen Hannah Thomas-Garner found safe ... Our View: Driving voter turnout is no sure thing for Oregon ... Gold Hill mayor rethinking city hall cameras ... Missing teen Hannah Thomas-Garner found safe ... Our View: Driving voter turnout is no sure thing for Oregon ... Gold Hill mayor rethinking city hall cameras ... Philip Maddocks: Homeland Security is prepared to let its protection of Congress run out after this week By Philip Maddocks More Content Now MailTribune.com By Philip Maddocks More Content Now Posted Mar. 6, 2015 @ 8:25 am By Philip Maddocks More Content Now Posted Mar. 6, 2015 @ 8:25 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Homeland Security Secretary Jeh C. Johnson said his department is fully prepared to allow its protection of Congress to expire at the end of the week, insisting that the nation’s lawmakers had failed a fundamental test of looking out for the interests and safety of the American people and didn’t deserve safeguarding. “We’ve had it with these games,” Mr. Johnson said between clenched teeth. “If the congressional leadership wants to make 2015 about them, fine. They can do it on their own dime and under their own protection.” “God help them,” he added, storming past reporters and hurling a flag lapel pin in the direction of House Speaker John Boehner’s office. The humiliating dressing down from the head of Homeland Security, comes just a week after Congress barely managed to keep the department running, extending its funding for seven days on Feb. 27 just hours before it was to run out and after weeks of suggesting it might allow DHS to shut down. In the aftermath of Mr. Jeh’s threat, the Republican leadership team met in a lengthy session to come up with a new approach, but their options were limited given the deep rebellion by Homeland Security against supporting anything that might help lawmakers after the House threatened the department’s operations in a legislative effort at halting President Obama’s immigration policies. After hours of fruitless brainstorming, Mr. Boehner walked wordlessly from the chamber, his head down. Behind him, a phalanx of panicked and suddenly unprotected congressmen scattered in all directions. “We should have never fought this battle,” said Sen. Mark S. Kirk, Republican of Illinois, as he nervously practiced loading unloading a Glock 19 pistol he had just purchased. “In my view, in the long run, we need them more than they need us. This is just irresponsible of Congress.” Just two months into the new session, the congressional majority seems to have fumbled badly, failing to get the votes it needed and possibly endangering the lives of its members in the process. As the realization of a life of looking over shoulders, changing addresses, and sleeping with guns began to sink in, Republicans were sounding a grim note, far removed from their triumphant election victories in November, when their world was a far safer place. Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said yesterday, as he peeked cautiously into the hallway from behind his office door, “This is not about us. This is not about bipartisanship and meeting in the middle. This is about survival. It’s every lawmaker for himself.” Both Mr. Boehner and Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, had promised to reverse Congress’ pattern of hurtling from crisis to crisis, even over matters like appropriations that were once relatively routine. But in their first big test, the Republican leaders, while often seemingly working off different playbooks, somehow managed to conspire to make an enemy of Homeland Security and put the lives of every lawmaker at risk. The frosty relationship it now enjoys with the sprawling and powerful department – some have described the association between the two as “verging on hostility - bodes poorly for a Congress that traditionally places a premium on security, particularly its own, and has left many lawmakers pessimistic that the 114th Congress will live out its term, much less be able to work in a bipartisan fashion on complicated issues. Some threatened lawmakers continued to hold out hope that the president might intervene, using his executive power to put them in touch with Secret Service agents who may have been let go in the aftermath of last year’s White House fence-jumping incident – or possibly just by playing golf with them on a regular basis. But Mr. Johnson said that it was “indulging in a fantasy” to believe you can try to shut down the Department of Homeland Security and then ride it out on a golf course. “These decisions have consequences,” he said. “Our leadership set the stage for this,” said Rep. John Fleming, Republican of Louisiana. “We have not been doing anything these past few years but shoot ourselves in the foot. And after this, we’ll be lucky if that’s the only injury we suffer.” Philip Maddocks writes a weekly satirical column. He can be reached at [email protected]. By Philip Maddocks More Content Now MailTribune.com By Philip Maddocks More Content Now Posted Mar. 6, 2015 @ 8:25 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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