If It Doesn't Work, Keep Doing The Same Thing

This is the kind of thing that drives me mad about US politics.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a strong supporter of the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, is launching a full-on battle this week to remove several provisions from the 2009 government spending bill that would open a small crack in the slammed door of relations with Havana.

The embargo started in 1962 and was codified into law in 1992 with the stated purpose of bringing democracy to the Cuban people. Now I realize that a good deal of policy is meant to be long-term, but 47 years is a long ass time with little or no results.

And while the above drives me mad, shit like this just pisses me off to the point where I hope somebody runs against him in the primary.

Menendez has placed a "hold" that blocks votes on confirming Harvard University physicist John Holdren, who is in line to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Oregon State University marine biologist Jane Lubchenco, Obama's nominee to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to sources who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter, Menendez is using the holds as leverage to get Senate leaders' attention for a matter related to Cuba rather than questioning the nominees' credentials.