It's interesting what goes through reporters' minds as they witness yet another day of the oft-mundane.
Consider the perils of government journalists, perched inside their glass cage listening to the state Senate discuss and debate the great issues of our time, like renaming the state lottery fund to the "education" lottery fund.
It was during one of those civic lessons the group of Senate reporters noticed some of the arguments just kept repeating. And so, in the tradition of the Gary England "the-end-is-coming" tornado coverage, the Senate press corps has come up with their own drinking game to honor those senators who rely on the routine.
These phrases have become the cornerstone of passing legislation, causing reporters to raise a glass:
""A chilling effect," when the opposition is about to lose a vote and wants to try the Glenn Beck approach.
""Work in progress," meaning "yes, we know this bill sucks, but we can fix it."
""Nanny state," a fairly new one to describe how the government wants to cradle you like a baby croc in its mother's mouth.
""The title's off," related to "work in progress," meaning senators can still wreck it before it becomes law.
""Is this a request bill?" is an attempt to find out who really wrote the bill, because it makes sense.
""Vote for this bill because it's for the children/puppies/seniors (fill in the blank)," a desperate attempt to get the sympathy vote.
""The people's business," meaning passing Senate legislation because the people put your butt in that seat. (Frankly, we think the people's business is voting off contestants on "American Idol.")
So if you visit the gallery in the state Senate to watch democracy in action and glance over to the reporters' viewing lounge and see the dogged journalists laughing and falling out of chairs, it means it has been a routine day in the Legislature.
