From the "Why not Washington?" file.

Via the ITT List...

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee has signed a Homeless Bill of Rights into law, the first of its kind in the nation.

The law is designed to fight discrimination and harassment directed against homeless individuals. That includes ensuring the right of individuals to move freely in public spaces, to have equal opportunity for jobs and to be treated fairly by employers, to vote and receive the necessary state documents to be able to vote and to expect respect of personal property. The bill places an individual’s housing status in the same category as religion, gender, sexuality and race as illegal grounds for discrimination.

Why not Washington?

A mystery wrapped in enigma within a conundrum?

Patty Murray's Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans With Children Act sounds like a slam dunk. Helping homeless vets and their kids? If we can, we must, right? Apparently not...

It was approved in committee with bipartisan support, and Murray brought it to the floor this morning, seeking unanimous consent. She didn't get it -- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) objected on behalf of Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), who apparently was concerned about funding.

Apparently. Of course, when it comes to funding Dino Rossi, Tom Coburn's a yes vote...

Key Senate Republicans will be hosting a fundraiser for Rossi in northeast Washington (DC) with a reception where attendees could mingle with a dozen Senate incumbents. The $500-a-person event is being held at an address listed for Polaris Consulting, a lobbying firm that promises clients "unparalled access, expertise and experience."

Among the hosts will be Sen. Orrin Hatch, vice chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and Sen. Lamar Alexander, Senate GOP Conference chairman. Sen. Jim DeMint, of South Carolina, Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, and Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee are some of the others expected to attend.

Makes me wonder whether the budget is Coburn's only motive in blocking Patty Murray's bill.

What'cha think? Would Tom Coburn block assistance to the kids of homeless vets just to deny Patty Murray a popular - and necessary - legislative accomplishment?

And does Dino feel as good about taking Coburn's cash as Dave Reichert feels about his Barton bucks?

Mysteries abound and compound...

Numbers at home…

…from a soldier in the field. RockRichard at VetVoice...

195,827 Homeless veterans in the United States

15,000 Cost in dollars to house a homeless veteran for one year in Denver, Colorado

32,463,906 Veterans that could be housed in Denver, Colorado for one year for the cost of the Iraq war as of 6:00 PM EST

0 Homeless veterans in the United States housed by Bill O'Reilly

600 Homeless veterans that could be housed by Rupert Murdoch in Denver, Colorado if Bill O'Reilly was fired and his salary used to house veterans.

RR's a two digit midget. 90 days and a wake up.

I'm counting 'em with you, brother. God speed.