Morning Reading: The Health Care Debate Continues

Well, I was pleased to note the passage yesterday of the first procedural hurdle in the Senate for the health care reform bill (even if I couldn't blog on it because I was going in for surgery myself). This morning I am likewise pleased to note the passage of the second procedural vote-- but that sadly although not unexpectedly, the partisan line votes continue. Here's some reading on the topic:

• Dana Milbank's Washington Sketch in the Washington Post discusses the long list of wordsmithing ways in which votes have been bought for this reform bill in the Senate: "On health-care bill, Democratic senators are in states of denial."
• The Post also has a piece about the toll this debate is taking on senators and their staff members, who may not get to go home until late Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning. Perhaps some of them will catch a ride with Santa? See: "Health-care vote means senators will spend Christmas Eve at the Capitol."
• Politico opinion contributor and public option advocate Jacob Hacker discusses the bittersweet moment that will surround the passage of this bill for people like him who support a public plan. See: "Senate health bill is launch pad."
• Politico also has a good piece on the passage of last night's procedural hurdle in the Senate. See: "Health bill clears another hurdle."

On a separate topic, I find this religious debate going on at the Western Wall in Jerusalem to be very interesting. Run by members of the Orthodox Jewish tradition, prayer shawls and the reading of the Torah scrolls at the Western Wall (a remnant of the Second Temple) have traditionally been limited to use by men. The Women of the Wall are a group that is challenging this in public opinion and in Israeli courts. Will be interested to see how this turns out. See: "Jerusalem Journal- Challenging Traditions at the Heart of Judaism."