John Dingell ignores House gavel, brings own

Earlier today, Rep. Darrell Issa tweeted a photo suggesting that when the only tool you have is government, everything looks like a hammer — or, more precisely, a gavel.

The gavel is "a fine piece of wood" Dingell will happily lend to Republicans if "they do something good with it"

— Kate Nocera (@KateNocera) July 11, 2012

During today’s House debate over the repeal of Obamacare, Rep. John Dingell (D, Mich.) again brought his own gavel, the one he used when presiding over the passage of Medicare in 1965. Wow, that’s pretty old.

.@john_dingell gives #GOP gavel he used 2 pass medicare. Tomorrow: the quill he used 2 cosponsor War of 1812 Resolution http://t.co/tEpOJY2r

— John Hudak (@JohnJHudak) July 11, 2012

Ironically, Dingell’s effusive praise of his gavel had to be heard over the pounding of the speaker’s gavel indicating he had overrun his allotted time.

@john_dingell ignores gavel … just keeps going and going and going #healthcare

— Peter Granitz (@pgranitz) July 11, 2012

https://twitter.com/BethNVA/status/223117779354652673

So, just what might be a good use for this fine piece of wood?

I can think of a fine use for Dingleberry's gavel…. #FullRepeal

— Joan Of Snark (@JoanOfSnark) July 11, 2012

@RepBillFlores I don't suppose you could use that gavel to reach over & knock some sense into Pelosi could you??

— Carol W (@CarolofWest) July 11, 2012