Connecticut lawmakers playing solitaire during budget debate

[Ed_Palmedo]

 

Call it the photo seen 'round the world. It's the one that captured two southwestern Connecticut lawmakers playing solitaire on their computers in the hall of the House late Monday, at the height of the debate on the new budget.

 

Another computer, in front of an unidentified lawmaker's seat, shows a baseball highlight.

 

The picture, apparently depicting two House members dissing a high-ranking GOP leader, went from the front page of Connecticut newspapers to global web sites like the Drudge Report on Tuesday, an apparent symbol of legislative indifference -- and indulgence -- during the state's budget crisis.

 

The Associated Press picture, shot from behind first-term Rep. Barbara L. Lambert, D-Milford and veteran Rep. John F. Hennessy, D-Bridgeport, features House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr. in the right-hand corner, gesticulating his criticism of the Democratic majority's budget, which passed the House late Monday night and the Senate early Tuesday morning.

 

Neither Lambert nor Hennessy would apologize for their game-playing Tuesday and Cafero, R-Norwalk, didn't ask for any.