Republican filibuster may be close to collapse

[southlandshari]

in the Alabama state senate - if my source is correct, we are now just one vote shy of cloture and forcing the campaign finance disclosure bill to a vote. I hope this is true (heard it from a good source in my county Democratic Party)! Call or email your Democratic senators if you got em - we've got a shot at forcing the Alabama Christian Coalition and other groups who think they are above the law to follow the same rules as others.

Recent thread on this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1357505

[southlandshari]

1. I can't be the only one interested in this story!!!

I'm fascinated by what is going on in our state senate right now. I know, I know, it is not likely to end our way, but there is still a chance...

I emailed my senator today and strongly urged him to join the vote for cloture so the campaign finance disclosure bill can at least be voted on by senators. The house has already passed it. I think Riley will sign it.

This particular quote made my day:

"I'm a deacon in probably the most conservative church in Alabama - the Church of Christ. ... Yet I've never made more than a 'D' on the Christian Coalition's scorecard because they skew the questions," Sen. Bobby Denton, D-Muscle Shoals, said.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050407/APN/504071058

I really do want to know if anyone else is following this story. This is the first time I've had hope that SOMETHING might be done to start to challenge the ridiculous - and all too powerful - Alabama Christian Coalition, which is even held at arm's lengths by many conservative Christians in our state.

[BamaLefty]

2. Good To Know That There Are Other Members

of the Church of Christ that are Democrats. I thought I was the only one.

Seriously.

[Frances]

6. I grew up in Alabama

but the 2 churches in my small town were Methodist and Baptist.

Would you mind pointing out some similarities and differences between the Church of Christ and those 2 denominations?

When I was growing up (a long time ago), I didn't hear much about Evangelicals. Is the Church of Christ an evangelical church?

Thanks so much for educating me.

[Syrinx]

7. when I was a kid...

I would sometimes go to church with one grandmother to the Church of Christ, and sometimes with the other grandmother to a Southern Baptist church. I was just a kid, but I recall thinking how the people at the Church Of Christ seemed a lot calmer, nicer, and normal than the people at the the SB church.

I don't remember a lot about the differences between their beliefs, and it was a long time ago, so things may have changed anyway.

[Frances]

8. Thanks for your response

nt

[BamaLefty]

3. Great Post BTW

Didn't want to hijack your thread Shari.

[southlandshari]

4. No problem!

I thought that was an incredible quote from a Church of Christ member (your denomination gets stereotyped more than most!)- good karma to both of you!

[BamaLefty]

9. Thanks

Not all of us are evil Repukes. ;)

[Syrinx]

5. I'm following the story

Just haven't checked in here in a couple of days.

Even if this goes the wrong way, the Dems have to make it an issue. I mean the other side says this bill is about the Christian Coalition. Ok then, just what do they have to hide? Seems like a good issue to me. But I do strongly hope the filibuster is busted. I'm off to email my state senator now.

[Syrinx]

10. update from the ADP blog

Senate Republicans Blocking Progress

State Senate GOP members may cost taxpayers big bucks for Special Session

Last week, the State Senate remained deadlock because a bunch of right wing Republicans, get this, used the filibuster to block something they didn't like. Maybe the State Senate Democrats should change the rules to eliminate the use of filibusters to stall a vote. Let's go nuclear why don't we?

In all seriousness, the GOP is stalling progress in the Senate in order to protect the Christian Coalition from disclosing it's donors. But what do they have to hide? Do they not want the people of Alabama to see the truth, that the way they may have fought off the lottery proposition was by using huge contributions from Mississippi Indian Casino interests?

Clearly if an organization has nothing to hide, then they wouldn't oppose a common sense open disclosure bill that would clean up our election process. And that is what's so disturbing about this. They do have something to hide, and that's not very Christian of them, is it?

With five legislative days left, both the general and eduction fund budgets must pass or else the taxpayers of Alabama will have to foot the bill for a special legislative session. Contact the Republicans in the Senate below, especially Erwin who is leading the effort, and demand they get on with the people's business and stop protecting special interests.

http://www.aladems.net/nucleus/