Byrd is on the floor of the Senate. Fillibuster is on?!

[eleny]

I'm ot quite sure if this is the beginning of the fillibuster. So, if someone can help, I'd appreciate it. I was so excited - I forgot to put something in the body of my posting, originally. Thanks!

[nostamj]

1. THIS is political HARDBALL!!

nobody knows the rules of the Senate like BYRD

this is GREAT GREAT GREAT stuff!!!

[goobergunch]

17. Byrd was asking unanimous consent to have the VA/HUD Appropriations bill

continued until 8 PM, when it could be completed.

Kit Bond objected.

[Maddy McCall]

2. Eleny...

post something in the body of your message so this doesn't get locked.

Thanks :-)

[nostamj]

4. "Alerts" are OK IIRC

when TIME is of the essence in a live broadcast of interest to DUers, only an accurate subj line is needed.

[Maddy McCall]

6. True, but more DUers might actually become interested...

if they are informed of what is going on.

[wryter2000]

3. Go, Senator Bryd!

Go, Dems!

[Maddy McCall]

5. Does he have the stamina to stay up?

He has aged sooo much since I last saw him.

Let's all send good vibes his way!!!!

:toast: Sen. Byrd!

[kentuck]

He'll do his share but he can't do it alone...

I wish there others with his constitution.

[nostamj]

8. they are covering it in shifts of 2 for (I think) two hours n/t

[Pastiche423]

11. For someone that will be

celebrating his 86th b'day in less than two weeks, I think he's doing fine.

Senator Byrd is THE Senator. :loveya:

[kyrasdad]

7. LMAO

Byrd is just pissing off these Republicans like no ones business... it's a good day

[Rose Siding]

9. The pubs are circling like vultures

...trying to jump in at every opening. Byrd keeps bringing them up short. It hasn't formally started, I think, but he is keeping a tight reign on parliamentary procedures.

[1songbird]

10. I just have the feeling

that we are going to see the awakening of a sleeping giant tonight.
The Democratic party.

[LittleApple81]

12. I don't know... it has not been the experience so far. The tutus have

dominated so much. I hope they change their dance.

[nostamj]

14. did you see Harry Reid ???

go on for EIGHT AND A HALF HOURS ???

I hope he was setting the tone.

[1songbird]

52. Harry was great

I called and emailed him.

[Maddy McCall]

13. AAaargh! Frist is bringing up a filibuster reform.....

to force a vote on the judicial appointees.

Here we go.

[Imalittleteapot]

16. Let's see how many times Frist uses the word

"obstruction".

[1songbird]

68. Did you notice that the bill

is called the Miller Frist Bill. Good old turncoat Zell Miller is a cosponsorer of this bill.

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. We really do live in the twilight zone

While the Senate argues about judicial appointments, Bu$hCo has resumed air attacks in Iraq. Don't get me wrong, I know the filibuster is important but I wish these Senators were screaming about the escalation of W's Illegal War.

[eleny]

18. The judges in question...

would be elgible for the SCOTUS if they become appointed now. They'll have the most experience down the road. So, this is most important. After all, it's the SCOTUS that selected Bush* in the first place. This issue is not in the twilight zone. It's as basic as it can get.

[CatWoman]

19. What sign do they want removed?

someone interrupted Frist twice, asking that a sign be removed.

[Imalittleteapot]

21. Which side is asking for sign removal? n/t

[CatWoman]

23. I don't know -- I assume it's a Dem

cause he's interrupting Frist asking that a sign be removed.

[Maddy McCall]

24. I assumed Democrats...may be wrong.

[NewJerseyDem]

27. Republicans

Judd Gregg wants the democratic poster, I guess, to be removed because it may violate the rules of the senate.

[Maddy McCall]

22. I want to know, too.

Probably something like:

"Coca Cola asks you to vote for Pickering!"

:shrug:

[CatWoman]

26. bwahahahahahahahahahaha

:thumbsup:

[Maddy McCall]

29. ;-) nt

[Maddy McCall]

20. Please please tell me, what does the sign say?

Dems keep interrupting Frist (snicker snicker ;-) ) to say that the sign out in the hallway is against Rule 17. I am curious to know what the sign says.

[goobergunch]

25. Don't see how Rule XVII would be violated

http://rules.senate.gov/senaterules/rule17.htm

[Maddy McCall]

28. They are addressing signs now...

about graphics etc allowable sized, etc. Senators are only to display signs when recognized.

[goobergunch]

31. Found it - HERE'S THE RULE IN QUESTION

RULE XVII
USE OF DISPLAY MATERIALS IN THE SENATE CHAMBER
Graphic displays in the Senate Chamber are limited to the following:
Charts, photographs, or renderings:
Size—No larger than 36 inches by 48 inches.
Where—On an easel stand next to the Senator’s desk or at the rear of the Chamber.
When—Only at the time the Senator is engaged in debate.
Number—No more than two may be displayed at a time.

Senate Manual

[Vadem]

30. He is so debonair in his plaid vest and matching tie! eom

:kick:

[Imalittleteapot]

32. Go back to this site.

http://frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Home&PollsPoll_id=10

The poll has changed back to a judicial nominee question from the healthy forest question.

[eleny]

34. I'm geting a "server error"

but will keep trying.

[Imalittleteapot]

40. Works for me. Hope you and everyone can get in.

I think Frist is trying to measure the national temperment on the issue. :nuke:

[notadmblnd]

132. They're freeping it

60 n
40 y
5500+ votes

[Maddy McCall]

33. I just explained the concept of filibuster to my son...

he's nine years old, and he is laughing so hard I can't make him stop.

When Byrd just said, "When I was one year old..." it brought my son to tears.

Even though it isn't yet the filibuster, my son is glued to the tv. LOL!

:toast: Byrd!

[NewJerseyDem]

37. It is the filibuster right now

I believe what you are watching right now is the filibuster. It isn't as exciting as in the movies.

[Maddy McCall]

44. What movies?

This IS the filibuster?

I haven't ever seen a filibuster in progress, nor have I seen any movies about filibusters, but do recall that Strom Thurmond spoke for 24 hours straight to prevent votes on civil rights legislation.

[nostamj]

49. classic: Mr Smith Goes To Washington

Frank Capra, with Jimmy Stewart

[eleny]

53. An all-time favorite! n/t

[NewJerseyDem]

51. Mr. Smith goes to Washington

That is a movie where there is a filibuster. The name is something like that, it might be a little different. There was a long speech by the senator in that movie. Those types of filibusters don't happen anymore.

There won't be senators speaking for a long time. It isn't really a filibuster. All it is is 30 hours of debate. There will be a lot of senators going back and forth. The democrats are technically filibustering because they are preventing a vote on the nomination.

[Tatiana]

35. Frist is such an arrogant prick!

He makes me ill!

[Tatiana]

36. Byrd is on now! N/T

[Tatiana]

38. Byrd wants to do the Vets appropriations bill now.

Oh myyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! Things are getting testy! Frist wants to table it until Friday.

[Maddy McCall]

39. Byrd just said, "I have long admired the senator from Tennessee" (Frist)

and someone in the gallery said he was lying.

Byrd responded, "I wasn't saying that faceciously."

WOW. This is going to be very dirty.

[BuckeFushe]

42. He said he admired him as a PHYSICIAN, not as a SENATOR

What a GREAT back-handed compliment.

[Tatiana]

43. It is....

We'll see what our people are made of tonight.

[lysergik]

41. Call Frist's office and tell them this action is UNACCEPTABLE!

Lets get on with business and stop worrying about these 4 judicial candidates who aren't good enough.

[nostamj]

45. Byrd is the Dem's opening play

he's the MASTER of Senate rules and procedures.

this is extraordinary political theatre!

"i'm not playing in this talkathon blameathon whatever it is"

AMAZING.

this is power politics played by a master

[eleny]

47. Blame-A-Thon -- Oh, yeah!

[Maddy McCall]

50. IS THIS THE FILIBUSTER YET?

What is going on? Did Byrd just tag Reid to continue?

[in_cog_ni_to]

46. I LOVE this man!

Go Byrd!

[BuckeFushe]

48. He has forced their hand on the VETS/HUD bill and shamed them all

What a great tactic.

[0007]

74. Hatch is gonna get worked up for a national audience, LOL!!

Go Schumer gp

[Tatiana]

54. Harry Reid - Assistant Minority Leader

Waving request for quorum call. Voices objection....

[Tatiana]

56. Objects again to 10 hours devoted to Janice Brown....

n/t

[althecat]

55. Filibuster is on now... (I think...)

There's some background here on what its about.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=185-11122003Planned
Parenthood Supports Senate Efforts to Block Extremist Court Nominees

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today expressed strong support for senators fighting the confirmation of extremist judges, including Carolyn Kuhl, Priscilla Owen, and Janice Rogers Brown, who have each built records in opposition to choice and women's reproductive rights. The Senate Republican leadership hopes to force votes on Friday, Nov. 14, on these three highly controversial nominees.

"Anti-choice hardliners believe now is the time for additional attacks on women's fundamental freedom of choice and they see the courts as their best tool to eradicate that freedom. We need judges who will protect reproductive rights in the face of many state legislatures, courts, and even the U.S. Congress, that are growing increasingly hostile to choice," said Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Gloria Feldt.

"Planned Parenthood will not sit on the sidelines while the administration tries to ram through extremist judicial nominees who are far out of the mainstream on core issues affecting women. We commend Senate efforts to block these unacceptable extremist nominees-and we hope that they will not be intimidated by anti-choice colleagues in Congress who seek to rollback freedom of choice," Feldt said.

[Beetwasher]

57. Can Someone Explain To Me

What the deal is? I thought the Repubs were supposed to fillibuster...Are the Dems not letting them and pulling their own fillibuster? :shrug:

[Tatiana]

60. Reid keeps interrupting, asking questions.

Objecting... He's pissing the Repubs off...

[nostamj]

62. the time is evenly divided

but the dems are playing some heavy parlimentary/senate politics

[NewJerseyDem]

67. They're going back and forth

Nobody is really filibustering. The democrats technically are because they are objecting to a vote on some of Bush's nominees. They will go back and forth every 30 minutes for the rest of today and all of tomorrow.

[Tatiana]

58. Reid wants his Senators to go first. Arguing over schedule... n/t

[eleny]

59. I'm sure glad Frist isn't my personal physician

He's such a prima dona.

[kentuck]

61. This is a clusterf**k !

And it's going ot get worse.. :(

[BuckeFushe]

70. And so far, the thugs have been outmanuvered.

This is going to be amazingly bizzare, self-important asswipes.

[althecat]

63. Orin Hatch is pissed off already

[kiahzero]

64. Hatch is such a liar

The Republicans did the same damn thing to the Clinton nominees.

[Vadem]

65. Sanctimonious personified is up now for 4 minutes (Hatch) eom

:kick:

[Tatiana]

66. Orrin Hatch being a bitch.

He's getting nasty. Wants a vote on the judicial nominees. Raising his voice, blaming Dems. He says there is nothing more important to any President than getting his judicial nominations through.

He's trying to lecture. Whining that never in the history of the country have 4 nominations been filibustered. Says he's heard some Dems are threatening to filibuster more.

[Tatiana]

69. Hatch says their judges are being held up

and were "treated like dirt" on the Senate floor.

Dems are treating the President in an unconstitutional fashion. Dems shouldn't be dragging their feet. Blah blah blah.

[BuckeFushe]

75. And Schumer just handed them their ass on a nice blue sign

168 to 4

[eleny]

71. Hatch is using clever language

Talking about how this is the first time in history that judges haven't come up for an up or down vote "once they come to the floor". Well, hrmph! The Repubs wouldn't even let some of Clinton's nominees to even get a hearing! They blocked hearings a number of times. The pot calling the kettle black. They don't deserve to be so righteous.

"First time a president is being treated in a ridiculous fashion..." HUH???? Where was Hatch during Clinton's terms of office? I guess he had his head up his butt.

[nostamj]

72. here come the DEMS

kick ASS gentlepeople!!

[goobergunch]

73. Schumer up now (n/t)

[eleny]

76. Go Chuck Go!!!

[Tatiana]

77. Schumer on.

Dems have supported and nominated 168 judges Bush has sent them and only blocked 4. This debate will boomerang on the Republicans. All the American people have to do is look at that sign and say "Gee you are right." Repubs will not be satisfied until every single last one of Bush's nomination have been rubber-stamped.

Bottom line is simple. If they want agreement, then read the Constitution, tell the Prez to read the Constitution. The Senate does its own independent review. Their job is to ADVISE AND CONSENT.

[goobergunch]

78. Feinstein up now (n/t)

[kiahzero]

79. Feinstein's rocking it

"The election was not a mandate to skew the judiciary to the right."

[BuckeFushe]

82. FEINGOLD NAILING THE THUGS ON LOST MANUFACTURING JOBS

This is NOT turning out they way the Thugs expected.

[RichardRay]

80. Online streaming audo?

I'm at work at will be here for awhile. Is there streaming audio anyplace?

[kiahzero]

81. C-SPAN.org

That's how I'm watching / listening to it.

[nostamj]

83. c-span.org n/t

[goobergunch]

84. Click the link on my sig line

It's C-SPAN 2.

[Vadem]

85. Russ Feingold up now....

States we should be debating the manufacturing/trade bill--a much higher priority than spending 30 hours debating the 4 judiciary nominees.

[BuckeFushe]

86. I think the strategy will be nail the Thugs on the issues, overwhelm them

and make them look cynical and selfish.

[Vadem]

90. Let's pray so! But the sad thing is that only we political C-Span

junkies are watching this and the "muricans" are probably watching Joe Millionaire instead.

[Tatiana]

91. If that's the strategy...

The Dems are succeeding. The repubs are looking like selfish bastards right now...

[BuckeFushe]

94. You bet the Repubastardkkk party

They have been feinted and sucker punched in the opening round.

[goobergunch]

87. Hatch now up - yuck (n/t)

[BuckeFushe]

89. He just claimed the sign was a lie

n/t

[kiahzero]

92. Can you say "Projection"?

Who's trying to make the judiciary lapdogs to the legislature?
Who whines about the Supreme Court usurping power every time they make an unpopular decision?

It most certainly isn't the Dems trying to destroy the legislature.

[BuckeFushe]

99. Hatch is FULL OF SHIT ON CLINTON APPOINTMENTS

The Republican record on Hispanic nominees during the Clinton Administration was dismal. In fact, Senate Republicans blocked almost as many Hispanic nominees during the Clinton Administration as President Bush has nominated. The following Hispanic nominees never even received a hearing or a vote: Jorge Rangel and Enrique Moreno in the Fifth Circuit, Christine Arguello in the Tenth Circuit, and Richard Morado in the Southern Texas District Court. Anabelle Rodriguez of Puerto Rico and Sam Paz of California received hearings but no Committee vote. President Bush withdrew Enrique Moreno's re-nomination to the Fifth Circuit, despite Moreno's "well-qualified" rating by the ABA.

In 2000, the Republican-controlled Senate confirmed only 39 judges, including 8 circuit judges; in 1999, only 34 judges, including 7 circuit court judges; in 1997, only 36 judges, including 7 circuit court judges; and in 1996, only 17 judges, with no circuit court judges confirmed at all that year. More than a dozen, well-qualified Clinton nominees had to wait over 500 days to be confirmed, including nine who waited over 700 days, four who waited over 900 days, two who waited over 1,000 days, and one, Richard Paez, who waited 1,520 days from nomination to confirmation.

[kentuck]

88. Democrats should talk about Jobs, Iraq, CIA Memo, Cheney's oil deals,

etc...and let the Repubs talk about the "judge" appointments. This would be a great opportunity to score some really great debate points about this entire Administration!

[Vadem]

93. Right! Someone (SoCalDem, maybe) suggested that they

should just read off the PNAC Manifesto. Wouldn't that be perfect!

[goobergunch]

95. McConnell up now - ick (n/t)

[kiahzero]

96. Need notification for minors getting abortions

That's ridiculous... minors are allowed to get birth control, and the person dispensing the drugs is not allowed to tell the parents.

[in_cog_ni_to]

100. Step 2 to getting abortion

ruled illegal. First the Late Term Abortion Ban, now this. BULLSHIT! Hatch said no ONE issue should stop a judges from being appointed. I beg to differ. Abortion is one that should never be compromised.

[goobergunch]

97. I've muted my C-SPAN 2 feed

Someone post when McConnell's done, please...he makes me :puke: :puke:

[mndemocrat_29]

101. McConnell's still on

:mad: :puke: :mad: :puke: :mad: :puke: :mad: :puke: :mad: :puke:

[Mel]

103. Reid's up now

he just read the results from the survey Frist has on his site. Bwahhhhh! haaa! haa!

[eleny]

98. It always gets back to Clinton

I wondered how long it would take.

[tritsofme]

102. Harry's up!

[BuckeFushe]

110. FAUX TRIED TO ORCHESTRATE THE MARCH IN

OH MY GOD

[eleny]

104. Wheeeee! Mentioning Frists poll on the judges!!!!!

[goobergunch]

105. woot! Reid on and QUOTING FRIST'S ONLINE POLL!

It's good to DU polls!

[soup]

107. Cheers!!!

Senator Reid :loveya:

[eleny]

108. This is too rich!

Mentioning Faux News and how it's a circus!

[lysergik]

111. GO HARRY! GO DU!

Thanks to whomever posted that poll so we could DU it!

[Jose Diablo]

114. Yuk Yuk Yuk on Frist's up-down poll

:toast:

[soup]

118. about 10,000 responses 60% NO.

sweet.

on edit: 10,000? did I hear that correctly? or did he say A thousand (1000)? my subject line may be misleading.

[althecat]

106. Go DU.... wasn't that the poll being unfreeped around here

[eleny]

112. Many of us cast a vote...

yes.

[in_cog_ni_to]

109. Up or Down vote on judicial nominees?

60% NO ....on up or down Judicial Nominee from Frists own web site! Haryy Reid is awesome! Good move!

[Mattforclark]

117. 79% now

Get Reid's figures updated!

[in_cog_ni_to]

113. My Senator Durbin!!!!!

Should we find out how FOX NEWS will orchestrate the rest of this? How KEWL!

[mndemocrat_29]

119. I know

That was so cool!

[Tatiana]

115. LMAO!

Reid mentioned Frist's poll showing that people think there are more important things to do than have a 30 hour marathon on Bush's 4 judicial nominees.

[mndemocrat_29]

116. Did anyone know what Ted Stevens was just threatening?

He said something to Harry Reid about losing the right to the floor.

[in_cog_ni_to]

120. woohoo! Reid

won't yield! This is priceless.

[kiahzero]

121. I missed the stuff about FAUX news...

could someone please explain what they said?

[BuckeFushe]

124. FAUX sent an email asking Frist to coordinate the "walk in" to

coincide with Britt Humes opening of his show.

[mndemocrat_29]

122. Di Fi is on

n/t

[goobergunch]

123. Feinstein up for 12 minutes (n/t)

[BuckeFushe]

127. Diane F needs some speed, to methodical

n/t

[tishaLA]

125. Damn my cable service!

CSPAN2 is only on part of the day and now they have Fox Sports2 on that channel now. I have to watch thison the internet, and since my DSL is down, I am screwed! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[in_cog_ni_to]

129. Here watch online....

http://www.c-span.org/watch/cspan2_rm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS2

[Tatiana]

126. New thread???

This one is getting long...

[goobergunch]

128. THREAD #2 IS HERE

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=699771

[0007]

130. let it go until it gets to 200, 'eh?

[BuckeFushe]

131. A filibuster of one

How true, blue slips used by the THUGS, and they bitch about 4.

[Egnever]

133. just a kick

:kick: