ACTION ALERT: Going Nuclear, the Final Days from Daily Kos

[Pirate Smile]

ACTION ALERT: Going Nuclear, the Final Days
by Elwood Dowd


Tue Mar 29th, 2005 at 15:00:33 PST

John3 posted a diary today (Those Salivating Liberals) about Donald Wildmon and the American Family Association sending and e-mail alert that says the Senate will vote on judicial filibusters (the "nuclear option") in the next few days. We received a call from the Sierra Club today urging us to tell our Senator our views on the filibuster rule.
We were surprised by the bankruptcy bill. Let's not be surprised here.

Diaries :: Elwood Dowd's diary ::

The filibuster ruling won't appear on the legislative calendar as such -- it will be raised in the course of discussing a judical nomination. Here is my understanding of how this plays out. Those more knowledgable, please correct as necessary.

The presiding officer, VP Cheney, will be asked whether Senate Rule 22, which requires 60 votes to end debate, applies in the case of judicial nominations. Cheney will say: No, the Constitution specifically calls out the advise and consent role for judicial nominations, and therefore the rule does not apply. Then, his ruling will be challenged. If the challenge does not get 51 votes, the filibuster on judicial nominations will be discarded onto the ash heap of history.

Unlike (say) the bankruptcy bill, this vote offers no opportunities for gamesmanship. No 'vote for the amendment, but then vote for cloture' opportunity. Senators who vote to support the Cheney ruling are giving the GOP carte blanche on federal court judges.

If your Senator is 'in play' on this, contact his or her office.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/29/18033/8498

Online Directory for Contacting Congress
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

[bearfan454]

1. If they get away with this,

We will be up shit creek. Is there some non support on their side too ?

[Pirate Smile]

2. The last I read, Frist only had 49 votes and some of the Republicans

were "up in the air" on the issue. He would only need one more.

I think I need to contact Grassley.

[Cyrano]

3. Republicans don't grasp that they won't always be in power.

Unless of course they sieze it and declare the Constitution null and void.

Short of that, they will live to regret their actions once they are in the minority. To which I might add, screw 'em.

[bearfan454]

6. I think they grasp that electronic voting machines will keep them in power

as long as the Dems continue to do nothing.

[bahrbearian]

11. Exactly ,, lets play hard ball when it our turn, dumb f**ks

[GreenPoet64]

4. I wrote my senators--gotta keep this one kicked!

:kick:

[snippy]

5. Unfortunately, we need to exploit the Schiavo case in this fight.

The Schiavo case is a timely warning of what will happen if the GOP is successful on the nuclear option. The 20 or 30 judges who have participated in the Schiavo case are the type of judges the republicans what to eliminate. There are lots of reprhensible quotes from some of the more repulsive republicans about these judges. If democrats lose this vote, Bush will appoint judges who would have forced Schiavo's feeding tube to be reinserted.

[bearfan454]

7. Exactly.

He will stack the courts worse than Reagan did.

[burythehatchet]

8. Maybe its old age

but shit like this no longer bothers me. I know for a fact that nothing is as it may seem. Right now, everything the clowns does is backfiring on them.

[Coloradan4Truth]

9. I Wrote Ken Salazar

I don't know where he's at on this, but I let him know how I feel.

:kick:

[oncall]

10. Filiblog!!!!!!!!!!!! Go to Democracy Cell Project.net to get more info

the blogs are being called on to save the filabuster. it's called FILABLOGGING. We could end up with some really UNWORTHY people on the bench--for lifetime appointments!!!!!


It's Time to Begin the Filiblog!!
Senator Bill Frist is sitting on his nuclear option. The filibuster is in danger. Right now, the future of the filibuster rests in the hands of a few Senators--and, of course, US.


Because after all, THEY WORK FOR US. So no matter who you voted for, or what your persuasions are--take the time to think about this issue. Really think. Do you want checks and balances? Do you want discussion of judgeships? Or are you thinking that it is a good thing to rush appointments to the Federal bench through without much discussion?


The Democracy Cell Project is inviting all other blogs to begin what we are pleased to introduce as the FILIBLOG.


RALLY THE FILIBLOGSTERS


We are calling out to all of you, become filiblogsters by contacting the Senate and let them know how you feel about using the nuclear option in the confirming of judges. If the filibuster is to survive, the time to filiblog is now. Phone, fax, and e-mail your concerns and comments.


www.senate.gov


Senator Bill Frist
509 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington D. C. 20510
202-224-3344
202-228-1264 (fax)
In Nashville
615-352-9411
615-352-9985 (fax)


You can start with Senator Frist and keep the filiblog going by contacting your own senators: www.senate.gov


FILIBLOG TODAY TO SAVE THE FILIBUSTER!

[Nothing Without Hope]

12. What do you bet, the Poodle Press is going to try to slip this huge vote

under the rug of distraction. Whatever celebrity scandal du jour will be played loudly to cover what could be the hammering of another nail into the coffin of democracy in this country. It would be a huge blow to checks and balances in both the legislative (with its independence already mostly destroyed) and the judicial branches (because they can pack the courts with their corrupt goons).

Nominated for Greatest. Of course.

[GreenPoet64]

13. kick & nominated

:kick: