FILIBLOGGING ALERT: Protecting the Filibuster

FYI: This has been diaried over at Daily Kos.

Thanks Casey. I'm on it...especially since last night's Un-Justice Sunday program apparently reached 61 million people. Every call and letter helps!

Frist Urges End to Nominee Filibusters
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/24/AR2005042400415.html
--snip--
Tensions are rising in the Senate over filibusters of judicial nominees, and a showdown seems imminent. Frist has called the filibusters intolerable, saying they prevent senators from giving the president the "advice and consent" called for in the Constitution. Frist, who is considering a 2008 presidential bid, is threatening to change Senate rules to ban filibusters of judicial nominees. Democrats say they would retaliate by bringing most Senate business to a halt.
--snip--
Democrats and liberal religious groups said Frist should have played no role in the heavily promoted broadcast.

"Senator Frist's words today were less important than his giving the imprimatur to this conference, which clearly argues that people of one viewpoint have God on their side and all others are faithless," said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). "This will only make his job as Senate leader more difficult."
--snip--
Frist's role in the broadcast drew criticism.

"I think Senator Frist may have made as big a strategic political blunder in embracing Justice Sunday as he did in the Terri Schiavo case," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He was referring to Congress's effort to intercede in a brain-damaged Florida woman's case, which polls showed to be unpopular.

"The people he's dealing with are not going to rest until there's a constitutional Armageddon in which the religious right controls all three branches of government," Lynn said.

Democrats have used the filibuster -- which can be stopped with 60 votes in the 100-member Senate -- to block confirmation votes for 10 of Bush's appellate court nominees. Democrats say the 10 are outside the political mainstream. Bush renominated seven of them this year; Democrats have vowed to filibuster them again, and Frist's party, which holds 55 Senate seats, does not have the votes to stop them.

The philosophies and inclinations of federal judges have become increasingly vital to activist groups on the left and right. They see the courts as crucial arbiters in topics such as abortion, same-sex marriage, school prayer, gun rights and scores of other matters.
--snip--
In his speech, Frist singled out appellate court nominee Priscilla R. Owen of Texas for special praise, suggesting she may become the contested nominee at the focus of the looming showdown. Democratic opponents say Owen went beyond the law in her opinion dealing with abortions for minors. Owen, whose portrait was prominently displayed on the church stage here along with a few other blocked nominees, has disputed the accusation.

Anyone in DC going to this Center for American Progress event?

Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)

Professor Michael Gerhardt, Professor, William & Mary School of Law

Norman Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute

Moderated by:

John Podesta, President and CEO, Center for American Progress

When:

Monday, April 25, 2005
Program: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Admission is free.

Center for American Progress
1333 H Street NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Nearest Metro: Blue/Orange: McPherson Square, Red: Metro Center

Click here to RSVP.
or call (202) 741-6268

Make it easy to do your 5 minutes for Democracy:

The People's Email Network FILIBUSTER DEFENSE

There is a fringe group in America who has a vision of our government as a dictatorship, without any of the checks and balances our founders had the wisdom to create over 200 years ago. And the most cynical part is that it has NOTHING to do with people of faith. This is all about people either too biased or too corrupt to be trusted with lifetime appointments to our federal courts, including a judge lacking even the ethics to recuse herself in cases involving her own campaign contributors.

The filibuster exists precisely to protect the minority from being abused by a bare majority. How much more important is this where the TRUE majority of our people are OPPOSED to the radical and dangerous agenda being pushed by the current administration? Those who would seek to usurp all power in our country know they can never win over the American people on the merits. Not satisfied with a court system already stacked with their own nominees, they are obsessed with breaking the rules to lurch even further to the right. They MUST be stopped NOW.

http://www.usalone.com/filibuster.htm

Did they not hear us hear us the first time we told them a small number of their proposed nominees were TOTALLY unacceptable? Do they have to hear from each and every one of us in person for them to get the message? Well, maybe they do. And that's why it is so important for all of us speak out now by submitting the form above and tell them once and for all that no means no!

This is another battle we are SUPPOSED to win. The other side has internal polls that show them far behind in public opinion. But our true majority will only continue to prevail if we keep speaking out at every opportunity. If you want to do more to support this movement we have even have an action form you can put on your own website and having working in just a minute. Simply download the zip archive below, unzip it and follow the easy instructions

http://www.usalone.com/qnum32_form.zip

Need Ammo? From Center for American Progress:

LETTING COLLEAGUES DO THE DIRTY WORK: Sen. Frist shied away from attacks on the judiciary by saying, "When we think judicial decisions are outside mainstream American values, we will say so … the balance of power among all three branches requires respect – not retaliation. I won't go along with that." Frist may claim not to go along with it, but a man is often judged by the company he keeps. Focus on the Family's Chairman James Dobson – who also participated in the event – recently compared the Supreme Court to the KKK, chided the Court's majority as "unelected and unaccountable and arrogant and imperious and determined to redesign the culture according to their own biases and values, and they're out of control." Furthermore, both Dobson and Perkins have been caught plotting how to undermine judges with whom they disagree.

Just sent a letter to Norm Coleman (R-MN) letting him know my thoughts on the filibuster. He is undoubtedly getting a lot of pressure from Republican 'leadership' to support the ban.

We'll see if he listens.

How about this?

From a commenter to the Filliblogging Diary:

The following is a list the Family Research Council, the nuts that brought you 'Justice Sunday,' has posted on its website urging their nuts to call and support the Nuclear Option.
Well, let's do just the opposite. Call everyone on this list and tell then to OPPOSE the Nuclear Option.

Alaska - Sen. Murkowski - 202-224-6665
Arizona - Sen. McCain - 202-224-2235
Arkansas - Sen. Pryor - 202-224-2353
Arkansas - Sen. Lincoln - 202-224-4843
Colorado - Sen. Salazar - 202-224-5852
Connecticut - Sen. Lieberman - 202-224-4041
Florida - Sen. Nelson - 202-224-5274
Indiana - Sen. Lugar -202-224-4814
Indiana - Sen. Bayh - 202-224-5623
Louisiana - Sen. Landrieu - 202-224-5824
Maine - Sen. Collins - 202-224-2523
Maine - Sen. Snowe - 202-224-5344
Nebraska - Sen. Hagel - 202-224-4224
Nebraska - Sen. Nelson - 202-224-6551
Nevada - Sen. Reid - 202-224-3542
New Hampshire - Sen. Sununu - 202-224-2841
North Dakota - Sen. Dorgan - 202-224-2551
North Dakota - Sen. Conrad - 202-224-2043
Ohio - Sen. Dewine - 202-224-2315
Oregon - Sen. Smith - 202-224-3753
Rhode Island - Sen. Chafee - 202-224-2921

-------

Good idea!!

Also, don't forget to go over to Daily Kos and hit the recommend button for Casey' Diary. The more people that do it, the greater likeliehood it will get moved to the front page, and wwouldn't that be great for democracy!!

Here's the linkie for the Diary. Also, don't be shy about dropping around other blogs and letting them know all about the Filiblogging we have going.

I have already dropped over to Kos and Eschaton. If you leave a message on other blogs, it would good to come back here and post it so as to avoid cross-posting (which is pretty irritating).

I am halfway though my list. I can tell they are getting alot of calls, so let's go guys!!

(putting down pom poms, picking up phone now)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/25/10526/8952

I posted at Kos, on the jibsail thread, and at DriveDemocracy.org.

WIll call later (When not from a government agency)

On Wednesday, thousands will gather at emergency rallies across the nation to send a clear message: Americans want fair judges, not extremists appointed to favor corporate interests and right-wing fringe groups.

We'll gather in front of courthouses and federal buildings to send a clear message: Americans want fair judges, not extremists appointed to favor corporate interests and right-wing fringe groups.

Sign up now for a rally in your state:

http://www.moveonpac.org/event/judicialrallies/

posted the filiblog stuff over at Think Progress...

that's a great site for those of you that haven't checked it out.

I love that site VE.

I know. They're fabulous. Never miss a day.

Also, when you call the offices, please be sure to thank the person you talk to for the work that they do for democracy. Every single person there could be making a bunch more cash working in the private sector then they are working for democracy.

That's true of the opposition too, so even if you are calling the offices of moderate members of the opposition, please take the time to let them know you appreciate their work, too. They don't get to hear it very much and they really appreciate the props.

Another fast option:

The "nuclear option" sounds like something out of a Tom Clancy novel. I wish it was fiction, but sadly, it's real. As it stands, Senate Republicans have a narrow majority that's not big enough to get their extremist judges approved. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's (R-TN)
solution to this "problem" is called the "nuclear option" - so named for the explosive consequences it's expected to have on the chamber if enacted. Its purpose is to change Senate rules and silence Democrats by eliminating the filibuster. Take Action: http://www.care2.com/go/z/23377

Great Account from the Freedom AND Faith Rally aka Social Justice Sunday

A DailyKos.com poster going by “mad ramblings of a sane woman” has put up a great diary reporting from the Freedom AND Faith rally. Here are some highlights, but check out the full diary to see all the pics.

Louisville, KY - Notes from the Freedom and Faith Rally
by mad ramblings of a sane woman

The event was held at the beautiful Central Presbyterian Church on Kentucky Ave.

As we approached the church we saw Jim Wallis being interviewed by FOX, don’t know if it was national or local affiliate. We sat in the third row on the left, of course, and the seats around us quickly filled. Before long the upper balconey on the right was filled with the Voices of Kentuckiana and the left and rear with more participants. People had brought various signs.

George Lakoff must have helped design the blue and white banner backdrop which had the “Freedom and Faith” phrase in big bold letters at the top and then in smaller lettering, the phrase was repeated on the rest of the banner. Lots of press were in attendance with 6 TV cameras in the back, 3 in the front, reporters milling about and print photogs snapping pics. Both a reporter from the NY times and LA Times were querying audience members before the rally began. By 2:30pm the church was filled to capacity with people sitting on the steps up to the balcony, standing along the walls of the church, waiting in the vestibule and then spilling outside, down the steps.

Read the rest on Kos.

http://dailykos.com/story/2005/4/25/82719/4426

Catch John Kerry's national tour for Kids First.
We'll see him twice next week - first at Governor Chris Gregoire Legal Defense Fundraiser (with Teresa), then at Town Hall for a public meeting.

This is local, from Senator Patty Murray, but watch for this to come to your area.

On Monday, May 2nd at 9:30 am, my friend Sen. John Kerry will join me in Seattle on his national tour to highlight the crisis facing America on children's health care and promote the Kids First bill to provide health care coverage to the 11 million children currently uninsured in America. I'm proud to have Senator Kerry join me, as well as health care leaders and members of the Kids First coalition at a town hall meeting to discuss children's health care and his Kids First bill. He is coming to Seattle to hear from people who are living without health care for their families every day and to talk about how we can join together to help cover Washington's kids.

http://www.johnkerry.com/Seattle

BUSINESS AND CHAMBER AGAINST NUCLEAR OPTION:

"The country's leading business lobbying associations, close GOP allies in recent legislative efforts and political campaigns, have told senior Republicans that they would not back the Frist initiative to force votes on President Bush's judicial nominees.

Business leaders say they fear the move would lead to a shutdown of Senate action on long-awaited priorities — as Democrats have threatened if Frist moves ahead with a rule change that they say would drastically alter the traditions of a body designed to respect the rights of the minority party.

"If we do that, then all else is going to stop," Thomas J. Donohue, head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said during a meeting with reporters Friday.

He then reeled off a list of business priorities that could be delayed for months in the resulting partisan uproar. He expressed the same concerns directly to Frist's office in recent days.

The lack of support from business presents a dilemma for Frist, who wants to build ties with the Republican base ahead of his likely 2008 presidential bid but now must balance competing demands from two pillars of Republican politics: evangelicals, who can marshal millions of voters, and businesses, which donate millions of dollars. Both groups played pivotal roles in securing Bush's reelection last year and expanding the GOP majority in Congress — and both have made clear that they expect to be rewarded."

Did anyone catch Specter yesterday on Wolfe Blitzen. I caught the end of the interview and got the impression that he will bow to the religious right and Frist on the filibuster. Without Specter,I just don't see how we get to 51. I would not count on both Hagel and Voinovich.

May be I am just being pesimmistic but I caught Senator Biden saying he was ready to cave and allow 5 of 7 right wing judges in. I just don't trust Bident to stand and fight for our values.

Apparently John Warner and Smith from Oregon are on the fence about the nulcear option. Warner is our best shot b/c I suspect he may retire in '06 because to the best of my knowledge he is not announced yet for re election.

"There is no justification for allowing the blocking of nominees who are well qualified and broadly supported," Dick Cheney told the Republican National Lawyers Association. "The tactics of the last few years, I believe, are inexcusable."

"Let me emphasize, the decision about how to proceed will be made by the Republican leadership in the Senate," Cheney said.

"But if the Senate majority decides to move forward and if the issue is presented to me in my elected office as president of the Senate and presiding officer, I will support bringing those nominations to the floor for an up or down vote."

Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, said the White House "has stepped over the line by interfering with the Senate to reduce checks and balances."

"The White House has always wanted to reduce the Senate's power and the fact that Vice President Cheney is encouraging this abuse of power should strengthen the Senate's resolve to resist," Schumer said.

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's Off To War We Go..

This country's most expendable commodity is its children and, with few exceptions, Americans appear to be both senseless and blind.

By Sheila Samples

They're coming after our children -- sweeping them all up -- bullying them at schools, stalking them, offering them big bucks to join the military. And there's no one to stop them. Servile Americans, even those who can still see, feel helpless. When faced with the decision to stand up and speak up, or give up their children, they are bombarded from all sides with strident demands for patriotism so, like their counterparts of empirical Rome, Americans await their fate -- their children's fate -- in silent despair. Continue

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8646.htm

SOME HONESTY AT LAST BUT DONT COUNT ON CABLE OR THE MEDIA FOR YOUR TRUTH

Sen. Kerry on C-Span 2 NOW (on energy independence)!!!!!

I love Harry Reid...

=======================================
From Harry Reid's office - courtest of KOS

As a matter of comity, the Minority in the Senate traditionally defers to the Majority in the setting of the agenda. If Bill Frist pulls the nuclear trigger, Democrats will show deference no longer.

Invoking a little-known Senate procedure called Rule XIV, last week Democrats put nine bills on the Senate calendar that seek to help America fulfill its promise.

If Republican's break the rules Democrats will use the rule to bring to the Senate floor an agenda that meets the needs of average Americans, such as lowering gas prices, reducing the cost of health care and helping veterans.

"Across the country, people are worried about things that matter to their families - the health of their loved ones, their child's performance in schools, and those sky high gas prices," said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid. "But what is the number one priority for Senate Republicans? Doing away with the last check on one-party rule in Washington to allow President Bush, Senator Frist and Tom Delay to stack the courts with radical judges. If Republicans proceed to pull the trigger on the nuclear option, Democrats will respond by employing existing Senate rules to push forward our agenda for America."

Democrats have introduced bills that address America's real challenges. (Details attached)

1. Women's Health Care (S. 844). "The Prevention First Act of 2005" will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions by increasing funding for family planning and ending health insurance discrimination against women.

2. Veterans' Benefits (S. 845). "The Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005" will assist disabled veterans who, under current law, must choose to either receive their retirement pay or disability compensation.

3. Fiscal Responsibility (S. 851). Democrats will move to restore fiscal discipline to government spending and extend the pay-as-you-go requirement.

4. Relief at the Pump (S. 847). Democrats plan to halt the diversion of oil from the markets to the strategic petroleum reserve. By releasing oil from the reserve through a swap program, the plan will bring down prices at the pump.

5. Education (S. 848). Democrats have a bill that will: strengthen head start and child care programs, improve elementary and secondary education, provide a roadmap for first generation and low-income college students, provide college tuition relief for students and their families, address the need for math, science and special education teachers, and make college affordable for all students.

6. Jobs (S. 846). Democrats will work in support of
legislation that guarantees overtime pay for workers and sets a fair minimum wage.

7. Energy Markets (S. 870). Democrats work to prevent Enron-style market manipulation of electricity.

8. Corporate Taxation (S. 872). Democrats make sure companies pay their fair share of taxes to the U.S. government instead of keeping profits overseas.

9. Standing with our troops (S. 11). Democrats believe that putting America's security first means standing up for our troops and their families

"Abusing power is not what the American people sent us to Washington to do. We need to address real priorities instead -- fight for relief at the gas pump, stronger schools and lower health care costs for America's families," said Senator Reid.

================

Former Vice President Gore to Deliver Major Policy Speech; MoveOn PAC Media Advisory for Wednesday, April 27
4/25/2005 2:20:00 PM

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor
Contact: Trevor Fitzgibbon, Steve Smith, Alex Howe, 202-822-5200, all for Fenton Communications

News Advisory:

Former Vice President Gore to Deliver Major Policy Speech: Republican Attempt to Force Judicial Nominations a "Poison Pill for American Democracy"

Speech Accompanied by MoveOn PAC Rallies in Over Forty States, TV Ad of Stampeding Elephants

WHAT: MoveOn PAC Media Advisory for Noon, Wednesday, April 27th

Former Vice President Al Gore, in his first major policy address since the election, will address MoveOn PAC members about Republican attempts to appoint radical judges to courts across the country. The speech, coming on what could be the eve of Majority Leader Bill Frist's attempt to break over 200 years of tradition and eliminate the filibuster of judicial nominations, will keynote a day of action that will include rallies in over forty states and release of a new television ad.

Gore will lay out the role of the filibuster and its important role in American democracy. Furthermore, he will explain how this latest move by the Republican party is an historic threat to the health and vitality of America and could perhaps be the beginning of the end of meaningful debate in the U.S. Senate.

When: Wednesday, April 27 at noon

Where: Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Avenue, NW (between D and E Streets on New Jersey Ave, NW), Washington D.C.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=46348

Trent Lott, May 2003:

GOP leaders also are considering trying to change the filibuster rule from the chair of the Senate, which would require only a simple majority vote to approve if Democrats challenged the ruling.

That tactic is known as the "nuclear option." Democrats have warned of "fallout" if Republicans resort to that maneuver.

"I'm for the nuclear option, absolutely," Lott has said. "The filibuster of federal district and circuit judges cannot stand. ... It's bad for the institution. It's wrong. It's not supportable under the Constitution. And if they insist on persisting with these filibusters, I'm perfectly prepared to blow the place up. No problem."

Link to full story:

http://orig.clarionledger.com/news/0305/23/m05.html

================
Interesting choice of words, isn't it?

I spent the day doing the triple. I called Senate offices. I faxed Senate offices and I e-mailed senate offices. There is a lot of coldness out there. You won't feel the love, but you have to get past it, and express your views. This is the text of the e-mail I sent. To EVERY Republican senator. (Specter and Santorum got my own special 'I live here' message)

my e-mail............

I am writing to you today about the filibuster and the Republican threat to use the 'nuclear option' This is a travesty that cannot be allowed to take place. Please, uphold democracy, be a statesman, not a rubber stamp. Do the right thing by our beloved Constitution. You must understand that the nuclear option, if used for the judges who are clearly not suited for lifetime jobs on the federal bench, if elevated in this manner, will always be suspect in their worthiness. Be fair to your Democratic and Independent constituents. You speak for all of us, not just the people from your party. I cannot stress how important it is, that you uphold the separation of church and state. The right wing religious groups that have been active and are now expecting payback are a danger to our fundemental freedoms. You must work to silence their overwrought examples of Godliness. No God would act as they have. They are not on the side of good. They are using good people and they are using our government. Not for the common good, but for their thirst for power and dominance. Please, begin by saving the filibuster, and move on by leaving behind the God-ridden people who could hurt all of us.

I thank you.
________________________________________

Next up---Steeling the resolve of the Dems. Write and call them too, let them know we support them.

Bill Frist is a strong supporter of Bush's Social Security Privatization plan...

Read on to find out how well Bill's investments did in the stock market.

==========================
Frist Political Fund Can't Cover Bank Loan
Senator's Investment in Stock Market Has Lost $460,000 in Value Since 2000

By Dan Morgan and Brian Faler
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, December 2, 2004; Page A02

A campaign fund controlled by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) has lost almost $460,000 in stock market investments since 2000 and now does not have enough to cover a sizable bank loan, according to federal election records and the manager of the Frist account.

Link to full story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26558-2004Dec1.html

====================================
Oh... the irony...

Read Bill Frist's press release from March talking up the stock market's potential for increasing SS retirement accounts:

http://www.volpac.org/news/news.asp?id=560

========================

Guess he forgot about the $460,000 his own campaign fund lost in the stock market... in December of 2004...

Hey all from Chuck in Oakland (enroute from Baku via Portland to Houston):

This is the one I plan to post to my Oregon senators, please feel free to comment (or not!), as I want to go ahead and send it in an hour or so:

Dear Senator [Wyden/Smith]:

I am a registered Oregon voter (3290 Precinct) and am writing to request that you vote to maintain the current Senate framework with respect to filibusters. I am not a student of the issue, but I understand that the current framework has developed over pretty much the entire history of our Republic (http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Filibuster_Cloture.htm)

A quick perusal of that history testifies that the filibuster transcends any partisan tendency, and in fact, reflecting the inherently conservative (in the Burkean sense) nature of the Senate, serves as an essential break, or “time-out” as we parents often like to say, on partisan passions of the moment. To my mind, this provision reflects the genius of American democracy – reconciling individual rights, in this case in the sense of a significant and mainstream minority as reflected in the composition of the Senate – with the sometimes conflicting notion of majority rule or popular sovereignty. This genius in turn reflects a more profound American genius, which is the art of compromise. I believe maintaining a sense of community and social cohesion in our great Republic requires that we measure ten times before we cut the cloth with respect to any issue of vital importance on which there exists in the country a significant divergence of opinion, and that the current filibuster framework in the U.S. Senate is perhaps the single most important procedural rule for maintaining that sense. While a majority at any given moment may feel that its goals are more important than maintaining that underlying sense of community, I very strongly believe that that is a dangerous illusion.

Sometimes, process is as, if not more, important than substance. I very deeply believe that this is one of those times and, as a constituent, very strongly urge you not to vote to destroy a key safety valve of democracy, namely, the institution of the filibuster in the U.S. Senate.

Respectfully yours,

[etc.]

Great work Casey! We'll get there one of these days.

Chuck in Oakland

Barbara Boxer just said on the Senate floor that she was "foolish" when she supported ending the fillibuster years ago. She said she took that position at the time because, as a freshman Senator, she felt frustrated by Republicans thwarting all the things the dems wanted to do.

This is Chuck in Oakland with one quick query (sorry, I'm a little short on time to do a proper research on my own):

Is this Frist initiative explicit with respect to advise and consent or is it more general?

Thanks,

Chuck

Boy, not that it matters, but as I research this Frist filibuster thing on Truthout.org, Biden is quickly becoming my favorite Republican in the Senate (followed by Lieberman, then Hagel, Lugar, and the New England ones).

Chuck in Oakland

Chuck again:

And my Senator Smith in Oregon isn't horrible either.

Chuck,

Frist's "nuclear option" would apply to fillibusters of JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS ONLY, changing the number of votes needed for cloture (ending fillibuster) from the current supermajority of 60 votes to a simple majority of 51 votes. Fillibusters on matters other than judicial nominations would still require a supermajority for cloture.

Does this answer your question?

Chuck in Oakland for Bob Evans:

Hey Bob, thanks very much, and it certainly does anwser my question. It confirms what my new sense of this is, after glancing at some truthout.org stuff. I guess President Kennedy, I think it was, was right when he stated that protecting democracy requires eternal vigilance. Here's my revised last paragraphs, which I hope to have out within the hour, to both D-Wyden and the les-than-horrible R-Smith:

"This genius in turn reflects a more profound American genius, which is the art of compromise. I believe maintaining a sense of community and social cohesion in our great Republic requires that we measure ten times before we cut the cloth with respect to any issue of vital importance on which there exists in the country a significant divergence of opinion, and that the current filibuster framework in the U.S. Senate is perhaps the single most important procedural rule for maintaining that sense. While a majority at any given moment may feel that its goals are more important than maintaining that underlying sense of community, I very strongly believe that that is a dangerous illusion. All of this is even more important with respect to advice and consent on judicial appointments, as this represents perhaps the most critical interface to our three branches of government.

"As Senate Majority Leader Senator Frist has said: “Emotions are running high on both sides, and it reveals once again our country's desperate need for more civility in political life….” (as quoted by Frank James, The Chicago Tribune, Monday 25 April 2005). Well, by dismissing the considered and deeply held convictions of a very significant portion of the electorate, the Senate in effect is spitting in the faces of those folks.

"Sometimes, process is as, if not more, important than substance. I very deeply believe that this is one of those times and, as a constituent, I very strongly urge you not to vote to destroy a key safety valve of democracy, namely, the institution of the filibuster in the U.S. Senate with respect to the Senate's obigation of advice and consent on judicial nominees. These appoitments are for life.

"Respectfully Yours, [etc.]"

Chuck in Oakland

Chuck in Oakland for Casey:

Done! And in a last-second moment of inspiration I added "Don't override Fail-Safe," for any Hank Fonda fans out there.

And I do feel better.

Thanks again, Casey.

Chuck in Oakland

ChuckOnTheRoadAgain,

This one's for you:

Americans Oppose Senate Rule Changes, Poll Shows

By Richard Morin and Dan BalzWashington Post Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2005; 4:59 PM

As the Senate moves toward a major confrontation over judicial appointments, a strong majority of Americans oppose changing the rules to make it easier for Republican leaders to win confirmation of President Bush's court nominees, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News Poll.
[snip]

But by a 2-1 margin, the public rejected easing Senate rules in a way that would make it harder for Democratic senators to prevent final action on Bush's nominees. Even many Republicans were reluctant to abandon current Senate confirmation procedures: Nearly half opposed any rules changes, joining eight in 10 Democrats and seven in 10 political independents, the poll found.

The wide ranging survey also recorded a precipitous decline in support for the centerpiece of Bush's Social Security plan -- private or personal accounts -- despite the fact that the president and other administration officials have been stumping the country as part of a 60-day blitz to mobilize support. The Post-ABC poll found that a bare majority -- 51 percent -- now oppose such accounts while 45 percent support them.

MORE:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2004/10/26/AR2005032201677.html

Frist, Reid Work on Judge-Approval Deal

17 minutes ago
By DAVID ESPO and JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON - In private talks with Majority Leader Bill Frist, the Senate's top Democrat has indicated a willingness to allow confirmation of at least two of President Bush's seven controversial appeals court nominees, but only as part of a broader compromise requiring Republicans to abandon threats to ban judicial filibusters, officials said Monday.

At the same time he offers to clear two nominees to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals for approval, officials said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., wants a third appointee to be replaced by an alternative who is preferred by Michigan's two Democratic senators.

The officials spoke only on condition of anonymity, citing the confidential nature of the conversations between the two leaders.

MORE:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=4&u=/ap/20050425/ap_on_go_co/filibuster_fight&sid=84439559

Doing my part filiblogging... here's a funny story to cheer you up:

I was talking to a Republican friend of mine. I say Republican, but really even she couldn't give you a reason why- she's very uninformed. Anyway, I've already gotten her to renounce Delay and Frist, and today I talked about how terrible Santorum was. After discussing him for a while she said she didn't like him and hoped he was defeated next year. I said, "Yes, you should hope that- he gives all Republicans a bad name." (thinking: "who doesn’t these days?") My friend then replied thoughtfully, "Yes. There seem to be a lot of those..." Then she continued, "Perhaps there's something different about the party I didn't realize before..." lol. See, people learn!

I'm going to ask a question that I've been wondering about for awhile now- I tried to ask it on other forums, but haven't gotten an answer. Is there a possibility of simply filibustering the "nuclear option" bill itself? I think we have the numbers we'd need in the Senate to do so, but why doesn't that seem to ever be mentioned?
Is there something I'm not aware of here? There may be some procedural thing that I don't know about, but if this is a bill that's coming up in the Senate, it seems to me that the bill itself is open to filibuster.
Is that not right?

Chuck in Oakland on the Road to Houston for Bob Evans:

Bob, thanks again. One thing I like about this blogging environment is that it let's us know that we are not alone in our concerns -- reading that WaPo story actually argues that here we are a good majority! And if NativeTexan keeps up the good work maybe our views will be respected by a majority in the House in 2006! One can always hope (I promise I'll pitch in once I figure out what district I'll end up in).

Well, got to go and get ready for the next leg to Phoenix. Thanks again to everybody for the hard work and moral support.

Chuck in Oakland.

Did anyone catch what Arlen Specter said about where he stands on the filibuster yesterday on Late Edition. His vote along with Warner's I belive are critical. I heard the tail end but it sounded like he said he was going to go along with Frist.

Also I heard Biden yesterday on This Week say he would go along with some compromise plan that would allow in 5 of 7 Bush Judicial Picks. Did others here pick up on that comment? In exchange for what Biden? A 'promise' by Frist that they won't bring up the nuclear option again, for what, another week. And how in the world could the Senate enforce such a compromise and why should we trust Republicans to not say oh we had our fingers crossed.
I heard Biden say he would agree to allow 5 of 7 Bush judges; the post above said 2 of 7. What a sell out by Biden. I hope all here remember this if Biden chooses to run for the Presidency in '08.

Posted by: Ira at April 25, 2005 08:11 PM

I think Specter and Warner, etc. should hear this quote:

"We cannot say, with detestable morality, “our party, right or wrong.” The time has gone by when gentlemen can expect to introduce among us the discipline of a camp. Loyalty to principle is higher than loyalty to party."
—Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, 1847

Posted by: Linda Enterkin at April 25, 2005 07:41 PM

Linda,

I believe something about how Frist/Cheney can just DECLARE a vote on this makes it so that we can't filibuster it. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I know that doesn't seem to be an option. Would be nice, though... filibustering the vote to end the filibuster.

I heard somewhere (NPR?) that Frist said they would not permit a filibuster on the nuclear option. They would vote on it by simple majority.

And really, who can blame them?

Well, maybe I can...anyone else?

Posted by: NativeTexan4Kerry at April 25, 2005 07:35 PM

Native,

Great job. Keep on talkin'!!!

There's a woman at work who voted for Bush and now is disappointed in her vote. More importantly, she's discovered the facist regime this country and the neoCONS are supporting. She is more likely to think about her vote before she casts for just one party in the future.

She is anti-choice, but she's come to realize that Bush and others made a choice to kill young men and women in Iraq and that their LIVES had value too.

She's watched them take away the option for people like her to declare bankruptsy without losing their home and she sees how they consign the average American to tent city and a Long SLOW starvation.

She's watched them take away jobs like hers! And then she's watched them not provide healthcare.

So there is hope that people learn from their mistakes.

Arianna Huffington is starting an "uber-blog" with all sorts of celebrities & big shots

Norman Mailer, David Mamet, Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Walter Cronkite, Gwyneth Paltrow, Harold Evans and Tina Brown are just a few of the 250-plus names recruited.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/news/0,12597,1470297,00.html

"round the clock," so they say

WASHINGTON - In private talks with Majority Leader Bill Frist, the Senate's top Democrat has indicated a willingness to allow confirmation of at least two of President Bush's seven controversial appeals court nominees, but only as part of a broader compromise requiring Republicans to abandon threats to ban judicial filibusters, officials said Monday.

Posted by: Bob Evans at April 25, 2005 07:35 PM

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In my own personal opinion, I don't think Frist will opt for the nuclear option, and here is my reason why:

The "Let's Make a Deal" deal gives the Religious Right a little of what they want, appeasing them a bit, and leaving the carrot dangling over their heads for '06, buying more time and insuring their support and vote in the future. In my opinion, if they use the option now, the R.R. will have what it wants the most - conservative judges. It would be much, much harder to motivate them in the future. And remember, this is not really about appeasing the R.R., it is about power. Also, without having the pro-choice argument to incite them, the truly devout people of religious persuasion would be "free" to be more aware of the moral depravity of this administration. It is easier to commit crimes shrouded beneath a "moral values" blanket. If many were awakened, they would be shouting moral values, but they would be aiming their shouts at the right.

Why take away that carrot when it is working so well? (Not to mention that it would probably be political suicide for Frist.)

So there is hope that people learn from their mistakes.

Posted by: sparrow at April 25, 2005 09:56 PM

Sparrow, thanks for posting that story. It is very encouraging when we hear of people starting to wake up.

I sure am encouraged by what I am experiencing happening around me, a little at a time. That Kool-Aid is addicting, though, and they've got to take it one day at a time.

Another lady being fooled in my setting is reaching out, and has sent me political e-mails. As soon as I am more sure of her, I will begin to share a bit.

First turned Reid down flat. It's all or nothing at all. These sentiments were echoed by political advisor to the prsident, Karl Rove (per CNN).