It's almost time for battle...

Almost time for Senator Frist and the other regressive republicans in Congress to spring the nuclear option on us. Now that Terri Schiavo will soon pass away, Frist and Delay can blame her death on "activist judges" who murdered her by refusing to connect her feeding tube, or something equally incendiary. Then they will tell their people that the only way to ensure that Terri did not die in vain is to get some good Christian, pro-life judges in the Supreme Court, so this can never happen again. But to do that, they will need to enact the nuclear option, wiping out any ability by democrats to filibuster the most radical nominees. Which brings us all to what is going to happen in the Senate next week.

Thankfully, the tide is beginning to turn. The Washington Times recently reported that Frist is one vote short of the support he needs to wipe out the filibuster. Just one vote! Our very own Senator Warner is one of those who I believe will not support wiping out the filibuster. Based on what I heard as part of a citizens' lobby meeting with his staff, the Senator understands the full implications of this radical maneuver. This will certainly poison the well between republicans and democrats, who's support is still needed when it comes time to discuss tax reform, social security and other critical issues. Senator Frist would do well to remember that next week, if he is still planning to 'go nuclear' on us, that is.

There is NO vote in the senate that is going to be more important than this one. It will determine the balance of power in the supreme court for decades, which will determine the makeup of the country for decades as well. If you want to help, its not too late. You can call your senators and write letters to the editor to let all of them know what the score is. The Regressives have control of two branches of our government and next week, they're going after the third. They don't care if they have to break a rule or 2 to do it; the ends justify the means when you're building a one-party state.

MAJORITY of Americans don't consider these judges as "activists". They AGREE with the decisions.

and a womans right to choose not in the Rabid Radical Right to interfere and dictate. They agree with the judges decisions to allow the brain dead to die. They do not believe that the radical fringe should dictate to the mute majority.

This will be issue numero uno for the neocon repigs-- they will froth at the mouth and organize their base around the "martyrdom" of Terri Schiavo. Count on it.

because more and more peoole need to get over the particulars and realize this is an attack on the principles of Federarism as well

the moderate and extreme RW repubs is over. There is gonna be a fight, but it won't be on party lines. Maybe they will eat their children.

I know atleast 6 GOP senators are breaking ranks on this issue. If Frist goes ahead with the vote on the option, he could overreach and force a schism in the party. It's pretty unlikely that it would happen because of this issue alone, but depending on how fed up those 6 are, it could be the straw that broke the elephant's back.

I think John McCain will go along with Frist. McCain has sold his soul for a run in '08.

his support of the nuclear option. We would all do well to write him and thank him for his change of heart. Knowing he has support behind him to keep firm on this decision will help him and us. You know the Repuke are going to be taking the screws to him to get him back on their side and further push this as a bi-partisan issue.

He was opposed to the fillibuster and just recently said he was considering supporting keep debating vote.

Thats what I remember.

Here's the Washington Times story, witht the names of the 6 senators who are probably not going to vote with the party on this:

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050323-121608-8533r.htm

Maybe it would be a good idea to start a calling/letter writing campaign to the 6 of them, just to tell them that they're doing the right thing. I will try to get their numbers later, gotta go to work right now. peace y'all

in the great steaming stream of lies that are about to shower over us about an "out of control judiciary".

I hope everyone has their umbrellas!

they did a pretty good job of catching the synchronicity between schiavo and judicial nominations. hope the rest of em don't drop the ball tho

I almost hope they'll throw the nuclear switch so that we can rise up and fall upon them with vengeful fury.

I don't think many senators are above bribery and kickbacks, do you?

It seems like the senators opposing this have to be pretty principled in the first place to stand up against their own party like this. Of course, we saw how those two chickenshit Democrats from Hawaii sold out on ANWR for their own state's interests.

Im just praying that Warner et al stick to their guns on this. It's coming down to crunch time quick, and the fate of the supreme court (and our country) rests on so little.

I still remain weary of what could happen. If nearly half the Senate Democrats can break for the bankruptcy bill, then why should I be anymore convinced that no one else will break here?

You're right though, all's fair in politics and war. Frist could very well find something to bribe one of the democrats or holdout repubs with. That's why we have to keep the heat on them all the more these last few days.

Never give up y'all. Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better.

why would they do this?

They will vote for judges that are neo-federalists that will serve as a veto over future progressive legislation as well as remove certain civil rights already establish through legal precedents. This battle is it. Its for the future of democracy in the US. Our family plans on making alternate plans to spend the rest of lives somewhere else should they end filibustering. Here is Reid's letter to Frist. Hope the dems hold (there can be no compromise on this).
http://interactive.pfaw.org/pdf/reid_letter_filibuster.pdf