With "Nuclear Tuesday" coming up, and far-right cretins poised to rule --

-- the judicial system if the filibuster falls, I hope DUers will write to as many senators as they can squeeze into their schedule -- especially Republicans and the so-called Republican "moderates." Maybe a few Lieberman/Nelson-type Dems, too.

Senator Frist is trying to ride this vote into the history books and into the White House in 2008; this is as good a place as any to stop him in his tracks.

Whether you favor the filibuster or not, Frist's powergrab is raw, shameless, and self-serving.

The website for contacting all 100 U.S. Senators is here:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

= = = = =

This is an appeal to all progressives of any stripe who do not want Himmerlesque judges on the bench. We have until Tuesday, but emails sent now would be in senators' offices as the week begins.

Thanks to all.

...and if it is inevitable, which it seems that it will be, then how can democrats make the most of this GOP power-grab?

-- a compromise, but the partisan fumes might be too strong.

On the other hand, they may prevail, and give THE CAT BUTCHER an ultimatum: If you want to lead this body, you need to work with all 99 of your colleagues in the interests of the American people.

As opposed to grandstanding at Justice Sunday, media-humping Terry Schiavo, and advancing one's own self-interests at the expense of representative government.

My fingers are crossed.

...above, I wonder? And, out of the 12 republicans who see this and the 44 democrats who can't dare to deny it, how on earth can Frist pull this off with just 44 repukes in his pocket?

What makes me edgy and nervous is that I don't know he doesn't have them, either.

It's going to be a tough Tuesday to get through, I think.

What are your instincts telling you? Does Bill Frist have the votes to do this or will the "moderate" Republicans thwart him here?

...repubs who are working out the compromise deal with the 12 moderate Dem's could be a smoke screen. I just don't trust the republicans. They are so power hungry that I think they'll say anything then vote what gives them the greatest power gains, even if only short run gains.

I do believe that the repeal of the filibuster form judicial nominations will come back and bite the republicans on the ass. But, the danger associated with this going through is the total take over of our government by a simple majority in all votes with no opportunity for the voice of the minority to be heard.

I'm trying to find the right combination of hopefulness and realism to get through this Tuesday.

A shot of whiskey might not be a bad idea to throw into the mix.

....with a double A&W root beer and Breyers vanilla ice cream float!

Good choice.

:beer:

My secret recipe:

large frosty glass
2 liter bottle A&W root beer (ice cold)
1/2 gallon Breyer's vanilla ice cream


Pour about three onces of root beer in tall glass. Mix a tablespoon of the vanilla ice cream in with the root beer until ice cream is dissolved. Then add one large scoop of ice cream on top of the mixture. Slowly fill glass with root beer. Then enjoy!

:)

when Cornyn adjourned the Senate on Friday, he said the following would be the schedule for Monday. The Senate would come into session at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, 5/23. Then after more debate on the Owens nomination, at 4:00 p.m., Frist would have the floor for 45 minutes. Then Harry Reid would have the floor from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. Cornyn then said that a vote would be taken at 5:30 to get the Sargeant at Arms to round up all of the Senators and bring them to the floor. I've been wondering what this is all about. Any ideas, anybody? This is Monday, tomorrow.

Cornyn announced the Cloture Motion for Tuesday, and said that on Monday, Frist would announce the time for the Tuesday vote. What in the dickens is the Monday vote all about?

On the schedule you mention, I really don't know.

But your post prompts me to call my senator's office in the morning to find out what's going on.

'Appreciate the heads up, Joanski0. Thank you.

and it will be a done deal. The Democrats will have no say at all.


If Cheney does that. We need to take to the streets with pots and pans. Let's make some noise.

My letter to Mitch the Bitch McConnell.

On December 12 2000 George W Bush said,
''If this were a dictatorship, it would be a
heck of a lot easier — so long as I'm the dictator.''

I believe this is what is behind the nuclear option, absolute, dictatorial power. I have seen many Republicans on my veterans mailing list come to the realization that you and your fellow neo cons want American to be a one party state. I have heard your fellow Republicans say that this change will be just for judicial appointments, but after the lies you and your fellow Republicans told about Iraq, Social Security, Medicaid, taxes, the environment, and other issues, you have no credibility.
Tuesday you can cast your lot with the American people, or you can cast your lot with the autocrats. I have no faith in you siding with the American people.


Main Entry: trea·son
Pronunciation: 'trE-z&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English tresoun, from Old French traison, from Latin tradition-, traditio act of handing over, from tradere to hand over, betray -- more at TRAITOR

1 : the betrayal of a trust : TREACHERY


Main Entry: fas·cism
Pronunciation: 'fa-"shi-z&m also 'fa-"si-
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, fasces, group, from Latin fascis bundle & fasces fasces

2 : a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control <early instances of army fascism and brutality -- J. W. Aldridge>

I hope he lets it thru his thick skull.

Nice job.

they never will.

Carry on!

They want absolute control.

if the nuclear option is used? Won't they stop it with procedural moves?

on edit: I also heard that the Senate Parliamentarian has said what the repukes are doing is breaking the rules. (heard it on C-SPAN one day) Doesn't the Parliamentarian have an obligation to overrule this? What's he there for? :shrug:

-- or at the very least slow things up to such a pace that no serious work could be completed.

But old hands know that is a slippery slope and the "12" are trying to forge a compromise.

Monday is going to be a big day, and Tuesday could be even bigger.

I have my fingers crossed that enough GOP senators will have a shred of common sense and leave well enough alone for now.

give an opinion on the constitutionality of the filibuster.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3708092&mesg_id=3708092

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us - Tragically on our way to MNA Day 4

Most Senators have already made up their minds at http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/bububjones/ there's a list of Senators that could vote either way and links to their contact pages.

-- had his mind made up going into the last day's hearing w/ Bolton, so consider also that of the 100 seated senators, not all variables are stone-carved. There is sometimes considerable fluidity. Deals are struck we can't know about.

Chafee was supposed to oppose Bolton, at least maybe. But it turned out to be Voinovich. Even Lugar was surprised.

Comprehensive webform emails to 100 U.S. senators is not a waste of time if an issue is decided by the vote of one of them a single email message can reach and persuade.