An idea about the filibustering

I was thinking about the filibustering ordeal and maybe the democrats aren't saying anything for sure because they don't want to be seen as obstructionsts even though the public in all the polls I've seen are clearly on their side where it concerns Alito. I think perhaps they are waiting to announce a filibuster at the last moment much like how Reid and Durbin did when they closed the Senate. So perhaps they're doing a lot of behind the scenes work and this is why Frist is denying them the speaking on the floor deal. Remember how Reid and Durbin closing the Senate really shocked and surprised everyone and Frist couldn't stop them. I do think we need to keep the pressure on and do what we can to show them the public is against Alito and they should do it. Remember the republicans are good at PR even though it's slimey and people do watch the "news." So it's the only thing I'm thinking of.

got us where we are today. Little by little they have compromised too much and now the Bush administration has too much power. I would like to see more obstructionism myself. When they lie down and fold over, many people just throw up their hands in disgust and walk away. They feel they have no say in anything so why bother to care.

and were proven to be powerless? Which story is better "Democrats are impotent" or "Democrats are spineless?"

I have come around to favoring a filibuster; but still concerned about this side of the issue.

Bryant
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oppose this Nomination.

I cannot understand why they won't stand up. If they are being intimidated and threatened, they should come forward and expose the threats and intimidation. Because their choice not to stand up endangers all Americans and threatens our future.

we should call it objecting to the undemocratic processes that are happening.

is automatically powerless.
If the republicans were reasonable and fair adversaries, then keeping your powder dry would make sense. But let me couch it this way:
If you were a Jew in 1940s germany, would you think it better to stand up and possibly be sent to a camp, or collaborate with the nazis?
Even if you are unsucessful, sometimes the situation is so dire that you either have to stand up against tyrants or you become complicit in their crimes.


Sometimes the act of standing up is more important than the outcome of that act.
And yet, sometimes, the act of standing up draws more likeminded people to your act of bravery, and then you have a lot MORE power.

No leader ever drew more followers by capitulating to the enemy, that I'm aware of.

as my uncle used to say "Go BIG or go home".

If THEY don't do it, no one else is in their position to do so. They owe it to the american people to do everything in their power, even if unsucessful, and EVEN IF IT MEANS NOT GETTING REELECTED, to serve the people. We hired them to do a job. We didn't hire them to protect their own employment. Public service is a sacred trust and its about damn time we got back to realizing that.

It was an article I read decades ago, that the Jews who did stand up to the Nazis were the ones who had a better chance of survival. The ones who went meekly to the camps were the ones who died.

Think of former Republican Congressman Bob Dornan and all the stupid and silly things he did while in office. Yes, then it's a bad thing, but in this case, we are having a genuine Constitutional crisis. Al Gore said it and couldn't say it any better. We need to stop these political panzers from rolling over us and crushing us.

the same way you do. I'd to see more obstructionism. I feel a great sense of relief, and triumphalism, when the Repukes get one in the eye.

On the other hand, my brain tells me that such tactics are counter-productive, and will only harm the Democratic Party. I know in personal lives, the people who are always contrarians seldom get their way.

So sometimes I feel one way about being obstructionist; sometimes I feel the other way.

Right now, though, I don't see that we have any other bullets for our gun. So I'm all for obstructionism. And if we pay a price at the polls, well, we already don't control all 3 branches of government. But I think our timid Democratic Party leaders aren't going to let it happen.

you hurt or even killed. I think of the poor Chinese man facing down the tanks in Tianamen Square, or even in our backyard Cindy Sheehan, but there is strength in numbers and that's what we have to strive for.

If enough of them abstain from voting (or *gasp* vote NO), then the dem wouldn't NEED to filibuster, would they?

alternate reality. How do I get there?

Why on earth would our Senators announce they're going to filibuster, and give the Repugs a reason to shoot off their mouths?? I really think they're going to do it, but are playing a smart strategy by keeping quiet right now. Makes sense to me.

much smart strategy in the past as a group, so I'm not expecting very much.

I've seen him operate, and heard him speak on the floor. He seems so laid back and unassuming, then he zings. I've got to at least hope he's got something up his sleeve.

prepared a list of additional questions that they want Alito to answer and have submitted them to him. I haven't seen anything more about that though. I wonder what the questions were, and when and how Alito will answer them. I've googled it, but find nothing written about it. Curious.

it would surprise anyone.

I'll bet they have a plan ready, just like the Pentagon probably has a plan ready for invading France.

Your remark is somewhat odd.

You don't think the Republicans will try to cover every angle??

Yes, they probably will. That's precisely why it's wise for Dems to play coy. A good sign Salazar said he'd vote no today, BTW.