Celebration time!

[Laelth]

Forgive me for gushing, but the Senate's decision to erode the filibuster is momentous. Its significance is beyond what most Democrats comprehend, so let me let you see what I see.

First off, the filibuster stinks. It has been a pernicious tool used by low-population states to impede progress in this country since 1787. It wasn't completely destroyed today (I wish it had been), but for the first time in decades, we weakened it, and this bodes well for the entire country.

What most Americans do not understand is that most laws are made by judges. Yes, the Constitution is the highest law of the land, but it's pretty skimpy. It doesn't cover a lot of legal ground. Statutes of the Federal Government are the next highest law of the land, and they cover a lot, but Congress can't pay attention to the minutia. They're too busy. Most laws are what we call case law, i.e. interpretations of statutes--laws made by judges. What the recent change to the filibuster rule in the Senate has allowed is for President Obama to nominate (and, presumably, get confirmation for) any judge he wants to appoint to the Federal Courts (SCOTUS excepted, as per today's rule change). I would have preferred, of course, the complete elimination of the filibuster, but I am quite happy with what we got.

This is a big deal. As an attorney, and as an officer of the Court, I am thrilled that the President now has the power to appoint liberal judges wherever and whenever he sees fit withour the need for any Republican consent. This move will have a lasting effect on our republic. Our laws will change. In the future, conservative laws will be given limited interpretation. Liberal laws, on the other hand, will be given wide latitude and will be given broad interpretation as more liberal judges are appointed by the President.

The judiciary (of which I am a part) is, theoretically, an equal branch of our government. Today, we got a rule that will allow the judiciary to become (quite quickly) much more liberal. I'm pleased as punch! Time to ...

[font size=48 color=blue]CELEBRATE![/font]



-Laelth

[HappyMe]

1. I'm happy as hell.

Thanks for this post.

[Laelth]

2. My pleasure. n/t

-Laelth

[Tx4obama]

3. Well 'sorta'...

You said: "... the President now has the power to appoint liberal judges wherever and whenever he sees fit withour the need for any Republican consent. ..."

That will be the case in the BLUE states but NOT in the red states. The Senators from 'the states' are the ones that present the president with a 'list' of folks from which the president picks the nominees.

Here's an article regarding the Texas vacancies: http://www.democraticunderground.com/107813561

[Laelth]

5. Quite true.

However, so long as one of those Senators is blue, the President will get his pick from a liberal list. Not sure whether the Red Senator can still block (as was the traditional rule), but, either way, anything that weakens the filibuster is good for us.

The Senate (by its very nature) has been a thorn in the side of progress in this nation for as long as we have had our current government (since 1787). Weakening the capacity for small-population states to obstruct progress in the Senate will be a major benefit to us all.

-Laelth

[Pretzel_Warrior]

6. That is also merely a tradition and doesn't have to be followed

[Pretzel_Warrior]

8. Here's an article showing it's merely senatorial courtesy/custom and not a requirement

Suck fuck Cruz and Cornyn. Obama should fill Texas courts with liberal judges and wath "the holy anointed one" blow a gasket.

[Scuba]

4. Kick for sane, if belated, rules change and Laelth's excellent analysis of same.

[Laelth]

15. Thanks for the kind words, and for the k&r. n/t

-Laelth

[Laelth]

7. Just in case you want some music for your party.

[font size=48 color=blue]CELEBRATE![/font]



-Laelth

[Sheri]

9. super-good post, laelth.

i'm ready to celebrate!

[Laelth]

16. Thanks. Glad you're joining the party.

-Laelth

[Sheri]

21. party, baby.

this change deserves a party.

[Cali_Democrat]

10. Celebration time indeed!

[Laelth]

17. +1.

-Laelth

[Tx4obama]

11. Republicans have already found a way to F*CK up judicial nominees !!!!!!!!!!

Republicans have already found a way to F*CK up judicial nominees !!!!!!!!!!

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251340508

[Laelth]

18. Thanks for that. I'll explore its implications more carefully tomorrow.

Right now, it's celebration time!



-Laelth

[malaise]

12. It's a big fugging deal

[Laelth]

19. Quite so.

Gald you joined the celebration. Personally, I'm recovering this morning, but it was worth it.



-Laelth

[brer cat]

13. A Spine, a spine...I see a spine on Harry!

Thank you, Harry!!!

[Laelth]

20. I don't think he went far enough.

But I'll take what we got and thank our Majority Leader for it.

Thank you, Senator Reid!



-Laelth

[Laelth]

14. Good times!

-Laelth