Letter to my senator re: Alito and filibuster

[baby_bear]

I sent this a few minutes ago. My other senator (Murray) is not up for re-election, but I am
going to send her a similar letter, because she needs to prod her colleagues who are up for re-election to consider the greater good. My sense is that a lot of liberal senators are willing to concede the filibuster to support their colleagues who are up this year.

But what about the country? Shouldn't that be the main concern?

Dear Senator Cantwell:

I urge you and the other Democratic senators to filibuster the Alito nomination. This is an extraordinary time calling for extraordinary measures.

I don't need to tell you why the prospect of Judge Alito as Justice Alito is frightening. But in addition to the very real likelihood that civil and privacy rights will suffer, while corporations and the executive branch will be afforded vast new powers in our society, there is the overriding issue of President Bush potentially having committed criminal violations of FISA. He should not be allowed to name a justice until this issue has been resolved. That is an eminently reasonable position for the Senate to take.

One other thing bothers me. I read an article in the Los Angeles Times today that seems to indicate that Democratic senators are unwilling to mount a filibuster solely because of fear that it might cause some of them to lose their re-election bids.

Here is a snip from the article (and the URL for the article):
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/scotus/la-na-alito14jan14,0,8432.story?coll=la-news-politics-supreme_court

<quote>It appears the only way Senate Democrats could block Alito's confirmation would be to mount a filibuster. Although some party activists are calling for one, Senate Democratic leaders have shown little enthusiasm for the idea, in part because it could create problems for party members facing reelection in Republican-leaning states.

"The fact is that a filibuster would put moderate Democrats from 'red' states and others up for reelection in a difficult position," said a senior Democratic aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity when discussing the party's strategic thinking on the Alito nomination.<end quote>

I realize that you are up for re-election this year, and that it may be a tough battle. I completely support you and will volunteer in your campaign. However, it concerns me that any senator would consider his or her own re-election to be more important than preventing the lifelong appointment of a Supreme Court justice who is likely to provide the pivotal vote that would adversely affect the democratic principles, including the rights of individuals, in this country for decades to come. His deference to executive authority is equally troubling.

I hope you will see that this decision whether to filibuster is one that transcends the aspirations of individual senators, and urge you and your colleagues to filibuster this nomination, which truly meets the definition of "extraordinary" in every sense.

Sincerely,
----

b_b

[babylonsister]

1. Excellent letter, b_b!

You just might make her think, or rethink what direction she's headed in! :toast:

[beaconess]

2. Great letter - DUers in Maine, RI, Nebraska, Ohio, Louisiana follow suit!

We need to get to the "gang of 14" senators to urge them to keep the filibuster option open.

You can bet they're hearing from the other side!!!

[baby_bear]

3. Feel free to use any of my thoughts/phrases, ANYONE!

We all have to send our senators letters, if we are lucky enough to have Democratic senators.

They need to realize this issue is bigger than they are individually.

I personally think a filibuster could save the nation and the party both.

b_b

[still_one]

4. its a good letter but what I am telling my senator who is up for

re-election if she doesn't support filibuster she can forget about my support in November

Even if the repukes use the nuclear option, I want the dems to fight this all the way

[baby_bear]

5. I think it depends upon your senator, but you have a point

Maybe I should have phrased it this way...

"...and I am inclined to support you" thereby not suggesting that she will get
my support regardless of her decision on this issue.

good point for others to make, still_one.

b_b

[jillan]

6. Great letter!

Maybe you can help me compose one to my 2 republican senators.
(McCain and Kyl) I don't even know where to start with those two.

[baby_bear]

7. That's a tough one but I'm willing to try

I composed one for Jeffords but he's a liberal independent so I don't know
if that will help.

If you send me an email address for you on private message, I will send you
that one tomorrow. It's 11:30 pm now and I'm getting too sleepy to be creative.
I sent letters to 13 senators this evening.

But I do want to help you. Republicans will be a challenge.

I used to live in Arizona myself, when I went to NAU.

cheers and good sleep

b_b