When afraid to filibuster for fear of losing it, you've already lost it.

[smartvoter]

It really isn't that complicated. Filibuster because it's the right thing to do, and let them go nuclear and feed into the perception of corruption and power trips.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Exactly; promising not to use something is the same as not

having it in the first place.

[smartvoter]

2. Dems just feed perceptions of weakness when they don't stand up to

the bullies...

[mom cat]

3. Pressure your repukes not to use nukes,

but don't call them pukes when you call them.

[smartvoter]

5. Can't the Dems simply spin this against them?

Why can't they say they have no choice but to filibuster and they hope the Republican members of the "Gang of 14" honor their word as the Dems did theirs for the previous nomination, but that it would not be surprising if the Republicans go nuclear because it would be just one more example of abuse of power and the culture of corruption?

[mom cat]

7. Work for the best solution first...which is no nukes...then work on spin

if we don't win. A clean win is better than spinning a loss any day. Keep the pressure up.

[smartvoter]

8. Of course. nt

[debbierlus]

4. I faxed that very point to the Senators....

Filibuster, NOW.

A no vote without a filibuster is MEANINGLESS.

[smartvoter]

6. Well said! nt

[endarkenment]

9. No shit sherlock.

Couldn't agree more and the truth of this is self evident. Why so many here don't get it is beyond me.

[smartvoter]

13. I think there are plenty who get it, though... nt

[durablend]

18. Cuz there's plenty here who want us as the PERMANENT minority

That's why

[wicket]

10. A-freakin'-men!

:kick:

[Elidor]

11. I need to play some poker with the Dem leadership

I'm lousy at poker, but I could take these idiots for everything they have.

[smartvoter]

12. LOL!!! nt

[Marleyb]

14. there is no freaking excuse!

[EFerrari]

15. IIRC, those of us very upset about the election and later,

the farce of a fake recount in OH were told to get over it and "save it" for the SC nominations.

These are the SC nominations, aren't they?

[durablend]

19. We need to save it for "more important things"

Beats the hell out of me for what, though...

[stickdog]

16. Exactly!!! (nt)

[Charlie Brown]

17. ANWR will probably be dug up if we lose the filibuster

that would be a shame. And of course we will no longer be able to filibuster creeps like Janice Rogers Brown or Pricilla Owen if they are nominated to USSC. But hey, all that matters is Alito, right?

[durablend]

20. Uh huh...

So I guess you're saying that the right will give us a "free pass" on something in the future "should we decide to filibuster", just cuz they want to be sporting?

Uh huh--must be some good stuff you're smoking there :eyes:

[endarkenment]

22. We haven't fillibustered shit.

What are you talking about?

If the Republicans take the nukular route the Democrats can use procedural motions to shut the senate down. Luckily this all would happen leading straight into the '06 elections and perhaps the people will wake the fuck up and kick the bullies out. Or not, but at least will we go down fighting rather than submitting.

[Charlie Brown]

23. You are mistaken

We prevented ANWR from being developed with the filibuster last month.

It's a powerful weapon and I don't think it's worth losing since Alito will be confirmed anyway.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/21/AR2005122101252.html

The Senate today failed to pass a major defense appropriations bill after a Democratic-led bloc stymied it with a filibuster in an effort to force removal of a controversial provision on oil drilling in an Alaskan wildlife refuge.

With 60 votes needed to overcome the filibuster and cut off debate on the bill, its backers fell short by four votes. The tally on a motion to invoke cloture so the Senate could move to a vote on the bill itself was 56-44.

[PDittie]

21. Cogently written.