NYT editorial calls for Alito filibuster (January 26)

[Wordie]

Editorial
Senators in Need of a Spine
Published: January 26, 2006

Judge Samuel Alito Jr., whose entire history suggests that he holds extreme views about the expansive powers of the presidency and the limited role of Congress, will almost certainly be a Supreme Court justice soon. His elevation will come courtesy of a president whose grandiose vision of his own powers threatens to undermine the nation's basic philosophy of government — and a Senate that seems eager to cooperate by rolling over and playing dead.

It is hard to imagine a moment when it would be more appropriate for senators to fight for a principle. Even a losing battle would draw the public's attention to the import of this nomination.

The editorial then mentions warning flags that Alito's testimony at the Judiciary Committee hearings raised and that the problem may be that opposition to Alito's nomination has been focused primarily on abortion rights...and condemns any pro-choice Senator who votes for him.

But portraying the Alito nomination as just another volley in the culture wars vastly underestimates its significance. The judge's record strongly suggests that he is an eager lieutenant in the ranks of the conservative theorists who ignore our system of checks and balances, elevating the presidency over everything else. He has expressed little enthusiasm for restrictions on presidential power and has espoused the peculiar argument that a president's intent in signing a bill is just as important as the intent of Congress in writing it. This would be worrisome at any time, but it takes on far more significance now, when the Bush administration seems determined to use the cover of the "war on terror" and presidential privilege to ignore every restraint, from the Constitution to Congressional demands for information.

There was nothing that Judge Alito said in his hearings that gave any comfort to those of us who wonder whether the new Roberts court will follow precedent and continue to affirm, for instance, that a man the president labels an "unlawful enemy combatant" has the basic right to challenge the government's ability to hold him in detention forever without explanation. His much-quoted statement that the president is not above the law is meaningless unless he also believes that the law requires the chief executive to defer to Congress and the courts.

The article concludes by saying, "A filibuster is a radical tool. It's easy to see why Democrats are frightened of it. But from our perspective, there are some things far more frightening. One of them is Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/26/opinion/26thur1.html?_r=5&hp&oref=login

I hope this helps...

[alarcojon]

1. Gotta give the Times credit on this one

Even a broken clock is right twice a day...

[Wordie]

2. It would have been better if they had published this earlier. eom

[FreedomAngel82]

4. Right

It's probably too late now. *sigh* :(

[Wordie]

8. Well, I wouldn't go that far. Better late than never.

They've talked about a delay in the vote...so who knows?

[alarcojon]

5. Can't argue with that

[Dunvegan]

3. So tell me again...

...why the Dems won't filibuster?

Even the "Judy Miller Kool-Ade Times" is saying filibuster or hand over democracy for the foreseeable future.

[Wordie]

7. Although there have been some bad signs (Salazar) I haven't heard

anyone formally rule out a filibuster as yet, have you? Besides pundits, that is. The rawstory article may or may not have been accurate, after all.

[beltanefauve]

43. Dianne Feinstein

but that was over a week ago. Hopefully, she's been inundated by calls and faxes, mine included. My concern is over people like Mary Landreau and Mark Pryor.

[Mind_your_head]

10. It's hand over democracy FOREVER....

Hundreds of thousands of people have died (through the years and the wars) for this ideal of a 'democracy', where the people can govern themselves....and then these piss-ants come in and steal it for themselves (and themselves only)!

What's that biblical quote again? 'Something like a thief can't come in and rob your house unless you let him in'

[Tesha]

39. Because they're spineless cowards hoping to get elected by not offending.

[Catchawave]

6. Thanks....and a kick !

[Canuckistanian]

9. Damn. It really IS the NYT

I thought it was 'The Onion' at first.

[bettyellen]

11. K+R Wow, hadn't seen that yet! tks wordie!

[kurth]

12. These ARE "extraordinary circumstances". FILIBUSTER!!!

Fuck the Gang of 14, 15 or whatever.

[WillyT]

13. Wow !!! - The WH Is Gonna Scream Bloody-Murder Tomorrow !!!

I'll thank the Times for that alone!

Makin-Up is hard ta do... no???

:shrug:

[alarcojon]

15. The White House and the Repig spin machine

Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media
Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media
Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media
Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media
Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media
Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media
Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media
Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media Liberal media

[Wordie]

17. Speaking of media..something I've been wondering about...

You know how they keep dragging out all these people who give Alito these glowing recommendations? Well, what I wonder is, WHO ARE THEY? I mean, who are they, really.

Has anyone done some background on them? Anybody figured out if any may have some sort of (hidden) dog in the race? For instance, somebody (I think it was one of the Clerks) was introduced as a Green, the obvious idea being that this must be a really liberal person. But here's the thing. Liberals aren't all homogenous, as much as we are painted that way by the RW and the media. Who was this person? Could it be, for instance, that this was a liberal Green who just also happened to be highly anti-Choice? Because people like that really do exist, you know. (And I only selected the Green off the top of my head, as a totally hypothetical example -- I myself know nothing about the real person.) I just hope somebody thought of checking into all this, and that everyone didn't just look at the surface only of these FOAs (Friends of Alito), as I did until just this evening.

[wordpix]

30. yes, can't wait to hear the WH spin about the "liberal media," we can

count on that

[wherewingstakedream]

14. Kicked and recommended

Filibuster Democrats to save our democracy ! :kick:

[NYC]

16. Good for The New York Times.

I hope they are not the only paper to do this.

[McCamy Taylor]

18. NYT representing its constituency. It does that sometimes.

[Justice Is Comin]

19. We need something

to give our weak knee'd dems a jolt. Maybe this will help. :kick: and :thumbsup:

[Wordie]

20. I keep pointing out the near miraculous job the Dems did w/the Patriot Act

That's something we should remember. It was last minute. It was beautiful. It was hardly weak-knee'd (even though the NYT article says they are "spineless" I don't agree. I see it more as a problem of numbers (the Republicans have a hefty majority), and they had to wait until the majority of the public began to catch up with them about just how bad Bush is.

I'm gonna keep hoping for a brilliant move like the blocking of the Patriot Act, or the Senate walkout.

[debbierlus]

21. Everyone fax the Senators this article tomorrow

I am going to bed.

Goodnight.

[liberalla]

22. Come on Senators -- Just do it!

"Even a losing battle would draw the public's attention to the import of this nomination..."

Even a losing battle...
We may lose, but we have to at least try and stop it!
Slow this train down, dammit!

Powerful closing. Few things more frightening than Sammy Alito on the Supreme Court...

This is a good piece. I hope it helps change some minds.

[wordpix]

29. Senators, stop playing it "safe" as BushLite & FILIBUSTER-or be voted out

next time around

[liberalla]

46. I keep thinking about this editorial...

Keeps me focused on the job at hand.

[DeepModem Mom]

47. Me, too. I can't believe the rest of the press is ignoring it. This is..

a strong voice that cannot be dismissed.

[DeepModem Mom]

23. OMG!

[annabanana]

24. Who are the Alito 8?

I'll post their fax #'s.. They need swamping.

[IndyOp]

25. It isn't clear who the 8 hold outs are - here is some information:

Reid would not name the "Alito 8" who are blocking a Democratic filibuster - so we need to identify them and tell them not to betray the Democrats who funded them and voted for them. If Democrats want our support to win in 2006, we need their support now.

Use these toll free numbers to call the Capitol: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.

CALL KEY LEADERS for can twist arms:
Harry Reid (NV)
Pat Leahy (VT)

The most likely suspects are the "Red State" Democrats:
Tom Carper (DE)
Kent Conrad (ND)
Byron Dorgan (ND)
Tim Johnson (SD)
Mary Landrieu (LA)
Blanche Lincoln (AR)
Mark Pryor (AR)

The "Alito 8" may also include some of the 7 Democrats in the Gang of 14:
Robert C. Byrd (WV)
Daniel Inouye (HI)
Joseph I. Lieberman (CT)
Ken Salazar (CO)

Call our Independent:
Jim Jeffords

Republicans who haven't announced their vote yet:

Lincoln Chafee (RI)
Ted Stevens (AK)
George Voinovich (OH)


GANG OF 14:

Robert Byrd (WV)
311 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: http://www.byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

Daniel Inouye (HI)
722 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: http://www.inouye.senate.gov/webform.html

Mary Landrieu (LA)
724 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: http://www.landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Joseph Lieberman (CT)
706 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Web Form: http://lieberman.senate.gov/contact /
[phone]

Ben Nelson (NE)
716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: http://www.billnelson.senate.gov/contact

Mark Pryor (AR)
217 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: http://www.pryor.senate.gov/contact /

K. Salazar (CO)
UNITED STATES SENATE WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: http://salazar.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Lincoln Chafee (RI)
141A Russell, Washington, DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: http://chafee.senate.gov/webform.htm

Susan Collins (ME)
461 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Phone: [phone]
Web Form: http://collins.senate.gov/public /

Olympia Snowe (ME)
154 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington DC 20510
Phone: [phone]
WebForm: http://snowe.senate.gov/Webform.htm


TWO MODERATE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVEN'T ANNOUNCED THEIR VOTE & Jeffords

Lamar Alexander
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: [phone]
Web Form: http://alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contac...

Ted Stevens
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
[phone]
Webform: http://stevens.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Jim Jeffords
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
[phone]
http://jeffords.senate.gov/contact.html

CORRECTED PHONE NUMBER 202-224-5141




PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS - TELL THEM TO LEAD THE FILIBUSTER!
Evan Bayh
463 Russell Building, Washington, DC 20510
Phone: [phone]
Webform: http://bayh.senate.gov/LegForm.htm

Joe Biden
201 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: [phone]
Webform: http://biden.senate.gov/contact/emailjoe.cfm

Hillary Clinton
476 Russell Senate Office Building,Washington, DC 20510
Phone: [phone]
Webform: http://clinton.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

Senator Feingold
506 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-4904
Phone: [phone]
Webform: http://feingold.senate.gov/contact.html

John Kerry
304 Russell Bldg. Washington D.C. 20510
[phone]
Webform: http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/contact/email.cfm

[annabanana]

26. fax numbers for most likely "no filibuster" guys:

The most likely suspects are the 7 Democrats in the Gang of 14.

Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut - fax: [phone]
Robert C. Byrd, West Virginia - fax: [phone]
E. Benjamin Nelson, Nebraska -fax: [phone]
Mary Landrieu, Louisiana - fax: [phone]
Daniel Inouye, Hawaii - fax: [phone]
Mark Pryor, Arkansas - fax: [phone]
Ken Salazar, Colorado - fax: [phone]

I would hate for them to "miss" this Times article!!

[Disturbed]

27. If the Dems don't filibuster this time they might as well...

just all resign and get other jobs.

[singe]

28. other jobs

and the new jobs should be as beggars outside grand central station in manhattan. they would be dressed in full bozo clown outfits and would have signs around their necks that say "after working hard to convince the people to elect me as their senator i became a spineless wimp and abdicated my obvious responsibilities, can you spare a dime?". mutha fuckers.

[wordpix]

33. My email: Dear Sen. Lieberman:

re: Alito confirmation

Dear Sen. Lieberman:

Now that you have seen the obfuscation and evasion of the Bush Admin. concerning your Katrina documents request, now that you've seen the criminal element in this Rethuglican Congress and executive branch, isn't it obvious to you this administration MUST BE STOPPED? The immediate way to do this is to FILIBUSTER the Alito nomination. YOU SENATORS WOULD HAVE PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT DURING A FILIBUSTER: The NSA/BushCo. illegal spying on Americans, the revolving door and criminal activities of Rethug officials and fundraisers (as in the Abramoff and other scandals), the "unitary executive" theory that might come before the Supreme Court in a case, the lies re: going to war in Iraq, the outsourcing of the military, the lack of accountability in military contracts to KBR/Halliburton, the plight of the poor and middle class, the tax cuts for the rich, environmental degradation accelerated by BushCo and his corporate robber barons. In short, you senators could FILIBUSTER for days, weeks and months and speak about the SELLLING OF AMERICA. There's a lot to talk about to the American people.

If you do not FILIBUSTER, I won't vote for you again and will actively support a Democratic alternative for your seat.

Sincerely,
My Name
Constituent

[Wordie]

34. Correction on Senator Ben Nelson's contact info:

Phone: [phone] (Washington D.C.)

http://www.senate.gov/~bennelson/contact/email.cfm

(There are two Senator Nelsons, you posted the contact info for Bill Nelson of FL, who is voting against Alito. Easy mistake to make - I've done it myself.)

[annabanana]

40. thanks - sorry......eom

[Wordie]

42. No problem...it's an easy mistake to make. eom

[sundancekid]

41. just called Sen Byrd's office to encourage him to filibuster ... my hot

message quote was:

"I put all my trust in his love of the Constitution.
If not him to protect and defend it, who?
and if not protect and defend it NOW, when?"

obviously, no commitment by staff person, other than she would pass on the message ...
MAYBE every little bit will help here ... btw, I am not Byrd's constituent either!

[beltanefauve]

44. I called Byrd's office yesterday,

(I'm not a constituent either) and the staffer was snippy with me. "Make it quick", she said, "The switchboards are all lit up." I continued to be polite and thanked her. I'm glad the switchboards were all lit up!

[michiganbuckeye1970]

31. If not now, then when?

My advice would be to filibuster. Let the Repubs know that if they use the so-called nuke option, the Senate will be shut down until next year. Present Bush with a list of 10 acceptable SC nominees (make sure that they have true middle of the road judical records so that the white house cannot claim they are activist judges). Go public and say that the president has so long claimed to be a uniter, that this is his big chance to bring the parties together.

If the Dems don't pick right now to filibuster, then when will they? What could possibly be more important than this?

None of the current Dems that have presidential ambitions can come forward in two years and say they are tough on anything if they don't fight this judical nominee right now.

[Jesterstear]

32. Take it a step further

Tell your Democratic representatives that if they are part of the group that is refusing to filibuster, thus making it impossible to stop Alito, we will vote them out of office and bring in someone that is more willing to listen to the people he/she supposedly represents.

[Wordie]

37. Welcome to DU Jesterstear!

:)

Personally, I don't think a threat is the best way to convince the Senators. I'm taking the reasoned approach, arguing the reasons why Alito is so bad, and that these really ARE exceptional circumstances, etc.

But who knows...maybe that would be a compelling argument. It would depend, I think, on numbers. If there were lots of people making that argument, they would have to listen to it.

[oc2002]

35. NYT maybe just realized that the first thing to go in a fascist regime is

THE FREE PRESS

[donheld]

36. Thank you NYTimes

"It is hard to imagine a moment when it would be more appropriate for senators to fight for a principle."

[sonias]

38. About damn time!

NYT has a lot to make up for selling the war and getting us into this constitutional crisis in the first place.

Sonia

[mcscajun]

45. I almost cheered this morning when I saw the editorial headline:

"Spineless Senators"

DAMN!

[spanone]

48. These are my favorite words from that article. Says it all for me.

~snip~ It is hard to imagine a moment when it would be more appropriate for senators to fight for a principle. Even a losing battle would draw the public's attention to the import of this nomination. ~snip~