Filibuster counterproductive? Goddamn cowards

[Cleetus]

"Because we have such a full plate of pressing issues before Congress, a filibuster at this time would be, in my view, very counterproductive," Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu says. "We simply cannot afford to bring the Senate to a halt at a time when we need its action the most."

More pressing issues? We're going to be looking at Alito's face for the next 30 years, long after the chimp is dust and the country finally realizes exactly what they bought.

Fucking cowards scared to death of the nuclear option. They don't need to pull the nuclear option, the very threat of it is enough for them to get their way.

I have called Harry Reids office and told them how I feel about this.

[Mass]

1. When did Landrieu ever find a filibuster productive? /nt

[OneBlueSky]

2. um . . . the Senate is controlled by Republicans . . .

the action we supposedly need the most will undoubtedly make things worse than they already are . . .

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. How much worse can it get?

The only way to stop a bully is to fight back. When I was a skinny little kid I got my ass kicked a lot because I was a skinny little kid, and a teacher's kid to boot, but I soon learner that the bully I gave in to kept coming back, and the bully I fought against, even in a losing fight, did not.

I got the rep of being crazy, but after 4th grade I never had the same bully come after me twice.

In this playground, we need to either fight back or tell the others that we are taking out toys and leaving - either way, not give them the satisfaction in forcing us to their will.

[mzmolly]

3. cleetus I understand your concerns as I share them, however

Landrieu is from a state which is still reeling from the ineptitude of this administrations response to katrina. The people of Louisiana do need the "action" she speaks of.

She is likely representing her constituents in the manner she feels best.

I live in a northern state and am sitting comfortably in my warm home. I don't know how I'd feel about a filibuster if I were displaced and out of work/unable to provide for my children due to Katrina?

I hope we DO have enough votes to filibuster, but Landrieu represents the victims of Bush's ineptitude regarding katrina, so I'll try cut her some slack right now.

[cascadiance]

4. But stopping Alito WILL help Lousiana!

It will help them get rid of this inept goverment that created and persists their problems that exist now by having a Supreme Court that will be less likely to bless everything this baby dictator tries to do!

Landrieu, all you are doing is starting to alienate many of the very Democrats that stood with you earlier to get Louisiana help! How is that constructive? I'd even said earlier on the Roberts nomination that a fillibuster should have been used then, and that if the Rethuglicans went nuclear then, that you would fillibuster all Senate business in response EXCEPT emergency response like that of Katrina. A strategy like that now should still accomodate what you're looking for, should it not? Unless you really are listening more to the DLC drones instead of really thinking through what those folks in Louisiana want!

[mzmolly]

12. In the long run, I agree.

But some people don't have the long run mentality at present. Can't say I would if I were a nomad with hungry kids after a national disaster either.

Keep in mind, Bush will get to nominate ANY nominee. We can filibuster and sit here in 6 months talking about the same thing?

Would I personally like to see a filibuster? YES! Do I demand every Democrat in the Senate agree with me on this? NO! I've emailed my rep and Reid's office requesting that they DO filibuster, but I don't know what kind of calls/emails Landrieu is getting from HER constituents.

[cascadiance]

13. The problem is that we NEED this fillibuster!

Simply voting for it if others don't and cause it to not happen doesn't help.

As I said, if they ARE concerned about their future they WILL vote for a fillibuster. How many months has it been since Katrina now? They knew that Alito was on the docket for months now. If there is pressing legislation that should be happening now and is so much more important than a fillibuster of this man, then why didn't Landrieu demand this to happen earlier before these hearings? That would have been a good "card" to play with her Democratic colleagues IF they were concerned about launching a fillibuster at this time. Then they could have pushed to have that legislation happen earlier instead of now.

It's this short term mentality that sinks companies and it is now sinking *this* company (which is truly now a company with the Republican Party and the DLC having majority control).

I don't want to hear any EXCUSE for her vote here. I DON'T understand her vote. I understand Louisianans' concerns, but if she wants us to prioritize Louisianans' priorities, then she will support our concerns here. As I noted before, the Dems could commit to a fillibuster of ALL business (if they go nuclear) EXCEPT for emergency care like that of Katrina. That would be a smart move on the Democrat's part to not only make a nuclear option a costly one, but direct attention to solving Katrina's problems.

The REAL problem isn't Louisiana's disaster, it's the cabal in charge and corporate America trying to own our government.

The only way this is going to get fixed later is if we can impeach some of these judges and/or follow through on FDR's earlier strategy on adding justices once we get a majority in congress. Either one is near impossible. And with Bush in power now, we have an executive branch that is downright scary.

[mzmolly]

17. And the people of LA NEED food and housing, yesterday.

Again, it's a matter of individual priorities and representing local constituencies. Landrieu was elected to represent the citizens of LA, they may not be interested in a filibuster at this time?

I personally agree with you and fully support a filibuster, but Landrieu has to represent the people she was elected to represent.

[cascadiance]

18. The people of LA NEED food and housing, AND THE FILLIBUSTER!

As I noted before, if it was needed, it should have been delivered yesterday! If they are so adamant about that, they should be adamant about supporting any means of putting this administration in check to do so, which IS, supporting the fillibuster. Not supporting the fillibuster:

1) Supports Bush and the Republicans increasing strangelhold over executive power.
2) Endorses he and the Republicans methodology, which has made the Katrina disaster what it was, and likely will contribute to further "fear mongering" disasters in the future which they will LIHOP or MIHOP to further the number of people that just think about "food and housing" for the moment at the expense of everything else.
3) If it was only about focusing on problems with Katrina that she was worried about, doesn't she think that the Democrats that care about our government would care about helping her more out in exchange for her vote?

I think that this excuse is just that. An EXCUSE! She's voted conservatively on many other issues against the Democratic Majority. Now the Republicans also allow their minions who are in battleground areas to vote against their party at times too, but ONLY when it doesn't hurt the party's overall agenda. Mary Landrieu's votes HURT the Democratic Party and HURT the country, INCLUDING those living in Louisiana as well! If she doesn't feel that way, then we'll find other ways to help Louisianans who would want to fight with us than through people like her, who I believe are corporate DLC tools to the core, but don't want to tell us that, because they know it's not what their constituency, nor other Democrats, want to hear!

[mzmolly]

20. Look, I'm not singing the praises of Mary Landrieu, I'm saying

that she is supposed to represent the people of LA, and if Government shuts down it has an impact on that area that it does not have on MY state.

Again, I ask you - who will nominate the next justice - you know, after a filibuster?

[cascadiance]

22. Maybe, just maybe Bush will consult the Dems...

for a new appointment like Clinton did with Hatch on BOTH of his appointments, huh?

Look, the congress is supposed to represent people's states, but ALSO collectively the country too. And as I note before, the people of Louisiana are just as much affected by creeping fascism as the rest of us are, so fillibustering SHOULD be a part of her agenda to help her state. If she puts this excuse for every vote that is asked of her, then what does that leave us with. A senator that only wants to vote on aid to Louisiana? That's not how it's been going... She's had time to have the Senate vote on other issues since Katrina. Why not this? As I noted, why not cut a deal with Harry Reid to say that if the nuclear option gets called and the Senate in fact is shut down (which is the only justification for her concern about not focusing attention on Louisiana), then note that he will allow business to address Katrina relief to go through and shut down everything else! Problem solved! Then fillibustering IS constructive, not only for helping us keep our Supreme Court from getting destroyed, but also to direct more attention to her state's problems from Katrina!

Something is not right in the state of Denmark. If the Dems had fillibuster as a priority, they would have found a way to have it done, and not even have to arm twist like Delay folks used to do on the other side!

[mzmolly]

24. Sheesh, I wouldn't hold my breath on the Bush consulting Dems thing.

He supposedly did with Myers, remember?

Dems need 41 to filibuster, they are trying to gather support as you can see. The reason we know there are 8 hold outs is b/c Dems want us to pressure said holdouts. I've called Landrieus office and asked her to filibuster, they've been getting loads of calls to this effect, I hope she'll do so. But, again - she represents HER state.

As for what's rotten in Denmark it's the Republican majority with a * at the helm.

[Cleetus]

5. mzmolly

I appreciate what you're saying, but Alito will be doing his thing for years after NOLA is rebuilt. Being the Minority Party, all we have is the Filibuster. I'm sorry, but it really looks like the people who I thought represented me are running scared.

Cheers, my friend.

[seabeyond]

8. didnt sound fearful, landreiu clearly stating her position to those

dems that have been calling her with their views. sounds to me like she has a different opinion. for whatever reason you want to paint these people as fearful. i dont agree. i could go for filibuster, or not. whatever happens, i am working with that. there are a lot of things to get on. like nsa. bush is working his ass off while dems do alito, he does the pandering and propaganda of nsa.

the thing about bush, he has shit everywhere, and just like his wars, stretching military thin, he has fires everywhere, the dems are stretching thin. but i feel they are doing a kick ass job.

[mzmolly]

10. I see your point and agree with you.

I just feel that the people of LA are desperate right now.

[cascadiance]

14. And when Bush sees that this works in Lousiana in forcing "survival" mode

... he will try to put more of the rest of us in desperate survival mode too, to ascede to his wishes in solidifying dictatorial power. Can't you see this? I understand when people are desperate, but that doesn't stop people from doing other things.

In history, when other countries' poor face similar desperation, many don't just feel that they should lobby the government to prioritize their needs of getting food/resources back, but many have taken up arms, etc. and chosen other priorities to solve these desperate priorities. We ARE in a war now! We need those in Lousiana to serve as an example that when they are being pushed into a corner, that they that much more look to defend our Democracy than before. THAT will serve more than anything else to stop the Bushies from trying to play us all in their actions by using fear to drive us to do their bidding.

[seabeyond]

15. they have a nation in fear that will embrace shootin a man on a plane

because of the possibility of threat to their own lives. shoot first ask later. regardless of if it is just an imagined threat, it is ok to take the life

ya, i see

[mzmolly]

19. Who do you think gets to nominate the next Supreme court justice?

Alito is pretty run of the mill for Bush nominees.

*I* CAN see why Alito should be filibustered and as I've said I HOPE like hell HE IS!! But, I can also understand that others (like Landrieu and the people of NO) are entitled to a different opinion on the matter. Can't YOU see that?

I remember when people were screaming that Myers needed to be filibustered? Any Bush nominee is going to be someone we want to STOP.

However, going forward, we need to make certain that PNAC group isn't continuing to nominate justices in 08 and beyond. Some people have said that it matters not who nominates our justices. I would venture to guess those same people will be the MOST upset by a lack of a filibuster?

[seabeyond]

25. i remember the people flippin with miers and the attacks when

some would suggest that probably she isnt going to be as bad as the next one. and guess what, hse wasnt as bad as the next one. yup. what a pres gets to do, put in scj. why we fought ass off to beat bush. why i point finger at americans that voted bush in.... not even bush and his christian right demanding this man. but the american people that didnt vote for kerry, for the simple reason of supreme crt justice

[cascadiance]

28. And don't forget Diebold was the one that supported Bush's choice!

[seabeyond]

29. absolutely. but i had a lot of middle age women that turned their

back on women, in my view, by supporting bush and not insuring that a more liberal person would be on the bench. i would lecture often that for me, they were the worst. stabbing women in the back. couldn't stomach that one

but yes, with the theft

[mzmolly]

30. Yep indeed.

:(

[seabeyond]

6. wow.... you are actually attempting to intellectually understand

anothers point of view. YOU mzzzMOLLY are smart. and kick ass.

[mzmolly]

11. Awe, thanks!

Backatcha! :hi:

[Village Idiot]

9. "Because (I) have such a full plate...

of pressing issues before (me), a (vote for this Senator) at this time would be, in my view, very counterproductive," (Village Idiot says.)

Make sure this DINO knows where her bread is buttered - and how badly she will lose out if she does not support a filibuster of the extremist Scalito.

http://landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. "Pressing issues" aka Campaign donations from her bosses.

Typical "not as bad" DLC hack.

[Ksec]

21. Landreau wants her government check

Thats why shes playing rethuglikkken. Shes wanting a big check for her state to rebuild from Katrina so shes kissing their asses for it.

[Javaman]

23. here in a nut shell is why we can't mount a continued defence against ...

the repukes.

There is no clear message that the Democratic senators follow. They all have their own little agenda.

Mary Landrieu is out of touch with reality.

[Cleetus]

27. That is so well said

I completely agree

[yankeedem]

26. I'm preparing my letter right now

Dear Senator Landrieu,
Because we have such a full plate of pressing issues before Congress, a campaign donation at this time would be, in my view, very counterproductive. We simply cannot afford to donate when we need action the most.

Signed,
yankeedem and family.