I don't understand why the RW rails against the fillibuster

[LittleClarkie]

as something above and beyond the rules. You're not supposed to use it against SCOTUS nominees apparently. But if it were not allowed, why have a cloture vote at all? That's like saying that you have a vote, but that the vote MUST be yes or you're going against some Senate rule or the Constitution or something.

Well, then, why have the vote at all?

And a rant of sorts:

I'm getting sick of the Republican Senators who keep talking about how this is not a partisan or an ideological issue, that if the justice is qualified, then the Dems should be ashamed of trying to block him. Well, wasn't Meirs qualified? Why was she objected to? Ideological reasons.

It's just such transparent bullshit. If ideology didn't matter, if only the rule of law mattered, then you wouldn't be able to tell the Conservatives from the Liberals on the court. As if Conservatives are the only ones who follow rule of law, and the Liberals were all activists, when if you go far enough to the left or right, they're ALL activists. Why would pro-life groups be in a bother if it was all just a matter of a rule of law.

I know I'm preaching to the choir. I'm just sick of some Senators playing innocent (or maybe Grassley this morning is seriously just that damn dumb.)

[fooj]

1. I don't understand why they aren't as afraid of Alito as we are.

HE THREATENS THE POWER OF THE U.S. SENATE!!! Repub or Dem...this guy is looking to SHUT THEM DOWN!

Peace.

[LittleClarkie]

2. You know what should REALLY scare them?

That Hillary or some other Dem will get this unitary executive power after Bush.

[bluethruandthru]

4. I don't think they care as long as they get to call themselves Senators!

[MADem]

3. Not supposed to use it against SCOTUS nominees????

Tell that to the ghost of ABE FORTAS!