The F-Word: down the memory hole?

[Elidor]

From Josh Marshall:

TPM Reader TS raises a good point I've been wondering a lot about. I can't figure it out ...

There seems to be no mention in the press of the current use of the threat of filibuster by Senate Republicans. In the previous Congress, as I recall, there was much criticism of Democrats for suggesting that they might filibuster Bush's Court appointments. Am I wrong in thinking that Republicans have stopped ordinary legislation at least twice in the last week by threatening extended debate? But where's the mention of it in the press? In the NYT story this morning about the amendment to give troops more time at home, the f-word only appears in the second to last paragraph. shouldn't they be called on this?

If anything it's worse than this as Senate Republicans have been filibustering just about everything. Everything on Iraq certainly. And this is the sense of 'filibuster' as it has been used more or less continuously for a decade.

The Dems are idiots on this. Reporters should note it, yes. But it's not really their job.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/015298.php

I was just fulminating about this yesterday. And it's more than just the filibuster: when the GOP controlled congress, they screamed about obstruction anytime the dems tried to block a vote. They systematically shut the dems out of the legislative process with procedural changes and voting without time for discussion. The tables are turned, but the dems aren't making any political hay about it. The GOP grabs the basketball from their hands and they don't even cry foul. Faced with an opposition party that knows how to play the game, the dems look like a bunch of chumps. They don't even know how to use their elbows. This is not croquet, dammit.

[LibDemAlways]

1. Repukes will use whatever weapons are available to

them to obstruct the Dem agenda. When the Dems were in the minority they spent a lot of time wringing their hands and struck a deal with the GOP not to filibuster. Remember that sorry, sad "coalition"?

Google "Alito filibuster" and you get a bunch of stories about how divided the Dems were and how they didn't think they could stop the nomination. You also get stories about Robert Byrd explaining his decision to back Alito, calling him an "honorable man" who "loves his country." Yeah, sure. And I've got ocean front property in Arizona to sell you, Senator.

The Dems could learn a lot about how to get things done - or not get things done - by observing how the GOP operates. It's a lot like how the Corleone family operates, but it's effective.

[Elidor]

2. Indeed

I would add that I wouldn't want them to become as vicious as the GOPers, but it's laughable to think they ever could. They really should be taking notes on all this. Gah. We have the most ineffective majority in 3 generations.