Keith Olbermann tells Democrats in Congress they're spineless?

[kpete]

Tonight on Countdown, Keith recounted an event some 44 years ago that should make any Democrat in Congress, any Democrat in the U.S. ... actually any decent person of any political persuasion, hang their head in shame for sitting back and allowing the Bush Regime to get away with their crimes.

Forty-four years ago this morning, at 9:51 Eastern Daylight Time, on the 10th of June, 1964, the manager of the Civil Rights Bill in the Senate, Hubert Humphrey, called for another cloture vote which would terminate the filibuster, even though no southern filibuster against the Civil Rights Bill had ever been broken in the history of this country. Humphrey needed 67 votes to do it. He got the 67th when Senator Williams of Delaware voted "yes".

But the indelible moment of the vote had come moments earlier, when the clerk called for the vote of Mr. Engle of California ... and there was silence. Senator Clair Engle slowly raised his finger and pointed to his eye, the only "yes" vote he could muster, because he had been stricken by a malignant brain tumor, had been paralyzed, had lost the ability to speak ... but came in for the vote anyway.

The filibuster ended. The Civil Rights Bill was signed on July 2nd, 1964. California Senator Clair Engle died, on July 30th.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/10/21530/8207/228/533699

[babylonsister]

1. Rec'd! Thank you for posting this, kpete. This I didn't know until tonight.

Olbermann, and Engle, put things in sharp perspective.

[roguevalley]

48. I remember both men. Humphrey was a great dear friend of my

uncle, Bruce. God rest them all. That was what being an American was once upon a time. I want the Old Republic back.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. I fear people are not made of that mettle any longer

[Indenturedebtor]

15. BS they're not. They're just not getting elected

They had a free press and a weaker military-industrial complex back then.

Fix the press and we have a chance... Here's to Keith for being part of the solution :applause:

Good show tonight.

[elizfeelinggreat]

20. I agree

They're out there but they are ignored or attacked by the media. Fixing the media is very important.

[DailyGrind51]

54. The public financing of political campaigns

would go a long way to eliminating the influence of corporations and special interest groups so that candidates don't have to worry about "biting the hand the feeds them" when they vote their consciences.

[Selatius]

18. We have lost many leaders over the decades, and we're still bleeding from their loss.

The 1960s were the best and worst of times. Things changed for the better in some respects, but the visionaries who were leading the charge were all too often cut down in bloodshed and agony.

[awoke_in_2003]

23. That is the most horrible

lesson from the 60's- those who stand up and speak up will be mowed down.

[jjr5]

45. But there are always people . . .

who stand back up again.

[DailyGrind51]

58. Ever notice what happens to people

when they have more to lose? Nothing transforms a warrior into a wimp like a new family and a big mortgage!

[dchill]

3. K&R

[underseasurveyor]

4. WOW!

very cool story
KnR

[pacalo]

5. A sharp contrast to the Democrats' apathy toward impeaching the most impeachable president of our

lifetime -- not because he doesn't deserve it, but because it isn't (& has never been for the last 8 years) "politically convenient". They're disrespectfully using the Constitution as a chessboard, while 44 years ago, a senator with a malignant brain tumor had the determination to do what is right.

K&R

[cui bono]

51. I wish it were apathy, but I'm certain now that it's far worse than that.

It's to cover up their complicity. If impeachment hearings start, there will be information about how Pelosi knew about the rendition camps and torture, etc. That is why impeachment is off the table.

[TahitiNut]

6. A nation of cowards and criminals ... aptly 'represented'

by the best government money can buy.

:puke:

[NoFederales]

22. I'll second that, and raise you two "Hightowers" nt

NoFederales

[Riddler]

7. I'm sorry, but I've come to loathe Nancy Pelosi. What was heralded as a turning point

in this country's politics....the first woman Speaker of the House....has turned into the biggest letdown and back-turning to the needs of the country and the upholding of the constitution I've ever seen from my party. If there has ever been a more useless democratic Speaker, I'm not aware of it. And don't even get me started on Harry Reid...another useless waste of a supposed "leader".

[VP505]

8. It pains me greatly to say

I totally agree. Between your post and TahitiNut's post it couldn't be said better, a sad reality for Democratic Party members who were so proud of having the first woman Speaker of The House!

[Triana]

9. I'll third both of your sentiments. Total disappointment in Pelosi. n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

36. Pelosi has lost the San Franciscan's vote.

She has been an embarrassment, from her bitching about Code Pink demonstrators on her lawn to her taking impeachment of the table -- on ebig disappointment after another. :( And, as a SFer, I have extra dislike of her for her bullshit Presidio Trust proposal that is right now endangering the old military post with the worst kind of development.

I voted for Shirley (her Dem opponent) in the primary and will find another candidate to support in the GE.

[dixiegrrrrl]

49. she won 77,000 votes over Shirley

What the country needs now is less of them

and more of us

[rhett o rick]

59. Incumbent Dem's are immune to being replaced unless it's by a repuke. Our system is frigged. nm

[bbgrunt]

10. not only spineless, but complicit. k and r.

[crickets]

11. K&R

Thank you, Senator Engle.

[XOKCowboy]

12. I have to keep this kicked for a great statesman

Thank you Senator Engle. We will always be indebted to you. If only we had representatives with that kind of courage and conviction today.

[Gabi Hayes]

13. my comp wallpaper....is there anything more apt?

Mr. FISH!!!

[Indenturedebtor]

16. Bwahahaha perfect n/t

[KoKo]

28. Incredibly sad.., Mr. Fish toon....says it all.......eom

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

14. Now THAT is an event that we should talk about in detail

In our history classes we should discuss the nitty-gritty of how the various legislations were passed and most importantly, WHICH FORCES WERE OPPOSED TO THEM AND WHY.

[Indenturedebtor]

17. Will that make me late for gym or my abstinence only traniing?

Oh and btw I'll be gone next week for the football tournament.

[eppur_se_muova]

38. Not so fast! You're not done preparing for your standardized tests yet!

Getcher priorities straight!

[happygoluckytoyou]

19. SIGN AT CONGRESS DOOR---please check your balls with the bell captain

They will be reutrned as you leave

[jimlup]

21. An honest question

Why is it that democrates are always timid and worried about political consequences while republicans do the most outragous things without regard to political backlash? Is it because of the political makeup of the electorate? Is it inherent in the character of the two parties? I guess I have my own hypotheses on this but really, I'm wondering what others say about why dems are spineless and repukes are bold and rash.

[Bluenorthwest]

25. It is us, not them

The voters may call Harry and Nancy every name in the book for not voting like Dennis Kucinich, but then they turn around and refuse to vote for Dennis, and instead support candidates who, like it or not, voted exactly like Nancy and Harry. Talk is cheap and political talk is the cheapest of all talk. I mean if Harry Reid is a coward then what about Obama, who has funded like an ATM and who says there are no impeachable offenses? Sorry but our choice of nominees says far more about these issues than any of the anti-Reid/Pelosi posts.
Justice and Peace were up for a vote. They got about 2%. War funding and Patriot Act extending got the nomination. Why would Reid or Pelosi take up such a hugely unwinning set of positions? They'd have to be nuts. Or ready to retire.
The rank and file says one thing and then votes the opposite. The leadership skips the rhetoric and looks at the votes. The votes say voting 'yes' on war funding is the path to the White House, voting 'no' is the path to political exile.

[Oak2004]

41. First off, impeachment is more popular than Kucinich; secondly

it's not popularity of positions, it's the fact that everything, nearly, that we get in the way of information has been predigested by the media. Most people haven't a clue how very much they vote against their own interest.

By the way, it isn't called "nuts" when you vote for what you know is right and true. It's called "leadership". Or "courage".

[bdamomma]

24. like Jonathan Turley said to KO last nite.

Jonathan Turley: Dems guilty of "passivity, if not collusion" in failing to impeach Bush.

[xxqqqzme]

43. I love how Turley just simply lays it out.

I love to hear his assessments of the legal/political situations.

[BayjanDem]

26. Spineless

Insults spineless people. This is worse. Crimes have been committed here. The Democrats are turning into the people in the neighborhood that don't snitch.

[MasonJar]

27. WOW!

[redqueen]

29. History will not look kindly on this administration's Democratic enablers.

And rightly so.

[childslibrarian]

56. You are so correct

in that assessment.:thumbsup:

[bobmorr1]

30. Dems are spineless

Doing nothing makes them an accomplice to the crimes.

[gordianot]

31. They have lost their backbone entirely we no longer have a Republic.

The mere sight of Nancy Pelosi makes me want to :puke: .


I suspect there is overwhelming sentiment in favor of Impeachment for Bush and Cheney if media would actually report news.

[tomg]

32. Thanks to Engle for what he did

and thanks to Olbermann for keeping Engle's story alive.

[GracieMansion]

33. KO, shame on you!

[NM Independent]

35. Shame?

:wtf: are you talking about?

[Hugabear]

37. Wow, that didn't last very long!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=user_profiles&u_id=222162

[WorseBeforeBetter]

40. LOL... only made it to 13.

Guess the poor thing didn't try hard enough.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

39. Shame, my ass.

He's right.

We need phucking revolution in this country.

[Irishonly]

34. K&R

I was glad my daughter was home and heard about Senator Engle. I had not heard the story before and neither had she. There's too many benchmarks to pass so teaching suffers now, IMHO. Senator Engle should be lauded as a hero and we shouldn't have to listen to Olbermann to hear about him.

I listened to Turly last night and agreed with him. Then I read an article stating republicans think they will achieve electoral success if they retain 41 seats in the Senate so they can block and filibuster democratic introduced legislation and I wonder why the MSM isn't all over the story.

We have a lot of work to do in the Senate to make sure it doesn't happen.

[cascadiance]

42. I heard Jeremy Scahill speak last night here in San Diego...

which I'm sure will later be on Alternate Focus on Free Speech TV like his previous speech here was.

More than other speeches before, he really emphasized in this one that Blackwater is just a small part of the problem of our rule by corporatists (he even used that term last night). And that this isn't just about the problems with private contractors (aka mercenaries) in Iraq, but how they will also affect America itself later too.

He also emphasized that is up to us the citizens to hold the government accountable, whether it is run by Democrats or Republicans. He was critical of Barack Obama, who he was critical of at times and not making commitments to dealing with these problems, etc. He emphasized that though getting more Democrats elected in November is a good goal, it doesn't end there.

[Spiffarino]

44. Rep. Dan Boren should go to the top of KO's list

On top of the spinelessness of Dems on the impeachment resolution, Dan Boren of Oklahoma deserves a special place in the Coward's Hall of Shame. He won't endorse Obama...his own party's nominee?! Even Republicans are making fun of him for being such a gutless tool!

What he needs is a strong Democratic challenge in 2010, and I'm saving up some money for it right now.
:nuke:

[hustle13]

46. Civil rights

I think it is the one of the Democratic parties most shamefull chapters that republicans voted for the civil rights bill in higher percentages.

From Wikipedia;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964#By_party

By party

The original House version:<6>

* Democratic Party: 152-96 (61%-39%)
* Republican Party: 138-34 (80%-20%)

The Senate version:<6>

* Democratic Party: 46-21 (69%-31%)
* Republican Party: 27-6 (82%-18%)

The Senate version, voted on by the House:<6>

* Democratic Party: 153-91 (63%-37%)
* Republican Party: 136-35 (80%-20%)

[Spiffarino]

60. And all those "Dixiecrats" became Republicans

They switched party affiliation after Nixon employed his "Southern Strategy" in 1968. Any leftovers became full-blown Repubs after 1980 when Reagan announced his candidacy in Philadelphia, MS, the site of the murder of three civil rights activists by the KKK.

Since 1980 the Republican party has been firmly in the anti-civil rights camp. Thankfully, the Democratic party has righted the ship, while the Republicans have lost their bearing. I hope they return to their roots one day, but pigs may fly before that happens. They have become very adept at courting racist scumbags.

[Spiffarino]

61. I noticed you haven't returned...

...since throwing out your off-topic Wiki bomb.

Don't you care to comment on the fact that the Dixiecrat racists jumped ship and are now firmly ensconced in the Republican party?

[hustle13]

62. educate me then

I am too young (23) to have lived through any of this and have not found any good resources online going into detail on it. If you know any good links I would be glad to have them. I did find Byrds involvement in the filibuster disturbing.

[Spiffarino]

63. Byrd was one of the few (like LBJ) who turned away from race-baiting

Read up on Nixon's "southern strategy." Then read about Philadelphia, MS in the early 1960s. I'm not your fairy fucking godmother. If you are here, I expect you are a Democrat or something close. If you are here to play bomb-thrower, you're barking up the wrong fucking tree.

[McCamy Taylor]

47. Congress NEEDS Bush to campaign against. They wouldnt impeach Cheney

because they were afraid W. would position the next GOP presidential nominee as his VP.

I saw this writing on the wall last year (sadly).

[Tatiana]

55. Surprisingly, I truly agree with you. n/t

[Pierzin]

50. Amen to you all! and thanks for the posts!

Riddler, 8_year_nightmare, tahitinut,
great responses!

I have been pulling my hair out wondering where our Democratic Leaders are!
Although I will agree the Congress has a slim majority, they must do what is right, regardless of the votes. To hell with the future, quit worrying about being re-elected. That worked for Hillary voting for the Iraq War, didn't it? haha!

What on earth has been taking the judiciary so long to do anything?

I hope Cindy Sheehan takes nancys seat away from her, she(Nancy) doesn't seem to know what to do with it!

Peace to all!

[leftofthedial]

52. humphrey was just wasting our time

they should have done the decent thing and taken Civil Rights off the table.
















:sarcasm: for anyone idiotic enough to think the above is anything but sarcasm.

[ananda]

53. Dems are most definitely spineless..

.. with the exception of a bare few.

[calimary]

57. Keith tells Dems they're spineless? Hell, I just did, too!!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-lyon/worse-than-any-impeachabl_b_106533.html


I would never have thought there'd be any greater crimes than those of George W. Bush, nor any villain greater. I'm wrong. And no, it's not Dick Cheney, either, or anything he's perpetrated. Nor any of their colleagues.

It's Nancy Pelosi, and her colleagues, and what they seem quite literally hell-bent on doing.