Posted on 03/01/2005 5:37:44 PM PST by OXENinFLA
For those who may not have seen it, Mr. Smith (Goes to Washington) is the fictional story of one young Senator's crusade against forces of corruption, and his lengthy filibuster, his lengthy filibuster for the values he hold dear. My how things have changed. These days, Mr. Smith would be called an obstructionist. Rumor has it that there is a plot on foot to curtail the right of extended debate in this hollowed chamber. Not in accordance with its rules, mind you, but by fiat from the Chair. Fiat from the Chair. The so-called nuclear option. Hear me! The so-called nuclear option.
This morning I asked a man, "What does the nuclear option mean to you?" He said, "Oh, you mean with Iran?" I was in the hospital a few days ago with my wife. And I asked her doctor, I asked a doctor, "What does the nuclear option mean to you?" He said, "Well, it sounds like we're getting ready to drop some device, some atomic device on North Korea." Well, the so-called nuclear option puports to be directed solely at the Senate's advice and consent prerogatives regarding federal judges. But the claim that no right exists to filibuster judges aims an arrow straight at the heart of the Senate's long tradition of unlimited debate.
James Madison, James Madison wanted to grant the Senate the power to select judicial appointees, with the executive relegated to the sidelines. But a compromise brought the present arrangement. The appointees selected by the executive, with the advice and consent of the Senate confirmed. Note, hear me again, note that nowhere, nowhere in the Constitution of the United States is a vote on appointments mandated.
It will be the Office of the President to nominate, and, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint. There will, of course, be no exertion of choice on the part of the Senate. They may defeat one choice of the Executive, and oblige him to make another; but they cannot themselves choose - they can only rafity or reject the choice he may have made.
So you can see what it means to the smallest states in these United States to be able to stand on this floor and debate to their utmost. Until their feet will no longer hold them, and their lungs of brass will no longer speak in behalf of their states in behalf of a minority in behalf of an issue that affects vitally their constituencies. Unfettered debate.
One of the main bulwarks against the growing power, is free debate in the Senate. So long as there's free debate, men of courage and understanding will rise to defend against potential dictators. The Senate today is one place where no matter what else may exist, there is still a chance to be heard. An opportunity to speak. The duty to examine. And the obligation to protect. It is one of the few refuges of democracy.
Minorites have an illustrious past full of suffering, torture, smear and even death. Jesus Christ was killed by a majority. Columbus was smeared. Christians have been tortured. Had the United States Senate existed during those trying times, I'm sure those people would have found an advocate. Nowhere else can any political, social or religious group finding itself under sustained attack receive a better refuge. Well, Mr. President, Senator Jenner was right. The Senate was deliberatly conceived to be what he called a better refuge, meaning one styled as a guardian of the rights of the minority. The Senate is the watchdog because majorities can be wrong, and filibusters can highlight injustices, and history is full of examples.
Hitler's originality lay in his realization that effective revolutions in modern conditions are carried out with, and not without, not against, the power of the State. The correct order of events was first to secure access to that power of the State, and then begin his revolution. Hitler never abandoned the cloak of legality. He never abandoned the cloak of legality. He recognized the enormous, psychological value of having the law on his side. Instead, he turned the law inside out and made his illegality legal. And that is what the nuclear option seeks to do. To Rule 22 of the standing rules of the Senate. I said to someone this morning who was shoveling snow in my area. "What does nuclear option mean to you?" He answered, "Oh, you mean with Iran?" The people generally don't know what this is about. The nuclear option seeks to alter the rules by sidestepping the rules, thus making the impermissable the rule.
I've taken out Raidoblogger's comments, you can hit the link to read them.
This was just to big to wait till tomorrow to post this from Thomas.
But I will be posting Byrd's comments in full from Thomas tomorrow
Hugh Hewitt is talking about it and taking calls.
Oh yeah, I got him on that's how I knew to go to Radioblogger.
This is so beyond the pale.
I wonder how family members who lost people in WWII in the Holocaust feel about Byrd comparing the GOP to Hitler?
How could they accurately transcribe what he said? Didn't the white pillowcase over his head muffle the voice?
I caught a mention of this on Britt Hume's newscast tonight. It wasn't an off-the-cuff comment by the extremist Byrd but a prepared speech. But hey, if Teddy can get away with vitriole without being censured, why would Byrd worry about any repercussions?
I find it mind-boggling that the Republicans are taking this whole thing lying down.
I heard this tonight and thought, people must be getting pretty tired of hearing the GOP referred to as Nazis every five seconds.
Same is true for cabinet appointments, ambassadors, etc. To read it the way Byrd does, the Senate could emasculate the office of president.
Hugh pointed out that Sheets used the filibuster Rule to block the Civil Rights Act of 1964
"Minorites have an illustrious past full of suffering, torture, smear and even death." A member of the Ku Klux Klan actually had the NERVE to make the above statement!? Paging George Orwell!!
Because they know the Republicans don't have the guts to do it.
Right of extended debate??? I think 4 years of minority obstructionist tactics is quite long enough.
I can't figure out why citizens keep on voting for this guy.
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