Boxer: Filibuster to Block Anti-Abortion Supreme Court Candidate

AP ^ | July 5, 2005 | Justin M. Norton

[Lexinom]

You're sentiments are not unshared.

[American in Israel]

Interesting, our government is formed by the vote of one person on the filibuster floor. Now all Senators get to be a dictator for a day.

Somehow I think our founding fathers are weeping in their graves.

[Texas Federalist]

I hope you don't mind if I memorize your hilarious rant and use it in social situations without crediting you.

[Eva]

Ask John McCain if this is the deal he brokered. Does John McCain think that a prolife judicial nomination is an extraordinary circumstance? Is McCain finally going to take that giant step to the dark side?

[jess35]

The Constitution Party is strongly pro-life

And firmly against defending America until she is attacked. No thanks, that's no better than the democrats. We're not living in the 1700s anymore.

[clawrence3]

Well, on the abortion question, that's 45 million vs. 3,000 dead - I know which one I would choose. I agree that the ideal is a candidate who is both pro-life and strong national defense. Who is that for 2008?

[clawrence3]

P.S. Here is the full platform on National Security: Defense It is a primary obligation of the federal government to provide for the common defense, and to be vigilant regarding potential threats, prospective capabilities, and perceived intentions of potential enemies. We oppose unilateral disarmament and dismemberment of America's defense infrastructure. That which is hastily torn down will not be easily rebuilt. We condemn the presidential assumption of authority to deploy American troops into combat without a declaration of war by Congress, pursuant to Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. Under no circumstances would we commit U.S. forces to serve under any foreign flag or command. We are opposed to any New World Order, and we reject U.S. participation in or a relinquishing of command to any foreign authority. The goal of U.S. security policy is to defend the national security interests of the United States. Therefore, except in time of declared war, for the purposes of state security, no state national guard or reserve troops shall be called upon to support or conduct operations in foreign theatres. We should be the friend of liberty everywhere, but the guarantor and provisioner of ours alone. We call for the maintenance of a strong, state-of-the-art military on land, sea, in the air, and in space. We urge the executive and legislative branches to continue to provide for the modernization of our armed forces, in keeping with advancing technologies and a constantly changing world situation. We call for the deployment of a fully-operational strategic defense system as soon as possible. We believe that all defense expenditures should be directly related to the protection of our nation, and that every item of expenditure must be carefully reviewed to eliminate foreign aid, waste, fraud, theft, inefficiency, and excess profits from all defense contracts and military expenditures. We reject the policies and practices that permit women to train for or participate in combat. Because of the radical feminization of the military over the past two decades, it must be recognized that these "advances" undermine the integrity and morale of our military organizations by dual qualification standards and forced integration. We support the restoration of "well regulated militia[s]" at the state and/or community levels. Under no circumstances should we have unilaterally surrendered our military base rights in Panama. The sovereign right of the United States to the United States territory of the Canal Zone has been jeopardized by treaties between the United States and Panama. Inasmuch as the United States bought both the sovereignty and the grant ownership of the ten-mile-wide Canal Zone, we propose that the government of the United States restore and protect its sovereign right and exclusive jurisdiction of the Canal Zone in perpetuity, and renegotiate the treaties with Panama by which the ownership of the canal was surrendered to Panama. It should be a priority goal of the President and Congress to insist on enforcement of that portion of the 1978 Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty which prohibits control of the entrances to the Panama Canal by any entity not part of the Republic of Panama or the United States of America. By this standard, the award of port facilities at the entrances to the Panama Canal to Hutchison Whampoa, a Hong Kong company closely linked to the Chinese Communist People's Liberation Army, must be overturned. Similarly, Congress and the President should take advantage of Panama Canal treaty provisions to negotiate the return of a U.S. military presence at the isthmus of Panama. At a time when the U.S. Navy is one-third its former size, it is essential that rapid transit of U.S. military vessels between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans be assured. National Sovereignty The United States is properly a free and sovereign republic which should strive to live in peace with all nations, without interfering in their internal affairs, and without permitting their interference in ours. We are, therefore, unalterably opposed to entangling alliances - via treaties, or any other form of commitment - which compromise our national sovereignty, or commit us to intervention in foreign wars. To this end, we shall: steadfastly oppose American participation in any form of world government organization, including any world court under United Nations auspices; call upon the President, and Congress, to terminate United States membership in the United Nations, and its subsidiary organizations, and terminate U.S. participation in all so-called U.N. peace keeping operations; bar the United Nations, and its subsidiaries, from further operation, including raising of funds, on United States territory; and propose that the Constitution be obeyed to prohibit the United States government from entering any treaty, or other agreement, which makes any commitment of American military forces or tax money, compromises the sovereignty of the United States, or accomplishes a purpose properly the subject of domestic law. In this connection we specifically denounce the agreement establishing the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and any other such trade agreements, either bi-lateral or regional in nature. All treaties must be subordinate to the Constitution, since the Constitution is the only instrument which empowers and limits the federal government. American troops must serve only under American commanders, not those of the United Nations or foreign countries. Pacts and Agreements Since World War II, the United States has increasingly played the undesirable role of an international policeman. Through our involvements abroad our country is being changed from a republic to a world empire in which our freedoms are being sacrificed on an alter of international involvement. The United States is now committed by treaty to defend foreign nations in all parts of the world, and by agreements other than treaties to defend more. Therefore, we call upon the President, and Congress, to immediately commence a systematic withdrawal from these treaties and agreements, each of which holds the potential to plunge America into war in some far-flung corner of the earth. NATO, for instance, serves no defensive purpose for the United States, and this country should withdraw from it. Unconstitutional, Undeclared Wars Since World War II, the United States has been involved in tragic, unconstitutional, undeclared wars which cost our country the lives of many thousands of young Americans. These wars were the direct and foreseeable result of the bi-partisan interventionist policy of both Democrat and Republican administrations. The Constitution Party is opposed to the continuation of the same interventionist policy, with that policy's capacity to involve our country in repeated wars. We demand that: never again shall United States troops be employed on any foreign field of battle without a declaration of war by Congress, as required by the United States Constitution; Congress refuse to fund unconstitutional, undeclared wars pursuant to presidential whim or international obligations under which American sovereignty has been transferred to multi-national agencies. Foreign Involvement The Constitution Party has consistently opposed American involvement in conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central and South America. The United States has no interest in these areas which would justify the sacrifice of Americans on foreign battlefields - nor is our country properly cast as a merchant of death in international arms races. We propose that the United States repudiate any commitment, express or implied, to send U.S. troops to participate in foreign conflicts, whether unilaterally, under NATO auspices, or as a part of the United Nations "peace-keeping" operations; and cease financing, or arming of belligerents in the world's troubled areas. We support the principle of the Monroe Doctrine, which expresses U.S. opposition to European adventurism in the Western Hemisphere. We call upon the Congress to immediately terminate American military presence in all foreign countries where such U.S. presence constitutes an invitation for this nation to become involved in, or further participate in, foreign wars. We are opposed to the negotiation or ratification of any treaty which would deprive United States citizens of their rights under the United States Constitution. Foreign Aid Since World War II, the United States has engaged in the greatest international giveaway program ever conceived by man, and is now spending billions of dollars each year to aid foreign nations. There is no constitutional basis for foreign aid. These expenditures have won us no friends, and constitute a major drain on the resources of our taxpayers. Therefore, we demand that: no further funds be appropriated for any kind of foreign aid program; United States participation in international lending institutions, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, be ended; the Export-Import Bank be abolished; all government subsidies, tax preferences, and investment guarantees to encourage U.S. businesses to invest in foreign lands be immediately terminated; and all debts owed to the United States by foreign countries, or foreign entities, be collected.

[ran15]

The way I look at politics now is forget the parties. There is a lot of incentive to say what the voters want to hear, then do whatever you want once elected. Not that I am saying Bush isn't pro-life.

Instead I am now just supporting groups like the Cato institute which share my ideology. They lobby, run adds, put on seminars, train young leaders etc.. Plus some of these non-profits establish endowments, so your donations add up over time, and don't disappear.

[ncountylee]

LOL - requires nano level measuring but, as incredibly stupid Boxer is, the Undisputed Light Weight Camp in Congress has to be Pelosi!

"It is a decision of the Supreme Court. If Congress wants to change it, it will require legislation of a level of a constitutional amendment. So this is almost as if God has spoken. It's an elementary discussion now. They have made the decision...Later, she insisted: "Again, without focusing on the actual decision, just to say that when you withhold funds from enforcing a decision of the Supreme Court you are, in fact, nullifying a decision of the Supreme Court. This is in violation of the respect for separation of church -- powers in our Constitution, church and state as well. Sometimes the Republicans have a problem with that as well. But forgive my digression.

Thank you Nancy

[SoIA-79]

No, Bush is likely to stick it to us conservatives by appointing a moderate, like Gonzales.

I hope you are wrong, but I'm almost certain you are right. One would think he could see that conservatives are extemely agitated lately. 2006 elections are going to be interesting.

I have absolutely zero confidence in Bush, as his conservative bona fides are non-existant.

Saying this on the wrong thread tends to bring out the yahoo's who insist that he is conservative simply because of the R next to his name. None so blind and all that...

[SoIA-79]

P.J. O'Rourke once said it must take years of therapy to arrive at the liberal position.

[SoIA-79]

The primary functions of the government of a free country are the protection of life, liberty, and property. It is hard to argue they protect life, e.g. Terri Schiavo. It is hard to argue they protect liberty, considering, e.g. 20,000 gun control laws when such are explicitly forbidden. And with the 5th Amendment gutted, private property no longer exists as a concept within federal law; rather, the "public benefit" of highest taxation is considered "public use" and the government may take any property from anyone, "justly" pay for it, and transfer it to whomever it wishes, usually the more powerful or politically connected.

Don't forget the various drug exceptions to the Bill of Rights. Once a gov't sees that the rule of law no longer applies to it, then the sky is the limit as to how tyrannical it gets. Our gov't has been heading down this path for a while and it has had plenty of help from 'our' side along the way. As they say "friendly fire ain't". Whether or not we can wrest the gov't off of it's current path or not, is open to debate but there is very little doubt that it is on that path.

[griffin]

Turn UP the rhetoric!

president@whitehouse.gov

Encourage the President to stay true to the conservative and Christian cause of eliminating abortion and preserving the constitution.

No to Gonzalez!

[Jaysun]

What does one water the Tree of Liberty with?

Blood.

[Redleg Duke]

You throw a very serious term around in a very cavalier fashion.

Your comment is childish in the extreme...so take your ball and go home.

[b4its2late]

Go for it.

I didn't make it up... I stole it too.

It's part of the "vile response", and if you want to see that, let me know and I'll ping you next time I use it for a useless troll post..... ;-)

[jess35]

No, please turn down the rhetoric. You really think shrieking and crying works? It doesn't.

[clawrence3]

You want me to take my "revolution" ball and go home? Who exactly is being cavalier? Our government rules BY THE CONSENT of the People - we have always retained the right of revolution - if Roe v. Wade is not overturned, there will indeed be a revolution, my friend.

[clawrence3]

When in the Course of human Events it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth the separate & equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them . . . We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness: That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the governed; that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, & to institute new Government, laying it's Foundation on such Principles, & organizing it's Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety & Happiness.

[clawrence3]

The question before the House today is: Have we passed the point where "patient Sufferance" is no longer required. I believe we are at the precipice - whether GWB appoints someone to ensure Roe v. Wade remains the Law of the Land for another 30 years, I fear, will answer that question. Our first King George never DREAMED of killing 90 million Americans.