A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-26-05...Facing the Nuclear Option, Dems release 3 hostages

johnhuang2 and dutchess | johnhuang2

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_bear, dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

Facing threat of Nuclear Option, Dems release 3 hostages

by JohnHuang2

Be honest. Admit it. You were scared. No, terrified. You'd pick up the newspaper, read reports about the GOP's dangerous gamble with its nuclear ambitions in the Senate, and you were horrified. You're watching your favorite soap opera, but in the back of your mind there's fear -- fear of EBS tones going off, Dan Rather announcing that Republicans had fired nukes on advancing Democrat troops, vaporizing D.C., reports of scorching firestorms, radiation, fallout shelters, panic spreading from coast to coast, etc. Things too horrible to contemplate, now unfold. No more atmosphere of harmony and civility in the Senate! The love and respect Ted Kennedy had for George Bush -- vaporized! If you think this couldn't happen, then you don't know how close we came and why saving the judicial filibuster became the most urgent issue confronting the human race, according to Newsweek. If you think press photos of a raping, torturing, butchering, gassing, human-shredder-using murderous tyrant wearing Fruit of the Loom got Howard Dean up in arms, imagine if the filibuster got flushed down the toilet. Desecrating Saddam ain't nothing compared to that.

During the Cold War, liberals chanted, 'Better Red than Dead', but until Monday it was Better Dead than sending Priscilla Owen to the Court of Appeals. So, this is what it's come to -- libbies arguing that putting a Sunday school teacher on a court in New Orleans means unbridled tyranny in America, then agreeing to it as part of a deal to get Republicans to scrap their nuclear program. With the showdown averted, no need to stock up on canned goods or rig up a fallout shelter. Ditto traffic jams, empty shelves, long lines at the check out counter, and liberals spending all their food stamps at once. Now libbies chant, 'Better Red State Judge (Priscilla Owen) than Dead!' Priscilla Owen was a "threat" to the republic until Monday night, but 'The Deal' helped her turn a new leaf, so now she's perfectly qualified to get a vote. Same goes for Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor -- all turned a new leaf, too.

Except for Henry Saad and William Myers. Myers and Saad weren't as "unacceptable" as the really "unacceptable" Owen, Brown, and Pryor, so Saad and Myers aren't getting a vote and Owen, Brown and Pryor are. Which made the whole thing sound like a 4-year high-profile hostage ordeal. We'll let three hostages go, in return we keep our "right" to take others hostage. Deal? Liberals demand lawyers and full Geneva protections for detainees, but no lawyers or Geneva protections for Myers and Saad! The two-page Deal says Democrats can mount a filibuster "under extraordinary circumstances," which means a conservative in Washington getting named to the bench. Which means The Deal courageously postponed the inevitable -- nuking judicial filibusters.

The Deal is the product of 14 "moderates," all eagerly seeking to 'preserve' a 'long-standing, venerated Senate tradition' going back to 2003. A "moderate" in Washington is someone who sees Bush win re-election and Bush's party gain seats in the House and Senate and concludes from all this that the voters want Bush to accept defeat and implement the Democrat agenda. Bush should 'consult' with Harry Reid "prior to submitting a judicial nomination to the Senate for consideration," urged the 14 'moderates' in their memorandum of misunderstanding.

'Moderates' are people who see a problem and say, 'How can we make it worse?'

And were you following developments on TV Monday night? Downright amusing. At one point, Fox News showed Sen. John McCain, announcing the deal in a presser. Soon it's Sen. Robert Byrd's turn at the mike, though at first I hardly recognized him -- he looked so different without the sheets. Byrd, with fresh memories of Benjamin Franklin, recounted how Franklin "was approached by a lady who said, 'Dr. Franklin, what have you given us?' And he said, 'A Republic, if you can keep it.'" (Betcha never heard that one before.)

Before the deal Monday night, Byrd spent weeks on the Senate floor delivering stirring speeches on the Cloture Motion, noting how it's provided for under Clause II(m)(2)(A) of Roman Senate Rule XXXII, which stipulates all the amendments to Rule XXXI. The Racial Healer insisted until Monday that allowing a vote on a black woman and sharecropper's daughter -- Justice Janice Rogers Brown -- would mean an end to constitutional Checks and Balances. In other words, the Democrat Party and the Republican Party are separate branches of government in Byrdworld, and allowing votes on judicial nominees would upset the balance of power between these two branches. Senate rules say you can't filibuster budgets, BRAC, CAFTA, war powers resolutions, etc., but add judicial filibusters to that list and Byrd gets his under-sheets in a twist. But, in fairness, keep in mind the nominee is black, and Byrd hasn't fully recovered from the shock of freed slaves.

Other than keeping blacks and Hispanics off the courts, what's the filibuster for, anyway? It's the way one side delays a vote to get the other side to compromise -- keep modifying legislation until a deal can be reached. Now try applying that to judicial nominees. If Democrats complain that a nominee is 'too far right', amputating the nominee's right arm and leg probably won't mollify them much (although you might get Byrd to vote for a black judge after lots of skin bleaching).

Like I said recently, liberals have trouble with basic civics, so lets try this slowly. Legislative filibusters -- that's internal Senate business, a proper prerogative of the Senate. Judicial filibusters -- that's monkeying around with Executive Branch business, violating the Separation of Powers principle. Same goes for other Executive nominations, say, a John Bolton (typical liberal at this point interrupts, sighing, 'You had me and then you lost me').

So, lemme get this straight. Fourteen towering 'Moderates', in the grand tradition of 'Moderates', agree to postpone making a decision. This is called a 'historic achievement'. Owens, Brown, and Pryor do get a vote, which would imply liberals now accept the principle that conservatives are qualified to serve on the bench -- even blacks and women! But we know liberals don't. Which is why I give this 'Deal' a few weeks. Then it unravels. It unravels at precisely the moment Bush names Janice Rogers Brown or Priscilla Owen to the Supreme Court. Then we're right back where we were before The Deal. See how much Moderates always accomplish? These are the people who make things not happen.

Soon, Sen. Frist brings back the "Nuclear Option," because when there's a problem, you nuke it.

Anyway that's...

My two cents

03-29-05 ~ Hall of Fame #11

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-23-05 Military Monday 05-24-05 Still Fontastic! 05-25-05 Doggie Tails ~ River Rendezvous

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

[dutchess]

[jwfiv]

Thank you, Miss Dutchess.

JH2 ... you have such a subtle way of pointing out the obvious which so obviously eludes the 'enlightened Left" ... thank you.

I was watching TV when the news was announced about the 'deal'.

Then the press conference began and, looking at the beaming faces of the Dems, and Byrd's cat-that-ate-the-canary look ... I switched channels, for that told me all I needed to know.

The McCain Mutiny willl come to be a source of regret for all 7 Gop Senators who signed on.

McCain thinks it'll be a stepping stone to the Oval Office... it will, instead, be the tombstone of his presidential ambitions,

The Dems will find an 'extreme condition' in the first name the President sends the Hill as nominee for the Supreme Court ... they'll 'filibuster' ... the 7 Nitwits will hem and haw.

What I want to see is Dubya promoting Scalia to Chief Justice and nominating Judge Brown to the Supreme Court, all on the same day.

Now, that would give the Lefties a terminal case of the vapors.

[dutchess]

You're very welcome my friend. I always enjoy your posts. Hope to visit your cyber Irish tour soon. That would be a dream for me! P.S. YOU DO NEED A PET!!!!

[dutchess]

It's Thursday at the Finest... stop in and read JohnHuang2's biting take on the latest judicial nomination fight!!! Enjoy!!!

[dutchess]

God Bless Our Military
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess, Aquamarine; The Mayor or DollyCali and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey............................cousin mystery-ak.............son, husband Gogrammy...................grandson Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..............................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew ValerieUSA....................2 sons Lakeside........................2 sons LakeLady......................nephew Spruce.........................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son mhking.........................cousin eaglesiniowa.....................son visualops..........................cousin auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt.............................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews Kramster.....................stepson Alouette................................son Q6-God...................twin brother Q6-God.....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut....................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish.........................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding.......active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty

scubachick.....................husband OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin Doug from Upland............soninlaw Himyar....................................son boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend deadhead.............................cousin JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew dixie sass........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons homeschoolmama...............nephew kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband Leofl...........................................son chena............................................son campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew ProudAFDad...................................son Misty4jc................................husband Bykrbayb........................................son Hope and Glory.........................son ak_daddoo..............................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter ariamne.........................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13.......brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.......................cousin DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law nelibeli...................................nephew Skimask.....................................son El Gato...............................nephew Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews

[luvie]

Great stuff! Scorched earth stuff! Wish we could send JH's essays to every congressperson every week! Maybe it would make it clear to them, too! Thank you!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Dutchess.

[GailA]

Good morning

[The Mayor]

May 26, 2005

For Now And Forever

Read:
Ezekiel 33:23-33

Receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. -James 1:21

Bible In One Year: Psalm 136-138

Cold terror gripped the heart of a soldier as mortar rounds whistled overhead, rifles cracked, and the enemy closed in. Suddenly he felt ripping pains as a bullet tore into his chest and arm. Yet it wasn't the end for this soldier. According to an article in The New York Times, the bullet was slowed by a New Testament he was carrying in his shirt pocket. Years later, the young man still treasured the blood-stained book with the ragged hole through the middle. He believes it saved his life.

This is a nice story, but it says nothing about the life-saving spiritual help the Bible was designed to give. In Ezekiel 33, we read that the ancient Israelites used the words of the prophets to make them feel good but not to change their lives. They misused God's promises to Abraham to support their own claim to the land (v.24). They found pleasure in listening to the words of the prophet (v.30), yet the Lord said to Ezekiel, "They hear your words, but they do not do them" (v.31). The result? They came under divine judgment.

Then as now, God's Word is not to be cherished as a good-luck charm or to soothe the mind by bringing temporary relief from anxiety. It was given to be obeyed so that its help would not be only for this life-but forever. -Mart De Haan

Thy Word is a lamp to my feet,
A light to my path alway,
To guide and to save me from sin
And show me the heavenly way. -Sellers
© Renewal 1936, Broadman Press

We don't really know the Bible until we obey the Bible.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
The Greatest Story Ever Told
10 Reasons To Believe In The Bible

[FreeTheHostages]

[DollyCali]

good morning Duchess & John... WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL. I was always in awe about the Finest threads & now that i know all that goes into "producing " them even more so.. Lovely layout & the pledge is great setting. love it.

NOW JOHN.. YOU ARE HOLDING OUT ON US. I SAW A THREAD FROM A FEW YEARS AGO & YOU WERE POSTING & COMMUICATING WITH YOUR FELLOW FREEPERS HERE. Miss that. I am guessing that you are unable to be here due to work situation..just letting you know would love your input on the days your thread is posted. You do great work.

lovely day here .. would love to be golfing, boating, biking .. but need to clean for weekend & work on weekend thread.. it is getting more involved every time I come to computer.

Will check in now & then..

have a good one Finest FReeper Friends

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Iraqi soldiers return fire during a firefight in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, May 22, 2005. The soldiers are participating in Operation Squeeze Play, a major operation to catch insurgents and stop insurgent activity throughout Baghdad's Rusafa neighborhood. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ronald Shaw Jr.

A U.S. soldier returns fire during a firefight, May 22, 2005, in Abu Ghraib, Iraq. The soldiers are participating in Operation Squeeze Play, a major operation to catch insurgents and stop insurgent activity throughout Baghdad's Rusafa neighborhood. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ronald Shaw Jr.

Iraqi soldiers take away detainees after a firefight, May 22, 2005, in Abu Ghraib, Iraq. The soldiers are participating in Operation Squeeze Play, a major operation to catch insurgents and stop insurgent activity throughout Baghdad's Rusafa neighborhood. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ronald Shaw Jr.

An Iraqi soldier celebrates his unit's victory after a firefight, May 22, 2005, in Abu Ghraib, Iraq. The soldiers are participating in Operation Squeeze Play, a major operation to catch insurgents and stop insurgent activity throughout Baghdad's Rusafa neighborhood. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ronald Shaw Jr.

[DollyCali]

Today's political commentary

[dutchess]

Hi Luv W. Posted and immediately went to bed. Sorry I missed you last night. Another John classic isn't it?

[dutchess]

Hi Aeronaut. Mr. D. passed his writtin yesterday. Takes his check ride any day. Thanks for keeping our skies safe :o)

[dutchess]

Good morning gail. How are you liking your job????

[dutchess]

Hi Rus. A very good devotional today. Thanks, as always, for posting it. (and keep giving us campaign updates...we're so proud of you!)

[dutchess]

Oh Freezie...what a sweet sweet calendar today. Love when you post these!

[dutchess]

Hi Dolly. Thanks for checking in (yes it's beautiful and sunny here in Central Ohio too!). Love your graphics...especially the Senate brutes!!!! ((((dolly)))))

[dutchess]

Great pictures Mr. Bellicosity. We really appreciate your contributions on the FINEST. God bless our military men and women!