SCOTUS Post-Mortem

Crossposted at Political Cortex

I am obviously disappointed with the vote today regarding the destruction of the final check and balance on George Bush’s Imperial Reign. I will never understand how the Beltway Brigade operates. I’m actually happy about that. Why should I be sympathetic to a powerful group of Senators who rely more on collegiality and spin rather than the will of the people who gave them that power?

As far as I’m concerned, the 20+ Democrats who voted for cloture today are traitors to their base, the everday Americans who canvassed and advocated for their votes in neighborhoods across this country. There is no excuse for their capitulation. Alito’s judicial record speaks for itself and will prove our greatest fears substantiated. The far-right wing of the Republican party (a.k.a. its string-pullers and overlords) will gain one more vote to fulfill their greatest wish: the overturning of Roe v. Wade. I’ve already written about my thoughts on that issue here.

But it’s more than that particular issue. A vote has also been gained for the corporate forces in this country who seek to de-regulate their industries that will erode the protections of workers, the needs of the disabled, usher the rapid decline of environmental protections, blur the lines of discrimination and other horrific ideals that I do not share.

I live in a so-called “Red State”, so this has been an especially bitter pill to swallow. I was counting on the Democratic Senators to proclaim my position strongly on the floor since it will be a cold, snowy day in Gila Bend before McCain or Kyl vote according to my wishes. Too many Democrats watered down that position today, effectively silencing my opinion and that of many of my friends in the lefty blogoshere.

So now what? Do I leave the party? Do I finally say “Fuck this” once and for all?

I am way too stubborn for that.

In fact, this whole charade pissed me off so badly that I went straight to the Democratic Party’s website and signed up for a Democracy Bond. I don’t have a lot of discretionary money, but I believe that the time has come for me to step up my activism and make sure demand, once and for all that my voice is heard.

I resolve to work my Democratic ass off for progressive candidates who will speak with a loud, clear voice that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I can only reform the party if I remain within it. I can only ensure the election of progressive candidates with infrastructure support by sucking it up and demanding accountability.

I refuse to be silenced and the Beltway Brigade has another thing coming if they think today’s capitulation will result in their continued support. Their era is over, and I will give my time, money and passion to make it so.

I will no longer be ignored.

[UPDATE] Forget the babbling, cosmic debris’ statement says it all for me:

 

The Final Push

When I was in high school, I ran long-distance events in track. I remember being exhausted by the time I reached the 8th lap of the 2-mile race. There were many times where I didn’t gauge my pace correctly, and was exhausted when I rounded that final turn to the last stretch.

But.

There always seemed to be a way for my adrenaline to surge strongly, allowing me to finish in a sprint across the line. I may not have won a lot of races, but it was always satisfying to end with my heart racing and sweat pouring.

We have reached the final stretch in the push to stop “the coup” of the Supreme Court, and the race to maintain the final check and balance of the U.S. Government on George Bush’s Imperial Reign.

We are within TWO VOTES of victory. It can be done.

Contact these Senators today:

Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D- AR), 202-224-4843
Joseph I. Lieberman (D- CT), 202-224-4041
Thomas R. Carper (D- DE), 202-224-2441
Daniel K. Inouye (D- HI), 202-224-3934
Tom Harkin (D- IA), 202-224-3254
Evan Bayh (D- IN), 202-224-5623
Barbara A. Mikulski (D- MD), 202-224-4654
Carl Levin (D- MI), 202-224-6221
Mark Dayton (D- MN), 202-224-3244
Max Baucus (D- MT), 202-224-2651
Frank Lautenberg (D- NJ), 202-224-3224
Jeff Bingaman (D- NM), 202-224-5521
Jack Reed (D- RI), 202-224-4642
Patrick J. Leahy (D- VT), 202-224-4242
Maria Cantwell (D- WA), 202-224-3441
Patty Murray (D- WA), 202-224-2621
Herb Kohl (D- WI), 202-224-5653
John D. Rockefeller, IV (D- WV), 202-224-6472
James M. Jeffords (I- VT), 202-224-5141

Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D- DE) , 202-224-5042
Bill Nelson (D- FL), 202-224-5274
Daniel K. Akaka (D- HI), 202-224-6361
Mary Landrieu (D- LA), 202-224-5824
Byron L. Dorgan (D- ND), 202-224-2551
Olympia Snowe (R- ME), 202-224-5344

link to full post

 

Compassionate Conservatism in Action

An outrageous display of stupidity and ignorance comes via Monday’s WaPo:

More than a dozen states are considering new laws to protect health workers who do not want to provide care that conflicts with their personal beliefs, a surge of legislation that reflects the intensifying tension between asserting individual religious values and defending patients’ rights.

About half of the proposals would shield pharmacists who refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control and “morning-after” pills because they believe the drugs cause abortions. But many are far broader measures that would shelter a doctor, nurse, aide, technician or other employee who objects to any therapy. That might include in-vitro fertilization, physician-assisted suicide, embryonic stem cells and perhaps even providing treatment to gays and lesbians. (emphasis mine)

This is the latest manifestation of division that has been caused by the Bushista Regime. When George was running for the Presidency, he promised an era of “Compassionate Conservatism”. What we’ve learned in the past six years is that the term actually means “Compassionate to Conservatives just like me” – the rest of us can “Go Fuck Ourselves“

I’m so sick of reading the headlines, only to discover that the flesh-eating disease being spread by this White House is spreading like the plague across this country. How do supporters of bills such as this go to bed at night without being haunted by the guilt stemming from their rotting hatred of others?

I’m a Christian, but I hold no pretenses that the faith I practice would meet the standards of these folks. You know what? I couldn’t give two turds what they think. I would rather have my faith motivate me to help the poor and expand rights to my fellow Americans rather than this type of crap. Not only will I sleep better at night, it’s the right thing to do as an American, as a human being.

 

I’ll be damned

It appears the shift in the wind has begun. Even GOoPers are starting to call out the Imperial Presidency for its stonewalling tactics.

Republican lawmakers said Sunday that President Bush should publicly disclose White House contacts with Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist who has pleaded guilty to felony charges in an influence-peddling case.

Releasing the records would help eliminate suspicions that Abramoff, who helped raise more than $100,000 for Bush’s re-election campaign, had undue influence on the White House, the Republicans said.

“I’m one who believes that more is better, in terms of disclosure and transparency,” said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. “And so I’d be a big advocate for making records that are out there available.”

The president has refused to reveal how much access Abramoff had to the White House, but has said he does not know Abramoff personally. Bush has said federal prosecutors are welcome to see the records of Abramoff’s contacts if they suspect something inappropriate, but he has not released them publicly.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., who appeared with Thune on “Fox News Sunday,”, said all White House correspondence, phone calls and meetings with Abramoff “absolutely” should be released.

The indispensable folks over at Crooks and Liars have the videos of Thune and Hagel asking the White House to come clean.

Release the records, George! If you have nothing to hide, then what are you waiting for?

 

Open Thread

 

Filibuster Support List Grows

Yesterday it was just Kerry and Kennedy willing to step up to the plate to fight for our democracy. Today, several names have been added, including two prominent female Senators: Clinton and Feinstein. Go Kerry! Go!

Despite describing the filibuster drive as “an uphill climb,” Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy Thursday backed Kerry’s efforts.

“This is a vote of a generation and a test of conscience,” Kennedy said in a statement. “Judge Alito does not share the values of equality and justice that make this country strong. He does not deserve a place on the highest court of the land.”

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, tells CNN that she will support the filibuster, as will California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

“Based on a very long and thoughtful analysis of the record and transcript, which I tried to indicate in my floor statement yesterday, I’ve decided that I will vote no on cloture,” Feinstein said in a statement.

Everyone is calling it an “upward hill climb”. So what, they are fighting. It’s about time. He is doing this based on his convictions:

However, a Kerry aide told CNN the senator is not concerned about the gossip on Capitol Hill and is standing on principle in backing the filibuster.

“Judge Alito’s confirmation would be an ideological coup on the Supreme Court,” Kerry said in a written statement.

Contact your Senators NOW:

 

The Quack is Quacking

I could see the point in hesitation for standing up to George on the Alito nomination if he was a popular pResident. He is not. At all.

A majority of Americans are more likely to vote for a candidate in November’s congressional elections who opposes President Bush, and 58 percent consider his second term a failure so far, according to a poll released Thursday.

Fewer people consider Bush to be honest and trustworthy now than did a year ago, and 53 percent said they believe his administration deliberately misled the public about Iraq’s purported weapons program before the U.S. invasion in 2003, the CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll found. [snip]

Fifty-eight percent of those polled said Bush’s second term has been a failure so far, while 38 percent said they consider it a success. A smaller number — 52 percent — consider his entire presidency a failure to date, with 46 percent calling it successful.

Worst. President. Ever.

And a liar to boot:

“We’ve got a record, and a good one,” he said. “That’s what I intend to campaign on and explain to people why I made the decisions I made, and why they’re necessary to protect the American people, and why they’ve been necessary to keep this economy strong — and why the policies we’ve got will keep this economy strong in the future.”

Really? Nice try Shrub.

The economy grew at only a 1.1 percent annual rate in the fourth quarter of last year, the slowest pace in three years, amid belt-tightening by consumers facing spiraling energy costs.

Even with the feeble showing from October through December, the economy registered respectable overall growth of 3.5 percent for all of 2005 — a year when business expansion was undermined by devastating Gulf Coast hurricanes. [snip]

The 1.1 percent growth rate in the fourth quarter marked a considerable loss of momentum from the third quarter’s brisk 4.1 percent pace. The fourth-quarter’s figure — lower than the 2.8 percent pace economists were forecasting — was the weakest performance since the final quarter of 2002, when the economy expanded at just a 0.2 percent rate.

The weakness in the final quarter of last year reflected consumers pulling back, cuts in government spending and businesses being more restrained in their capital spending.

Here’s something to ALWAYS keep in mind with these crooks in power: they will spend the vast majority of their efforts to spin rhetoric in your face rather than work to solve the problems that are facing the country.

Their leadership style has proven to be a failure. Their course of action on virtually every facet of governance has proven to be a failure. And now the numbers are finally starting to reflect the reality of our dire situation.

You can stop the madness in November by working to elect Democrats or other third-party candidates with a progressive platform. It is obvious that things cannot continue in the current fashion. The Bush Cabal have left our country worse than they received it in January of 2001. Let’s take back our country.

 

Alternative Reality

Either I am a complete Wacktivist (as my politically-connected cousin calls me on occasion) or there is no justification for this Op/Ed headline from the Baltimore Sun:

Bin Laden’s reappearance is boost to Bush

Really? Why? Doesn’t his reappearance signal the FAILURE of the Bush misAdministration to capture the terrorist mastermind and “bring him to justice”? What happened to “Wanted: Dead or Alive”?

A quick refresher for the kool-aide drinking minions of this country who would follow George off a cliff if he told them that he was doing it to protect their freedom. From a March 13, 2002 White House Press Conference:

Q Mr. President, in your speeches now you rarely talk or mention Osama bin Laden. Why is that? Also, can you tell the American people if you have any more information, if you know if he is dead or alive? Final part — deep in your heart, don’t you truly believe that until you find out if he is dead or alive, you won’t really eliminate the threat of —

THE PRESIDENT: Deep in my heart I know the man is on the run, if he’s alive at all. Who knows if he’s hiding in some cave or not; we haven’t heard from him in a long time. And the idea of focusing on one person is — really indicates to me people don’t understand the scope of the mission.

Terror is bigger than one person. And he’s just — he’s a person who’s now been marginalized. His network, his host government has been destroyed. He’s the ultimate parasite who found weakness, exploited it, and met his match. He is — as I mentioned in my speech, I do mention the fact that this is a fellow who is willing to commit youngsters to their death and he, himself, tries to hide — if, in fact, he’s hiding at all.

So I don’t know where he is. You know, I just don’t spend that much time on him, Kelly, to be honest with you. [snip]

Q But don’t you believe that the threat that bin Laden posed won’t truly be eliminated until he is found either dead or alive?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, as I say, we haven’t heard much from him. And I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s at the center of any command structure. And, again, I don’t know where he is. I — I’ll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him. I know he is on the run. I was concerned about him, when he had taken over a country. I was concerned about the fact that he was basically running Afghanistan and calling the shots for the Taliban.

But once we set out the policy and started executing the plan, he became — we shoved him out more and more on the margins. He has no place to train his al Qaeda killers anymore. And if we — excuse me for a minute — and if we find a training camp, we’ll take care of it. Either we will or our friends will. That’s one of the things — part of the new phase that’s becoming apparent to the American people is that we’re working closely with other governments to deny sanctuary, or training, or a place to hide, or a place to raise money

This government is so full of shit, I can hardly contain my outrage. We are truly fucked with these people in power. To all the media puppets who magnify the lies of the Bush War Council, and to all the Senators who trust these batshit crazy assholes’ judgement (especially on the Alito nomination): “Fuck you very much!”

 

It’s Not Over Yet!

It seems like every Democrat I talk to wants this nomination stopped, except for the @#$!%ing Senators who are apparently refusing to listen to their constituents. This “representative government” is proving to be a farce.

The Rovian Smear Machine has been successful in ripping the spine out of the so-called oppositition party. They control the media, and therefore control the way our messages make their way to the masses. Yet, I refuse to back down on calling for a filibuster until the final vote is counted, or the Dems surprise me with some cojones.

Here’s an update, courtesy of Democrats.com

Harry Reid met with progressive lobbyists on Tuesday and told them he has nearly 44 votes against Alito, but there are 8 Democratic Senators who will not support a filibuster.

Only 41 votes are needed for a filibuster. If Reid has nearly 44 votes against Alito, every one of those Senators should support a filibuster or their vote against Alito is meaningless.

So call the Democrats who are leading this battle and demand a united Democratic filibuster:
Harry Reid (NV)
Dick Durbin (IL)
Chuck Schumer (NY)
Debbie Stabenow (MI)
Pat Leahy (VT)

Use these toll free numbers to call the Capitol: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641. If you can’t get through, look up the Senator’s District Office number in your phone book or by clicking here

Reid would not name the “Alito 8” who are blocking a Democratic filibuster – so we need to identify them and tell them not to betray the Democrats who funded them and voted for them.

The most likely suspects are the “Red State” Democrats:
Tom Carper (DE)
Kent Conrad (ND)
Byron Dorgan (ND)
Tim Johnson (SD)
Mary Landrieu (LA)
Blanche Lincoln (AR)
Mark Pryor (AR)

Also call these “Blue State” and pro-choice Republicans:
Lincoln Chafee (RI)
Susan Collins (ME)
Lisa Murkowsky (AK)
Bob Smith (OR)
Olympia Snowe (ME)
Ted Stevens (AK)

For extra credit, call all the 2008 Presidential candidates who are sitting Senators – Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, and John Kerry – and tell them to either LEAD THE FILIBUSTER or FORGET ABOUT YOUR SUPPORT.

You can also send that message to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (202-224-2447) and the Democratic National Committee (202-863-8000).

Janet Strange, over at BooMan Tribune, has also compiled phone numbers for every Senator. Make your voice heard!

(And if you have no idea why this could usher in the destruction of our constitutional democracy, read this good round-up of atrocities by NeuvoLiberal).

 

Open Thread

Sorry for the sporadic posts, it has been crunch time with deadlines at work. Here’s someone to keep you company in the meantime…