Dick Durbin blasts McConnell and Republicans: It's Filibuster time
By John Amato Sunday Jul 15, 2007 5:32pmSen. Dick Durbin made a passioned plea in Congress on the Iraq war. He called out the Republicans obstructionism on the war and Mitch McConnell's 60 vote straw-man argument. Also, CNN called it a "theatrical" event by the Democratic Party. We're talking about war and hell and these idiots are bringing in Broadway.
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Durbin: Once again I would ask the minority leader from KY, please look at the record. What you said earlier on the floor is not accurate....One of the critics of this recently called it a stunt. A stunt! A stunt that we would stay in session. A stunt that we would have a sleepless night for Senators. I don't think it's a stunt. I think it reflects the reality of this war. How many sleepless night have our soldiers and their families spent?
(Full rough transcript below the fold.)
MR. DURBIN: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. AND I WANT TO THANK THE
SENATOR FROM RHODE ISLAND FOR HIS HARD WORK WITH THE SENATOR
FROM MICHIGAN IN PREPARING THIS BILL ON DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE REPUBLICAN MINORITY LEADER, THE
STATEMENT THAT HE MADE EARLIER ON THE FLOOR IS NOT ACCURATE.
THE REPUBLICAN MINORITY LEADER SAID THAT ON ISSUES RELATING TO
IRAQ, WE HAVE REQUIRED 60 VOTES. I'D LIKE TO REMIND THE
REPUBLICAN MINORITY LEADER THAT THE VOTE ON THE TIMETABLE, ON
THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION BILL WAS A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE.
IT WAS NOT A 60-VOTE THRESHOLD. THE MOST IMPORTANT IRAQ VOTE OF
THE YEAR DID NOT REQUIRE 60 VOTES ON THE FLOOR OF THE SE
SENATE. IT PASSED THE SENATE WITH A BIPARTISAN ROLL CALL 51 OR
52 MEMBERS SUPPORTING IT AND IT WAS SENT TO PRESIDENT BUSH FOR
ONE OF HIS ONLY THREE VETOES SINCE HE'S BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT.
I'M SURE THAT THE MINORITY LEADER FROM KENTUCKY REMEMBERS IT
WAS NOT A 60-VOTE REQUIREMENT. NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL HERE. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL. ONCE AGAIN, I WOULD ASK THE MINORITY LEADER FROM KENTUCKY, PLEASE LOOK AT THE RECORD. WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER ON THE FLOOR IS NOT ACCURATE. IN THE LAST DEBATE ON THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL, THERE WERE TWO IRAQ AMENDMENTS OFFERED. ONE BY SENATORS LEVIN AND REED, ANOTHER BY SENATOR KERRY. BOTH RELATED TO THE WAR IN IRAQ AND
BOTH REQUIRED ONLY A MAJORITY VOTE. THE SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY HAS NOT ACCURATELY PORTRAYED WHAT OCCURRED ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE EITHER WITH OUR SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL OR THE PREVIOUS DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL. NOW, FOR THOSE WHO ARE FOLLOWING THIS DEBATE WONDERING WHY ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT HOW MANY VOTES ARE REQUIRED, THIS IS WHAT THE SENATE IS ALL ABOUT. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THIS SENATE SPEAK ON THE ISSUE OF THE POLICY IN THE WAR IN IRAQ. THE SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY
UNDERSTANDS, BECAUSE HE'S BEEN A VETERAN OF THIS BODY, THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE A MAJORITY OF THE SENATORS SUPPORTING HIS POSITION OR THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT BUSH. AND SO HE STARTED THIS DEBATE BY SAYING, WE WON'T ALLOW A MAJORITY VOTE T. WILL TAKE 60 VOTES -- VOTE. IT WILL TAKE 60 VOTES, 60% OF THE SENATE TO CHANGE THE POLICY ON THE WAR IN IRAQ. THE SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY IS BETTING THAT HE CAN HOLD ENOUGH REPUBLICAN SENATORS BACK FROM VOTING FOR A CHANGE IN POLICY ON THE WAR IN IRAQ TO
DEFEAT OUR EFFORTS TO START BRINGING OUR SOLDIERS HOME. THAT IS HIS PROCEDURAL APPROACH TO THIS. HE HAS STOOD BY IT. BUT HE SHOULD CONFESS IT FOR WHAT IT IS. IT IS A DEPARTURE FROM WHERE WE HAVE BEEN ON THE DEBATE ON IRAQ, BOTH ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL AND ON THE DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL. AND, MR. PRESIDENT, IT'S UNFORTUNATE AND IT'S WRONG. IT IS WRONG TO REQUIRE 60% OF THIS BODY TO VOTE THIS WAY IF TRADITIONALLY ON THIS WAR IN IRAQ WE'VE REQUIRED ONLY A SIMPLE MAJORITY. I
SUPPOSE IT'S ENCOURAGING TO US THAT MORE THAN 60% OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE GET IT. THEY UNDERSTAND HOW FAILED THIS POLICY HAS BEEN OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION, THE POLICY THAT'S BEING SUPPORTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE. THEY UNDERSTAND IT. THEY WANT US TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. BUT THE SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY HAS THROWN THIS OBSTACLE IN OUR PATH. HE HAS CREATED THIS PROCEDURAL ROADBLOCK. HE HAS FILIBUSTERED -- STARTING A FILIBUSTER TO STOP THE DEBATE ON THE WAR IN IRAQ.
NOW, I'VE BEEN HERE FOR FOR A FEW YEARS AND I HAVEN'T -- NOW, I'VE BEEN HERE FOR A FEW YEARS, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN A FULL-THROATED, FULLY IMPLEMENTED FILIBUSTER, THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE RECALLED FROM "MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON," WHEN JIMMY STEWART STOOD AT HIS DESK UNTIL HE CRUMPLED IN EXHAUSTION, FILIBUSTERING A BILL TO STOP IT. OVER THE YEARS, OUR GENTILITY HAS LED TO US A DIFFERENT KIND OF FILIBUSTER. IT'S A FILIBUSTER IN NAME ONLY, WHERE ONE SIDE SAYS, WELL, WE'RE JUST GOING TO KEEP THIS DEBATE GOING ON INDEFINITELY AND THE OTHER SIDE SAYS,
WE'LL BRING THE DEBATE TO A CLOSE, A MOTION FOR CLOTURE, BRINGING IT TO A CLOSE AND WE'LL SEE YOU IN 30 HOURS. HAVE A GOOD TIME. NEIGHBOR YOU WANT TO GO BACK AND HAVE A NICE DINNER WITH YOUR FRIENDS. WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW MORNING. WELL, WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THAT PROCEDURE THIS WEEK. SINCE THE REPUBLICAN SIDE HAS DECIDED THAT THEY WANT TO FILIBUSTER OUR EFFORT TO DEBATE THE WAR POLICY ON IRAQ, WE HAVE DECIDED ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REAL FILIBUSTER. ONE OF THE CRITICS OF THIS RECENTLY CALLED IT A STUNT, A STUNT THAT WE
WOULD STAY IN SESSION, A STUNT THAT WE WOULD HAVE A SLEEPLESS NIGHT FOR SENATORS, A STUNT THAT WE WOULD INCONVENIENCE SENATORS AND STAFF AND PRESS AND THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE PROCEEDINGS. I DON'T THINK IT'S A STUNT. I THINK IT REFLECTS THE REALITY OF THIS WAR. HOW MANY SLEEPLESSNESS OF NIGHTS HAVE OUR SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES SPENT WAITING TO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY'LL COME HOME ALIVE. HOW MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS HAVE THEY SPENT PRAYING THAT AFTER THE SCPEKD THIRD REDEPLOYMENT
THAT THEIR SOLDIER WILL STILL HAVE THE COURAGE AND SENG TO BEAT BACK THE ENEMY AND COME HOME TO HIS FAMILY? IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR THE SEND TO SPEND AT LEAST ONE SLEEPLESS NIGHT. MAYBE IT'S ONLY A SYMBOL BUT IT'S AN IMPORTANT SYMBOL FOR THE SOLDIERS AND FAMILY T. REALLY GOES TO THE NATURE OF -- FAMILY. IT REALLY GOES TO THE NATURE OF SACRIFICE. I GUESS I WAS RAISED AS A LITTLE BOY READING ABOUT WORLD WAR II AND REMEMBERING THE KOREAN WAR WHEN MY TWO BROTHERS SERVED. THERE WAS A SENSE OF NATIONAL COMMITMENT IN THOSE WARS. PEOPLE BACK
HOME AS WELL AS THOSE ON THE FRONT FELT THEY WERE IN IT TOGETHER. SACRIFICES HAD TO BE MADE IN YOUR DAILY LIVING HABITS AND THE KINDS OF THINGS YOU COULD BUY AND RATION CARDS AND BUYING U.S. SAVINGS BONDS. AMERICA WAS REALLY ONE UNITED NATION IN THOSE WARS. WE ACCEPTED THAT SHARED SACRIFICE. WE WERE BETTER FOR THAT SHARED SACRIFICE. BUT THIS WAR, SAD TO SAY THIS PRESIDENT HAS NOT SUMMONED THAT SAME SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE. HE'S BASICALLY TOLD US THAT THIS WAR CAN BE WAGED WITHOUT INCONVENIENCING THE LIVES OF MOST AMERICANS. OUR SOLDIERS GO
THROUGH MORE THAN INCONVENIENCE. THEY GO THROUGH HARDSHIP AND DEPRIVATION. MANY OF THEM FACE INJURY AND DEATH IN SERVING OUR COUNTRY. BUT FOR MOST OF US, LIFE GOES ON AS NORMAL. THIS PRESIDENT HAS NOT ASKED GREAT SACRIFICE FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO EVEN SUPPORT THESE TROOPS. WHEN I VISITED IRAQ, IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO HAVE A MARINE OR SOLDIER OVER LUNCH SAY TO ME, "SENATOR, DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO OVER HERE?" "DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST?" IT'S A LEGITIMATE QUESTION. WE FOCUS ON THESE SUPERFICIAL STORIES IN THE PRESS
THAT DON'T MEAN A THING AND FORGET THE OBVIOUS. AND THE OBVIOUS IS THIS, MR. PRESIDENT. EVERY MONTH -- EVERY MONTH WE ARE LOSING AMERICAN LIVES. ABOUT 100 AMERICAN SOLDIERS DIE EACH MONTH IN THIS WAR IN IRAQ. 1,000 ARE SERIOUSLY INJURED. WE SPEND $12 BILLION EACH MONTH. THAT'S THE REALITY. I KNOW THAT THERE'S FRUSTRATION BY THESE SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT WE AREN'T PAYING CLOSE ENOUGH ATTENTION. BUT THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THAT THIS FAILED POLICY FROM THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION HAS TO -- THAT THIS FAILED POLICY FROM THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION HAS TO COME TO AN END. WASN'T IT INTERESTING OVER THE WEEKEND WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER OF IRAQ INVITED US TO LEAVE AND SAID, YOU CAN TAKE OFF ANY TIME YOU'D LIKE, AMERICA; WE'LL TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN PROBLEMS? PRIME MINISTER AL MALAKI, THE MAN WE HOPE -- HELPED TO BRING TO OFFICE, THE ONE WE'RE HOPING WILL SHOW THE LEADERSHIP IN IRAQ FOR ITS FUTURE HAS ASKED AMERICA TO PICK UP AND GO WHENEVER THEY'D LIKE TO. WHAT DO THE AMERICAN -- WHAT DO THE IRAQI PEOPLE THINK ABOUT OUR PRESENCE?
69% OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE SAY OUR PRESENCE IN IRAQ TODAY WITH OUR TROOPS MAKES IT MORE DANGEROUS TO LIVE THERE. MORE THAN 2 MILLION OF THOSE SOLDIERS -- OF THOSE IRAQIS HAVE LEFT THAT COUNTRY AS REFUGEES. MILLIONS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES. THOUSANDS -- WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THE NUMBER -- HAVE BEEN INJURED AND KILLED. AND THEY WANT US TO LEAVE, THIS OCCUPATION ARMY OF AMERICANS. WHAT DO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THIS OCCUPATION IN IRAQ?
THEY WANT IT TO END AS WELL. THEY DON'T SEE ANY END IN SIGHT. THEY DON'T HEAR FROM THIS PRESIDENT THE KIND OF STRATEGY OR DIRECTION THAT LEADS THEM TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL END WELL OR END SOON. AND THEY WANT OUR TROOPS TO START COMING HOME AND I AGREE WITH THEM. I DON'T BELIEVE THE IRAQIS WILL STAND UP AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN COUNTRY UNTIL WE START LEAVING. IF THE IRAQIS KNOW THAT EVERY TIME THERE'S A PROBLEM IN THEIR COUNTRY, THEY CAN DIAL 911 AND BRING ON 20,000 OF OUR BEST AND BRAVEST SOLDIERS TO QUELL THE VIOLENCE IN THEIR STREETS, WHAT KIND OF INCENTIVE IS THAT FOR THEM TO PROTECT
THEIR OWN COUNTRY? WHAT KIND OF INCENTIVE IS THAT FOR THEM TO MAKE THE CRITICAL POLITICAL DECISIONS WHICH MAY LEAD ONE DAY TO STABILITY? I LOOK AT THIS CORNYN AMENDMENT, WHICH WAS JUST FILED, AND I RESPECT MY COLLEAGUE FROM TEXAS. BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING. HE'S ASKING FOR TOO MUCH. HE'S ASKING THE UNITED STATES TO STAY IN IRAQ TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT IT SUCCEEDS. NOW, HOW LONG IS THAT GOING TO BE? HOW LONG WILL THAT GO ON?
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frist?
Durbin!
(Rats.)
What happened to "an up or down vote" McConnell?
You hypocritical asshole!
Dems finally lookin like they want to play hardball. Who knew?
The metaphorical testicles may in fact have been located. It's a good thing.
V V
Time to run over Mitch the Bitch and the rest of the neo-con cowards.
Lets hope the Dems balls are showing. Take no prisoners. Show no mercy. This is for America's finest, our troops.
Is that the sound of a growth ??... you guess the place on their bodies...
Are they finally getting serious about what they were ELECTED to do??? Their oath is to uphold the constitution, and to date they have failed just as miserably as this administration. I am glad they are going to force the issue once and for all, give the entire mess of them the opportunity to address the public from the floor of the senate. I only hope every single person takes the time to listen to what they say, and pay attention to what side of their face they are talking out of.
My youngest son has a wonderful idea. We need someone to develop "slapovision". Every home television will be equipped with a special button. When they see someone on tv (politician, "talking head" news anchor, or special guest/commentator) give idiotic, twisted, misrepresented statements that have already been proven to be false and misleading, your thoughts of their comments will be immediately known by the simple push of that button. They will be ceremoniously SLAPPED!!! RIGHT ON THE SPOT!!!! Hope Ann Coulter has AFLAC!!
CNN is branding it as a stunt by the Democrats. "Pure political theater" one of their talking heads said. It didn't once mention the reason or that the republicans were filibustering. (sigh)
PNAAC Minister @ 5:
Don't hold your breath...
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/7/16/133049/958
Technically it's true that it will take 60 votes to change.
The issue is: What are they changing. If they start from a zero-budget -- That of having no money in it -- and require the GOP to pass an Amendment to add any money, the GOP will not have the votes to get all they want. Rather than focuse on the 50, 51, or 60 votes; focuse on which budget you're attempting to change. Congres is not a rubber stamp if it starts with a zero-budget, and forces the GOP and President to veto a zero-budget.
Matt in Texas @ 4:
Well ... those words were never connected to any deep-felt principle. Like the President's use of language, McConnell's rhetoric was only intended for short-term sound bites (as well as intimidation of the easily-intimidated Democrats). And so the words were discarded as soon as they weren't useful any longer.
You see ... the GOP thinks that American voters are stupid and have short attention spans, and regularly insults their intelligence. But it works pretty well for them.
-- Bokonon
Durbin is asking the right questions which the GOP has no answers for.
Why does the GOP have such bad leaders? Waiting another two months isn't going to give us better answers, just 2 fewer months to prosecute this President. GOP amendments, debates, vetoes, and filibusters are a stunt to distract attention from the neded impeachment.
Hey McConnell. What's good for the goose...
Post some footage from Hardball. Chris was ON FIRE today! He's attacking guests that he'd usually let slide. It was hilarious how he was going at the Pro-Talking Point (war) Republicans!
hit_escape @ 9:
I typically bash the Democrats around for lacking spines, but hostile and inaccurate media coverage like this is one reason that they run around being scared of their own shadows.
That, and having members of their caucus like Lieberman that consistently split off and join the GOP ... and step on the party's own message. When you have party discipline up against that sort of squishiness, the GOP will win more battles than it should in the minority.
-- Bokonon
The disaster in Iraq is a symptom of the impeachable offenses: Maladministration. The issue is not whether to impeach; but unless Congress impeaches, we must prosecute outside impeachment. If the Senate refuses to convict, an impeached President is still not eligible for pardon; but a House that refuses to impeach, means the Congress is not eligible for support.
State prosecutions of a sitting President and VP can go forward. And the public can discuss declaring this an illegal dictatorship, along with the authority to refuse to cooperate with this illegal dictatorship [read="lawful refusal to perform on illegal government contracts."
Where This Is Going
They way forward is to discuss, in light of the impeachable offenses, what reforms are needed with the Constitution to ensure this never happens again. Anywhere. The next confrontation could be in space: Presidential abuse of a distant colony on Mars or the Moon; and their desire to go their own way. We need a system in place that will be ready to deal with that scale of distance. "If you thought managing a single branch in DC is bad, wait until you try to manage several embassies on another planet."
Mitch McConnell is an enemy of the American people. He only cares about the rich and the Repugniscum GOP (Grand Old Pedophiles) party.
We need to address the problem of why so many morons are being raised, in this country, to vote for a$$holes like McConnell!!!
It still amazes me how long these guys can talk.
After hearing Durbin talk about the sacrifice our soldiers are making, and that a REAL FILIBUSTER is going to take place, I thought the least I could do is show MY support by tuning to CSpan, and stay up as a way to join them in beating down this Repubs. I'm going to send emails to friends and family to inform them as well.
I hope some of you will join me, I'll be blogging at the same time. (Now I gotta figure out where)
Rick
The Democrats will talk a lot longer if they can finally work up the nerve to filibuster. If only Durbin could have said that the Republicans cannot claim that they support the troops when they advocate that the troops stay in that hellhole thereby increasing the chances that thousands more will be returning to this country in a wheelchair because they are maimed and crippled. Bring them safely home-now.
CNN is trash TV.
Hooray for the Democrats. force the bastard repugs to really filibuster everytime they block crucial legislation on the iraq war and important reform and re-establishing of our constitutional rights.
these bastards need to be shown for who they really are--political puppets.
Nuclear option... R's threatened it... it was a good idea to them... let's here them squeal like a pig.
txlvn @ 8:
I like your son's idea. It would certainly make a great game.
No Lips Mitch,is probably still throwing a hissy fit over being called out!
After hearing the idiot remarks from CNN, I think I see a major part of the media's problem, besides their corporate Bush-loving ass-kissing: they are constantly behind the curve. During Watergate the media was ahead of the public, which was basically apathetic about the story until the media FORCED them to wake up. Now the media is behind the public curve on the war and many other issues, and the public can see the disconnect and the lies (re:Michael Moore and CNN,etc.). And I think the MSM will end up paying dearly for this, especially if the public channels their disconnect with both the MSM and the Republicans at the voting booth in 2008. Imagine what a Democratic FCC comission will do!
If they pull this off I'll be rather impressed. Likely end is a midnight compromise. They may miss dinner with their families, but I doubt they'll have the fortitude to miss last call.
obeythefist @ 28:
You're right, that would be tantamount to actually LEGISLATING!
"How many sleepless night have our soldiers and their families spent?"
Republicans don't give a damn about out soldiers or their families.
Something interesting just occurred to me. With exception (POW John McCain for example is obviously no pussy) a lot of what drives right wing "me me me" type thinking is that they have enough difficulty walking on their own that they feel "pushing the wagon" would be an undue burden....in other words, WEAKNESS can an integral part of their makeup. I point to numerous scandals (lacking the strength to resist temptation of one kind or another) which plague right wingers as further evidence. I'm guessing that the strain of ovenight legislative sections, away from their $95 porterhouse and martini dinners (I know, some democrats also resemble these remarks--I'm speaking in generalities), and big comfy beds might tend to play PARTICULARLY hard on the right wingers......We might see some resolve crumbling rather quickly
V V
Dominic P. Lucarelli @ 27:
I think part of the problem is that the media -- particularly CNN and cable news -- is making a calculated decision to slant its coverage rightwards. That is where the advertising dollars and Neilson ratings are.
In turn, I think both the print and television media have long been intimidated by the GOP, and by the President in particular, due to the ongoing media ownership and broadcast spectrum proceedings at the FCC. I mean, hey ... that stuff is potentially worth billions to the corporate ownership! You don't want to piss off the GOP in the middle of THAT, do you?
Unlike the GOP, the Democrats are poorly organized, nor are they as willing to exact revenge on those that cross them.
-- Bokonon
Of all the enemies to public liberty; war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes...known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few…No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.
-- James Madison, Political Observations, 1795
Only right-wing judges need an up or down vote, wars require you pat your head while rubbing your tummy.
Its certainly within the democrats right to beat the holy shit out of republicans over this war. Leave or stay I dont think anyone really doubts that. The GOP is going to spend a few more months getting its nose busted, they should just stop whining and take it.
Actually, C&L's thread has only Durbin's remarks, whereas he and Senator Warner(R-W.Virginia)
had a long discussion following Durbin's comments...and even tho I think or at least hope the
Dem's are attempting to do the right thing, Sen. Warner did make some very good points.
My fear is that should the Repig's filibuster: (1) They can talk on any subject they want
during the 30 hours, so could actually just read out of a telephone book or read passages
from any book inasmuch as they are NOT required to stick to the subject matter before them.
(2) The Repigs can easily rotate X number of speakers to the floor in order not to tire any
of their voices. (3) Should the filibuster go 30 hours, most of the time such occurs will
be during mostly night-time hours, so who is going to watch CSPAN at 2 or 3 or 4 in the
morning? (4) In reality many of the 30 hours will be during times the Senate is not customarilly or normally in Session anyway, so what is being gained?(5) And finally, after the 30 hours,
the Dems will still not have the(as I understand) 60 votes needs, and again I ask "What is
being accomplished?"
session anyway,
I never noticed how he speaks into the CSPAN camera. Way to go. It looks like they are learning SOME media savvy.
The debate is FAR from over, republican SCUMBAGS. We want to catch every LIE on TAPE so we can fuck with you when you're up for reelection.
[...] House Link to Article iraq Dick Durbin blasts McConnell and Republicans: It’s Filibuster time » [...]
I was gonna contact CNN and give them some shit for the 'Pure Political Theater' snark, but no contact button on the page that I could find. Anybody got an address?
This war is a failure, it's time the troops come home for good.
Let us hope that this administration doesn't stage a terror attack to escalate this war in Iraq, or worse, into Iran.
January 20 2009 can't come soon enough.
To contact CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/
I've long felt that Durbin was by far the better of my two senators. Durbin is up for re-election this year. If you want to show some love, here is his contribution page:
https://secure.ga3.org/03/durbin_contribute
I'm tired. I meant Durbin is up for re-election in 2008.
Bokonon @ 12:
According to last two elections, and the polls showing anyone still supports this corrupt administration, I'd say the GOP is right.
[...] Durbin has been on a roll today. Crooks and Liars captured some priceless video, and this gem. Once again I would ask the minority leader from KY, please look [...]
[...] Durbin has been on a roll today. Crooks and Liars captured some priceless video, and this gem. Once again I would ask the minority leader from KY, please look [...]
WOW
If that doesn't hit home to any true warm blooded American then you are just plain and simple an idiot.
[...] to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Dick Durbin has been on a roll today. Crooks and Liars captured some priceless video, and this gem. Once again I would ask the minority leader from KY, please look [...]
Oh let's be honest.. the Democrats were doing plenty of filibustering when the congress was mainly Republican.
True, the Dems were fighting the forces of evil, but still, let's not be the pot calling the kettle black here.
I'm sorry, but calling this a "blasting" is exaggerating. Why can't more than 3 Democrats get a damn impassioned speech out? This sounded more like the bespectacled geek across the classroom pointing out the bully's self-serving and arrogant ways in front of the teacher. Does any Democrat know how to raise his or her voice and freaking ORATE?
I get sick and tired of these videos of Senate and House Dems being sold as them whipping the rethugs something fierce, and being let down with an even-toned ho-hum description of how much the rethugs suck, and how immoral they are. Ya I get that. Now get pissed and start ripping assholes. Scream from the rooftops how much the rethugs are pissing the best thing the planet has going away, and I'll betcha any immediate negative publicity will immediately turn for the better.
Anyone know why great speeches always seem to come from the past? Because few if any vaguely memorable ones have been given by anyone important in the last 20 years. When Jon Stewart's first post-911 thought on a comedy fake news show is more touching, heart-felt and poignant than anything the president has said EVER, to me, that's a problem. Lack of leadership in this country shows, on one hand by rethugs who practice morals from the 9th rung of hell, to Democrats that dare not lift a voice for some unknown and unthinkable reason when they perceive wrongdoing. If FDR were around now he'd leave every single rethug's ego a bloody, disemboweled mess on the senate floor; He'd dress down Democrats for not putting their hearts into their work. He'd look at this country and give everyone that scowl your parents gave you when you really messed up.
Am I the only one that sees this problem?
erm....how 'bout impeachment time?
The Dems are just trying to make up for the lost time of their Iraqi counterparts.
I was wondering why they were always talking about being filibustered, and no one was ever seen doing it. Durbin explained what it became. Now, we're going to see the Repugnates read the phone book if they have to.
Would like some better insight from DNC why they were unable 2001-2006 to block the GOP from bringing illegal bills to the floor [MCA/Patriot Act/Habeas Destruction]? What is the GOP doing that the DNC refused, didn't do, or couldn't do?
Today, the DNC is making the GOP filibuster. OK. How and why didn't the DNC filibuster; and why not exercise the nuclear option in 2007: Change the rules on Filibuster and prevent the GOP from requiring the 60-vote passage? Or is it that GOP bills require only 51 votes; but the DNC bills require 60? Should be the same.
If the DNC changes the budgets to zero-budgets, they can force the GOP to stop filibustering, and demanding money for the President.
CNN continues to sport a false mantel of objectivity, is more subtle in its pro-republican framing, and is thus more insidious than FOX.
Maybe theit plan is to expose each and everyone of the the GOP rubberstampers, those who enabled bushCO to continue this disaster with no oversight whatsoever. Then it will be up to the voters to decide who deserves to lead after 2008.
That's exactly right, most of these Democrats are so lack lustre, there is absoulety no passion on their part. Even when they do manage to say the right thing it gets blown over very quickly simply because of a lack of passion, enthusiasm and zeal so it does not resonate with people.
dixie blood @ 18:
Asshole he is but the correct affiliation is Mitch McConnell (R-Tobacco)
I am damn proud to claim Senator Durbin as my senior senator from the state of Illinois. He has articulately opposed this war since the beginning and was vilified for his intelligent opposition.
Thank you Senator Durbin.
I'll be phoning him tomorrow to offer my support.
Please do the same.
Doggiebobo @ 35:
If the dems repeatedly force the repubs to actually stay up and be present for the filibusters they threaten - who cares if they rotate out their "members" or read from a phone book?
You can bet that after a very short while the republican "members" current penchant for threatening filibusters will disappear.
If you read the oaths of office, you'll realize that Members of Congress are not doing their job. They could be prosecuted for oath of office violations. Refusing to prosecute/impeach the President for war crimes is evidence of having violated 5 USC 3331.
If the Congress will not impeach, they can be prosecuted individually.
Nice words Mr. Durbin,and who in the Hell watches The Corporate News Network?
Most people know them as CNN. The station is now mostly a bunch of Bottom
Feeders just like there rivals FOX.
GOP doesn't want to go on the record about the Iraq war: They know supporting the President on Iraq can be bad for their political career.
As the filibuster continues, call the GOP Senators and encourage them to speak to the very issues they refuse to discuss on the Iraq war: Their concerns with following McCain into irrelevance.
Call up the GOP senators: Remind them if they support the war, they do so at risk of losing more money and support going into 2008. Will they heed McCain's example on Iraq?
I have a question: If all these things are "off the table," what is on the table? The DNC said, "Vote for us for change." Some thought that meant impeachment. Today, they're saying, "We're opposing the war," but they refuse to zero-out the budgets. The DNC could offer zero-dollar-amounts in the budgets, and make the GOP add money.
Where is the DNC going with this forced-GOP-filibuster: Is there a plan in place to use the GOP Comments to do something different other than say, "Oh, we can't respond to that, that's off the table"? Lately, the President and GOP have convinced the DNC not to do anything. What's going to change in the minds of the DNC leadership to get them to take action based on new information they hear the GOP Senators discuss during this forced impeachment? Apparently "impeachment is too difficult" to handle. Does this mean that the issues the GOP raises on the Senate during the Filibuster will be "too difficult" as well?
Recall, the President kept saying, "We can't have impeachment, there is important legislation to pass." Today, the GOP is, in effect, arguing: "The DNC cannot respond to our non-sense. Our non-sense in the senate is not on the table." Will the DNC be ready to face any issue if the GOP were to put that on the table? I don't think the DNC is ready to face impeachment; and what gets raised during this GOP Filibuster will likely be cast as "not important" enough to comment. "Oh, DNC, you can't make a comment about that. That's a trivial matter. There are important bills to discuss after we get done with our filibuster. Focus on the bills, not the GOP comments." Looking forward to the GOP non-sense the DNC swallows to avoid confronting the GOP Filibuster-non-sense.
During the GOP Senate Filibuster, you have the right to peacefully enter the Capitol Hill Rotunda and emphasize your support.
I liked Durbin's speech today. He's always a highlight on C Span 2
Ir sure seems as though Mr. McConnell doesn't have any ability to think for himself...or, he is being blackmailed by the administration somehow to support them as they continue jumping off of cliffs. What a total spineless dweeb!
Go Durbin! My Senator. I am so proud. Where are you Barack? Finally the DEMS are requiring some accountability from the republicans.
The longer this takes, the more children will be prostituted out for survival in Damascus.
"Senator, does anybody back home know what's going on here?"
Sadly, nobody but a few nerds at their computers have any idea what kind of shitty situation our soldiers are in. Those poor bastards will be stuck in Iraq until George Bush leaves office, one way or another.
I'm all verklempt.
How quickly they (Republicans) toss aside the talking points, obstructionism and an up or down vote were the soundbites of the day whenever the Dems even thought about forcing cloture.
I commend Senators Reid and Durbin! At this pivotal point the Republicans must be made to publicly embrace the war to their detriment until they will stand for their own political interest and desert the sinking Republican ship. The demonstration of the obstructionism with respect to the war will also carry over into the other obstruction that they have practiced from the onset of Democartic power in the Senate.
ben @ 36:
That's what I like about Durbin. He knows we're watching.
Well, by damn, it looks like somebody FINALLY passed out some spines to the Senate Democrats, and it's about time!
Go ahead, let these Republican bastards filibuster. If they're making it a GOP policy to deliberately obstruct the will of the American people, let them DO it and show what pathetic little turds they really are.
Blue independent at #45
I concur. He made some good points but was much too polite. I will believe it when I see the follow through.
Of course, this won't sway Senator McConnell one bit since he sold his soul to corporate interests a long time ago. His wife received and maintains a cushy job for McConnell's faithful rimming of Bush. My only hope is that Durbin's speech changes the mind of people who actually care more about our soldiers and their families rather than political parties or the profits of ExxonMobil.
It's about time. Why have they waited so friggin' long? Let's end this war and end this war now. George Bush is a Anal Wart!
It's about time. Why have they waited so friggin' long? Let's end this war and end this war now. George Bush is an Anal Wart
Fillibuster sounds like the name of a radio morning drive-in show.
If the Pukes want to filibuster, nobody should be allowed to leave the chambers for the duration, except for marshall escorted head calls. C-SPAN should cover every minute of the debate.
BTW, WTF is the minority doing setting rules and procedures? they don't run the place anymore.
I like this idea of actually making someone actually filibuster if that is what they want and are procedurally allowed to do.
The Dems are headed in the right direction in the manner in which they manage with their majority.
The Repubs were became so bad I swear I saw fascist insignia on their collars.
The "nuclear option" was one of those poor ideas.
The Dems this way still allow the Repubs to represent their voters. That in which the Repubs did not allow the then minority Democrats.
Vitam Vas @ 31:
You still have the nerve to comment on WEAKNESS after all the years of the Clintons. Will pure unadulterated silliness never fall out of fashion with some people or will their lust to bash somebody just continue to amaze any thinking person?
Many(most) of the vicious comments I see here are just exactly the same thing little kids do when they are not getting their way. The level of immaturity I detect when reading these comments is admirable, to say the least.
A stunt? Well, yes, it is a stunt. It is theatrics. And after 5-6 years of Republican stunts and theatrics, it figures that Democrats would do the same in turn... with one exception from the Republican stunts. At least this Democrat stunt isn't silencing the Republicans.
Course, why bother calling this a stunt, anyways? Politics is nothing BUT stunts and theatrics. There's nothing real there.
How is it a stunt if the Dems force the GOP to deliver on their stunt? Give me a break.
Durbin really is very good here.
[...] 17th, 2007 Dick Durbin has been on a roll today. Crooks and Liars captured some priceless video, and this gem. Once again I would ask the minority leader from KY, please look [...]
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