Nuclear Option: YES!!!

Again, that's YES.


Go Nuclear!  WTF have they been waiting for?!?

Today in the Senate, there was a rare sighting of certain body parts — spines, balls — that aren't usually associated with Senate Democrats.  Senate Republicans have been governing by filibuster ever since Obama got elected, and it's been getting worse every day.  Democrats kept threatening to eliminate the filibuster — i.e. the Nuclear Option — but it was always just talk; no action.  Until today.

Harry Reid and the other 51 senators who finally voted to eliminate the filibuster — You Go Guys!!!

Now that the GOP's three ring circus has been curtailed just a little, maybe, just maybe, President Barack Obama can start getting his judicial and cabinet nominees voted on and approved, just like other presidents have always done.  Ya think????

Starting today, the U.S. Senate might be just a little less constipated.  It's about fuckin' time!

I hate to admit it, but my favorite part of the Nuclear Option is the mass tantrum-throwing and hissy-fitting from the Right.  Twist in the wind, suckers.

Senate Filibuster: Use the Nuclear Option Already

Enough is enough!  Enough of this tyranny of the minority.  Enough of the endless  blocking and sabotaging of every nomination and every law just because somewhere, a radical “Christian” sect or a corporate donor might be offended.

Today the teabaggers are targeting Mel Watt, nominated to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency; and Attorney Patricia Millett, nominated for the United States Court of Appeals.

Tomorrow it’ll be the two nominees for the FCC.  After that, God only knows how many bills and nominees will be derailed by the Government Shutdown Party (formerly known as the GOP).

Regarding Patricia Millett, Sen. Patrick Leahy said:

“If the Republican caucus finds that despite her amazing, stellar legal reputation and commitment to her country, that somehow a filibuster is warranted, I believe this body is going to have to consider anew whether a rules change should be in order.  If Republican senators are going to hold nominations hostage without consideration of individual merit, we will have drastic measures…”

The filibuster is NOT protected by the Constitution.  It’s been a long tradition which was originally intended for extreme cases.  It was never intended to be standard operating procedure; a weapon for every Biblehumper or corporate prostitute who wants to bring the Senate to a halt.

Get rid of it.  Use the Nuclear Option.  If Republicans take the Senate next year and Democrats are unable to use the filibuster, that’s the way it goes.

Harry Reid Threatens Nuclear Option against Republican Filibusters

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has threatened to start using the Nuclear Option if Republicans keep filibustering judicial nominees.

On Nevada Public Radio, he announced:

“All within the sound of my voice, including my Democratic senators and the Republican senators who I serve with, should understand that we as a body have the power on any given day to change the rules with a simple majority, and I will do that if necessary.”

As you know, the Nuclear Option means (temporarily) squelching the filibuster.  As a result, the president’s nominees have to be approved or disapproved by a simple majority vote.  Majority rules — what a concept.

Reid continued:

“I’m a very patient man... If the Republicans in the Senate don’t start approving some judges and don’t start helping get some of these nominations done, then we’re going to have to take more action.”

Too patient IMHO.  The highly publicized filibuster “reform” last January was either nonexistent, or incomprehensible to anyone without a Ph.D. in Legalese.  I hope Harry Reid actually carries out this threat.  Enough is enough.

We are all affected by the huge backlog of federal court cases.  This backlog is the result of dangerously understaffed courts, which are the result of almost every one of Obama’s judicial nominees being filibustered by Republicans.

Go Nuclear!  Give ‘em Hell Harry.  Tell those corporate GOP prostitutes to Make Your Day.