Challenge to Democrats: 'NY Times' Calls for Filibuster on Alito

[Newsjock]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001918870

Although it has opposed the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito Jr. to the U.S. Supreme (Court), it was by no means certain the The New York Times would take the strong step it announced on its editorial page on Friday: (they mean Thursday, it seems) challenging the Democrats to launch a filbuster on the matter when a vote nears next week.

"A filibuster is a radical tool," the editorial admitted. "It's easy to see why Democrats are frightened of it. But from our perspective, there are some things far more frightening. One of them is Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court."

The Times said that Alito's entire history "suggests that he holds extreme views about the expansive powers of the presidency and the limited role of Congress... His elevation will come courtesy of a president whose grandiose vision of his own powers threatens to undermine the nation's basic philosophy of government — and a Senate that seems eager to cooperate by rolling over and playing dead.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/26/opinion/26thur1.html?hp

[frogbison]

1. Oh my goodness,

gracious!! Could this start an avalanche of patriotism?! More editorials, more willing to speak up...

[aquart]

2. I notice no one expects a Republican to get off his ass.

No one expects a Republican to fight for the constitution.

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

18. Why should they start now...?

They have been stripping us of our rights for as long as I have been alive...why should we expect anything from these scumbags..?
We need to fight!

[Auntie Bush]

24. Welcome...Not_So_Right_Wing

:hi:

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

25. Thank you!

I've been here for a few months, but I rarely post.
It is my New Year's resolution to try to post daily.

[TacticalPeek]

3. Rate this puppy up!

"A filibuster is a radical tool. It's easy to see why Democrats are frightened of it. But from our perspective, there are some things far more frightening. One of them is Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court."

[countmyvote4real]

4. I have been emailing this NYT editorial to selected Senators. n/t

[Dunvegan]

5. I thought the NYT was still in *'s back pocket.

Any chance a filibuster is something BushCo actually wants for some nefarious reason?

[SammyWinstonJack]

20. !

:tinfoilhat: Always in fashion while bushco reigns supreme.

[Democat]

6. The NY Times waited until it was safe to oppose Alito - it's a scam

They are only "opposing" him because they know that he is already approved. This is another carefully planned move which they know will have no effect other than to promote the "liberal media" myth.

The New York times is working with Bush and Rove.

[BootinUp]

8. ?

That logic seems flawed to me.

[Judi Lynn]

19. A move designed to make them appear "independent" of Bush? n/t

[acmavm]

9. Yeah, this is like holding on to the info that they were tapping our

phones so that it didn't 'influence' the election.

Want to pretend that they are part of the fourth estate (as it was once known). Just don't intend to do their duty to the people and report the reality of how bad it really is in time for something to be done about it.

[jsamuel]

7. there is still time to filibuster, Dems

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Kick!

[Wordie]

11. K&R It isn't over yet.

Things look dicey, but just remember the beautiful job that the Dems did with the blocking of the Patriot Act! That was seen as a done deal too, and at the last minute, they pulled it off!

If Reid were to say a filibuster is no longer a possibility, then it would be done, but until then, keep the calls going!

Here's a thread with information on who to contact:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x237051

[wordpix]

12. my email to Lieberman

re: Alito confirmation

Dear Sen. Lieberman:

Now that you have seen the obfuscation and evasion of the Bush Admin. concerning your Katrina documents request, now that you've seen the criminal element in this Rethuglican Congress and executive branch, isn't it obvious to you this administration MUST BE STOPPED? The immediate way to do this is to FILIBUSTER the Alito nomination. YOU SENATORS WOULD HAVE PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT DURING A FILIBUSTER: The NSA/BushCo. illegal spying on Americans, the revolving door and criminal activities of Rethug officials and fundraisers (as in the Abramoff and other scandals), the "unitary executive" theory that might come before the Supreme Court in a case, the lies re: going to war in Iraq, the outsourcing of the military, the lack of accountability in military contracts to KBR/Halliburton, the plight of the poor and middle class, the tax cuts for the rich, environmental degradation accelerated by BushCo and his corporate robber barons. In short, you senators could FILIBUSTER for days, weeks and months and speak about the SELLLING OF AMERICA. There's a lot to talk about to the American people.

If you do not FILIBUSTER, I won't vote for you again and will actively support a Democratic alternative for your seat.

Sincerely,

Constituent

[Wordie]

13. ..

:applause:

[yostsghost]

14. what is an ombudsman??

maybe a silly question, but if you don't ask you will never know.

[mcscajun]

22. Defined here...

1 : a government official (as in Sweden or New Zealand) appointed to receive and investigate complaints made by individuals against abuses or capricious acts of public officials
2 : one that investigates reported complaints (as from students or consumers), reports findings, and helps to achieve equitable settlements

http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?sourceid=Mozilla-search&va=ombudsman

In the case of the NY Times, someone designated to investigage complaints from readers about actions (or INactions) by the NYT.

[donheld]

15. Yes! filibuster NOW

If not why have an opposition party.

[stepnw1f]

16. How About Republicans Fight for the Constitution As Well

Seriously now.... I am very glad to see this in the Times, but where is the haranguing needed to pressure the GOP who at the present time have full power of all branches of Govt.

This is a Republican Govt. and should be called as such.

[stepnw1f]

17. FILIBUSTER (nt)

[Wordie]

21. Help keep this kicked. eom

[Sacajawea]

23. Kick

:kick: