Here is the Actual Deal on Paper For All To Read

[dogday]

http://www.buzzflash.com/alerts/05/05/TheDeal.pdf

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Some of those signatures look like they could've been done in crayon.

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. As I read it, the "agreement" only applies to the signatories

They, obviously, do not speak for the other 36 member of the Senate. Since there are an equal number from both sides, it's a wash.

Reid can filibuster on the last two judges, then Frist calls for the Republican Named Nuclear Option (though he'll be calling it by it's new name), these 14 do nothing, and into the Senate Chamber walks Cheney. <Star Wars music begins playing>

[lonestarnot]

3. Try again.

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. Okay

"...This memorandum confirms an understand among the signatories, based upon mutual trust and confidence, related to pending and future judicial nominees in the 109th Congress.

"We have agreed to the following:

"B. Status of Other Nominees: Signatories make no commitment...

"A. Future Nominations: Signatories will exercise their responsibilities

What am I missing? :shrug:

[BringEmOn]

4. This "agreement" isn't worth the paper it's written on

If it's anything like the Constitution, Geneva Convention, World Court, or any other treaty...means nothing to the Neocons. The Constitution is still in the toilet bowl and the Repukes still have a hand on the lever.

[hedda_foil]

5. What the agreement means

The 14 signators literally hold the Senate in their hands. It's not about anybody but them. The Dem signers have agreed that they won't join a judicial filibuster unless THEY believe the choice is extreme. Do the math. If they don't filibuster, there won't be enough Dems TO filibuster. The Repub signers have agreed that they won't vote for the nuclear option if the Dem signers convince THEM that the choice is to extreme to go to the mattresses for. Again, do the math. If those 7 Repubs vote against the nuclear option it doesn't pass.

The 14 did a power play on Frist primarily. They hold the balance of power in deciding who gets through and who doesn't. Since none of the Repubs are religious crazies, this should at least moderate who gets through. It's a big deal.

[TahitiNut]

6. The Senate Rules are far clearer and long-standing.

That hasn't stopped the Reich from resorting to the "Law of the Jungle" where "might makes 'right.'" I'm amazed at the number of delusional idiots who pretend precognition, stating some hallucination of a cartoonish future as though it's fact. The only 'fact' is that Democrats have surrendered their aggregate minority power, under the Senate Rules, to filibuster Federalist Society extremist nominees.

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. EXCELLENT post. n/t

[mmonk]

10. here, here!

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. It applies to the 109th congress ONLY.

It's a bullshit agreement. We're OK today, but tomorrow we're screwed. IMCPO.

[sam sarrha]

11. those assholes are Drunk on power ...like alcoholics always need more and

more .. never know when to stop and are in denial that they have a problem


..................Hi, My name is Frist, i am a recovering AssHole

[TWiley]

13. May I recommend shock thearapy?

Assholes of his type exhibit an extraordinarily high rate of recidivism

[mmonk]

12. It's clear and in black and white

On the extreme nominees, all of the signatories will vote for CLOTURE. That's is a surrender on these nominees by the Dems. On the remaining nominees (not as extreme), there is no commitment either way. Concerning future nominees, both have qualifiers concerning filibuster and the "nuclear" option. We are in the same position we were before but for the exception that the extreme judges can take a seat on the bench. Some victory.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. What a Victory!! They get 3 right wing judges and the nuke.

We get...uh, what is it we get? Oh, yeah, we get a promise not to use nuke as long as we don't oppose their nominees.

Somewhat like giving somebody the deed to your house so they won't burn it down and telling everyone what a good deal you got.