Kerry's words, May 2005-- on Congress and what we're up against

[ginnyinWI]

Kerry spoke on the Senate floor last May 19--this was during that time of a threatened end to the filibuster via the "nuclear option" (which was quickly renamed "constitutional option"). It really resonates with what's going on now so I thought I'd post:

...So now we find ourselves in a struggle between a great political tradition in the United States that seeks common ground so we can do the common good – and a new ethic that, on any given issue, will use any means to justify the end of absolute victory over whatever and whoever stands in the way.

The new view says if you don’t like the facts, just change them; if you can’t win playing by the rules, just rewrite them. The new view says if you can’t win a debate on the strength of your argument, demonize your opponents. The new view says it’s okay to ignore the overwhelming public interest as long as you can get away with it.

And this time the Republican leadership has gone farthest of all to get away with it, hoping to convince Americans that by breaking the Senate rules they are acting to defend the Constitution, honor the words of our Founding Fathers, and avert a judicial crisis.

But we all know this debate is fueled by ideology, not by defense of democratic principle or some shortage of judges on the bench. The facts have been repeated clearly again and again, and are repeatedly brushed aside and ignored. But with over 95% of the judges already approved, we all know this is nothing more than a power grab by an Administration bent on controlling every aspect of our government, even if that means weakening it.

read the whole thing at: http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=237974

[karynnj]

1. Those comments are so on target - it's exactly what's happening now

I love this paragraph - it totally defines what they do,

"The new view says if you don’t like the facts, just change them; if you can’t win playing by the rules, just rewrite them. The new view says if you can’t win a debate on the strength of your argument, demonize your opponents. The new view says it’s okay to ignore the overwhelming public interest as long as you can get away with it. "

[rodeodance]

3. "as you can get away with it. "===they is key--says they CAN be stopped.

[ProSense]

2. From last May, this is what sticks out in my mind.

But with over 95% of the judges already approved, we all know this is nothing more than a power grab by an Administration bent on controlling every aspect of our government, even if that means weakening it.

Was anyone listening? Was it as funny as then as McCain is making this out to be a now by laughing at the filibuster effort on CNN?

Everyday since then, they've usurped more power and all the while stifling dissent.

[ginnyinWI]

4. McCain was laughing?

Word must have been passed--to ridicule the Dems into submission.

Ha--is that all they got??

[jillan]

5. Kerry never loses his focus.

Fighting for this country, for us.

Damn. It just proves that if there was something that could have been done in Nov, he would have.

[BigBearJohn]

6. That's my man!

Mr. Kerry goes to Washington

[rox63]

7. He was fighting for us then

And he's still fighting for us today. :D

[blm]

8. Kerry is SO ON TARGET the media has to make sure people don't HEAR his

words or discuss the substance.

[jenndar]

9. I saw that in May

but it's never been more appropriate than it is now. Thanks for posting it here.