Filibuster Samuel Alito

For most of last year, I was more annoyed than inspired by John Kerry's bellicose rhetoric.  But now that Sam Alito is likely to join the Supreme Court, I support Kerry's call for a filibuster of the nomination  Alito never saw a use of Presidential power that he did not like, and in these times of illegal wiretaps and detentions we must be more vigilant than ever.

If you agree, please sign the filibuster petition today.

Comments

[Todd]

So, you're willing to destroy this man's nomination to the Supreme Court in hopes that...what? You'll get a liberal nominee who will impeach Bush?

Let's be realistic here. Of course Alito leans to the right. Presidents choose nominees who meet with their political agenda. Even if somehow Kerry succeeds in a filibuster, Bush will simply put up another nominee of his ilk and we'll do this all over again.

Alito is an honest, well-informed man who loves his country and his constitution. A DEMOCRAT said that. You're attempting to associate your need to nail Bush on this wiretapping thing with a Justice that will rule on a myriad of cases for decades.

It's petty, political, and utterly uncalled-for.

[Marcus]

That justice will rule for decades in favor of many abuses of power, just like "this wiretapping thing." That is why a filibuster is justified.

[T Scott]

I think the filibuster is pointless, but I agree that having Alito on the court is dangerous. His theory of the unitary executive strikes at the core of the system of checks and balances. Those who think this is all about Bush should remember these debates when the time comes that a Democratic president attempts to exert the same unfettered authority -- and has the backing of supreme court precedents to do so.

[Todd]

Let's face it: The filibuster is nothing more than a political stunt. It's an effort by the top 3 Presidential contenders in 2008 to say "See, we did everything we can, but the mean old Republicans just ignored us." They want to shore up their liberal constituents for the upcoming election.

[T Scott]

I didn't realize you consider Ted Kennedy to be a top presidential contender in '08...

[bg]

The filibuster won't work. And it will only damage further the already struggling and, though I hate to say it, sorry Democratic party.

In my opinion, Alito on SCOTUS is not good for the U.S., despite the fact that he may be conscientious, and intelligent, and honest. I simply don't agree with his views. But the political game of appointments is not about appointing someone who is good for the country, but about appointing someone who is good for whatever party it happens to be that has earned the right to chart the course of the country for the foreseeable future. I use the term "earned" loosely, of course, because I don't believe that the system works properly, and because I don't believe that the Republican party (national or Ohio) has earned anything a but a good, swift kick in the ass. But, neither have the Democrats. And the Democrats surely haven't been working hard enough to earn the right to decide the fate of the country. Most of the time we're too busy blaming the Republicans to figure out any sort of strategy of our own. Some things never seem to change; here's to hoping they do.

Alito is in. It's too late for us to do anything about that. Those of us who are so sick of what's been going on should become more involved.

[Todd]

I was referring to Schumer, Clinton, and Kerry as the Presidential contenders. The Dems lost, 72-25. Here's some quotes from your standard-bearers. Apparently Alito is responsible for Asthma, and Kerry blatantly exposes their real agenda: "If the Republicans vote for it, we have to vote against it."

KENNEDY: "We have doubled the number of deaths from asthma this year than we had five years ago, doubled the deaths for children. I wonder why that is? I don't know what you tell the mother when they see the children having that intensity. We pass laws, the president sign them, they go to the court in terms of interpretation, and where will this nominee come out? Will he come on out for that mother who has a child that's got asthma or that parent who's seeing the pollution that's taken place in a pond -- in a lake and whose child has been affected by those kinds of poison?"

KERRY: "Judge Alito, a nominee who they received with gleeful excitement. Rush Limbaugh rushed to call the nomination fabulous. The right-wing reaction can only mean one thing. They either know or they have a full expectation of what kind of opinions Judge Alito is going to issue, opinions that are in line with their extreme ideology."

[Marcus]

I didn't think Schumer is a Presidential contender. I certainly don't want to lose him once Hilary Clinton becomes President.

I'm pleased that my Senators stood up for civil rights. If this makes me part of the "loony left," count me a proud member.

[Bill Cash]

Schumer could never be president. Neither could Clinton. But I would enjoy her trying. And I would love to see Bill making cookies.