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The Senate Judiciary Committee is schedule to vote on the nomination of Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court on Tuesday morning. HOWEVER, the committee rules allow any member to request the vote be held over for one week. Over the years, this has become a common practice for minority party.
At this point, it is unclear if Republicans will exercise their right to "hold over" the vote which would then happen the following week on July 20th. Stay tuned.
(Again, the COMMITTEE vote is scheduled for the 13th, but there's a good chance it won't happen until the 20th. And it's up to Majority Leader Reid as to when her confirmation comes before the full Senate.)
Today the chttp://judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/SupremeCourt/KaganIndex.cfm">ommittee released Kagan's written responses to questions asked of her during her confirmation hearings.
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As always my thanks and appreciation to our hosts for their time, giving me a little place to stand, a subject to comment on, a forum to put it in, and their indulgence when I don’t quite get it right or get a little off subject. I purely do appreciate it. Hope you’ll have a fine weekend and get to spend some time among folks that you know and love. To my fellow participants keep well, keep safe, and keep the faith. We’ll make it. See you’ll next week.
Do Grizzley's sh!t in the woods?
You Betcha!
They got nothin...
Right back at ya IR! and if I may ride your coatails of appreciation to our hosts...Thanks FR!
The GOP goal is to see that this President fails...It's the Limbaugh Doctrine. And they don't give a rat's lick what happens to the rest of us. Of course, when have they ever cared about us?
Silly question, ofcourse the degenerate repugnant ones will hold up Kagan's confirmation vote. The Stall Baby Stall crowd don't want to allow President Obama and the Democrats to get anything done so they can then whine our government is broken. Then their degenerate Beckerhead crowd will believe them while completely ignorning the fact that it's the party of no who keeps our Congress from passing the legislation we need to recover our Bushwhacked economy so they can come back and wreck it again with more deregulation and tax cut welfare for the rich and greedy which wrecked our current economy and drove our Reagan Bush Bush National Debt through the roof.
It will be good to have Kagan on the corrupt roberts less than supreme court to counter the 4 corrupt radical subversive activist conservative court jesters who are destroying our Constitution by legislating from the bench to give their shrinking party of Shrieking Violets every advantage they can.
Another silly tradition of the senate.
The entire Healthcare debate last year highlighted the fact that the senate has a number of rather silly traditions and norms that I suspect never translated well from "olde english" into the current timeline.
Too much bickering - too much politics - no actual representation
Awww, c'mon, First Read- Why WOULDN"T they hold up Kagan? They haven't been shy about holding up the forward progress of the greatest country on the planet, now, have they??
I think Feisty said it best this week:
They want their country BACK
and we want our country FORWARD
You KNOW it!
Thanks Clara! ;0)
Is the Pope Catholic?
Does a Grizzly Mama sh!t in the woods?
And why would we expect the Republicans to act any different than they have for the past 18 months. Postpone, obstruct, and delay are their watch words. Hopefully the week of the 20th we can put this issue behind us.
IR and all my progressive friends: Ya'all have a safe weekend also. Haven't got that Ya'all thing down yet. Also a special thank you to FR for your hard work...but BTW, Do you think IT can get that pale blue color to turn black. Would appreciate it.
OK Ron...because I'm not progressive, I don't get to have a safe weekend?! Should I have a dangerous weekend? Play in traffic perhaps? (Kidding, kidding, kidding)
As for the Ya'all thing, no you don't have it down yet. Too many "a"s in there. It should be "Y'all". Practice makes perfect!! :-)
Hope everyone (moderators included) has a great weekend!
Stop progress, hold up progress, name calling, ....delay, delay, delay! This is what the Repugnant ones do...this is all they do. Nothing new here!
It is Friday and my thanks and apppreciation to our monitor's. Another job well done and my thanks to let an old salt like me participate in this great board.
Now to Kagan. Of course the Republicans will try to hold up the appointment of Kagan. Tell me what they have not tried to hold up for the last 18 months. 1.4 Million are still out in the streets because they stopped the unemployment benefits, hundreds of legislation stuck in the Senate, and on and on. They do not even have the guts to identify which jerk puts a hold on a procedure for no reason other than they can. This is just how it is going to be for a very long time. The right and tea baggers are going to try and stop everything. They are putting this country into the tank and it appears that we may not be able to do much about it. They will continue to lie, grossly misinform the public, take no ownership for the destruction of the United States they are currently doing and have done under Bush. They are going to blame us Democrat's for everything they think they can get away with. The talking heads and pundits will continue to mislead and push their own agenda and the he!! with the American people.
Hey guys-thanks for another great week. As I said last weekend, our founders would be proud of this site-where everyone gets to voice his or her opinion.
Fiesty-sorry it took until now to respond to your morning post to me. (Friday's are usually 'doctor days'.) Anyway, I tried the bubbles-my two were unimpressed. What they love is good, old fashioned catnip in a toy mouse. (I bought them the refillables-they know whose is whose). The other thing they love are these VERY expensive dental treats that you can only get at the vets. They're worth it because it cuts down on gum disease, (my little girl won't let me brush her teeth. My big guy would let me turn him upside down and wear him as a scarf-go figure), but the cheap ones you get at the supermarket WORK just as well, if the cats will eat them.
Needless to say, my pampered darlings turn up their noses.
Have a good weekend with your darlings.
Pat-sorry, but GO YANKEES!
If bubbles didn't work - try this at night: turn off all the lights and do a flashlight dance over walls, floors, everywhere. I've never met a cat that did not respond to flashlights! Of course I am butting in here and really don't know what was meant by bubbles but I use to use that for my cats and dogs. The dogs responded better to bubbles but cats went crazy over flashlights!!
LOL Elise!
I have one of those laser pointers and can make my little one go half way up the wall... She can't get ENOUGH of the thing!
Thanks NoJo - I'l have to check into the dental treats with my vet. Please tell me your cats don't like to ride in the car? Mine travel to the vet & groomers in pillow cases. It's the only way to keep them calm. If I put them in a carrier - well... let me just say it reminds me of your 'incident' with the princess a couple of weeks ago! ;0)
Will the GOBP hold up Kagan nomination? Is the sky blue? Will the sun rise tomorrow? Yes, yes and yes. The Party of NO.
I gotta ask all the lefty liberals whining about the "degenerate repugnant ones" what part of the following sentence in the article they do not understand:
"Over the years, this has become a common practice for minority party."
Seems to me the Dems were in the minority from 1994-2006. Is it possible the article is referring to the Dems??
Naaaaaaaaaah, ONLY Republican's would do something like that.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe In Albany:
I was just going to say if such a silly rule were available I supose I might use it too whether a Dem or a Republican. That way once confirmd and the person turns out to be a lousy judge one could always say, but I was one who voted to hold over the vote for that person for a week.
On the other hand the question begs, why such a rule? What is its purpose? Everyone knows how they are going to vote by now anyway. So what is the point of holding a vote to determine whether to wait a week to hold a vote. Just sounds like typical government bureacracy to me. You know, let's hold a meeting to determine when we should hold a meeting to determine if we should have a meeting at all, and if so, when to hold that meeting.
Naw, don't think i would care to be a congres person or senator and have to deal with all the idiotic government rules. So I guess I would never have to worry about whether I would vote to postpone such a vote or not.
To All You fine Folks Here:
Have a great weekend.
Special shout out to you Independent.
Hope your's is filled with whatever you like weekends to be filled with.
True in part, but I sugest you check the facts as to who (whom) has done the most filibustering over the past 10 years.
Well Joe Blow, I gave you time to answer. See below.
For the entire nineteenth century, there were only 23 filibusters. From 1917 – when the Senate first adopted cloture rules for ending debate – until 1969, there were fewer than 50. In other words, over a 52 year period, there was an average of less than one filibuster a year. In contrast, during the last Congress, 2007-2008, the majority was obliged to file a record 139 motions to end filibusters. Already in this Congress, since January 2009, there have been 98 motions to end filibusters.
Let me give you another comparison. According to one study, in the 1960s, just eight percent of major bills were filibustered. Last Congress, 70 percent of major bills was targeted.
Try to do some fact searching next time.
USNDV...What source did you use to get these numbers? Not disputing them, I'm just curious and wouldn't mind researching this a bit. Thanks and have a good weekend!
I like where the discussion is going, I am just amazed at how completely brainwashed the MSM has been able to make most of us. We have been told over and over that the filibuster is being used by the minority. THIS SIMPLY IS NOT TRUE. The MSM has been actively, knowingly, lying to you. How?
Through repetition. Millions and millions of times they have told this lie. Why?
Because they don't want you to know that they and the political process that they "cover" are in cahoots to play you for fools. Both political parties work for the corporations. The corporations that run the media, are owned by larger conglomerates. The political parties are, good-cop-bad-copping us into thinking that they are on our side. The gridlock is not an accident, the watering down of the effectiveness of legislation, see loopholes, is not an accident.
RULE 22 of the Senate allows the minority to shelve bills forever. The majority is unable to force a vote and majority rule. The minority rules in the Senate through the use of secret holds and Rule 22. This is something completely different from a filibuster which has a natural lifespan of maybe five days; Rule 22 minority obstruction goes on forever. This is an abomination to the democratic process and is probably unconstitutional. I have no problem with the minority being able to delay something for a week, but perpetual delay of majority rule is UnAmerican.
Frank,
Considered it done. Will try and post the link here today, if not, look for the link tomorrow. There is a lot on info on the trends of the filibuster and how the minority party (who ever that happens to be) can hold the country hostage. Look at the most recent example where there was 56 or 57 yes votes for the unemployment extension. Only 41 0r 42 no's (one dick head demo voted against it). Hence 1.4 Million people without unemployment benefits, tax cuts for small business and individuals all gone. Also look at how many appointments of our President's are still sitting in Limbo. I think this article claimed some high number of about 80% or 85%. In any event you have a great and safe weekend and I will get this info up to you.
US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired
Well Joe Blow, I gave you time to answer. See below.
For the entire nineteenth century, there were only 23 filibusters.
Try to do some fact searching next time.
_____________________________________
First, let me thank you for your military service to our nation. Next, let me point out to you that the article is NOT ABOUT A FILIBUSTER: From the article "the committee rules allow any member to request the vote be held over for one week."
Back to my original post: Looks like none of the whining lefty liberals wants to answer my question of whether or not the article is referring to the Dems in regard to the use of this tactic.
Gee, why am I not surprised??
Joe in Albany,
The entire article may be viewed at the NYC School of Law, Brennan Center for Justice and was written by Tom Harkin (D) IA. Other articles from opencongress.org, Rachael Maddow had a great piece of this topic as well and so does rules.senate.gov. They all refer to filibusters and have basically the same data for the appropriate time frames. The bottom line is the republicans are abusing this many times more than the democrats period. Currently they are on track to break their previous record of NO to everything the President tries to do. Then the two faced creeps blame the president for doing nothing. I would suggest that you read Harkin's statement at the law center and the rules.senate.org article labeled "Filibuster Reform: Crushing Abuse to Prevent Minority Tyranny in the Senate". It is broken out by dates (Sessions) and the 12 year period you speak of is there as well.
With that being said it is true that both parties have used this rule. In the past it was typically targeted to major legislation. But the issue has now become that the repugs are using to stop the government period on just about everything for the simple reason they hate President Obama. They use it or threaten to use it on everything from appointees to positions to any piece of legislation. Also these numbers no do include "holds" which is where one repug can object and it never even gets to the floor/vote period. This makes the numbers even worse.
Have a great day.
Of course they will. That's what they do best. I think the question should be will the American public finally see these people for the obstructionist they really are?
Joe in Albany..... Seems to me the Dems were in the minority from 1994-2006. Is it possible the article is referring to the Dems??
Joe, this weekend, why don't you do a little or a lot of research and see what legislation was passed those years, who sponsored it, who tried to defeat it and who voted to pass it. Trust me, the record is there. Maybe, just maybe, you'll see what has happened, who has caused it and the consequences we are suffering today because of it. I will be checking FR over the weekend and will gladly respond to any comments you may care to make. And no I don't think its all the Republicans fault, just the most damaging aspects of it.
Frank,
He did not respond to me either, so I sent him the info. See above.
Have a great weekend.
For the entire nineteenth century, there were only 23 filibusters. From 1917 – when the Senate first adopted cloture rules for ending debate – until 1969, there were fewer than 50. In other words, over a 52 year period, there was an average of less than one filibuster a year. In contrast, during the last Congress, 2007-2008, the majority was obliged to file a record 139 motions to end filibusters. Already in this Congress, since January 2009, there have been 98 motions to end filibusters.
Let me give you another comparison. According to one study, in the 1960s, just eight percent of major bills were filibustered. Last Congress, 70 percent of major bills was targeted.
Frank. Agree with you, it is not all the GOPers fault but most of it is. Clinton signed the repeal of Glass Stegall when he should have vetoed it.
His veto would have been overridden. Look at the vote totals.
Jody and Frank,
I agree. Both sides are guilty of using this stupid rule to their advantage and our disadvantage. I am going to try to send some links to Frank in a little bit or more likely tomorrow. Iwill copy the post to you as well, unless you do not want me to.
Personally I think it stinks (trying to clean up my act here) when hou can have a majority of 59 and those 41 can stop you dead in your tracks. This type of attitude opens the door for one party rule to get anything of value done. And that I do not want in any form. I want it to be a majority not a super majority. I just do not like any forum where 41% have more say than 59%
One of the USA's major malfunctions in the education system is the lack of training in reading comprehension skills. THIS ARTICLE IS NOT ABOUT THE FILIBUSTER!!!!!!
Further, it IS about a Committee rule, which could be changed by a majority vote by the Dems that control the majority of the committee. Don't blame the Republicans for something 100% controlled by the Dems.
FrankH: why don't you do the research you suggest and post it here for all to see. I have much better things to do with my time this weekend: Filet mignon and fresh Alaska sockeye salmon on the grill and an ice cold Molsons Golden in my hand. LOL!!!
As you would see if you knew how to look, the reply to a comment is not the same as a comment on the article. I never attended a public school. A one week delay on a committee vote is small potatoes to the larger problem of legislative gridlock and collusion between media companies and politicians.
And why so lazy Joe? How does stuffing your face and drinking beer stop you from doing a little research on issue that you clearly don't fully understand. Frank H. could do the work for you and post the information, but he can't make you read it or acknowledge it. Douche.
I sorta knew Joes response would be along these lines. He and those like him would dispute anything that was posted. He probably already knows the answer and what the facts show. I'm sure the beer helps him handle the truth.
I just finished a delicious lunch of filet mignon, with Alaska sockeye salmon off the grill (with lots of garlic butter), accompanied by a couple of Molson Golden's. I decided to look in on my favorite comedy blog, First Read, for a few laughs and i wasn't disappointed:
Paul-977599; "I never attended a public school."
Well, isn't that special. Paul thinks he's better than most Americam's.
Maybe you can take your superior attitude and use it to buy yourself a life on Ebay.
Hey, Joe, are you aware that gluttony is a deadly sin?
In comment #13.5, you, you not me, made reference to the failure of the public education system to enhance reading comprehension skills. We are all aware that the article isn't about the filibuster, but it is about delay and obstructionism. Yes democrats make use of the same set of rules that the RE-peat-the-lie-to-the-PUBLIC-ans have been abusing. Frank H. suggested that you look up the legislative record to see the disparity in usage. Seemed a reasonable request of a man who has time to spare and access to the internet.
I am a bit concerned about your diet. Salmon and Filet Mignon with beer two days in a row? Try to work some vegetables in there every once and a while.
I doubt that a superior attitude buys much on Ebay, let alone a life, never have visited the site though, so I wouldn't know for certain.
At what do you think that I think that I am better than most "Americam's"? Give it your best shot mind-reader.
Forgot to mention:
For those on the blog who have a religious bent or at least hopefully some personal spiritiuality, remember and say a prayer of your choosing this weekend for our friends (marine life and wildlife) in and around the gulf being injured or killed by this oil leak.
Thanks, and I'll pass on your concerns to some of my dolphin, manatee and sea turtle friends this weekend. Going to do some sailing. Or should I say some soiling. Whatever, going to see if I can clean up some friends.
I'll do that. Good for you, those friends could use all the help they can get.
CA,
Done. Have a great weekend.
Silly question, silly rule. Of course, one of them will vote to not vote for a week. Seems to me the Senate rules could stand revision to meet the 21st century. The founding fathers probably turn over in their graves at the cloture vote obstructionism and at anonymous holds for weeks and months. Some group should sue the Senate stating their "rules" are unconstitutional--now that would be interesting; improbable since rules are agreed to but a fun thought anyway.
Have a great weekend. And I second Independent Redneck about FR hosts, topics, etc. This is the best political site. I appreciate the thoughts everyone has because the points are some I might not have considered and prompt me to expand my own thinking. We may disagree but most of the time, we try to be civil.
It's Friday's with Thurber tonight. I had read them years ago and they still ring true. As Keith O reads those, I always think about how much his Dad must have enjoyed it; what a good son and good father.
Why wouldn't they? They hold up everything else that is beneficial to the people.
We have two different Friday Night Flicks in the Park tonight - both within a mile of my house. I think Jurassic Park is going to win the coin toss. I didn't much care for Where the Wild Things Are. Happy weekend friends and foes.
See ya' next week!
I would go with Jurassic Park too!
Me? I'm thinking about grabbing a cold one and climbing into my very own hot tub 'time machine'lol
Have fun Clara - I'm sure I'll see you on FB sometime over the weekend!
Indeed, and check out my photos from my trip, if you get a chance! We opted 'in' for Alice in Wonderland. Long week, tired bunnies.
The DNC should run ad's listing all the filibusters the Republican's used since Obama was elected.
The People need to see the Party of No in action. The reasons we elected Obama are still there. The Republicans have managed to distort the truth enough that many have forgotten.
Hey Disabled Veteran--
I hope you are not contending that the Democrats have filibustered more than the Republicans have. Because if you are, you would be just as guilty as your chief moron Beck in arguing something sinister about the non-existence of video showing Byrd's opposition to the Civil Rights Act. A typical Republican move to appease the simpletons in their ranks is the practice of throwing up a set of facts without providing context or taking them completely out of context and claiming them to be true even where the truth or valid evidence suggest otherwise. Those of us who appreciate numbers, words and their contexts (i.e., those who rely on anything other than Faux News) know otherwise and will no longer cowtow to your fear and distortion agenda.
I am saying the Republicians have abused the filibuster far more than the democrats. While both parties are guility it is the republicians that are far more guilty (sorry for the faultly language). Thank you for allowing me to explain it better.
have a great weekend and thanks again for letting me make myseld a little clearer on this. PS I do not like Glenn Beck, Rush or any thing about FOX. I do not hate them, but I have the upmost contempt for them .
Jody and USNDV Ret... thanks for your help. I really do enjoy your posts. I am just trying to open some eyes. You can't convince anyone of anything with a few sentences heere, so hopefully a little black and white will help put things in perspective for us all.
And I feel a connect with disabled vet there, being as the Marine Corp is part of the Navy. Have a good weekend.
You too my friend. The Marines and Navy are one. There is almost a brother relationship in that we can fight amongst ourselves, make up and do it again, but watch out if some outsider tries to attack the other. You have a great weekend and I am my family thank you for your service.
Yours in Service:
No news outlet reported this exchange between Coburn and Kagan
Kagan: Senator Coburn, to be honest with you, I don't have a view of what are natural rights, independent of the Constitution. And my job as a justice will be to enforce and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States.
Coburn: So you wouldn't embrace what the Declaration of Independence says, that we have certain God-given, inalienable rights that aren't given in the Constitution that are ours, ours alone, and that a government doesn't give those to us?
Kagan: Senator Coburn, I believe that the Constitution is an extraordinary document, and I'm not saying I do not believe that there are rights pre-existing the Constitution and the laws. But my job as a justice is to enforce the Constitution and the laws.
Coburn: Well, I understand that. I'm not talking about as a justice. I'm talking about Elena Kagan. What do you believe? Are there inalienable rights for us? Do you believe that?
Kagan: Senator Coburn, I think that the question of what I believe as to what people's rights are outside the Constitution and the laws, that you should not want me to act in any way on the basis of such a belief.
She does not believe in "inalienable" rights - she only believes in specific rights granted by the government.
This is the same concept of rights that the People's Republic of China. This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue - it is Constitutional. Once that precedent is set liberals - then a Conservative right wing government can say that you liberals don't have the "inalienable right to life, liberty, etc' because of who you are and because they are not specifically given by the government. The thought of liberals doing this to conservatives does not bother conservatives: most of us are armed and willing to "redo" the American Revolution when the liberals try it with us. BUt liberals are simply "victims" in this issue. You are all fools who support her.
Finally someone who sees Kagan for what she is. An avowed socialist. Anyone who read her college thesis (before it was pulled from the web for copyright violation) and also followed her college career would know just how radical she is. After reading the thesis it not hard to figure why it was pulled. I wish I had copied it, but I was to slow, it wasn’t there for long. I was raised a Democrat and we used to hate commies. How times have changed.
It is totally congruous that a man with zero experience is elected to the highest office of the land, then nominates a woman with zero experience to the highest court in the land.
I’m sure Kagan and La Raza will have much to discuses if she is sent to the highest court in the land.
Socialism and Communism are not the same thing.
If you want to talk about someone's socialistic leanings fine, but why must you always bring communism into the discussion as if one is the logical slippery slope into the other ?
Because as far as Kagan goes, communism and socialism go hand and hand. You don't read much do ya!
I'm not going to be reading much more of your drivel. And the part about you being "too slow", I understand.
Try answering the question asked, saying that they go hand and hand in Kagan's mind is ignorant blather.
The Chinese people have the same Inalienable rights, they just have to fight for them. The declaration didn't bestow these rights on anybody nor did it only upon Americans. These are human rights. Kagan believes in human rights and wishes to be employed as an interpreter of the rights and restrictions written into our Constitution. The Constitution is the agreement by which we govern ourselves, the government doesn't hand down our rights to us, we already possess them, what we must do is remain ever vigilant to their erosion by government, by things like the Patriot Act.