Because It's the Right Thing To Do

I'm astounded that so many here at KOS are following the media in framing the discussion of the Alito filibuster in terms of winning and losing.  Chris Matthews et al are confused that our senators would actually take a stand on something, and the pundits can only decry the foolishness, declaring that Democratic senators in purple states could be at risk this fall because of the filibuster.

More...

Huh???  Isn't this constant focus on re-election precisely what's WRONG in Washington today?  Shouldn't we be applauding the fact that our senators are voting their conscience on something that will determine the very survivial of the balance of power that structures and supports our democracy?  Will it even matter how many democratic seats we can pick up if Alito is sitting on the Supreme Court and the executive branch is free to run hog wild?  Now THAT would be a Pyrrhic victory!

This reminds me of the disappointing TV coverage of the Olympics.  I don't really care how many medals the US wins, that's simply not the point of the Olympics.  I want to see (and celebrate) individual excellence, whether its the skill of the winner or the courage and determination of the underdog.  The popularity of the Jamaican bobsled team is one aspect of that, but also what about folks like Jean-Claude Killy (for those of you who remember that far back)?  

Similarly, I don't want the exclusive focus of the filibuster discussions to be on whether "our side" is winning or losing in some counting game.  We are winning! We may not be able to block Alito, but we can at least change the focus in Washington from electability to issues.  Our senators are starting to stand up and do their job, vote their conscience, and defend the government of the United States.  And they are directly asking for our support, so let's give it to them...for the right reasons.  Because blocking Alito is the right thing to do.

•  Filibuster, How To:

  But only if we make it happen:

  First: Call the Democrats (Mary Landrieu, Ken Salazar, Barack Obama, Tom Harkin) who oppose Alito but also said they oppose a filibuster. We must persuade them that a vote against Alito is meaningless if they don't support a filibuster.

  Senator Salazar (D-CO) 202-224-5852

  Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) 202-224-5824 (If you can't get through the Washington number, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here: http://capwiz.com/...)

  Senator Barack Obama Phone: [phone] District Offices: Chicago: 312-886-3506 Marion: 618-997-2402 Springfield: 217-492-5089

  Senator Tom Harkin Phone: [phone] District Offices: Des Moines: 515-284-4574 Cedar Rapids: 319-365-4504 Davenport: 563-322-1338 Dubuque: 563-582-2130  Sioux City: 712-252-1550

  Second : Call your own Democratic Senator: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641. If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here: http://capwiz.com/...

  Third : Unbelievably, three Democrats (Ben Nelson, Tim Johnson and Robert Byrd) support Alito! Tell them to either support filibuster or at least "don't get in the way." Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) 202-224-6551 Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) 202-224-3954 Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) 202-224-5842
  
  888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641. If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here: http://capwiz.com/...

  Fourth: Call the "Red State" Democrats: (Message same as above -- "No" is meaningless) Tom Carper (DE)
  
  Kent Conrad (ND)
  
  Byron Dorgan (ND)
  
  Mark Pryor (AR)

  Fifth : Call these "Blue State" and pro-choice Republicans: (Message: A "Unitary Executive" is dangerous to balance of powers--please do not get in the way of a filibuster.) Lincoln Chafee (RI)
  
  Susan Collins (ME)
  
  Lisa Murkowsky (AK)
  
  Bob Smith (OR)
  
  Olympia Snowe (ME)
  
  Ted Stevens (AK)

  Blanche Lincoln (AR)

  888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641. If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here: http://capwiz.com/...

  For extra credit, call all of the 2008 Presidential candidates who are sitting Senators--Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, and John Kerry--and tell them to either LEAD THE FILIBUSTER or KISS YOUR SUPPORT GOODBYE. 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641. If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here: http://capwiz.com/...

  You can also send that message to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (202-224-2447) and the Democratic National Committee (202-863-8000).
  
  Polls and public opinion are another way to apply pressure -- get word out about why Alito needs to be filibustered:

  Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. (Click here)

  People for the American Way has collected nearly 65,000 signatures to send to the Senate, please add yours: Save the Court Petition

  John Kerry has endorsed this anti-Alito petition, signers' names will be read into the Congressional Record:http://www.johnkerry.com/...

   

  by judybrowni on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 06:20:32 AM PDT

  •  Heavy Artillery for the filibuster fight

    On a weekend, you may have difficulty reaching a real live person with whom to talk when you call the various senators' offices, but you can always reach their fax machines!

    Here is a flyer (in PDF form) that should be faxed to senators who are still sitting on the fence. click on the graphic at left, or go to this diary for more information.

    Keep up the fight! We must not lose this one!
    .

    by Dan Hrkman on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 07:11:48 AM PDT