I've read loads of posts on Reid's action yesturday, and while I totally agree that it is one hell of a shot across the bow of the Republican thugs, I think it needs to be clear:
The focus of his action needs to be soley on the runup to the Iraq war. To bring Alito's nomination into it only clouds the waters as the Republicans intend.
Iraq. War of choice. Focus!
On so many levels, this administration failed or manipulated evidence or actions to build the case for war. A modest list below the fold, which you're invited to add to.
First, there's the 9/11 attack (and to keep the pinpoint focus on Iraq, we won't go into the LIHOP theory at this time) and the fact that
Rumsfeld drew up plans on 9/11 to go after Iraq
There's the UN Security Council in there, inspecting, reporting back
some degree of cooperation by the Iraqis vis a vis the UN inspectors
There's the efforts by Iraq itself to
avert war by reaching out to the U.S. in diplomatic means before the war
And the president himself,
admitting there was no link between Saddam and 9/11, on the same day that Blix said Iraq got rid of its wmd's years ago
There's a case to be built, and when one adds in traitorgate, the Downing street memos, the failure to draft exit plans or plan for security once the regime fell, this administration, this president has consistently failed to protect this country.
Economically speaking, the war in Iraq is bleeding our resources dry.
Politically speaking, the administration has squandered all Post 9/11 goodwill the country received from around the globe.
Militarily speaking, the country's armed forces are stretched so thin as to endanger America from serious threats
We could go on and on.
What needs to occur is this pinpoint focus and documentation of the categoric failures of this administration in its efforts to protect the country, the abuse of power that lead to doctored evidence in the run up to this elective war, and out and out lying of the president to the public in his SOTU address regarding the Niger yellowcake.
That documentation can then be used to build the case for impeachment.
While Alito's nomination is very serious, given its far-reaching consequences should he be seated, the possibility of Bush getting the chance to make other, farther reaching mistakes, going into other wars unplanned and unprepared, draining our resources even further, has to be addressed, even the possibility of his making other SCOTUS appointments remains.
I hope the offensive actions taken now by Reid and the Democrats can halt Alito's nomination, but I believe, in spite of the lifelong appointment issue, that wrestling the nuclear football from the hands of this power-hungry administration is the priority and Reid's focus on the runup to this war of choice is the best way to address it.
One final thing: It is my hope, my believe that Alito will be denied entry to SCOTUS by his merits alone.