(
[editor's note, by HadIt] OK, let me be clear here: I'm not saying the filibuster was not used for racist purposes. I'm sure it was. So was Congress, the Presidency, and Courts, the BIBLE, and others. MY point is ALL the factcheck site notes is the worst use, the racist use, of the filibuster. By implying it has only been used for bad things, they are just lying. IMO.)
As seen on Atrios via Pandagon.
Tell me this was an April Fool's Joke from Factcheck.org!
Factcheck.org has decided to point out that the filibuster is a bad thing. They make their case by showing how it was used by racists.
The historical reality is that the filibuster was the means by which the segregationist South blocked federal civil rights legislation for many decades after a majority favored it.
More below...
And then goes on to list various times when the filibuster was used for racist purposes. That's it.
It doesn't list any times it was used for anything good.
Their unstated view is that the filibuster is a racist tool and would only be loved by racists.
They end with a fantasy statement:
In fact,
eliminating the filibuster would still allow all senators ample opportunity to speak and be heard. What's actually at stake is whether a minority of 40 senators will continue to have the power to block legislation favored by a majority -- particularly the confirmation of Bush's judicial nominees.
We of course take no position on whether the filibuster should or should not be preserved, or whether any or all of Bush's judicial nominees should or should not be confirmed. We merely note that real-life filibusters don't necessarily look like the fictional one shown in the TV ad.
So is this true? Has the filibuster only been used for EVIL???
Then I say be gone with it!
Maybe there's a reason Cheney mentioned factcheck.org (.com) during the debates?
I'm just saying.
Update [2005-4-1 9:55:8 by HadIt]:
Just thought I'd add this contact info, for expressing displeasure, agita, or whatnot:
Mail:
FactCheck.org
Annenberg Public Policy Center
320 National Press Building
Washington DC 20045
E-Mail: Editor@FactCheck.org
Telephone: (Annenberg Public Policy Center)
(202) 879-6700
