Letters to the Editor
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Can you send this to Harry Reid?
Just send him the editor's picks. Copy Howard Dean on it. I think Salon readers' opinions pretty failrly reperesent registered Democrats' feelings. Let's let them know how we're feeling! We are f'ing pissed!
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Forget about skeletons
A friend of mine who worked with Alito briefly when she was a federal prosecutor says the guy she knew is highly unlikely to have anything scandalous in his background. If this is fought, it's going to have to be on ideological grounds, which I myself have no problem with. It's not like it hasn't been ideological for quite some time, it's just that it's always been cloaked in codewords and euphemism. Better to have it out in the open, everything on the table. Don't let the other side hide behind their "dignified process," "constitutional option," "discrimination against people of faith" mumbo-jumbo.
I'm glad to see so many other commenters here who feel exactly as I do: If the Democrats don't make a stand here, then where in hell do they intend to make one? Once you've been pushed off the edge of the cliff, it's too lake to try to stand your ground. If the Republicans elect to go nuclear and we lose, then so be it. At least the Dems will have shown that they're willing to go down fighting. And the filibuster is no good to anyone if the Dems are afraid ever to use it.
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What are the Democrats "saving it" for?
When they made their deal with the Devil, the Democratic participants in the "Gang of 14" argued that it was a necessary compromise. They had to cave on conservative appeals-court nominees now in order to preserve the filibuster for the time when it would really be needed -- i.e. when an arch-conservative would be nominated to the Supreme Court.
Well, that time has come. If the Democrats don't use the filibuster now, they will have gained nothing and lost everything for their constituents.
The Democrats are like a virginal tease -- they keep telling us progressives how much they want us, but when we try to take them up on it they squeal that they're "saving it" for later. Well, the left is married to the Democrats now -- and we want them to finally go all the way. Anything less is grounds for divorce.
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What If?
I saw a picture of Alito posed behind the casket of Rosa Parks as her body lay in state in the Capitol. What if he had been on the Supreme Court along with its other current members (minus Sandra Day O'Connor) in the days of the Civil Rights struggle? Would we still be fighting for the most basic civil liberties?
Of course the Democrats have to fight this nomination. The abominations of the Bush Administration and the religious right have got to stop.
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The filibuster
"How hard to do you fight if you know that you're going to lose anyway?"
The Democrats may well lose what little credibility they have with their base and with independents if they don't fight. Besides, what is the point of having a weapon, the filibuster, if you are not going to use it? This is it! The big one! The Democrats should fight Alito tooth-and-nail. Even if they lose and the Republicans go nuclear, fighting this awful nomination will allow them to establish something they sorely need: a clear record of opposition that they can point to during the next mid-term election campaign. Further, it will put the Republicans on record for nuking the filibuster, something most Americans opposed last time the issue came around, and put them at a disadvantage should they lose control of the Senate.
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Democrats: Hold your fire!
"One way or another, our money says that Alito gets confirmed unless the confirmation process reveals some shocking skeletons in his closet. If we're right, the question for the Democrats is this: How hard to do you fight if you know that you're going to lose anyway? Do you devote your time, your energy and a reputation to this battle, or do you focus instead on GOP scandals that keep coming and a war that won't go away? There's a menu from which Democrats can choose now, and the choices they make may determine whether they keep winding up on the losing end of these votes in the future."
As a life-long progressive, who already thinks the Democrats stand for nothing and until they stand for something will continue to lose elections, suggesting that wimpy Democrats should once again at least consider their options before limping onto the battlefield makes my blood boil. If a fight over this nomination is not worth having, then I no longer know what is worthy of a fight.
Opposition, as the Repugs have taught us, is a habit. Not something you save up for a rainy day. If there's any doubt, it's not only raining, it's a torrent. Exactly what are the Dems waiting for? Some judge to hand them back the Congress or the White House? I'm sure Supreme Court Justice Scalito would be happy to help on that one.
Focusing on GOP scandals, and pointing on how ignorant, shallow, self-absorbed, and insecure Bush is doesn't mean you stand for something. The Democrats have to do more than point fingers, and sneer at what's wrong. This has to be a fight to the death, and so far the Dems have made it quite clear they're staying home.
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Planning to lose.
Grieve wondered: How hard to do you fight if you know that you're going to lose anyway?
First, If you think you're going to lose, you will lose. And why even bother getting out of bed if you know you're going to lose? These are the dire predictions of losers and it explains why the American people believe that Dems have no conviction, and have no idea what they stand for. There is always an excuse NOT to fight, NOT to stand on principle, a reason to postpone standing for something they believe in. Democrats will do anything to avoid a showdown, and that is NOT the American way. They shouldn't go looking for a fight, but if one presents itself, they should appear to relish the opportunity to defend their principles. Instead, they usually run or cave, as Grieve seems to be suggesting.
Grieve recommends waiting for a better opportunity. It won't ever come.
We have to believe in ourselves, believe we can win in spite of the odds, and fight tooth and nail for what we believe in. Then, and only then will the Democrats be respected. This constant caving in, or giving up has to stop.