The Pendragon's Hall

I was disappointed today to read that Republicans in the Senate have again let the pressure get to them and dropped the constitutional option as a viable tool for ending the mindless Democratic filibuster on Bush's judicial nominees. I was afraid this would happen. Perhaps it's time for some heads to roll behind the scenes. In response to the seemingly endless question of, "Would you be so supportive of the Constitutional option if it were a Democratic majority trying to override a Republican filibuster of judicial nominees?" I'd say it's not even worth speculating on. First of all, it is not and never has been a Republican minority trying to do this. Secondly, if the Democrats were the majority party, they'd act the exact same way they are acting today as the minority (of course with Republican Senators like Arlen Specter, John McCain, Chuck Hagel, Lincoln Chafee and George Allen, you can see why Democrats would commonly become mixed up and think they are the majority party). The minute it became apparent that Republicans were playing politics with this country's judicial system, certainly if it got to this level but probably even if one judge had been filibustered, the Democrats would go on the warpath to heat the coffee back up. Newspaper editorials and television commentators from across the fruited plain (or, in this case, the fruity plain) would begin the long barrage of reasons why Republicans should let principle rise above politics (an argument only made against Republicans in the mainstream media) and allow simple up or down votes on the nominees. The Republican Party, the naysayers would cry, was allowing the country's government to run down all because of their political preferences. How like conservatives, they would say in disgust. And, finally, worn down by the demonizing and the political screaming (it does pay to have the loudest groups and the media on your side constantly) the Republican minority would back down and allow an up or down vote on the nominees, regardless of whether they were qualified or not. For those who ask how the Senate will fare if the rules are changed, I ask simply, "Is the Senate working now?" Is the principle of republicanism, or democracy if you prefer, being upheld when a minority party dictates the running of the government? The party the people rejected is now obstructing their peace and safety by throwing a temper tantrum. Hey, you know what? I have a great idea for Canada....