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SCOTUS Post-Mortem Email Print

By Man Eegee
01/30/2006 11:44:37 PM EST

I am obviously disappointed with the vote today regarding the destruction of the final check and balance on George Bush's Imperial Reign. I will never understand how the Beltway Brigade operates. I'm actually happy about that. Why should I be sympathetic to a powerful group of Senators who rely more on collegiality and spin rather than the will of the people who gave them that power?

As far as I'm concerned, the 20+ Democrats who voted for cloture today are traitors to their base, the everday Americans who canvassed and advocated for their votes in neighborhoods across this country. There is no excuse for their capitulation.

continued...

Alito's judicial record speaks for itself and will prove our greatest fears substantiated. The far-right wing of the Republican party (a.k.a. its string-pullers and overlords) will gain one more vote to fulfill their greatest wish: the overturning of Roe v. Wade. I've already written about my thoughts on that issue here.

But it's more than that particular issue. A vote has also been gained for the corporate forces in this country who seek to de-regulate their industries that will erode the protections of workers, the needs of the disabled, usher the rapid decline of environmental protections, blur the lines of discrimination and other horrific ideals that I do not share.

I live in a so-called "Red State", so this has been an especially bitter pill to swallow. I was counting on the Democratic Senators to proclaim my position strongly on the floor since it will be a cold, snowy day in Gila Bend before McCain or Kyl vote according to my wishes. Too many Democrats watered down that position today, effectively silencing my opinion and that of many of my friends in the lefty blogoshere.

So now what? Do I leave the party? Do I finally say "**** this" once and for all?

I am way too stubborn for that.

In fact, this whole charade pissed me off so badly that I went straight to the Democratic Party's website and signed up for a Democracy Bond. I don't have a lot of discetionary money, but I believe that the time has come for me to step up my activism and make sure demand, once and for all that my voice is heard.

I resolve to work my Democratic ass off for progressive candidates who will speak with a loud, clear voice that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I can only reform the party if I remain within it. I can only ensure the election of progressive candidates with infrastructure support by sucking it up and demanding accountability.

I refuse to be silenced and the Beltway Brigade has another thing coming if they think today's capitulation will result in their continued support. Their era is over, and I will give my time, money and passion to make it so.

I will no longer be ignored.

Crossposted from my humble blog.


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< Bush Squashes Internal Dissent on Wiretapping and Global Warming | Poltical Wushu: Exhibit A -- The Alito Filibluster >
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SCOTUS Post-Mortem | 9 comments (9 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
SCrOTUS (5.00 / 2)
Nicely said Manny. Those of the "I'm leaving... I've had it" camp just don't get it.

All the great social movements of the last 50 years (civil rights, womens right, anti-war etc) all started as grassroots "out of the loop" movements that eventually gained power and influence when they forced the Democratic party to included them.

I'm old enough to remember watching the delegate fight at the 68 convention when I was a kid. Daley orchestrated the refusal of the sitting of a predominately black delegation. It is nothing new for people to have to scratch and fight their way to incusion in the party... but eventually they always succeed.

That's what we must do now ... fight our way to inclusion.

by Duke1676 on 02/01/2006 02:48:05 PM EST

Hola Duke (none / 0)
thanks for breaking the ice and scattering the crickets in my thread  :-)

I don't fault the disgruntled Dems from getting fed up and leaving the party, we all have different thresholds of tolerance; for many, the Alito cloture vote was the last straw, others it was perhaps the banckrupcy bill.  

While I disagree strongly with some Dems' votes on those issues, I also recognize that the party has the infrastructure and history to do some great things for this country.  I choose to focus my energy on building momentum for change and growing the party rather than starting from scratch.  The problem, in my opinion, is the corporate wing having control of the leadership.  I long for the day when the Progressive Caucus or the newly-formed Tri-Caucus is given the steering wheel to drive the party platform.

maneegee.blogspot.com

by Man Eegee on 02/03/2006 11:47:58 AM EST

[ Parent ]
there are also those (none / 1)
in the "I'm leaving...I've had it...well, wait, I didn't mean it...I'm back!  Recommend me!" camp.

Just sayin' ;)

My blog is pretty.

by Georgia10 on 02/04/2006 12:29:15 PM EST

[ Parent ]
SCOTUS Post-Mortem (4.50 / 2)
I would also like to thank all the netroots activists who took the time to call, email, fax and make in-person visits to the Senators in Washington.  This whole ordeal showed a unity across the sites that is seldom found, and it proved that we can give great power to our message when we stand together.

Paz, Man Eegee

maneegee.blogspot.com

by Man Eegee on 01/30/2006 11:46:50 PM EST

Great post! (none / 1)
Thanks!

Political Cortex -- Brain Food for the Body Politic

by Tom Ball on 02/01/2006 11:14:21 PM EST

Thanks (none / 1)
for reading, Tom!  I thought I would put it out there to see what others thought.

maneegee.blogspot.com

by Man Eegee on 02/03/2006 11:49:42 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Great piece (none / 0)
Buying a democracy bond is the best thing to do.  Can you believe there were actually some people calling for a boycott of Howard Dean?  Ridiculous!  

Glad to see you have your head on straight :)

My blog is pretty.

by Georgia10 on 02/04/2006 12:30:19 PM EST

[ Parent ]
thx georgia (none / 0)
Call it stubbornness, or idealism, or folly but I can't give up.  I've been heartened to read the status reports on the congressional elections that are showing progressive Dems signing up to run for office.  The only way for us to seize control of the party is to show up and vote the corporate wing out of power.

And I agree, your blog is pretty  :)

maneegee.blogspot.com

by Man Eegee on 02/05/2006 01:45:34 AM EST

[ Parent ]
AT LEAST IT WASN'T (none / 0)
J. Harvie Wilkinson the turd. Oops, I mean the third. As one of Rehnquist's boys, he was instrumental in establishing tension between Congress and the Supreme Court. Wilkinson was Machiavellian to the extent that he would always travel incognito. But he was a main mover behind the scenes.

I sure would like to know what those FBI files President Bush read just before this last summers non interview with Wilkinson said.

by jlspruill on 02/20/2006 01:07:30 AM EST

SCOTUS Post-Mortem | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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