[.30Carbine]

Knowledge is power. The word 'filibuster' is being bandied about so much of late in reference to President Bush's judicial nominees that I thought it important for all FReepers to know exactly what it is, what it is used for, and how to overcome it. I've learned a great deal myself.

[.30Carbine]

Here it is! Please bump to your list and thank you for your help.

[Bullish]

If the dumbocrats strategy is to stage filibusters, they are walking a political tightrope without a net. Their whole party may be at stake.

The people have seen enough of their obstruction. They would be wise to learn a lesson from their defeat at the polls last November.

But then, we're talking dumbocrats here, and stupid is, as stupid does.

[Claire Voyant]

Frist should INSIST that they actually DO filibuster. It's like someone saying they will take the FIFTH so the committee doesn't make them come in to do it.....I say MAKE them do it in front of the world.

[scooter2]

What I want to know is, what's a fili and why would anyone want to bust one?

[Puppage]

Endure an additional thirty hours of debate before the final roll call vote.

How will Teddy K get his drinks?

[DonQ]

There have been several interesting filibusters in Senate history, not all of them attributable to liberals. Strom Thurmond holds the record for a one-man filibuster against a civil rights bill. Some filibusters have been important and had some moral force; e.g. George Norris's filibuster against Wilson's proposal to mount artillary on passenger steamships on the brink of WW1.

[Grampa Dave]

Here is an excellent and quick review on cloture thanks to Deport: (Link to Cloture review)

This is exactly why we need at least 60 Republican Senators sworn in 2005 before President Bush is sworn in for his second term.

Jim posted about this necessity shortly after the November 2002 election, and Phi Kap Mom is our leader in this goal.

[nicmarlo]

WOW! Quick perusal indicates this is definitely a worthwhile post and bookmark.......Will be very interested to read this later. Thanks for the ping, PKM.

[nicmarlo]

Quick question on CLOTURE: I've heard the use of this word before, but I thought not necessarily regarding a filibuster.....any other info on cloture? Like what is it? Can it be used as a prevention to a filibuster, etc.? Thanks.

[okie01]

Thanks for the post. It's a very helpful summary of the filibuster tactic.

However, one critical aspect isn't covered. Appropriation bills are NOT subject to filibuster -- all votes require a majority only. The rationale is that appropriation bills are "the business of government" -- the day-to-day housekeeping, so to speak. Accordingly, Senate rules specifically exclude these bills from the filibuster tactic.

Thus, an amendment authorizing the sale of oil leases for exploration and production in ANWR can be attached to an appropriation bill -- and it cannot be filibustered. Since the sale of oil leases is a legitimate funding measure, it can be legitimately attached to an appropriations bill.

[MeekOneGOP]

What is a Filibuster?

Good information on Senate Obstruction procedure that the 'RATS might use to stop President Bush's judicial appointments.

---

filibuster

fil·i·bus·ter [ fílli bùstr ]

noun (plural fil·i·bus·ters)

1.  politics political delaying tactic: a tactic such as a long irrelevant speech or several such speeches used to delay or prevent the passage of legislation

2.  politics legislative obstructor: somebody who uses obstructive tactics to prevent the passage of legislation

[Mid-19th century. Via Spanish filibustero  from, ultimately, Dutch vrijbuiter pirate (source of English freebooter).]

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my General Interest ping list!. . .don't be shy.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for the post and the pings!

PKM, if you get tired of the postal hijacking, VP Cheney's live on C-Span. (^;

[Bigg Red]

.30, Thank you for the post.

PKM, thanks for the flag, girlfriend.

[Political Junkie Too]

Tom Daschle institutionalized the "threat of a filibuster" when he declared that "controversial" bills would require 60 votes to be had before allowing the bill to come to the floor. His 60-vote rule was based on the assumption that a controversial bill would be filibustered, and that 60 votes would be required to invoke cloture, therefore, if you didn't have 60 votes going in then the bill wouldn't be considered at all. What this was, was really tyranny of the minority. Instead of having 51 Senators decide what happened, only 40 Senators controlled what happened.

This is kind of like that Star Trek episode where the two planets were in a centuries-old war where people didn't really fight, they "pretend-fought" over computers and then went to death chambers when they were hit. That was too clean a way to fight a war, and Daschle's 60-vote rule was too clean a way to block bills.

Make them actually filibuster.

-PJ

[davidosborne]

great educational thread.. unfortunately the average citizen does not understand this basic principle of the Senate... this is why it is so important that we get 60 GOP Senate Seats.. this is the only possible way to get our REAL agenda passed... another interesting fact is that FREEPERS have a LOT of power to counter filibusters... we can get the word out to the masses very quickly.. and could produce tremendous pressure on the democrats who seek to abuse the "filibuster" to prevent the Majority from passing the agenda that the American people voted for..

FReegards,

David

[Palladin]

Thanks, carbine! This is a term we were well familiar with in 7th grade, as we had to learn and memorize the workings of all 3 branches of the government in order to pass the very tough New York State Regents exams in 8th grade.

I wonder how many kids have to learn these things nowadays.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: What is a filibuster?

Back in the early days in the Republic of Texas, it was a group of guys going off to kick Santa Anna's hinney again. Sad to say, most ended up trying not to pick a black bean out of a pot. It a Texas Thing!

[Revolting cat!]

I don't know if this is helpful at all, but in response to the original question, I used to know a guy named, no kidding, Philip U. Staer.