Comments on: Help Wanted: Specter’s Switch Means Vigilant Voters Needed to Replace Filibuster http://mindyourowndamnbusinesspolitics.com/wordpress/2009/04/29/help-wanted-vigilant-voters-needed-to-replace-filibuster/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=help-wanted-vigilant-voters-needed-to-replace-filibuster A movement toward critical thinking in politics Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:57:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Robert S. Siegel http://mindyourowndamnbusinesspolitics.com/wordpress/2009/04/29/help-wanted-vigilant-voters-needed-to-replace-filibuster/comment-page-1/#comment-73 Robert S. Siegel Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:06:36 +0000 http://mindyourowndamnbusinesspolitics.com/wordpress/?p=283#comment-73 Scott! Glad to see you're out there! That you are familiar with Senator Metzenbaum (D. Ohio - deceased) and his reading a book in a filibuster tells me that his effort did draw the public's attention; the Senator's last term ended in 1995 and you're still aware. There is no question in my mind that the filibuster is first and foremost a tool of obstruction that has been ill used. That does not change my call for added vigilance by voters. The loss of the filibuster is the loss of an important tool that could be used to draw attention and engage debate. It could also be used to obstruct worthy legislation. That said, added vigilance will either shut down the ill used filibuster or hurt the Republicans further. Either way, added vigilance, which is what I call for, can only be good. Our nation is based on informed debate. "Informed" is always key. Great to have you join the conversation. Please keep reading and commenting. Scott!
Glad to see you’re out there!

That you are familiar with Senator Metzenbaum (D. Ohio – deceased) and his reading a book in a filibuster tells me that his effort did draw the public’s attention; the Senator’s last term ended in 1995 and you’re still aware.

There is no question in my mind that the filibuster is first and foremost a tool of obstruction that has been ill used. That does not change my call for added vigilance by voters.

The loss of the filibuster is the loss of an important tool that could be used to draw attention and engage debate. It could also be used to obstruct worthy legislation. That said, added vigilance will either shut down the ill used filibuster or hurt the Republicans further. Either way, added vigilance, which is what I call for, can only be good. Our nation is based on informed debate. “Informed” is always key.

Great to have you join the conversation. Please keep reading and commenting.

]]> By: Scott N http://mindyourowndamnbusinesspolitics.com/wordpress/2009/04/29/help-wanted-vigilant-voters-needed-to-replace-filibuster/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Scott N Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:08:34 +0000 http://mindyourowndamnbusinesspolitics.com/wordpress/?p=283#comment-72 Callin' B.S. on ya' on this one. Name more than one occurrence in recent past where filibuster was used to foster debate. It's the anti-debate mechanism - used to block any vote and outlast the will of the opposing party/side/debate. Heck, wasn't it Metzenbaum who read from a book or some such nonsense? Our two party system is flawed no doubt, but don't hold the filibuster (or lack thereof) as the paragon of a just and unbiased forum for debate. The only thing it forces is boredom. Scott - unabashed West Sider Callin’ B.S. on ya’ on this one. Name more than one occurrence in recent past where filibuster was used to foster debate. It’s the anti-debate mechanism – used to block any vote and outlast the will of the opposing party/side/debate. Heck, wasn’t it Metzenbaum who read from a book or some such nonsense?

Our two party system is flawed no doubt, but don’t hold the filibuster (or lack thereof) as the paragon of a just and unbiased forum for debate. The only thing it forces is boredom.

Scott
- unabashed West Sider

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