This is fantastic news. Thank heavens conservatives stood firm on the silly, weak Harriet Meyers nomination. That was not the President's finest hour. Alito is a good, solid choice--may not vote "right" on every case, owing to case historise of likely to resist the ongoing pressure to "fold, bend, staple, or mutilate" the U.S. Constitution on his own.

The Dems that voted yes and all the republicans might as well have slapped America in the face. They're not representative of the people, they're not oversight for the Administration. They take their pay from the people and live high lives.
They're nothing more than rubberstamps for the Bush administration. My prayer is that there will be viable people to run against them on the Democratic ticket.

SPINE VS. SPYING

It's clear that we needed Senators to have a spine right now and oppose spying on citizens without warrants, and to oppose unchecked presidential power and corruption. We needed them not to be swayed by the propaganda and rhetoric, consider only the facts, and keep up the good fight.

We the People needed their voices and for them to vote no on Alito.

It came down to Spine vs. Spying. Not enough senators had a spine.

While Mrs. Alito may have cried for a few minutes, we may be crying for the rest of our lives with Mr. Alito, the unprecedented shift to the right, and a one-party system. He's got a reviewable record, and his decisions just don't look very American.

Hear me now and believe me later. This was a monumentally important day in American history to stand up for checks and balances, and our Senators blew it.

Welcome to a one-party system.

Larry Patterson

God Bless America.

Waaaaaaa

I love how Democrats complain Alito was so far out of the mainstream. Were the 19 Democrats who voted in favor of allowing Alito to get an Up-or-Down vote also out of the mainstream?

It would seem to me that when 72% of Senate votes in favor, the ones voting NO are really the ones "out of the mainstream"

God Bless America.

It's a sad day in the USA. He'll vote right wing just like Roberts did. Mark my words. If not I'll be the first admit I'm wrong.

To all of you Repubs who think this is great. This man ruled in a case that it was OK for a ten year old girl to be stripped searched because she was in a store where a crime was committed. He said it was Ok for an unarmed 8 year old boy who took $8 from a store to be shot in the back of his head while running from a store. I hope your children are never innocently somewhere when a crime is committed. If this is who you think should be a Supreme Court Judge, you are the slime we all think you are.

At least 20+ Democrats had the simple decency, and respect for electoral results, to vote for closure so that a clearly highly-qualified nominee can be confirmed tomorrow. If Hillary ever reaches the White House she can expect to get her undoubtedly liberal qualified Supreme Court nominees confirmed-more than she will diserve based on the churlish conduct of her party during the Alito confirmation process.

If the Republicans acted like the Democrats in 1993, we wouldn't have Justice Ginsberg.
The Democrats should have thought about that before the set the Filibuster prescedant. Now we don't have to worry about a outside the mainstream liberal anymore on the court, just because we elected one to President.

Time to thank the Kennedy/Kerry cabel for this future benefit.

I think this whole vote is going to be regrettable for the Democratic Party. The senators have neatly sliced themselves into a moderate wing and a liberal wing, and Senators Bayh, Clinton, and Biden have all gambled that come 2008, their best bet is to be on the liberal wing for primary purposes rather than the moderate wing for the general.

Jay Ballard should take note of the confirmation votes on Breyer and Ginsberg (not to mention Scalia) before he takes credit for 20+ Democrats voting for cloture. Let's get the votes for the Justices back to the old days when it was qualifications, not fear of how they'd rule (see Ginsberg again) to determine whether or not they were fit to sit on the Supreme Court.

EVAN BAYH IN. is showing how left of center he is. Just look at the company he's keeping. it's a sad day for Indiana,
whos senitor votes against the people he represents, for political gains. Bayh isn't pres. material.
A state that strongly supports alito

For all the liberals giddily predicting filibuster due to an 11th hour push by the rabid left, please post your predictions for the Superbowl. I'd like to vote for the opposite team!

I can't believe they voted for a man who has publicly declared that he will support giving ultimate power to the Executive branch, thus overthrowing the balance of powers established by the Founders of the Nation. In the Consitution. Which the Supreme Court is supposed to defend and uphold. If he has more loyalty to a man than to the nation and its ideals, what right has he to sit in that agust company?

Yup, the Republicans are such fine upstanding representative folk, nor would they ever think to filibuster a democratic appointee.

http://www.leahy.senate.gov/issues/nominations/pastfilibusters.html

Oh, yeah, God bless America, 'cause the Bush Administration is doin' the opposite to us.

Kennedy and Kerry do not represent mainstream America... but they think they do. What fools

The Democrats voting with the Republicans on this one will be eating this in years to come. My senator, Bobo Bingaman, is not only out of the mainstream of the US, he lied to me directly when I asked for him to vote against Scalito. Now, it's time to organize a good primary opponent to run against this elephant in donkey clothing ... New Mecca

Will the democrats be willing to live by the precedent that a dem. president must nominate a conservative if they do not control the Senate? That is what they have asked for.

M. Brett,
Are you against executive power or the executive in office? I am assuming you would also have vehemently protested FDR's executive authority during the New Deal and would have loved the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Supreme Court as they continually declared unconstitutional FDR's New Deal legislation.

Give me an answer when you've acquired some historical perspective.

It's interesting to see republicans complain about how their nominees are treated after what they did to Clinton's nominees - not even allow them a hearing! My aren't we hypocrites.

My greatest fear is the institutionalization of the Presidential "signing statement", a brainchild of none other than Sam Alito. This practice, which allows a president to say "I'm not going to abide by your law" is likely to come before the Alito/Roberts court. Bets on the outcome? I foresee the signing statement as the greatest threat to our checks and balances in 200 years. The legislative branch has just given away its authority, and without a neutral court there is nothing between us and a gestapo King George state. I hope I'm wrong, I fear I'm not. The senate Dem's who caved in will be viewed unkindly by history (not to mention ALL the R's), welcome to Germany ca. 1936.

Kennedy, Kerry, and Bayh are so left of center. if you don't agree with there far left ideas your out of the main stream. its a sad day for indina. maybe bayh is considering a run for senator of Mass to replace kennedy

Kennedy, Kerry, and Bayh are so left of center. if you don't agree with there far left ideas your out of the main stream. its a sad day for indina. maybe bayh is considering a run for senator of Mass to replace kennedy

Smaid,
You like taking things to the extreme, no?

Why don't you make a post when you have some more historical perspective and you realize the fallacy of comparing Bush to Hitler.

I think if you're going to make any comparisons, it should be between Bush and FDR. Perhaps it is a stretch, but I assume you know the civil liberties that were violated during the Democrat Roosevelt's presidency while fighting WWII.

Once again, please have some historical perspective rather than an emotional rant that only ends up on the other extreme of the political perspective.

This is a sad, sad day in American history.

If God blessed America, Bush has done far more than his fair share to undo that. Letting this poster-child of how much worse things can be get confirmed to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court to have his decades of destroying our rights and freedoms is a terrible sin and disgrace upon all of humanity.

GOD FORGIVE AMERICA

The Founding Fathers did not intend that seats on the Supreme Court be reserved for judges with a certain point of view.
If you are unhappy with the way the Court interprets a given law, try to get the law changed.

The Founding Fathers did not intend that seats on the Supreme Court be reserved for judges with a certain point of view.
If you are unhappy with the way the Court interprets a given law, try to get the law changed.

As A Democrat, it is sad to see so many of our senators who would rather filibuster than try to re-connect with the mainstream of our party. They would rather suck-up to the ultra-left "kooks" (because of money!!) than listen to the majority of us who still are "God and Country" folks. Why do you think there are so few elected from the rural areas anymore?

Smaid has enacted Godwin's Rule so early? My you lefties are desparate on this one.

There will be lots of boozing. Republicans for their victory. Democrats for losing. The losing party obviously has to change its ways or members will simply leave. Who wants to support a loser? Maybe a third party will come out of all this, comprised of decent, hard-working ex-Democrats?

Wow, if Alito votes right wing, that means our homes will be safe from seizure for private investment? It was the LIBERAL wing of the SCOTUS that lets big, nasty private investors make behind the scene deals with local governments to squeeze the "little guy" out of his family home. So, thank you, Judge Alito. The little guys and gals are sooo glad you have come to save our homes.

Wow, if Alito votes right wing, that means our homes will be safe from seizure for private investment? It was the LIBERAL wing of the SCOTUS that lets big, nasty private investors make behind the scene deals with local governments to squeeze the "little guy" out of his family home. So, thank you, Judge Alito. The little guys and gals are sooo glad you have come to save our homes.

What about all the good things Sen. Reid has done? Anyone aware of anything?

Reid cleaned up gambling corrutpion in Nevada.

What are the Democrats smoking in their conferences? The embarrassing performance I saw today by Kerry, Boxer, Kennedy and Reid was just about the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

I conclude their constituents vote for them to get them out of their States.

I'm here in Massachusetts with two fine Senators with a backbone.

All of you who are disappointed, come over and live with us.

We need you, we are losing population and jobs quickly.

Come and help with the tax burden while you lavish praise on, and possibly meet on Naushon island or at the "compound" on Cape Cod either of these two stellar figures of American history.

We even have a high speed travel lane on our expressway for the use of the priveleged ruling class.

The rest of us are planning our escape from this socialist paradise.

The key is to win elections. The democrats simply don't.

What is mainstream? I am 60, a retired teacher, married for almost 40 years, a Christian and of sound moral character. I love America and don't want future generations to never know how great it was. I opposed the Iraq war the best I could with my phone and computer because I believe that war is horrible and there is always a better way to solve problems.
(I viewed Afganistan differently). I worry about people losing their jobs and not being able to support their families and I resent the illegal aliens who come to our country through the back door and take advantage of all we have worked to achieve in 200+ years, and dilute our opportunities in the process. I buy American whenever I can and I avoid Walmart due to their lak of American products. I care about the environment and want scientists to help us know what is the best path to preservation of our way of life on this planet. And, Sam Alito scares me to death. I don't care about abortion, (even though I think we should all get to make our own decisions as relates to our own bodies) because if the Supreme court overturned Roe and made abortion illegal, women would revolt en mass. I am much more concerned about our personal liberty and the president being allowed to take too much power. A three legged stool falls over with just one or two legs. So, am I mainstream or am I a radical liberal person? Maybe you can help me figure it out. I guess I always thought I was quite normal.

As for historical perspective, I think you ALL should consider both FDR and Bush's respective situations. As for FDR, his administration never fabricated and twisted intelligence in order to go to war on behalf of big oil. FDR stood strong with a grieving nation after Pearl Harbor and ASKED Congress to DECLARE WAR! What a shocking concept! Lets see, when is the last time that happened? OH WAIT. That WAS the last time that happened. FDR's New Deal was a good faith outreach to help America stand back up after the Depression. Bush's warrantless domestic wiretaps are all part of his fear campaign directed by Karl Rove.
FDR said: "The only thing we have to fear is, fear itself!"
While Bush said: "The smoking gun could come in the form of a mushroom cloud."
Given the choice, who would you choose as a leader?
A final quote: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." - Benjamin Franklin

Jay,
Here's the liberals prediction for who wins the Super bowl this weekend and you can go against it.

The SB will be won by the team from the city that was carried by Bush in '04 - hmmm, could that be Seattle or Pittsburgh?
Think abt it Jay - and vote for the "opposite" team :-)

days like today i'm proud to be a Jerseyboy!
http://einkleinesblog.blogspot.com/

The country is hyeaded back towards the 1880's, when it was run by the Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Fiske,and Goulds. There was a small professional/merchant class and the rest of the people struggled....Today we see 45 million without health insurance, more and more decent jobs disappearing, people heavily in debt,and to top it off, we are now going to lose many of our freedoms! God help America!

The country is hyeaded back towards the 1880's, when it was run by the Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Fiske,and Goulds. There was a small professional/merchant class and the rest of the people struggled....Today we see 45 million without health insurance, more and more decent jobs disappearing, people heavily in debt,and to top it off, we are now going to lose many of our freedoms! God help America!

The country is hyeaded back towards the 1880's, when it was run by the Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Fiske,and Goulds. There was a small professional/merchant class and the rest of the people struggled....Today we see 45 million without health insurance, more and more decent jobs disappearing, people heavily in debt,and to top it off, we are now going to lose many of our freedoms! God help America!

To Gabby and other mental inferiors: Altio didn't "vote" that it was good policy to strip-search 10 year old girls and kill unarmed little boys. You have absolutely no concept of our legal system if you cannot differentiate between a political, legislative, policy-oriented vote and a court ruling about constitutional issues.

Whta actually did Alito say? He said that when police officers listed all occupants on the premesis were included in the warrant, but attached the sheet to the offical form instead of putting it in the provided box that was too small, the officers were reasonable in thinking they had court approval to search all occupants of the house. Judges who would knee-jerk say it's never okay to have a female officer pirvately search children of drug dealers promote situations like this: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-dead0127,0,970348.story?coll=ny-top-headlines. A young girl *last week* died from eating cocaine stored in her room by her parents. Why would dealers store narcotics in their children's rooms? Hmmm...maybe because dumb liberals think law enforcement shouldn't be able to search kids.

You're a moron, Gabby (and Kennedy, Kerry, etc.)

To Gabby and other mental inferiors: Altio didn't "vote" that it was good policy to strip-search 10 year old girls and kill unarmed little boys. You have absolutely no concept of our legal system if you cannot differentiate between a political, legislative, policy-oriented vote and a court ruling about constitutional issues.

Whta actually did Alito say? He said that when police officers listed all occupants on the premesis were included in the warrant, but attached the sheet to the offical form instead of putting it in the provided box that was too small, the officers were reasonable in thinking they had court approval to search all occupants of the house. Judges who would knee-jerk say it's never okay to have a female officer pirvately search children of drug dealers promote situations like this: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-dead0127,0,970348.story?coll=ny-top-headlines. A young girl *last week* died from eating cocaine stored in her room by her parents. Why would dealers store narcotics in their children's rooms? Hmmm...maybe because dumb liberals think law enforcement shouldn't be able to search kids.

You're a moron, Gabby (and Kennedy, Kerry, etc.)

Talk about living on a plantation- both of my senators (Illinois) vote with the screwball caucus of the Democratic party to filibuster. Now who has no voice speaking up for them in the Senate? - -I guess only far left Democrats are entitled to represenation.

Well NS,

You make a good point. I guess I'll have to go with the Steelers in part because my heart is with them. Besides, Washington State has proven the Democrats will cheat and lie to make sure their candidate wins. I could never support a team whose County has 110% more votes than registered voters.

Plus they beat the Redskins.

After today's Republican and wimp-Democrat coup in the Senate, crushing the filibuster against Bush's packing of the Supreme Court with ultraconservatives, it seems appropriate to alter the traditional "God Bless America" to say instead "God Forgive America" or "God Wake Up America" or "God Forgot America." What happened today was not a blessing. The 2008 elections will reveal how many of the Democrats who joined the Bushocrats will be in office for another term. Not many, I predict. That includes you, Ken Salazar.

Denver Ray,

How is nominating and working toward confirmation of a nominee with the President's judicial philosophy "packing" the SCOTUS? Elections have consequences you partisan!

Do you honestly think that John Kerry would have appointed "moderates" if he had been elected POTUS? NO! Ginsberg and Stevens would have had fellow frothing-at--the-mouth communists to help them further the socialist agenda! Party on you pinhead!

BH,

"Talk about living on a plantation- both of my senators (Illinois) vote with the screwball caucus of the Democratic party to filibuster."

We're neighbors! Michigan's Senators are on the same plantation. Carl Levin even had the brass to defend his vote against cloture under the pretense that the filibuster was a "time-honored tradition" in the Senate. Nevermind the obsolete bastard would have been outraged if Ginsberg was treated half as harshly as the left has treated Roberts and Alito.

to thank the Vichy 19. Republicans could not have overridden the filibuster w/o their help. The 2006 fundraising season commenced with 19 reasons for us "kooks" not donate to the DNC.

It's like screwing over your real friends to score points with the "cool" kids. It doesn't work because everyone knows screwing over your friends isn't cool.

I hope Rove remembers to thank the Vichy 19. Republicans could not have overridden the filibuster w/o their help. The 2006 fundraising season commenced with 19 reasons for us "kooks" not donate to the DNC.

It's like screwing over your real friends to score points with the "cool" kids. It doesn't work because everyone knows screwing over your friends isn't cool.

Sorry folks, learning the ropes.

We have actually three types of people --the haves, the have nots and the will nots.

The will nots appear to be the majority here on this site. They lose elections, complain about that the rest of us are out of the mainstream and espouse 95% nonsense. There are not 45 million hard core individuals w/o health care, the environment is 10 times better than it was in the 60's, the Vietnam war was nothing like the Iraq War and if you aren't making or receiving calls from the Al Quada you have nothing to worry about.

...and Florida and Ohio was not stolen from you either. So get over it.

Middle class Baby Boomer 51 years old.

I Hope,

"It's like screwing over your real friends to score points with the "cool" kids"

Thanks for acknowledging that the GOP is "cool" while the Dems are the "band geeks."

I have a problem with your characterization that anybody who doesn't vote the way you'd like are somehow disloyal to the party. What good would filibustering have done? The nomination has enough declared votes to pass. Are you honestly suggesting that further debate would have resulted in good things for you band geeks? I'm trying to protect you geeks from yourselves. Fight the fights you can win not the ones that make the special interests happy.

P.S. Before C-Span, Alito would have sailed through with almost unanimous support. Nowdays, Teddy Kennedy needs to sober up long enough to prove that he is doing what the pro-abortion forces are paying him to do. Ditto all the others that opposed Alito because of vague ideas about being outside the mainstream. If that were the traditional standard, Justice Ginsberg would still be back at the ACLU trying to convince America that adult sex with six-year-olds is protected by the Constitution.

Thank god Senator Kennedy stood firm for the values I passionately believe in. He is a man of the people. Even the girl he let drown came from a blue collar background. Can someone please freshen my drink!!

I spent much of the day reading daily kos. It was a real eye opener. Most of the Kossacks really believed they would win. The reaction to losing was also interesting. Many seemed to reject the Dem Party, vowed to work against the Dems who voted with the Reps, decided to stop all money going to Dems etc.
More importantly, the loss (win) has serious strategy implications. 1. The strength of the left is way overrated. The filibuster will not be taken seriously by Reps as a threat anymore. 2. The vote (25-72)reflects about 1/2 of the Dem party or about 15-20% of the electorate. 25 votes is about the true strenght of the libs. 3. Several Dem senators are now vulnerable thanks to the filibuster vote. The two from NJ are the most obvious. They will lose moderate ethnic votes in the general election. Helping Kerry flank Hillary will cost the Dems 3-6 Senate seats in the next couple of elections. 4. The level of self delusion was appalling. The Kossacks really thought they had done something important. They really seemed to think that they had real power. It was obvious they did not live in the real world.

Some are concerned because democrats are going to lose senate positions. But is this about positions in the Sentate or about principles specially that of checks and Balance,say, DEMOCRACY?

"The reaction to losing was also interesting. Many seemed to reject the Dem Party, vowed to work against the Dems who voted with the Reps, decided to stop all money going to Dems etc."

That's just the "I'm taking my ball and going home" disappointment. What amazes me is the idea that Kerry's attempt at pandering to the kind of liberal that, well, hangs out at KOS really makes a difference in the equation. Dollars to donuts the majority of Kossacks come from states/areas where the Democratic Party is hardly in danger. Ben Nelson and Robert Byrd remember Tom Daschle and Al Gore who became raving lunatics as compared to their constituencies.

Alito was obviously qualified to sit on the Supreme Court, just as Ginsberg was qualified. Highest rating from ABA, unmitigated support from everybody he worked with in the judicial arena, so forth and so on. Kennedy Kerry et al are just pandering to their base. So what if Roe v Wade is overturned? it then just goes back to the states and one assumes that generally speaking, liberal leaning states will fully legalize abortion, which will allow the Roe effect to continue. This country and the Congress waste entirely too much time on the abortion issue.

"Alito was obviously qualified to sit on the Supreme Court, just as Ginsberg was qualified."

Alito was qualified? He is qualified and will be confirmed tomorrow. As to Ginsberg, I personally question if she really is qualified for the SCOTUS with her record but the Senate had a different standard then than they do now. There is no way in Hell that Ginsberg would have been confirmed in today's environment with her record at the ACLU.

I just wish that the same standards held for the members of the Judiciary. Kennedy murdered somebody and Biden is a plagerist. Why are they qualified to sit in judgement? Law degrees are a dime a dozen, particularly in the Senate.

Nothing conservative about this president. How do these play in "conservative moral values": Intrusive government, sky-high debt. lying a country into war, sending troops to war without adequate protection, ruining the environment for profit, shredding the Constitution.

What really trips me is I'm being spied on by the most secretive government in history. All of you who think only bad guys get spied on, that if you're not doing anything wrong, don't worry, then please invite Georgie's cameras and microphones into your home. How do you like your fascism?

OH MY GOD!!!!!!

Carper (D-DEL) voted NO.

That is truly, truly, amazing. It is nice to know that at least 1 of our votes from Delaware was correct.

I feel like I am watching an episode of 24 here. Truly unbelieveable. I thought dear Tom only responded to the call of Biden (D-Plageriser) and the DNC. Was Jack Bauer holding a gun to his head??

For the first time since the IDIOTS in my State sent him to the Senate, I am proud of him. Of course, he will still fall in lock step tomorrow and vote against him, but for 1 night, I can at least feel the small shadow of victory.

A tragic day for our nation to say the least. We now have a President who, unlike any of his predecessors, believes he is above the Constitution and a Supreme Court shifted so significantly to the right that there may be no means other than impeachment to ensure the Constitution is proteced. I fear we may be slipping down a slippery slope in which the federal government curtails our basic freedoms once guaranteed to us in the Bill of Rights. Oh well November is not too far away.

When George II came to power eight years ago he promised to unite the nation. From 9-11 forward he has done the exact opposite, squandering any good will and trust among members and supporters of the Dem party and most independents. This is just one more example.

He has managed to unite diverse extremist Muslim (and Christian) groups however. Forget the Constituition, forget the Bill of Rights. They are meaningless now. Ever read the Constitution of the former USSR? It promised lots of rights too. What matters is how it is implmented by the courts. We'll see, but most likely the country will move at an even more rapid pace towards being a Totalitarian police state.

We now torture.
We imprision without charges indefinitely.
We can enter homes without a warrant.
We are taxed excessively - yet the elected are more loyal to their corporate sponsors than the people who "elected" them.
We invade a country half way around the world that hasn't attacked us, yet we armed.
We have an enourmous deficit.
We say we encourage democracy - then take issue when groups we despise win power in an election.

I don't care which party you support, we have to be able to do better than that. Both parties have failed us. The courts have failed us. The problem needs to be approached from a different angle. A different party. The people must unite against this most crooked of systems.

This is one nomination that should have been filibustered. Outside of how you may feel about Alito as a Supreme Court Nominee, the minority party should always have the right unlimited debate. The only reason why every democrat did not vote to sustain the filiuster is because of the nuclear option.

The Democratic Party should rename itself "The Abortion Party," because that's all they seem to talk about. All abortion, all the time. They love abortion. They insult anyone who is against abortion.

Keep it up, Democratic Party! Your lunatic behavior will keep the Republicans in power for another 20 years, which is actually kind of pathetic, because most of the Republican leadership in Congress are a bunch of corrupt adulterers and scumbags. But the Democratic Party is still living in their decadent campus radical days from the 1960s. Most young people today see the Democratic Party as a complete joke.

The Democratic Party tried to attack and insult Judge Alito, but Judge Alito is a humble, modest man who did not succumb to this foolishness. He is an honorable person.

People are sick of the Democratic Party and how they insult people.

Montain Blue,

I watching your posts and listening to your cell phone not to mention other things I am watching. Please be a little less boring.

cindy,

With a name like yours I am shocked by your outrage at the Democratic Party who is only acting to protect our right to privacy. Fact is that no matter how the right wing extremists want to spin it, the Constitution provides each person with a right to privacy and thus a right to make private decisions without any regard to the federal government.

Face it conservatives Abortion must be legal, the Constitution commands so!

FLORIDA 2000

OHIO 2004 WHAT A BUNCH OF SORE
LOSERS

ALITO 2006

The Constitution commands that abortion must be legal? What are you smoking? Nowhere in the Constitution does it say anything about abortion or even anything remotely close to "right to privacy" = abortion.

Like I said, keep it up - just keep insulting people who are opposed to abortion and you will keep losing elections. Many people who are opposed to abortion are very sincere in their opposition and might even agree with you on other issues, like the war and corruption, etc., but just keep insulting their basic values and mock their faith and you will keep losing election after election. Then what you can do is keep writing into these "blogs" for the next 50 years complaining that every Republican is a murderous thug, a fascist, a warmonger, etc., while the rest of America grows tired of your rehash of the 1960s and your ridiculous drivel. Get a grip already. The 1960s are over, and America has rejected your foolishness.

Democratic Party = bunch of pathetic losers.

I hope Alito lives to be 125 years old so I can watch your sorry, pathetic, lunatic agenda get flushed down the toilet and then we will just laugh at you

Conservatives need to reread the 9th Amendment.

Dear Democrats,

For those of you who skipped civics class, to march in a protest or were stoned for most of high school, if you want a liberal justice appointed and confirmed to the SCOTUS you must first successfully elect a Democrat president then a Democrat majority Senate. At the present time, you have neither - not because Bush "stole" the election, but because Democrats lost fair and square. This happened because the American people, in spite of heavily negative coverage of Republicans and positive coverage of Democrats, don't agree with you.

If you continue to nominate insufferable candidates like Al Gore and John Kerry, you will keep loosing. Both men have shown considerable signs of instability as of late, so a mental health screening might be helpful for future candidates. Sorry to break it to all of you but that will eliminate Howard Dean.

Sorry but that's the way the system works now. I know you don't think it is fair, but life is unfair. The unemployment rate is at historic lows, GDP is up, the stock market is stable, home ownership is at record highs, so apparently, George is doing a great job!

God Bless America!

BoyTom
You Democrats need to read the 10th Amendment.

I must comment on something that Matt said, even though it was a while ago. He pointed out all of the noble aspects of FDR's handling of WWII, and juxtaposed them to what he believes are the faults of Bush's handling of the war in Iraq. He ended with that ever-so-overused quote that everyone learns in 9th grade from Ben Franklin, "Anyone willing to sacrifice liberty for security deserves neither."

How about FDR's internment of thousands of Japanese American families during WWII? Does that fit into the whole "liberties first" mission? How about FDR's support at developing the atomic bomb, which would later be dropped and then dropped again on Japan? When he decided to pursuit the making of a weapon of mass, civilian murder, did FDR have liberty first that time?

The truth is, regardless of how you feel about Bush, FDR, or - what this whole thread was ORIGINALLY about - Alito, the truth is that all leaders make mistakes in wars which is why we must strive to prevent them from happening to begin with, and for maintaining honesty and constructive criticism for those times when they are taken as a last measure. Idolizing FDR's less-than-perfect track record in order to slam every breath Bush has taken since January of 2000 does nothing towards achieving either of these goals, and is therefore pointless and counterproductive in this or any discussion.

In response to Mary Jo's following comment:

"If you continue to nominate insufferable candidates like Al Gore and John Kerry, you will keep loosing. Both men have shown considerable signs of instability as of late, so a mental health screening might be helpful for future candidates. Sorry to break it to all of you but that will eliminate Howard Dean".

If you think GW is a man of mental stability, I question your stability. BTW, I am strongly pro-life and am strongly against Alito, because he does not seem to believe in the Bill of Rights, especially the fourth amendment, not to mention his support of presidential tyranny!

God help us!

Apparently Mary Jo is being channeled! Please, at least choose a name that has philosophical significance.

:-D

I am 59 years of age, and I grew up believing the US was the greatest country on earth and that we had smart, intelligent citizens. I am sick and depressed to discover that I was wrong. Under the Bush administration, the US invaded Iraq, not because of bad intelligence, but because Bush and boys 'fixed' intelligence. In the process, our country has destroyed entire Iraqi cities, entire families while bombing women and babies. (I will just bet the religious Republicans posting on this site are anti-abortion. You cling to a portion of the Bible that suits your taste at the time.) And for those who still believe Saddam had something to do with 9/11, there have been at least two official reports which concluded that he had no WMDs nor was he on the road to obtaining them. All of you Republicans who support the Iraqi war, "WHERE is Osama bin Laden, the man RESPONSIBLE FOR 9/11??

Torture: some say it was OK for Bush to approve torture in an effort to obtain vital information. Do the ends justify the means? I think not. Or is this another situation in which you push your religion aside? Do the words, "One nation under God" belong in our pledge of allegiance? Our country which, without justifiable defensive reason, invades other nations, kidnaps citizens in foreign countries, then uses torture or sponsors torture deserves that description? I was raised to be a Christian. What are your values?

Liberty: During the 2004 elections, did you know that Secret Service agents paid a 'friendly' visit to those who attended anti-Bush rallies? And they also visited a young man who had an anti-Bush sticker on his van. In their presence, he was required to remove the sticker. Now we learn this administration has been spying on our own citizens without a warrant even though it would have only taken minutes to obtain one. Some say we shouldn't be concerned as long as we're not talking with al Qaeda. Wrong! Of all the people in this country, our President should be the first one to uphold the law. If we, or the President, chooses to disregard the national law, what use is it? This brings me to the subject of Samuel Alito. Republicans can sing about their victory, but Alito has said that he supports unlimited presidential power. That's frightening! Our Senators, including Republicans, may discover that their power which they have so craved, will no longer provide a balance in our government.

Bush has pushed us into debt so far that our country is living on a credit card with borrowed funds from China and Japan. Economic experts from the US and around the world have been worried about our deficit, fearing a world economic crisis if China halts our credit. If you do any shopping, you know that inflation is rampant, regardless of government figures. Someone noted that we have three classes, and I agree. We have the upper class who are the ones with power and money which they obtain through the efforts of the working class. Then we have the 'will nots' who are able but will not work because they receive government subsidies much like corporative farms who receive millions every year. Now, we have the working class, and they support both of the above.

Our unions are almost broken and have little leverage with big corporations who are moving overseas, cutting health benefits and stopping pensions.

During the Medicare hearings, Congress was given inaccurate figures regarding the cost of RX program. A Medicare actuary was instructed by the Bush administration to withhold accurate figures and was threatened with dismissal. Then there is Senator Frist, whose family started the largest for-profit chain of hospitals (HCA) in the US and who testified that all his stock would be placed in a blind trust in order to be on the Medicaid/Medicare committee. But the lied. He still had stock in HCA and was given periodical updates on his holdings. Now he is under investigation for insider trading because he sold just before the stock lost 16% of its value. In 2000, HCA had to pay $745 million to settle a Medicare frauding charge.

You Republicans who call us Democrats, "geeks", "morons", etc. support a President who is guilty of murder, guilty of lying, using Christianity for political purposes and guilty of violating the highest man-made law of the US--Constitution. You support Republican congressmen who are guilty of laundering money, fraud and taking bribes. And you call us stupid?? I do think many of you should go back to school and take a course in American government and Constitutional Law. However, if you believe that taking bribes and frauding a taxpayer-funded program is OK, there's no hope for you.

For those of you who are anti-abortion, I guess it's OK for your Republican government to hand out millions to educate people about AIDS and provide protection for them to screw around. For those who are innocently infected, I support them completely. But for those who get it through sex, they know what causes it; and my taxes should not go for their treatement.

Let's just hope that Bush gets to replace that geezer Stevens. He's been off his rocker for 30 years. Same with that loser Souter (I heard he might lose his house to a hotel developer. So sad.)

Libs, it's time to face the music:

1.)Since you can't win an election, you don't get to choose the court.

2.) Since your ideas are crazy, obsolete, and disproved, you can't win an election.

3.) Since you can't spin the new media like the old one, you can't hide your crazy, obsolete, and disproved ideas.

It's really that simple. You need to go take a hard look in the mirror and take an honest assessment of your positions. But you'll probably just go back to the dailykos and complain to each other in your safe warm echo chamber.

Disgusted:

I recommend a slight change to your pen name to fit your long, emotion-rich but logic-deficient rant:

"Disgusting"

Please don't communicate publicly when your having one of your LSD relapses or after you've smoked dope. Despite what you dried-up hippies tell each other, it doesn't make you seem brilliant.

To Disgusted:

I truly understand your dismay! I strongly suggest that you run for office or get involved with a candidate who supports your passion for reform, and then make sure that the voting machines have a paper trail.

Take back your government by becoming active. It is the only way that representative government works!

Be hopeful! Take back America from the corporatists and war mongers and war profiteers!

God bless you!

To "Bush Rocks", an oxymoron:

I am very conservative and find your reasoning faulty.Apparently you do not believe in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, nor counting the votes accurately.

Whether you like it or not,Gore won in 2000, and Kerry won in 04. The exit polling showed that Kerry won by approximately 3 million votes. The election was stolen! I believe in democracy and honest reporting of the vote. Apparently you don't.

Are you a fascist?

Dear Democrat:
You want to know what is mainstream, and you want to know if you are mainstream or a radical liberal. But if I were you, I wouldn't concern myself with either of those things. I would rather concern myself with the fact that you claim to be a Christian, but don't care about abortion. That tells me that either you aren't a Christian, or you don't understand what abortion is, or perhaps both. You go on to say that war is horrible, and there is always a better way to solve problems. The fact is, sometimes war is the only way. History bears that out. Talking only gets you so far. On the one hand you seem bothered by war (I presume it's primarily because of the loss of life) yet you don't care about abortion, which is loss of life. I don't know if you are mainstream, a radical liberal, or normal, but in any case, I recommend that you examine your thinking, because it's contradictory. Begin with where you state that you are a Christian. Make sure that you really are, and all of the pieces will come together from there.

I predict that within five years we will no longer have a US as we know it today. The president will take more power and the Supreme Court will back him and we will descend into a third world country perhaps with a military government. The trial balloons have already been floated by Tommy Frank and Bush when he mentioned it in relation to bird flu. At least a few people stood up this time. I only wish they had done it when they voted to give the president power to attack another sovereign power.

Look at the list of the leftwing wackos who voted against proceeding to an up/down vote on the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito as the next Justice of the US Supreme Court. It is a list that contains the absolute dregs of the Senate, the sleaziest, most despicable, hypocritical members of the Senate.

It would be nice if those who opposed a fair full-Senate vote on Alito's appointment to the USSC were all voted out of office by digusted constituents, ASAP.

Smaid, It is absolutely disgraceful to compare Bush with Hitler. As a Jew, I am offended. The one has made some political decisions you may disagree with, but ultimately is trying to do his best (this is indisputable in my eyes). The other is guilty of one of the most horrific genocides in history. He was personally responsible for the deaths of 6 million jews and 4 million others. Your comparison is reprehensible and should be rejected by all right thinking people.

Anders,

How about using your brain, you fool. Smaid was right.

There are many parallels with the rise of Hitler/the march to fascism and the presidency of George Bush. One of the most revealing articles documenting the reasons behind the rise of Hitler and the acceptance by many German people of his rule is at:

http://signs-of-the-times.org/signs/bush-hitler.htm

To say it can't happen in our country is simply foolhardy. The Germans didn't think it could happen. You sound like either an ignorant fool or a maybe a brown-shirt.

Mike Goodwin wrote: "... They would rather suck-up to the ultra-left "kooks" (because of money!!) than listen to the majority of us who still are "God and Country" folks. Why do you think there are so few elected from the rural areas anymore?"

I'll tell you why. Because you are the dumbest MFs on the continent. Education and intelligence play a big part in political and moral awareness, and you so called "God and Country" folk are missing both. Maybe, just maybe, the dumbass racists and bigots inhabiting the rural areas will eventually die off and a smarter generation will emerge. Maybe.

By the way, no-nuts MaryJoe Kopechne, Al Gore can easily win in 2008. Bet on it.

It is a crying shame that all of the intellects that are the policy makers in this country are too stupid to realize that if we don't study history, Germany circa 1936, we will be doomed to repeat it. Thanks for nothing more than your mindless display of lemmingism.

It's real simple folks. We now have a Supreme Court that rules this country. They planted the Bush, and they can rip him out of the dirt he lives in. Or anyone else from here on out. It's not one party rule...it's Catholic, white men rule. (Yes, I know Clarence Slappy Assed Thomas is black, but he's just behind Michael Jackson in the "I wish I was white department".)

The Congress has allowed itself to become completely irrelevant. And that goes for the Repubs too. They just don't realize it yet. The only ones left with any chance ojf justice are the very rich, very elite of the Supremos New and Improved Club.

Welcome to the one party system? Really? I assume, then, the Republicans will be running in future elections unopposed, or is Larry just spewing out more of the rhetoric and propaganda he complains about?

Welcome to the one party system? Really? I assume, then, the Republicans will be running in future elections unopposed, or is Larry just spewing out more of the rhetoric and propaganda he complains about?

Rabid left wing? You conservatives have been taken over by the invasion of the body snatchers. I know. I am a conservative who voted for Buchanen in 2000. Save the constitution. Save our country. Say no to the facist New world order Govt. that is coming

For the individuals who keep repeating empty slogans like "God Bless America" I feel sorry for you.
God Blessed America. It's over. The robber barons have got you right where they want you.

Think about it when you lose your job and there are no more jobs. Think about it when you can't afford the medical care you and your family need and your medical insurance went the way of the job. Think about it when welfare, unemployment insurance and Medicaide are a thing of the past. Think about it when your vote no longer counts. Think about it when you can't afford to heat your home. Think about it when you can't ever get out from under your burden of debt even when the bank takes your house. Think about it when your daughter dies from a botched abortion. Think about it when your pension is stolen by your ex-bosses to pay for their multi-million dollar golden parachutes. Think about it when Social Security and Medicare are a thing of the past. Think about it for the rest of your miserable life.

Sorry, gang. I gave up reading after I so many people insulting each other and calling each other "morons".The sad, sad truth is that ANY American should be deeply concerned about the abuse of Executive Power we've been seeing lately. We are naive in the extreme if we simply "trust" these guys. Judge Alito is probably a very fine man, but his stance on the Unitary Executive is simply NOT acceptable. It shouldn't be acceptable to ANYONE. President Bush has slapped Congress, the Courts, the American people in the face with the illegal NSA spying. And he's BRAGGING about it! The re-worked Patriot Act due to be strong-armed into law by THIS Friday even contains language to allow him to form a national Secret Service Police force to make warrantless arrests on mere suspicion. It allows that force to empower state and local officials with the same powers. So now the Executive Branch will have the right to form its own S.S.? The GESTAPO, in fact, right here in America? See Paul Craig Roberts' article at CounterPunch for details, or look up the Patriot Act text and check it for yourself. I'll have to say that THAT portion of Bush's behavior definitely DOES correspond to Hitler. It alarms and disturbs me, and it SHOULD disturb every American citizen. Face it, the Constitution is now dead. The terrorists have won.

A nightmare such as this country has NEVER experienced is on the way with Alito's seating; an attack on the human rights of ALL racial, GLBT, women and other discriminated-against groups; what's coming is hard to describe, and the SADDEST thing of all is so many will NOT even listen. Bush, Cheney and ALL their ilk have already brought this country to the VERY worst shape it's EVER been in, and now this cold-blooded ALito is DEFINITELY the frosting on the cake to turn this country into a TOTAL Dictatorship, which it has in essence already become. Frightening is NOT the word for this. No WONDER America and its people have become the MOST hated and despised in the world; this offers CLEAR evidence why.

Sorry, gang. I gave up reading after I so many people insulting each other and calling each other "morons".The sad, sad truth is that ANY American should be deeply concerned about the abuse of Executive Power we've been seeing lately. We are naive in the extreme if we simply "trust" these guys. Judge Alito is probably a very fine man, but his stance on the Unitary Executive is simply NOT acceptable. It shouldn't be acceptable to ANYONE. President Bush has slapped Congress, the Courts, the American people in the face with the illegal NSA spying. And he's BRAGGING about it! The re-worked Patriot Act due to be strong-armed into law by THIS Friday even contains language to allow him to form a national Secret Service Police force to make warrantless arrests on mere suspicion. It allows that force to empower state and local officials with the same powers. So now the Executive Branch will have the right to form its own S.S.? The GESTAPO, in fact, right here in America? See Paul Craig Roberts' article at CounterPunch for details, or look up the Patriot Act text and check it for yourself. I'll have to say that THAT portion of Bush's behavior definitely DOES correspond to Hitler. It alarms and disturbs me, and it SHOULD disturb every American citizen. Face it, the Constitution is now dead. The terrorists have won.

So, Paul Revere...You're smarter than the rest of us, huh? It's because of people like you that I am rejoicing over yesterday's vote for cloture and will rejoice even more when Judge Alito is confirmed, today. Just maybe, power will be returned back to the states where our founding fathers knew it belonged. We can only hope that further abuses of the commerce clause will be stopped by Justices who understand that the Constitution's limits on the federal government. Just maybe, we'll see an end to the judicial activism that has turned the Constitution into something as relevant to the people as a Ouija board.

just like the biblical israelites, these rude modern conservatives want a king, any king, even a bad one, just so they don't ever have to experience the give and take, the messiness, of government by the people.

you can't scare these sad, lonely types with talk about 1930's Germany. They secretly (or openly) worship the concept of a strong daddy dictator who can beat up all their enemies, and many of them harbor the same racial and class fears that dictators have manipulkated throughout history.

even as the conservatives continue, through countless talking heads and op-ed pages, to hatefully and dishonestly slander and character assassinate their opponents, they whine and (literally) cry over every perceived slight. you can never tilt the playing field enough in their direction; they'll always claim persecution. that's because inside they feel weak and ineffective, and must bluster and blame others for their infantile fears.

the "churlish" and "disorderly" conduct of other americans, trying to stand up for what THEY believe in, is much more threatening to conservatives than a corrupt king whom they are (literally) dying to obey. they'll even sacrifice their own children for this king's approval.

how did the schoolyard bullies become such sissies?

---
"You sound like either an ignorant fool or a maybe a brown-shirt."
-Paul Revere
---

Well, now I know the "tolerance" of the left is a phony rhetorical tool. There is nothing like a lack of moderate acceptance of an alternative point of view (conservative instead of extreme liberal). Instead, Paul thinks it is best to classify all conservatives, or moderates as I consider myself, to be "brown-shirts."

This is exactly the type of extremist rhetoric that comes from both sides of the political spectrum that does absolutely nothing to heal the divides in this country. Rather than acknowledge that conservatives have some valid points, Paul decides to blindly label them as brownshirts, the dirty men under Hitler's Nazi Germany. And rather than acknowledge that liberals have valid points to balance the canoe, conservatives call liberals unpatriotic.

Clearly politics is an emotional issue. But when it comes to associating memebers of other political parties with the regimes of a brutal facist or a Joseph Stalin, that is unacceptable, immature, and counterproductive to establishing a constructive debate.

Alito is nothing but a Nazi/Fascist
and will start saying "Hail, Bush"!!!!

T. Moore

YOur on the looney right. Voted for a man who thinks American involvement in WWII was a mistake. You truly represent the John Birch society of the Republican party that is very small. Alito is going to be a great justice. He will vote against Big Brother taking away your property for Wal-Marts. Interestingly no liberal brings that up. Why do you liberals not realize that putting liberals on the Court allow your property to be taken on a whim of Big Brother Government. Why dont you address the concern. YOur concerns about wiretapping are serious concerns that need to be addressed. However, because programs can be abused. So it should be closely monitered. And please stop this nonsense spamming of talking points from left wing blogs. Have an original thought, dont be a robot.

Time for a new political party. One that isn't a collection of corrupt corporate toadies, one that listens to the average American, one that doesn't make mealy-mouthed excuses for inaction, one that values the Constitution and the Rule of Law, one that doesn't wave the flag while cutting veteran's and military support (except to private mercenaries and corrupt cronies), one where no one, including the President, is above the law.
Too many fools have stood behind the trashing of American values because, like sheep, they are blind believers, making excuses for the step-by-step trampling of our rights, jumping to mindless attention every time someone says, "9/11!, possible threat!, "Christian" values!".
We will deserve better when we demand it.

B. Ehlert

Your somebody I think is a hypocrite because you said this country is turning into a dictatorship, but yet I would bet that you support campus speech codes that restrict free speech. You will say it is hate speech and I will say it is speech that you disagree with and want to ban. I would also bet that you would like to based speech codes on the nation. That the problems with the left wing fascists, they are all for free speech but only when they agree with it. Otherwise, the want to muzzle everybody. Intolerant!

If you right-wingers on this board are screaming so loud about you ideas being in the majority, Why is Bush's approval rating in the toilet and the republicans behind by 16 points in the polls for Congress?

GOD HELP AMERICA!

Beth...good thing you've quit reading this because I don't think you'd understand it anyway. That you're afraid of the Patriot Act, which was in place for more than 4 years with no noted abuses, than a judiciary that thinks it's fine to take your home and give it to a private developer shows that you've been spending too much time at DemocraticUnderground. I've read the Patriot Act (the whole thing, not excerpts designed to misconstrue passages).

We need Al Gore.

Oh the liberals think the world is ending. Ohh...the economy is horrible, rights are being stolen the elections were stolen.
1) The Economy is in great shape. If big corporations make money...Americans of all means do well either because they hold stocks or mutual funds or because they work for those companies. People lose jobs when companies do not make profits. it's really pretty simple. If the rich get richer they hire more people to work for them or they buy more stuff so more people are employed. It is not a zero sum game.

2) Just because someone doesn't believe certain groups need special priveleges or that the Boy Scouts of America are a radical, homophobic, paramilitary hate-group, doesn't mean they are going to throw blacks, gays and women in jail.

3) Face it, according to the rules of the game Gore lost. The election rules don't care if one candidate got more votes than the other. The only thing that matters is the electoral count nationally. The places voting was most screwed up were districts run by Democrats. There isn't a conspiracy, and you lost handily in 2004. If any party acted like "brown shirts" it was the Democrats who fired bullets into RNC offices and in one case broke a worker's arm in an invasion of the office. Bush actually got about 3M more votes. Put on your big girl/boy/transgender pants and deal with it.

The "worst" that Alito will do is to return the Constitution to its textually neutral position on the major social questions of our time. The Democrats will still have every opportunity to persuade a majority of Americans to support what Sen. Kennedy calls "the long march toward progress." Those who lament having to persuade their fellow citizens of the rightness of their cause are Tyrants, not Democrats.

The Dems who voted yes, especially those in blue states, are on a list. We will take them down in primaries and take our party and our country back.

Bush's numbers haven't changed much since October 2004, and he won the election a month later. The democrats have sided with the hate America crowd (sheehan, Clark). They have the MSM on their side, and America is annoyed. Sure, Bush isn't the perfect president, but the democrats don't have anyone in the wings.

Nupi235,

I like Carper better than Biden myself. Biden is a blowhard but I agree with his vote to filabuster.
I have a question for you, why is it that Delaware has become such a solidly blue state in the past 4 election?
What caused this swing state that voted Republican more than Democratic to switch to the Democrats?
The party that left the mainstream in this very mainstream state was the Rebublicans.

Those who think the Republicans were virtuous in approving Breyer and Ginsberg need to know that Clinton made those selections after first conferring with Orin Hatch to obtain a list of candidates who were "acceptable" and could pass the Republican-dominated senate.

Bushes numbers haven't changed much since 2004? His approval raitngs then were 49-50%. Right now they are between 36-43% whichever poll you pick. Gallup has Bush strong approval rate at 25%. His strong disapproval rate is 43%.
I think GOP congressional candidates would much rather be running with his October 2004 ratings.

Congratulations to Dems on their successful filibusted strategy.

What a sad commentary on Congress. The Republicans are terrified of Rove, Cheney, and Bush, in that order, and Democrats are terrified of Republican smears and "looking bad". This is the bunch that is supposed to serve the interests of the American people.

Day of infamy. Shame on them all--even the democrats who voted "no" but failed to mount a fillbuster. Democracy as we know it took its last breath yesterday, quietly expiring with no one to mourn its departure. Today it will be buried without comment, because such understanding, reflection, and analysis were muted several years ago by the shrieking voices of the Right heralding the all-American, flex-its-muscles entertainment industry, which culminated in the spectacular "Shock and Awe" assault on Iraq in 2002 and now the final assault on our own nation and what it stood for in 2006.

I have sat here reading through this blog in horror and shame at where America is right now. People who have slapped labels on themselves - "Christian", "liberal", "right winger", "American", "patriot", "Democrat", Republican" - demeaning and harassing one another. Republican and Democratic leaders have pitted their constituents against one another. But anyone who knows about leadership structure knows that the head honcho, when talking about this country that would be Mr. Bush, is the one that sets the tone, the one that should set the example and be a role model for what is acceptable and what is not. Bush has divided this country, Americans from one another, and America from the world. He has cut corners, told half-truths, if not out-and-out lies, and has put America and individual Americans at greater risk. And he has done it in the name of Christianity. Very dangerous. I don't see ANY leaders out there, Democrat or Republic, who are standing up and saying that we are rapidly chipping away at the foundation of what makes this country great and that it must end. Where are the American leaders who will protect us and our freedoms and unite us as one people again?

Its a very sad day for the USA. We are one step closer to the imperial presidency, and our Bill of Rights has one less supporter on the Supreme Court.

Get over it Cheryl. First of all, we're not a democracy and never should be. I'm sure you've heard the saying that democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what they'll have for dinner. A constitutional republic, which is what we hopefully will start to become, is where eating mutton (or taking of private property to turn over to developers) is outlawed.

God HELP America!

I can't wait for the Bloodletting to start.

I also have read every one of these posts in amazement. Several people have used the "taking of private property to turn over to developers" argument in support of Alito. Alito is pro government. I will be very surprised if he votes with the people on this issue if it comes up again. It's worth noting that the majority of judges that decided that case were appointed by Republican presidents.

If you think that the old version of trickle down economics is still valid, you are completely without a clue. (NAFTA, CAFTA) The real evidence suggests just the opposite, it is globalist economy that is in their sights, not jobs and feifdom here at home. The Bush 1% do not PAY TAXES, thus crumbling the very foundation of our economy. Offshore banking, and simply funneling the money into the cute little niche of elitists. For all your garble that spews here in support of this cabal, you are the ones who have been betrayed, your simpleton allegience to these traitors, will leave you high and dry. While you pay $3-4 at the pump, and Exxon reaps $35 billion in profits in 05, I'd say it's right in front of your face. Remove your Republican blinders and view the travesty!! NeoCons are NOT REPUBLICANS.
If your belief in 'fair', 'untainted' elections is wholehearted. When the SCOTUS turns all power to the executive and the next election in '08 goes to the Democrats, the President will spy and wiretap you. Because, you are the opposition.

Rave all you want on the claptrap of the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, O'Reilly, and their disgusting "PAID FOR" ilk. Because that is all you've got. Most of the posts here are parroting these chumps talking point to talking point. You've been BRAINWASHED, INDOCTRINATED into the Neo-Nazi movement. When the time comes, and you are begging "we didn't know", think of the Concentration Camps in 1945. That is the future you have left for your children and the legacy you have emboldened by your shear stupidity. Your Reichstag, your PNAC Pearl Harbor. Ignorance is bliss and history repeats.

James Bond,

You have all the verbal markings of someone who has been brain-'Rush'ed. Put down the bag of Doritos, turn off Fox and read a frickin' book.

Califronia SNob

Look at yourself, your everything that you complain about. You have blinders on and can only see what you want to see. Yes, you will rant and rave, but give a logical argument. I would suggest you are the one who is a fascist.

Barkeep, make mine a Southern Comfort Manhattan with sweet vermouth and a beer chaser! Hail to the Chief! Another victory for the ruling party. So let's HAVE a party!

Only one word in your dictionary? spin. Try again, loser.

I feel spit upon. Fare thee well, Land of the Free.

Bush Rocks and Dave

Boys, I don't do dope, wouldn't know LSD or marijuna if someone wrapped it in my sandwich. Furthermore, I am not a dried-up hippy. Obviously, I have a better education than either of you. The only thing you do on this blog is insult Democrats for having an opposing opinion. You give no data which you can back up with facts. You just rant and then accuse others of ranting. Everything in my article can be backed with facts. If you read the news, you would understand.

Since both of you seem to support the war, why aren't you in Iraq?? If you think it is so right, join up, today! Don't just sit on your butts and scream at others who do not support what GW has done.

As for abortion, I would much prefer that an unwanted pregnancy didn't happen, but it does. I am definitely against partial-birth abortion since that is actual murder; otherwise, I believe it is a personal choice. Dave, God gave us brains and the ability to make choices; he does not force them upon us. He allows us to choose to follow him or Satan. So do you think you are better and smarter than God that you have the authority to tell people what kind of personal choices they should or should not make?

I'm not a radical liberal, but I believe in freedom of thinking and freedom of choice. I don't agree with every decision the Supreme Court has made, particularly on eminent domain. But I can tell you that with Alito's idea of a unitary president and Bush already moving to consolidate his power, I fear US democracy is in real trouble. I may not live to see the day ole George takes complete control, but you boys might just see the day when you can be thrown into jail indefintely with no rights to a lawyer or a speedy trial. Now you think on that; and when there's no longer freedom in the US, remember 'we told you so.' Will there be a presidential election in 2008? I wouldn't bet on it.

wow we are so divded it's unreal I have been a Dem since I was 18 and voted for Gore who did win I must say after that and then with Kerry I am starting to believe we Dems and GOP Republicans we can't even have a debate w/out spewing hatred twords each other. We Democrats have the right to feel the way we do yeah savor your victory of getting Alito.Be very carefull about what you wish for because you will get it allright what is sad is all Republicans do is attack and name call wrap yourself in the flag w/your bible and make the lefties evil.Why do we scare you so much?I mean really are we these scary freedom loving people who believe in the constitution,bill of rights,equal rights,we care for the enviroment and we don't tell women what to do with there bodies unlike Republicans who feel the need to think there way is the only right way..you all are facists because the more we speak our minds the anger that spews forth from the right.. hmm it makes me wonder you know the saying why doe's though protest much!!we are striking a nerve and you all know it or you wouldn't attack us like you do I mean look at the polls I think more people agree with us then the residents plans the fat is in the fire and the power you want will destroy you!"learning from one's enemies is the best way toward loving them;for it makes us grateful to them"...So when your worst dreams come true and a Dem is Pres we will never make the foolish incompent desisons of this residency!

To the conservatives who keep bringing up abortion:
The conservatives believe in saving the cells that make a baby that are no bigger than an eraser on a pencil. I believe in saving the people who are already here. Why worry about something that may or may not be born when you should be taking care of the people here on earth.
Millions today, right this moment, are dying of aides, disease and starvation in the world and in this country. Would Christ want us to worry about every person that was having sex whether they were having a baby or not, or would he not want us to take care of the poor, the sick and the weak, people who can not take care of themselves that are already here.

There are so many other abominations in the Bible besides this one, why this one. 99% of the abortions are done when a women is 6-8 weeks pregnant. Yet so many children are abused and live in foster homes. I would not have a problem with people who oppose abortion if they were adopting or fostering children, but they're not, unless they are white babies.

Let's concentrate on those here and now, and make life better for those that are here now. Let's give the American people free health care. We are the biggest Christian nation in the world yet we have no health care for our people. Christ healed people. He did'nt ask if they had jobs or were working. He did'nt ask which party they belonged to. He did'nt refuse to heal anyone because they could not pay him.

please, don't feed the animals.

Oh I forgot we can balence a budget too! I remmber when there was a surplus hmm where did it go?Don't use the war excuse look at history war always boosts an economy. I think it has to do with a resedent who wants to line his fat rich friends pockets and there interests.Enjoy while it lasts!

For you Bush sycophants- the Republicans during Clinton's presidency opposed far more federal court appointees than the Dems have during Bush's sorry tenure in office. Don't whine about the Democratic obstruction- that's simply a figment of your Kool Aid drinking imaginations.

And by the way, what ever happened to giving Harriet Myers a "straight up-or-down vote?" It didn't happen because the Republicans scuttled her nomination.

Oh Sh!t

Maryjo Kopchne,
Your views on the economy are pretty simplistic. First of all, wealthy people don't hire additional employees just because they made more money (or were taxed less). Their demand for labor is largely determined by the demand for their goods and services and their ability to meet that demand with current labor force.

In this era of outsourcing and offshoring labor, it's even more likely that the rich are getting richer by employing fewer, not more Americans.

When are you clowns going to realize that the "trickle-down, supply-side" economy is a system rigged to help the wealthy at the expense of working people in this country? Look at the pathetically small growth in real wages over the last 20 years coupled with the staggering increases in health care costs and tell me with a straight face that the average American worker has benefitted from this "great economy" of yours even 1/10 as much as the wealthy have benefitted.

To James Bond who said:

We have actually three types of people --the haves, the have nots and the will nots.

The will nots appear to be the majority here on this site. They lose elections, complain about that the rest of us are out of the mainstream and espouse 95% nonsense. There are not 45 million hard core individuals w/o health care, the environment is 10 times better than it was in the 60's, the Vietnam war was nothing like the Iraq War and if you aren't making or receiving calls from the Al Quada you have nothing to worry about.

...and Florida and Ohio was not stolen from you either. So get over it.

That's right, James, and the Nigerian government wants to give you money via the internet.

To all of you republicans who are doing a happy dance right now, just wait until you realize that you too will suffer the consequences of a extreme right-wing court and one-party system. You will find out the hard way. I know you can't all be rich and Bush doesn't give a damn about you, your jobs, your healthcare, your pensions, your children - NOTHING. And keep in mind - one party system? Guess what - they won't need your votes anymore - no more elections. Guess where they'll toss you? In the same pile as the liberals. Enjoy. Thank God I'll be living in another country. I especially feel sorry for you neocons who have no clue what is going on in this country. One of these days things might not be going your way and there won't be a damn thing you can do about it.

Does America not see that this is not what it was meant to be? A system of checks and balances is not just a quaint notion! It does not mean you give the neo-cons a blank check so they can pad their buddies bank balances! It is a system we designed to make America work. Read up on your history America. This is wrong!

We The Founding Fathers of The United States of America, do hereby call for the IMPEACHMENT of George W. Bush and the criminal prosecution of his entire administration!!!

Apparently, most of the people currently serving in Congress don't want to be there, because that's the only reason I can think of for them to confirm to the Supreme Court a justice that will make them completely obsolete.

I noticed that a couple of you had said it was such a "sad day for Indiana", honestly what's really sad for Indiana is that none of you seem to be able to spell.
You also could use some self-esteem and courage. George Bush is a fool who can't and won't protect any of us. It's not a Democrat or Republican thing it's an American thing. Grow up people.

Notice how the people doing all the name calling our anti choice, as well as anti Democratic? What kind of a person would use the name of Cindy Sheehan to post on a blog?! Don't you even have the guts to use your own name or at least a username of your own creation?! Insult people??? Are you insane? Apparently. All I ever hear the Repugs do is INSULT the Democrats! LISTEN to Karl Rove sometime. LISTEN to the taunts and insults coming out of his mouth. LISTEN to Bill Frist and Tom DeLay. LISTEN to all the hatred spewing out of the mouths of all those right wing pundits! I'm so sick and tired of the blatant ignorance and WILLFUL stupidity apparent in so many Americans. Why are so many people WILLING to be the pawns of an egomaniacal president?
The Democrats do NOT ALWAYS talk about abortion. The Democrats are supposedly pro choice. Why do so many people think they have the right to tell a woman what to do with her own body?! Until baby's can be gestated by some other method, a woman's body is PRIVATE!!!! NO ONE is forcing an anti choice woman to have an abortion.
How stupid does Bush think the American people really are? Very. It would have taken a nanosecond to obtain legal warrants to wiretap American citizens. Bush simply did not do this because he wanted to prove he is above the laws of this country. Now that Alito will be in place on the Supreme Court, he won't have to worry about breaking any "laws".
One day, if any of Bush's cheerleaders have any intelligence at all, they will wake up and recognize the TRUTH, although that's not a popular concept these days. It's so much easier to be willfully blind sheep.

We have just taken one step closer to installing a one party/corporate-controlled/military oligarchy to replace our ailing democracy--and you nitwit republicans are happy about it!

Just wait until those fascist pass the Revised Patriot Act in a few months. Then our country will truly be flushed down the tubes.

Freedom will be replaced by a jackboot stomping on your face over and over and over and over - to paraphrase Orwell's 1984.

right100 must be smoking crack to say that Scalito is going to be voting against WALMART taking away your land. Hey righty, do you realize that WALMART gave exclusively to the republican party in the past two elections? Another thing, why is it that right-wingers can't spell?

Well written Barbara. It's just as Bush said in a fundraising speech. "to the Haves, and Have Mores, or as I like to call you MY Base." Bush doesn't care about middle class or lower class individuals regardless of party association, it's all a matter of neocons staying in control of a corrupt system. Corrupted by both Dems and Repubs.

Congratulations, to those who REALLY consider this a victory.