Democrats Urging Harry Reid To Change Filibuster Rules

Republicans exercised their filibuster rights more than ever this past session, and Democrats, wanting to change the ability to do that, have sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid asking him to address it.

The letter, delivered this week, expresses general frustration with what Democrats consider unprecedented obstruction and asks Reid to take steps to end those abuses. While it does not urge a specific solution, Democrats said it demonstrates increased backing in the majority for a proposal, championed by Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and others, to weaken the minority’s ability to tie the Senate calendar into parliamentary …

Barack Obama’s Great Republican Accomplishments

Adam Serwer at Plum Line makes the case that if you want to regard the Obama administration’s agenda and accomplishments as “liberal” it’s only because liberals have internalized the lambasting they’ve received from conservatives (even moving away from the word “liberal” to “progressive”) and the goals liberals have embraced are based on conservative ones.

New START is a modernization and extension of a treaty negotiated by President Ronald Reagan and signed by President George W. Bush. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” was a Clinton-era “compromise” — and, while seeking its appeal, the Obama administration went to great lengths to appease all …

Pat Robertson Supports Legalizing Pot (UPDATED And Clarified)

Television evangelist Pat Robertson has come out for legalizing marijuana, saying we need faith-based prison rehabilitation.

“I’m not exactly for the use of drugs, don’t get me wrong, but I just believe that criminalizing marijuana, criminalizing the possession of a few ounces of pot, that kinda thing it’s just, it’s costing us a fortune and it’s ruining young people,” Robertson said. “Young people go into prisons, they go in as youths and come out as hardened criminals. That’s not a good thing.”

UPDATE: CBN issued a clarification of Robertson’s comments:

CLARIFICATION OF MARIJUANA COMMENTS:

Dr. Robertson did not …

I Generally Haven’t Done Open Threads Here. Should I?

…

Oprah Not Worried About Palin Run: “I Believe In The Intelligence Of The American People”

Oprah (yes that Oprah) is on the cover of the upcoming Parade magazine, where she opines on the electability of Sarah Palin.

Asked whether the thought of Palin’s running for office scares her, Oprah said:

“It does not scare me because I believe in the intelligence of the American public.”…

On Wednesday’s Radio Show…

• Is a renewed strategic arms treaty a good START towards peace? Alice Slater of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation tells Alan why she believes it’s bad foreign policy.

• Should state law supersede federal legislation? Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who supports the “repeal amendment,” debates Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall.

• The not-so-lame duck session: Alan examines all the accomplishments sweeping through Congress.…

White House Supports Policy Of Indefinite Detention With Reviews

The White House is about to issue an executive order that will establish indefinite detention as a long-term policy and establish a review process for those it chooses to hold without charge or trial.

The draft order, a version of which was first considered nearly 18 months ago, is expected to be signed by President Obama early in the New Year. The order allows for the possibility that detainees from countries like Yemen might be released if circumstances there change.

But the order establishes indefinite detention as a long-term Obama administration policy and makes clear that the White House alone …

Barney Frank Puts Conservative Reporter On Defensive When Asked About Gays Showering Together In The Military

Congressman Barney Frank was asked by Conservative Cybercast News Service (It used to be called “Conservative News Service”) reporter Nick Ballasy what will happen when soldiers have to shower with otherw who are openly gay.  Priceless.

…

START Treaty Passed By Senate

The new START Treaty has passed the Senate 71-26, accomplishing another major White House policy goal.  Maybe there should be more “lame duck” sessions.

Under the treaty, Russia and the United States agree to limit the number of nuclear warheads to 1,550 each, down from the ceiling of 2,200. The pact also establishes a system for monitoring and verification. The treaty was signed by Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on April 8.

Ratification required 67 votes. Passage seemed assured on Tuesday when 11 Republicans joined 56 Democrats to vote for cloture on the measure.

In spite of support from …

Deal Reached On Health Bill For 9-11 First Responders

Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, who has stood in the way of the heath bill for 9-11 responders, says a deal has been reached for passage of the bill.

Coburn emerged from a closed-door meeting that included Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and New York Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to reveal that that a deal has been worked out that will likely enable the bill to pass the Senate – and then the House – by the end of the day.

“I’ll stand in the way of anything that doesn’t make sense and doesn’t spend our money wisely, so …

Larry David To Republicans: “Thanks For The Tax Cut!”

Comedian and “Seinfeld”co-creator Larry David is so happy the tax cuts for the wealth passed!

The Bush tax cuts have been extended two years for the upper bracketeers, of which I am a proud member, thank you very much. I’m the last person in the world I’d want to be beside, but I am beside myself! This is a life changer, I tell you. A life changer!

To begin with, I was planning a trip to Cabo with my kids for Christmas vacation. We were going to fly coach, but now with the money I’m saving in taxes, I’m going …