# Fuck the fucking cowards in the Senate **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 25, 2013, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330 "2013-01-25T16:27:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/41 "2013-01-25T19:20:32Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Has there ever been a more despicable person than Bricker? Jesus, if it’s legal, it’s okay for him. It’s a very low level of sociomoral reasoning that he consistently shows. [http://talkingpointsmemo.com/images/cloture-stats-chart2.jpg](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/images/cloture-stats-chart2.jpg) 50% increase. And the source is the leftie “talkingpointsmemo”. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/42 "2013-01-25T19:23:40Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Now you’re just being hyperbolic, and it’s silly, not to mention detracting from the legitimate criticisms of Bricker’s posting style and philosophy. Fair enough. Let me rephrase: On this discussion board, it is rare to encounter someone with such a loathsome and vile approach to considering important ethical questions. He is devoid of any capacity for judging issues beyond 1) does it help the Republican party, and 2) is it legal. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/43 "2013-01-25T19:24:02Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/44 "2013-01-25T19:25:22Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > [http://talkingpointsmemo.com/images/cloture-stats-chart2.jpg](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/images/cloture-stats-chart2.jpg) > > 50% increase. > > And the source is the leftie “talkingpointsmemo”. Specify the point or range you are referring to. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/45 "2013-01-25T19:29:05Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > What, you think there’s an infinite number of bills dealt with in any session? The number of _non_-filibustered bills is pretty close to zero - this last Congress set a new record by a long shot for fewest bills actually passed, _in history_. The system is \*already \*saturated. Hardly anything worse can happen. > > Now Reid is depending on McConnell to recognize the repudiation of his approach by We the People, and to be an adult this time, despite his record. Let’s hope that there’s been some private deal made that can be made public immediately if McConnell weasels. Whether they triple it or not doesn’t matter to make my point. All they would have to do is equal it. To be very clear about this, I despise the Republican party much more than I despise the Democratic party. But on the issue of using the rules for partisan advantage, neither side has clean hands. I have no problem hating the Republicans for what they are using the filibuster to do, but it is in the rules, and has been demonstrated, the Democrats ain’t real big on changing those rules. They want them to stay the same so they can use them the same way in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/46 "2013-01-25T19:31:21Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Specify the point or range you are referring to. Gave you the wrong link. [http://newsjunkiepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Cloture-Invoked3Final.png](http://newsjunkiepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Cloture-Invoked3Final.png) Max use by Republicans in 1990-1991 - around 22 Max subsequent use by Democrats - 2001-2002 - around 34 50% increase. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/47 "2013-01-25T19:37:45Z")
I find the idea of not doing anything about the filibuster because of what may happen in the future (eg, the Republicans take control of the Senate), instead of trying to do something about it now so that you can get legislation passed today, extremely frustrating. In this case, though, perhaps it makes sense to leave things as they are. Perhaps Reid feels that since it’s going to be hard for the Democrats in the House to get anything through, it doesn’t really matter what happens in the Senate. If the Democrats are able to take back the House in the mid-term elections, then would be the time to try and change the filibuster rules. Of course, the pussy Democrats would still probably not do anything… ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/48 "2013-01-25T19:46:26Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Gave you the wrong link. > > [http://newsjunkiepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Cloture-Invoked3Final.png](http://newsjunkiepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Cloture-Invoked3Final.png) > > Max use by Republicans in 1990-1991 - around 22 > Max subsequent use by Democrats - 2001-2002 - around 34 > > 50% increase. You two are using two different metrics. One is amount of cloture filings, and the other is the amount of times cloture was invoked. Here is a much better graph, though it’s still a bit hard to read: [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/the-history-of-the-filibuster-in-one-graph/2012/05/15/gIQAVHf0RU\_blog.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/the-history-of-the-filibuster-in-one-graph/2012/05/15/gIQAVHf0RU_blog.html) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/49 "2013-01-25T19:47:01Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And I rather suspect that when the Democrats return to the minority, with a Republican in the White House and a Republican-controlled House, they will use it more than the GOP does now. No. I’ve already pointed out that any future that contains a GOP POTUS is unacceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/50 "2013-01-25T19:54:43Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Yes… in the same sense that during an auction, the bidder in the lead has bid more than his opponent ever has during that auction. > > In other words, when the Democrats were last in the minority, THEY used it “way more than at any other time in history.” And prior to that, the last time the GOP was in the minority, they also used it way more than at any other time in history. > > And I rather suspect that when the Democrats return to the minority, with a Republican in the White House and a Republican-controlled House, they will use it more than the GOP does now. > > Because in this circumstance, both sides are equal. Except, of course, the Republicans are RIGHT. The problem I’m having with all this is that there was a thoughtful, workable plan on the table presented years ago by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. It would have given both sides the same filibuster powers, but would have required more diligence. Reid, instead of adopting a reasonable plan, has decided to continue the deadlock for the foreseeable future, for the not-so-noble motive of revenge. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/51 "2013-01-25T19:56:25Z")
Why is this here? It looks like a typical GD or Elections thread. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/52 "2013-01-25T20:02:10Z")
Guys, there’s no point in talking to **Bricker**. He’s proven that he doesn’t support democracy at all in another thread where he was okay with Republicans taking over and not letting anyone vote against them. It shouldn’t be surprising that, just like his Christianity (which deals with ethics, a concept he can’t grasp), his proclamations for love of this country are a completely sham. He only comments here on these things because he knows it riles you up. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/53 "2013-01-25T20:23:22Z")
The only workable solution is for filibuster reform to take place in some future term of Congress, say, 2020. No one knows who will be in the majority then, and it’s up to everyone to come up with rules that protect both the majority and the minority. Not sure if it’s possible to devise rules that affect a future Senate, though. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/54 "2013-01-25T20:34:28Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > He is devoid of any capacity for judging issues beyond 1) does it help the Republican party, and 2) is it legal. I don’t think that’s true. But I do agree that he doesn’t go out of his way to NOT appear to be the way you describe him. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/55 "2013-01-25T20:37:04Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > The only workable solution is for filibuster reform to take place in some future term of Congress, say, 2020. No one knows who will be in the majority then, and it’s up to everyone to come up with rules that protect both the majority and the minority. > > Not sure if it’s possible to devise rules that affect a future Senate, though. Why do they have to wait? And all rules affect future Senates, they can just change them if they want to. ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/56 "2013-01-25T20:53:48Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And their compatriots should be tied to their chairs and be made to listen to the whole thing without bathroom brakes. That would be scary - when the brakes on my bathroom locked up I got skid marks in an undisclosed location.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/57 "2013-01-25T21:05:19Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Why is this here? It looks like a typical GD or Elections thread. I don’t know. Why are YOU here? 😉 I considered Elections, but really wanted to call Reid a fucking coward and not have to couch it in delicate prose. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/58 "2013-01-25T21:11:53Z")
> [@](#): > > …Yes… in the same sense that during an auction, the bidder in the lead has bid more than his opponent ever has during that auction… Well, now, that wasn’t a good analogy at all, was it? I am Leonard Plinth Garnell, and this has been another edition of Bad Analogy Theater. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/59 "2013-01-25T21:49:06Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I don’t know. Why are YOU here? 😉 > > I considered Elections, but really wanted to call Reid a fucking coward and not have to couch it in delicate prose. I kind of stumbled in. I just get disappointed when pit threads aren’t hateful enough. Even the Bricker-bashing is kind of tame. But I understand how you feel about that cocksucker. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330/60 "2013-01-25T22:24:05Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > After all that whining, complaining, finger-pointing and brave words about changing things, the filibuster continues on virtually unmolested. Fuck you Harry Reid, you fucking coward, and all the rest of you whiners. Don’t expect sympathy in the next four years when Republicans continue to derail legislation. Until we get a less crazy Republican caucus on the house, why the heck does anything other than confirmations matter and AFAICT, Reid got plenty of stuff done on confirmations. > [@Terr](#): > > And prior to that, Democrats used it way more than at any other time in history (at that time). As a percentage of bills introduced, not really. > [@BigT](#): > > Guys, there’s no point in talking to **Bricker**. He’s proven that he doesn’t support democracy at all in another thread where he was okay with Republicans taking over and not letting anyone vote against them. > > It shouldn’t be surprising that, just like his Christianity (which deals with ethics, a concept he can’t grasp), his proclamations for love of this country are a completely sham. > > He only comments here on these things because he knows it riles you up. Its not that he is immoral or unethical. He just thinks the system works, he believes the system is basically watertight and there is not enough leakage for it to make a difference. He doesn’t think that this sort of gamesmanship is harmful enough to derail the system. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-fucking-cowards-in-the-senate/648330.md?page=4)