The system of controls and protections that was carefully built over the last two centuries was put in place for reasons, by people who learned the lessons of history. I can not think of a time in history when a society left itself so wide open to tyranny from its leadership without it occurring.

Prime example: Republican attempts to eliminate the Democrats' ability to filibuster over Bush's extremist judicial picks. People for American Way reports that the move to install the "nuclear option" is refuted by it's own briefing book. Sen. Bill Frist intends to push this within the next four to eight weeks.

The nuclear option being pushed by Senate Majority Leader Frist and his allies is without historical precedent, and would in fact undermine the special deliberative role played by the Senate throughout our nation’s history and damage a central element of our constitutional system of checks and balances. That is why a number of Republican senators have expressed doubts about, or direct opposition to, the nuclear option, as have some conservative commentators. Frist should abandon his destructive plans to undermine the role and working of the Senate, and refocus his energies on encouraging President Bush to engage in consultation and cooperation that would result in judicial nominees capable of receiving genuine bipartisan support.

Don't let Bush succeed. Protect the filibuster.

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