The Alphabet Series – New Thoughts on Words
Things looked good for Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, this week when he announced he would filibuster the confirmation vote of John Brennan as Director of the CIA, the old- fashioned way, by talking and said, “I will speak until I can no longer speak.”
Evidently, the old-fashion filibuster has lost popularity and there is a non-talking version making a filibuster like phone sex. You do not need to moan, and staying on the phone is optional. Rand Paul could declare a filibuster and kept his mouth shut. Then, sixty votes would be necessary to break the gridlock and clear the floor for vote.
Visions of Jimmy Stewart in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” came to mind, and a general impression of Paul as a man of consciousness prevailed.
Rand Paul, the son of Ron Paul, said he did not oppose the confirmation, but this was an opportunity to make a point and find out for sure if the President’s policy on international use of drones includes shooting American citizens on United States soil. Attorney General Eric Holder’s letter did not eliminate the possibility.
Paul said in a statement, “The U.S. Attorney General’s refusal to rule out the possibility of drone strikes on American citizens and on American soil is more than frightening – it is an affront to the Constitutional due process rights of all Americans,”
Not everyone agreed and in the morning, people were flummoxed, you know confused bewildered and baffled when Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham criticized Rand Paul calling the filibuster “a political stunt that cheapens the serious discussion about US policy to the realm of the ridiculous.”
Paul held his ground, would not admit to shooting himself in the foot, and considered Eric Holder’s letter of clarification released later in the day, a surrender.
You can agree with Paul, the government’s drone policy needs discussion.
Is that all this was about? Because it was a flummoxed filibuster.
…. just saying
claudiajustsaying 
I love that word, Flummoxed, and used to love saying it as a kid. I enjoyed your take on it in regards to the filibuster for whatever that really was… LOL
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Susan, Thanks for your support, I could speculate what the filibuster was reallly about but Washington moves so quickly it’s yesterday’s news.
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Flummoxed is one of those words that is just so perfect– it tells the story just with its use. Great post!
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Thanks. Yes, we forget about words, I was reminded when flummoxed appeared in a recent newspaper article.
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But are they listening?????
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Mary, Hi friend, thanks for summing up the situation…I don’t think so…just saying.
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Claudia – tryring to reach you to let you know that someone has hacked your email acct and is sending a scam fund request in your name. Hope you can get this fixed.
Sorry, Chris Vogelsang
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Yes, thank you. They also went on FB. Please change your email password for your protection. Sorry!
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Being from Kentucky, I must sadly state this was probably one of the least offensive, idiotic actions taken by Paul since he was elected.
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Melissa, You have my sympathy. He looks so normal…just saying
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Hi there – just to let you know that I have nominated you for the prestigious HUG Award. Details at http://exceedingspeed.wordpress.com/. Congratulations!
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I am extremely flattered, you make me like myself. I will do my best to prove worthy of the HUG Award. I have an extremely busy week but will give the honor full attention asap. Thank you, Claudia
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