Theodore's World: Clay Pigeon To Be Used To Defeat The Will Of The American People

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June 19, 2007

Clay Pigeon To Be Used To Defeat The Will Of The American People



Rare Tactic May Allow Immigration Votes
Washington Post ........ for complete article

WASHINGTON

Only in the arcane world of the U.S. Senate could a quirky gambit known as a "clay pigeon" make the difference between passage of an important immigration measure and its death at the hands of opponents.

Democratic leaders hope the complex maneuver _ which makes use of the Senate's labyrinthine rules to insist on votes on amendments _ will frustrate conservatives' attempts to derail the embattled immigration bill, instead putting it on a fast track to passage next week.

Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he would revive the bill to legalize as many as 12 million unlawful immigrants late this week. To do so, though, he needs backing from 60 senators, and a way to guarantee votes on a tentative list of 22 Republican and Democratic amendments whose consideration is seen as vital to satisfying key waverers.

The tactic gets its name from the target used in skeet shooting, which explodes into bits as it is hit. In the Senate, an amendment is the target, and any one senator can demand that it be divided into separate fragments to be voted on piecemeal.

Under the tentative plan, Reid as early as Friday would launch his target _ an amendment encompassing all 22 proposals _ and shoot it into its component pieces. The Senate would then vote on ending debate on the immigration measure, which would take 60 votes and limit discussion of the bill to 30 more hours. After that interval, all 22 amendments would have to be voted on, with little opportunity for foes to interfere.

Ironically, the move is usually used by mavericks _ not leaders _ to slow down legislation, not free it from a procedural thicket.

It's a brilliant way to gum up the works," said Robert B. Dove, a Senate rules expert who was the chamber's referee for 36 years.

The maneuver appears to be a relatively modern innovation; Dove said he first became aware of it in the early 1970s, when then-Sen. Jim Allen, D-Ala., a master of parliamentary procedures, used it against a bill pushed by the then- majority leader, Sen. Mike Mansfield, D-Mont.

"I remember people being dazzled when he did this," Dove said.

Reid's plan has its risks, chief among them further inflaming the vocal conservative opponents who have vowed to do whatever they can to kill the immigration measure.

Wesley Denton, a spokesman for Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., called the plan a "stunning" effort by Reid "to choke off debate and handpick amendments." He threatened that Republicans would unleash the same tactic on the majority in the future.
"I've seen ideas like this really backfire. You pay a price for this kind of thing," Dove said, noting that the Senate functions almost entirely on consensus. "It can be done _ I've seen it done _ but it's a difficult maneuver."


Wild Thing's comment.........

Notice how they use the word “Immigrant” instead of illegal. They’ve already done this without any hearings. Wrap your mind around that. No cost estimates, no testimony, no investigation, no staff work . . . just boom, here’s a bill, let’s pass it, only our nation at stake.

Posted by Wild Thing at June 19, 2007 12:45 AM

Comments

Lovely, more mess ups at the polls!
Those dummycraps are so hell bent on votes
because they know they can't win without the illegal vote. Why don't we just let convicted murderers and child molesters vote, too? And 5 year olds who still suck their thumbs? come on, when does it stop?
May as well sign America over to Mexico.
But here's a novel idea--why not just take over Mexico and make it part of the US?
If they want to be here so badly, then make it part of us, not the other way around.

Posted by: Lynn at June 19, 2007 04:08 AM

I'm not as well worded as Lynn. Somebody should use Reid as a "clay pigeon".

Posted by: SSgt Steve, USMC at June 19, 2007 06:31 AM

No open and honest workings in our "dignified" Senate. No, instead we get sneaky, underhanded, devious deeds to nsnub the American public. Even some of those Senators who claim to be against "amnesty" are roundabout supporting it by way of double speaking amendments.

Senators of honor would just put the immigration bill up for a Yea or Nay vote. Of course the fact that the bill has has already been defeated once only means that these Senate turds go to technicalities that are not understood by the public to sneak this bill on us. Sorta like defense lawyers who know their clients are guilty but get them off on an obscure technicality.

Posted by: TomR at June 19, 2007 11:40 AM

Posted by: Jack at June 19, 2007 01:45 PM

Lynn that would be an answer.heh heh

Then they will have to find another country to enter illegally. hahahahaa just kidding.

Posted by: Wild Thing at June 20, 2007 12:45 AM

SSgt Steve, yes they should, he would make a might fine clay pigeon. heh heh

Posted by: Wild Thing at June 20, 2007 12:46 AM

Tom that is a good comparison.....a lot like defense lawyers.

Posted by: Wild Thing at June 20, 2007 12:48 AM

Jack that is very true, they are making way for the NAU and "Agenda 21". Thank you for the link and the video.

Posted by: Wild Thing at June 20, 2007 12:51 AM