The Random Comic Strip

The Random Comic Strip

Words to live by...

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, and to rest afterward."

[Spanish Proverb]

Ius luxuriae publice datum est

(The right to looseness has been officially given)

"Everyone carries a part of society on his shoulders," wrote Ludwig von Mises, "no one is relieved of his share of responsibility by others. And no one can find a safe way for himself if society is sweeping towards destruction. Therefore everyone, in his own interest, must thrust himself vigorously into the intellectual battle."

Apparently, the crossword puzzle that disappeared from the blog, came back.


Saturday, September 28, 2013

A Tale of Two Filibusters

People cannot understand conservatives. I should rephrase that... the media cannot tolerate conservatives. And show it constantly.

Today, let's talk about filibusters. There were two in the news over the last several months. One took place in the Texas Senate, the other took place in the U.S. Senate. Both were doomed to failure. One was apparently not a true filibuster since it did not hold up any government business. Guess which one the media loved and which one they derided.

Republican senator Ted Cruz was attacked, lampooned, and ridiculed by the media and by many of his own party.

Texas Democrat state senator Wendy Davis was praised and is now raising funds for a possible run for governor.

Why were both speeches doomed to failure? Because the governor of Texas had only to call another special session to pass the legislation Davis filibustered. And the (not really a) filibuster by Ted Cruz could not rally Senate Republicans to vote as a bloc. That was a foregone conclusion and Cruz was ridiculed for not folding after enduring criticism from his own party.

So, tell me, why is Davis a hero and Cruz a buffoon?


Neither one did more than "tilt at windmills" and both showed passion and sincerity to their cause.

The interesting thing is that Cruz was accused of filibustering merely to get attention for himself and Davis was never heard of outside her district before her filibuster. Who needed the attention more? Who is trying to benefit from the attention?


Pot <> kettle <> black.

2 comments:

Inspector Clouseau said...

I'll tell you what bothers me Douglas: that any form of gamesmanship or technical rules either of procedure or substance have a place in the governance of our citizens. It just seems ridiculous to me.

I dare say that 95% of the population could explain what really took place during these events. Somewhat like credit swap default derivatives in my mind.

The common lay citizen, in my view, ought to be able to understand what is going on. Seems like a simple principle to me.

Douglas said...

Inspector, perhaps too simple a principle... You would eliminate Robert's Rules of Order? I think the gamesmanship would be impossible to eliminate, though I certainly understand (and agree with) the emotional foundation of your point.

I believe that all systems can be eventually deconstructed and then manipulated.... given time.