Dems draw line in the sand over Republican power grab

The Dems have decided to stand and fight against the Republican effort to change senate rules in a way that would effectively take away the last tool of resistance left to Democrats to oppose any of their judicial nominees, no matter how radical. This is despite the fact that the Judiciary committee has already OKed 95% of Bush's nominees.
Such a move would essentially eliminate the Democratic party from their advise and consent role and substantially alter the traditional system of checks and balances. It literally would change democracy as we know it.

Senate Democrats formally threatened yesterday to bring the chamber to a virtual standstill if Republicans carry out a plan to change Senate rules and bar filibusters of judicial nominations. The comments, which Republicans quickly denounced, signal that the two parties remain on a collision course whose outcome could be so explosive that it is generally called the "nuclear option."

In other matters, the Congress also paved the way for oil drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.

And while all this is going on, press and public attention will be focused on subpoenaed baseball stars and arguing over steroid use. We're so easily distracted.