^ That may be true, but today's filibuster was something that absolutely needed to be done. As Dick Durbin joked during his last question to Paul, "The Senate is dangerously close to having real debate." That's all well and good; I just wish it wasn't over this.

 

By the end of the filibuster, the ACLU, Code Pink and the Occupy Movement's Congressional watchdogs, Occupy Congress, had all voiced their support for Sen. Paul. None of those are typical friends of the GOP. The Democrats need to wake up and smell the huge amount of bi-partisan love they just handed to Rand Paul. That's te political angle here in the midst of a genuinely important filibuster.

12 hours 55 minutes. Longest filibuster in over a decade.

 

How long was the Flotsam-buster?

 

:lol: :lol:

 

It took me 5 minutes to find the damn channel.

I love Rand Paul.

McCain and Graham took to the floor today to slam Paul's filibuster. I wonder if any others are going to join them.

^ They not only called it ridiculous, they said it was flat-out fear mongering.

 

Via @sethdmichaels: Attacking Paul's filibuster perfect for McCain because it combines his 2 main issue areas: (1) spite (2) blowing stuff up.

^ They not only called it ridiculous, they said it was flat-out fear mongering.

 

Via @sethdmichaels: Attacking Paul's filibuster perfect for McCain because it combines his 2 main issue areas: (1) spite (2) blowing stuff up.

 

McCain is simply a bitter old man at this point. Nothing he says has any relevance IMO.

Just read on Twitter that the White House Press Office is saying that the Attorney General dispatched a letter to Sen. Paul's office this morning that they hope will answer his questions. I'll post a link to it as soon as the text is made public.

Just read on Twitter that the White House Press Office is saying that the Attorney General dispatched a letter to Sen. Paul's office this morning that they hope will answer his questions. I'll post a link to it as soon as the text is made public.

 

I'm seeing some things on twitter where apparently and Holder and the White House said they will not use drone strikes on "non-hostile" Americans.

How long was the Flotsam-buster?

 

I made it about 3 hours - - mostly sitting (and with restroom privleges). I was about ready to dial out when the the party ended.

Is it to late to have Paul run in 2012? Can we go back in time just a bit please? Anyone? Hello? Anyone?

The U.S. does not have the authority to use a drone attack against a U.S. citizen not engaged in combat on U.S. soil, Attorney General Eric Holder told Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in a Thursday letter.

 

Still no full text, but Jay Carney read from the letter during a press briefing today.

 

Holder: US has no authority to kill Americans with drones on US soil

The U.S. does not have the authority to use a drone attack against a U.S. citizen not engaged in combat on U.S. soil, Attorney General Eric Holder told Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in a Thursday letter.

 

Still no full text, but Jay Carney read from the letter during a press briefing today.

 

Holder: US has no authority to kill Americans with drones on US soil

 

Carney's statement is just about the full-text of Holder's letter. Apparently Paul said he was satisfied with it. I'm not sure if it's a cop-out (who decides who is engaged in combat?) or if this is finally the definitive answer on the matter. And I should add that I think issues with drones and presidential power extend beyond this specific hypothetical.

^ I don't know if that's the case. But if what Dick Durbin said is true, then there's a Senate sub-committee meeting on this very issue next week. Maybe we'll get some more answers then.

 

If nothing else, Paul has brought this issue right back to the foreground and it's not going away. I don't agree with this 100 percent of the time, but on this, the old saying holds: daylight is the best disinfectant. As long as the American people and those we elected to monitor these things keep on top of the intelligence community, the Pentagon and the executive office... the chances for abuse are drastically reduced.