Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJohn Oliver was a riot last night
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017552460especially when he rhymed his own after Cruz's Dr. Seuss: (starting at the 11:50 mark)
"I do not like this man at all, that man Ted Cruz can suck my balls."
Also
https://news.avclub.com/john-oliver-filibusters-the-filibuster-on-last-week-ton-1837976722
This weeks main topic was the filibuster, that Senate tactic from Mr. Smith Goes To Washington where a lone Senator heroically talks himself into brain-melting exhaustion until the rest of that body finally comes to its senses and does the right thing. Or, as Oliver lays out, Ted Cruz tries to prevent millions of Americans from getting healthcare by ruining Dr. Seuss forever, Rand Paul attempts to block one of President Obamas nominees by sloppily eating fun-size candy bars like a sleepy toddler, and, back in the day, world champion racist Strom Thurmond fights the Civil Rights Act by pissing in a bucket. You know, democracy.
Oliver explained that such Fear Factor-esque stunts arent even part of the filibusters appeal any more, since the Senate did away with the need to hold the floor in order to scuttle any bill without 60 votes, leaving self-described grim reaper Mitch McConnell (R-KY) free to turn the countrys highest legislative body into a good idea graveyard. As is his way, Oliver took the opportunity to advise the ghoulish McConnell that comparing himself to the malign specter of doom really isnt necessary, an act akin to Donald Trump asking people to think of him as a bunch of trash bags from a Cracker Barrel dumpster brought to life by an ancient curse when a clown fucked a car alarm. Solid burn, but Olivers real point is that the filibustertouted by one long-ago Senator as a way to protect minoritiesonly means that when minorities means lawmakers from a minority of states whod like their fringe, reactionary bigotry to gum up actual progress.
Still, as Oliver noted, the growing call to abolish this 60-vote threshold (which, despite said fringes go-to Constitutional argument) is not anywhere in the Constitution, isnt without risk. One red flagDonald Trump supports it, a sobering reminder that, as Oliver sums it up, there is just nothing that can make you question one of your beliefs quite like Donald Trump unexpectedly sharing it. He also noted that abolishing the filibuster in judicial nominations is how Republicans were able to cram Justice Sourpuss J. Boofsalot onto the Supreme Court. Still, as Oliver went on to dissect, its still time for this minority-(not that one)-coddling relic to go, what with it currently being used by McConnell and the GOP to turn the Senates theoretical informed and vigorous debate into a sick joke where Mitch McConnell can just stuff any bill he doesnt like (gun control, paycheck fairness, the Obamacare public option, probably something about not torturing kittens for profit) deep into the sweaty pockets of his grim reaper robe. Taking the stage (on his stage) of a mocked-up Senate floor to fast-forward through all the greatest hits of a really good old-school filibuster, Oliver ultimately made his case to end the practice by gradually unraveling into a disheveled-yet-persuasive wreck, his bucket-peeing appeal finally collapsing with him, the anguished words incredibly fucking stupid still ringing throughout the land.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
1 replies, 989 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (9)
ReplyReply to this post
1 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
John Oliver was a riot last night (Original Post)
question everything
Sep 2019
OP
jcgoldie
(11,631 posts)1. John Oliver is always a riot
He combines real research and information every week with being absolutely fucking hilarious and entertaining.