Reid warns Republican foxes that he will throw them into the briar patch...

[kentuck]

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/reid-mcconnell-meet-on-filibuster-86551.html

<snip>
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Democrats will take the unprecedented step of changing filibuster rules on a party-line vote if Republicans don’t agree to a bipartisan deal this week.

Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell met Tuesday on a proposal to pare back the use of the potent stalling tactic, but the Nevada Democrat then publicly threatened to change the filibuster rules with 51 votes, rather than 67 votes, if a deal can’t be reached soon, a tactic critics warn could fundamentally transform the Senate away from a body meant to protect minority party rights.

“I hope in the next 24 to 36 hours we can get something that we agree on,” Reid told reporters after lunching with Democratic senators. “If not, we will move forward on what I think needs to be done. My caucus will support me on that.”

There are 55 members of the Democratic Caucus, and younger senators in particular have pushed for action to water down the power of filibusters, which take 60 votes and days to overcome.

....more

[truebluegreen]

1. Yeah, we all really believe that.

What's his next move? A sternly-worded letter?

[ljm2002]

2. At this rate...

...he'll put filibuster reform in place just in time for a Republican-majority Senate.

That would be beyond ironic, but I don't put anything past our bought-and-paid-for politicians.

[Lasher]

3. Snore, snore.....

I'll believe he's serious after he subjects McConnell to a savage caning in the Senate floor, like in the good ol' days.

[SoCalDem]

4. STFU, Harry

Have a private meeting to get your ducks in a row, and JUST DO IT already..

Senate dems..especially Harry have a severe case of Imagonnadoit.

[KoKo]

5. From past experience...every time Harry opens his mouth...

I know some bad cave in is about to occur.

[Gregorian]

6. Harry, don't make me call your office again. The people have spoken. Get it done.

[duffyduff]

7. Sighting Bigfoot has bigger odds than seeing any changes in the filibuster. n/t

[hedgehog]

8. FWIW, I think your allusion doesn't mean what you think it means:

""I've got you this time, Brer Rabbit," said Brer Fox, jumping up and shaking off the dust. "You've sassed me for the very last time. Now I wonder what I should do with you?"

Brer Rabbit's eyes got very large. "Oh please Brer Fox, whatever you do, please don't throw me into the briar patch."

"Maybe I should roast you over a fire and eat you," mused Brer Fox. "No, that's too much trouble. Maybe I'll hang you instead."

"Roast me! Hang me! Do whatever you please," said Brer Rabbit. "Only please, Brer Fox, please don't throw me into the briar patch."

"If I'm going to hang you, I'll need some string," said Brer Fox. "And I don't have any string handy. But the stream's not far away, so maybe I'll drown you instead."

"Drown me! Roast me! Hang me! Do whatever you please," said Brer Rabbit. "Only please, Brer Fox, please don't throw me into the briar patch."

"The briar patch, eh?" said Brer Fox. "What a wonderful idea! You'll be torn into little pieces!"

Grabbing up the tar-covered rabbit, Brer Fox swung him around and around and then flung him head over heels into the briar patch. Brer Rabbit let out such a scream as he fell that all of Brer Fox's fur stood straight up. Brer Rabbit fell into the briar bushes with a crash and a mighty thump. Then there was silence.

Brer Fox cocked one ear toward the briar patch, listening for whimpers of pain. But he heard nothing. Brer Fox cocked the other ear toward the briar patch, listening for Brer Rabbit's death rattle. He heard nothing.

Then Brer Fox heard someone calling his name. He turned around and looked up the hill. Brer Rabbit was sitting on a log combing the tar out of his fur with a wood chip and looking smug.

"I was bred and born in the briar patch, Brer Fox," he called. "Born and bred in the briar patch."

http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/brer_rabbit_meets_a_tar_baby.html

The point of the story being, Brer Rabbit wanted to be tossed into the briar patch in order to escape from Brer Fox.

[Nite Owl]

9. Forget bipartisan anything

just do it already, they had their chance.

[jazzimov]

10. That article was dated Jan 22.

We know what happened. Reid was afraid that if Dems lose the Senate, the Repubs would do the same thing to them.

[russspeakeasy]

11. F Y Hairy...