November 18th, 2009:

Re: Senate Blocks Amendment to Restrict Obama Administration’s Ability to Prosecute Suspected Terrorists in Federal Court | CommonDreams.org

WASHINGTON – November 17 – Human Rights First today praised the Senate for blocking an amendment that would have restricted the Obama Administration’s ability to prosecute suspected terrorists in federal courts. According to the group, the amendment, offered by Senator James Inhofe to the Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs, and related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010, would have limited the President’s ability to employ one of the most valuable counterterrorism tools available – criminal prosecutions – and would have needlessly impeded the President’s ability to resolve the problem of Guantánamo by disposing of cases in a manner that comports with human rights standards and the rule of law.

Yes! Democrats have finally gained some inroads toward their testicular fortitude – and not a moment too soon! This news of the Republican’s inability to stop Obama’s plan to close Guantanamo Bay is comforting in the aspect that we are finally getting back onto the reality train in Washington. But this is not the only good news today.

From the Associated Press on HuffPo today:

WASHINGTON — Democrats on Tuesday crushed a Senate filibuster against a controversial appeals court nominee, demonstrating to Republicans they can’t stop President Barack Obama from turning the federal judiciary to the left.

The 70-29 vote limited debate over the qualifications of U.S. District Judge David Hamilton of Indiana, and assured his elevation to the Chicago-based appeals court. Sixty votes were needed to end the filibuster, but confirmation only requires a simple majority of the 100-member Senate.

The Senate overcame yet another Republican attempt at obstruction. They defeated the Republican filibuster to appoint Hamilton to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that covers Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

But wait! There’s more!

Today’s Senate action to block Senator Inhofe’s amendment comes just days after Attorney General Eric Holder announced his intention to transfer prosecutions of the alleged planners of September 11, 2001 attacks from military commissions to the federal courts, which have a long track record of successfully trying terrorism suspects. It also comes on the heels of a Senate vote to table an amendment introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham that would have blocked the prosecution of these defendants in federal courts.

Bop! Bop! Bop!

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