My submission to Sen. Byrd (via his website's form)

[Roland99]

To the Honorable Senator Byrd,

Sen. Byrd, I have long been an admirer of your incredibly thorough knowledge of the United States Constitution and your passionate desire to fight to preserve that document in the face of all attacks.

That is why I must now write and express my profound dismay at your support of Judge Alito to the bench of the Supreme Court.

Judge Alito's decisions, opinions, and memos from the last 21 years or so reveal a man that does not hold the Constitution in high regard. Quite the opposite is true. Judge Alito is revealed to be someone who looks upon the Constitution as, perhaps, quaint. Perhaps something to look back to as a sort of guide but then go on to make decisions beyond the reach of the Constitution.

There is no denying the stalwart machine of the Republican Party and its efforts to turn our government into one of one-party rule and even of rule by a single branch, effectively making the Senate and the Courts moot.

This great nation is dependent upon the integrity of the checks and balances afforded each branch of government in order for our democracy to thrive and restrain the zealous ambitions of power-hungry politicians.

It is with a great love of this country that I write to beseech you to support the filibuster of Judge Alito, a man wholly unworthy of serving on the Supreme Court.

[golden voyages]

1. What a beautifully written letter

but in all honesty, I think the old man must be going senile.

What other possible explanation can there be for him to support Alito?

[Roland99]

2. Reading the transcript of his statements on the floor...

it would appear he's given in to a deluge of letters from rabid right wingers.

[Wordie]

5. Could you post that transcript? It would be really helpful. Thanks. eom

[Roland99]

10. Here's the DU thread >>>>

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=253846&mesg_id=253846

[Wordie]

11. Thanks very much, Roland99. Wish me luck on my letter! eom

[golden voyages]

8. With his advanced age, you'd think he's have the guts to

simply vote his conscience and fight with his last breath to uphold his oath of preserving and protecting the Constitution.

I hope to God he comes to his senses before he formally casts his "yay". While I do not consider myself religious, tonight I will pray for a miracle.

[longship]

7. How can you say that?

Have you actually listened to his speeches in the well of the Senate this term? They don't sound like the ravings of senility to me.

Could it be that there are political reasons why he's taking his position?

I also contacted him to convince him to change his mind on Alito, but the last thing I would presume is that his postion is because of senility.

Peace.

[golden voyages]

9. Anything is possible, but I am at a loss to come up with any

"political reasons" as you suggest. I am totally baffled by his support of Alito and am quite interested in hearing any plausible explanations.

[hwmnbn]

3. Excellent writing, Roland99....

May I "borrow" a couple of sentences for my e-mails/letters? Hope you don't mind.

[Roland99]

4. Feel free to take all of it!!

:D

[spuddonna]

6. Awesome reply! Thanks for the great letter!

I sent one a few hrs ago and I sincerely hope his staff looks at these...

He's breakin my heart here... I hope he changes his mind!!

[Carni]

12. I sent him this

Dear Senator Byrd,

I have admired your long and distinguished history as a US Senator and your bold, straight forward method of telling it like it is on many occasions.

Many times I have sat at home and thought "Wow Senator Byrd is not laying down and rolling over to this crooked Bush administration!"

But Senator Byrd on this topic of Alito I am EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED...why in God's name won't you vote to filibuster against this judicial nominee?

Senator, as I mentioned previously you have had a long and distinguished career and you have served the public well...but there comes a time when you must put the public good before your own tenure in the Senate and you cannot possibly in all good conscience think that Alito, with his well established and documented views on unitary executive power, will be good for this country!

This Alito confirmation is probably THE most important issue in my life time as well as my ten year old daughter's lifetime.

Judge Alito has proven time and again that he will rule on the side of the executive branch--we already have a system that is literally collapsing under the weight of the powers that President Bush and his associates have already usurped.

Do you want to hand them the rest of our system so that they can destroy it once and for all?

A more balanced supreme court has ruled previously that domestic spying is unconstitutional-- where do you think Judge Alito will stand on that issue?

And how do you know that YOU sir one of the GOPs political opponents, have not been wiretapped?

I have a pretty good idea how Alito would rule on this issue and many other topics that will forever shift our country towards a one party system and I have no desire to live in an old Soviet Union style country.

You must vote no on Alito and support a fillbuster of same if you care at all about the future of the country or it's citizens.

Thank you for your time,
XXXXXXX

[Roland99]

13. Bravo!

[bigwillq]

14. That's a great letter.

Nice job! :bounce: