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babylonsister

(170,955 posts)
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 05:17 PM Jan 2017

Charles P. Pierce: Any Democrat Who Votes for Jeff Sessions Should Be Excommunicated from the Party

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a52607/democrats-senate-jeff-sessions-vote/

Any Democrat Who Votes for Jeff Sessions Should Be Excommunicated from the Party

This man as attorney general, at this moment, simply will not stand.

By Charles P. Pierce
Jan 26, 2017


snip//

At a moment like this one, it simply will not do to have someone in the attorney general's office who was deemed too racist to be a federal judge 30 years ago. It will not do to have someone in the attorney general's office who launched a dirty-tricks prosecution of voting-rights activists when he was a U.S. Attorney in Alabama. It will not do to have someone in the attorney general's office who greeted the gutting of the Voting Rights Act in 2013 by noting that it was "good for the South."

Jefferson Beauregard Sessions simply will not do.

It doesn't matter if the next nominee is worse. Beat that person, too. It doesn't matter how tough this may make your next re-election campaign; you didn't get elected to get re-elected. The issue of voting rights is too important to the country—and, god knows, to the party—for it to yield to any other consideration. It is an existential issue, for the republic and for the Democrats. There is no room for compromise or horse-trading. The Democratic Party should stand for the expansion of the franchise and for a greater ease in exercising it. Neither of these goals has a chance with Jefferson Beauregard Sessions running the Department of Justice.

In the 1960s, the Democrats abandoned their Southern core leadership and threw its support behind the Civil Rights movement and the Voting Rights Act. This sea change fundamentally transformed American politics and, no matter what you may hear from conservatives trying to change the subject, it reversed forever the position of the two parties on the place of African-American citizens in the republic, an arrangement that had persisted, in fits and starts, since the election of Abraham Lincoln. From this rearrangement came the Southern Strategy and the modern conservative movement.

Any Democrat who votes for Sessions is voting against this history and is voting in such a way as to make all the political sacrifice therein a waste of time. Therefore, resistance to the Sessions nomination is a bright line in the sand beyond which should be found nothing but exile. Period, as prominent hostage Sean Spicer would say.
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Charles P. Pierce: Any Democrat Who Votes for Jeff Sessions Should Be Excommunicated from the Party (Original Post) babylonsister Jan 2017 OP
K&R Solly Mack Jan 2017 #1
K&R!!! lunamagica Jan 2017 #58
+ a brazillion truebluegreen Jan 2017 #2
K&R LW1977 Jan 2017 #3
Amen to that. dalton99a Jan 2017 #4
Yea, right. theaocp Jan 2017 #5
I bet the lion's share do JDC Jan 2017 #6
Someone alerted on me because I criticized Feinstein for saying she was leaning... brush Jan 2017 #7
I just saw someone get a hide for criticizing EW's approval of Carson. MindPilot Jan 2017 #9
When I saw that, I must admit, I was deeply disappointed. calimary Jan 2017 #21
Cave-in men and women. JudyM Jan 2017 #35
Should appeal the decision shawn703 Jan 2017 #10
I did but haven't heard back from them. brush Jan 2017 #11
Does anyone ever hear back from appeals? appal_jack Jan 2017 #38
Thanks for giving me a sense of how it works. brush Jan 2017 #42
I'm with ya there! nt appal_jack Jan 2017 #44
I was going to name her myself Raine Jan 2017 #24
That will get you banned here scscholar Jan 2017 #33
Ridiculous.. I can call her office and register mountain grammy Jan 2017 #51
Ridiculous hide. Rex Jan 2017 #59
No, the hide was because the entire thread was based on a false allegations La Lioness Priyanka Jan 2017 #60
What was there to discuss? Whether a known racist should be Attorney General in charge... brush Jan 2017 #63
Democrats are trying to slow this down La Lioness Priyanka Jan 2017 #64
I hope that's the case, but I did hear on progressive radio that she since she hadn't... brush Jan 2017 #65
We killed our candidate by never giving her the benefit of the doubt La Lioness Priyanka Jan 2017 #66
I was a Clinton voter. I see no reason for there to be any doubt about Sessions though. brush Jan 2017 #67
Sessions has troubling connections to Trump pro-Russian campaign operatives too wishstar Jan 2017 #8
can't recommend this enough... dhill926 Jan 2017 #12
How can any Democrat who supports civil rights and voting rights vote in favor of Jeff Sessions? democrank Jan 2017 #13
Democrats need to start fighting Republicans the way Republicans fight Democrats. Or we need to find TeamPooka Jan 2017 #14
The Democrats who are voting for these horrible nominees while there are no Republican defections Dustlawyer Jan 2017 #55
Or who votes for any of them in my opinion SHRED Jan 2017 #15
K&R. Charlie Pierce, dead-bang correct, as usual. (nt) Paladin Jan 2017 #16
I agree. old guy Jan 2017 #17
Kick Hekate Jan 2017 #18
Agreed!! nt Stellar Jan 2017 #19
oh, c'mon. dems don't wanna seems too partisan... KG Jan 2017 #20
Damn right... 3catwoman3 Jan 2017 #22
Absolutely! nt Raine Jan 2017 #23
Amen and Amen!!! uponit7771 Jan 2017 #25
K&R... spanone Jan 2017 #26
Diane Fienstien is already going to vote for him Chasstev365 Jan 2017 #27
I have read that Feinstein was voting for Sessions a couple of times here on DU. She is my Senator. skylucy Jan 2017 #31
I heard it too but it was from a talking head on Raine Jan 2017 #34
Better call her office to voice opposition to Sessions nonetheless. nt appal_jack Jan 2017 #39
I sent an email to her this morning. skylucy Jan 2017 #47
Where are you getting this from? La Lioness Priyanka Jan 2017 #61
Agree. nt DLevine Jan 2017 #28
Feinstein is my Senator and I have found nothing in the news stating that she plans to vote to skylucy Jan 2017 #32
I think you responded to the wrong person. DLevine Jan 2017 #48
Oops. You are right. I'm sorry. I think it was my bong talking. skylucy Jan 2017 #50
No worries! DLevine Jan 2017 #52
All this shit about Feinstein is based on a fake allegation from yesterday La Lioness Priyanka Jan 2017 #62
I'm tired of spineless Dems... Talk Is Cheap Jan 2017 #29
K n r Achilleaze Jan 2017 #30
Absolutely. Pruitt for EPA, too. I called my senators about this. By all accounts, calling works. JudyM Jan 2017 #36
Any Independent should be treated as a pariah, too. Cha Jan 2017 #37
Um, no. appal_jack Jan 2017 #40
Nobody should be voting for the damn racist, Sessions. That means Dems & Cha Jan 2017 #41
Oh, gotcha, yes! appal_jack Jan 2017 #45
Jim Crow Sessions has got to go! Generic Other Jan 2017 #43
They should be! burrowowl Jan 2017 #46
K&R! myrna minx Jan 2017 #49
YES!!!!!! Vinnie From Indy Jan 2017 #53
KICK democrank Jan 2017 #54
If any democrat votes for Sessions, they are dead to me hueymahl Jan 2017 #56
Here, here! n/t Brainstormy Jan 2017 #57
kick Blue_Tires Jan 2017 #68
K&R (n/t) Moostache Jan 2017 #69

brush

(53,467 posts)
7. Someone alerted on me because I criticized Feinstein for saying she was leaning...
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 05:44 PM
Jan 2017

towards voting for Sessions.

I woke up to a "hide" this morning because of that.

A "don't criticize Democrats" violation of the TOC wrongly applied.

 

MindPilot

(12,693 posts)
9. I just saw someone get a hide for criticizing EW's approval of Carson.
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 06:06 PM
Jan 2017

Seriously the Democrats take our votes for granted--we vote for them because the alternative is unthinkable--then they are done with us. Except for the fundraising.

calimary

(80,693 posts)
21. When I saw that, I must admit, I was deeply disappointed.
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 07:45 PM
Jan 2017

I'd rather see OUR tribe say "NO" more often and much more emphatically.

If they don't, seems to me they're little more than cavemen and cavewomen.

shawn703

(2,702 posts)
10. Should appeal the decision
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 06:08 PM
Jan 2017

I had a post hidden for a similar reason but the mods overturned it on appeal.

brush

(53,467 posts)
11. I did but haven't heard back from them.
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 06:10 PM
Jan 2017

Do you happen to know how many hides it takes to get suspended?

 

appal_jack

(3,813 posts)
38. Does anyone ever hear back from appeals?
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 12:56 AM
Jan 2017

Around election time, I had three hides in pretty rapid succession that (I thought) were entirely unjustified. I appealed each with carefully reasoned and cited arguments as to why these three posts were well within the DU TOS. I received no response for any of them. I might as well have appealed to puddles in my drive way.

To answer your question though, I believe that bans these days are at the discretion of the Site Administrators and MIRT volunteers. I recall during the Primaries one past longtime member daring Skinner to ban him, and Skinner saying pretty much "Well, since you asked..." There also have been insta-bans for awful racism, misogyny, etc. So it could be as little as one stupid post. On the other hand, for comparatively mild stuff (all my hides were questioning Clinton positions, tactics, or choice of surrogates and allies), the number can be higher than three. Sorry not to be able to tell you more, but that's what I know.

-app

brush

(53,467 posts)
42. Thanks for giving me a sense of how it works.
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 01:06 AM
Jan 2017

I'm up to 3 now for criticizing a Dem senator for saying she's leaning towards voting for a known racist to be the Attorney General, the guardian of civil rights.

That should be a no-brainer no vote.

Raine

(30,540 posts)
24. I was going to name her myself
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 08:25 PM
Jan 2017

those on "our side" should be called out when they're going over to the dark side IMO!

mountain grammy

(26,568 posts)
51. Ridiculous.. I can call her office and register
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 08:54 AM
Jan 2017

my disapproval, which I did, but can't do it here? Democrats must understand something. We are the wall, we are all that's left to preserve what's left.

 

La Lioness Priyanka

(53,866 posts)
60. No, the hide was because the entire thread was based on a false allegations
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 01:36 PM
Jan 2017

And everyone jumped on Feinstein for no reason. In fact Feinstein delayed this vote so that people could have more time yo discuss sessions.

brush

(53,467 posts)
63. What was there to discuss? Whether a known racist should be Attorney General in charge...
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 01:40 PM
Jan 2017

of civil rights?

IMO that's a no-brainer no vote for a Democrat.

 

La Lioness Priyanka

(53,866 posts)
64. Democrats are trying to slow this down
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 01:47 PM
Jan 2017

So that there is some pressure on GOP senators to join them from the public. We don't have the numbers to stop him by ourself.

That's what Feinstein is doing, support her and don't believe random Twitter accounts over real journalists.


Slowing the sessions vote is the best we can do with the numbers we have.

brush

(53,467 posts)
65. I hope that's the case, but I did hear on progressive radio that she since she hadn't...
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 01:54 PM
Jan 2017

received many callsto her office against Sessions she wasn't sure which way to vote.

 

La Lioness Priyanka

(53,866 posts)
66. We killed our candidate by never giving her the benefit of the doubt
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 01:56 PM
Jan 2017

Let's not kill the few elected Dems we have left with no real reason or proof.

brush

(53,467 posts)
67. I was a Clinton voter. I see no reason for there to be any doubt about Sessions though.
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 02:30 PM
Jan 2017

I hope Feinstein's reason is what you say.

wishstar

(5,267 posts)
8. Sessions has troubling connections to Trump pro-Russian campaign operatives too
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 05:56 PM
Jan 2017

Sessions has said he will not recuse himself as Atty Gen. from overseeing investigation of the Russian hacking/Trump campaign investigations.

democrank

(11,052 posts)
13. How can any Democrat who supports civil rights and voting rights vote in favor of Jeff Sessions?
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 06:33 PM
Jan 2017

Just asking.....

TeamPooka

(24,155 posts)
14. Democrats need to start fighting Republicans the way Republicans fight Democrats. Or we need to find
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 06:33 PM
Jan 2017

Democrats who will.

Dustlawyer

(10,493 posts)
55. The Democrats who are voting for these horrible nominees while there are no Republican defections
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 09:34 AM
Jan 2017

must go. They do so because their Donors tell them to. They know we don't want them to so they are picking Donors over us!

We need to recruit new candidates who don't take corporate money. That means we have to open our wallets to give them a chance.

We must get the money out of politics! Let that be our next march on D.C.!

skylucy

(3,734 posts)
31. I have read that Feinstein was voting for Sessions a couple of times here on DU. She is my Senator.
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 09:46 PM
Jan 2017

I have looked and looked online to find any news about Feinstein planning to vote this way and I have found nothing. Nothing in the news online, nothing in the Bay Area local news and nothing on her website, Facebook page etc. Please provide a link that states that she is leaning to confirm Sessions.

Raine

(30,540 posts)
34. I heard it too but it was from a talking head on
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 10:17 PM
Jan 2017

television so no link. Definitely hope it's not the true or if so she changes her mind

skylucy

(3,734 posts)
32. Feinstein is my Senator and I have found nothing in the news stating that she plans to vote to
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 09:47 PM
Jan 2017

confirm Sessions. Please provide a link to where you read this. Thanks.

DLevine

(1,788 posts)
48. I think you responded to the wrong person.
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 06:27 AM
Jan 2017

I'm replying to the op. I believe any Democrat voting to confirm Sessions is hurting our cause. I have no idea if Feinstein will or not. If she doesn't, good for her. We need Dems to stand up to the orange fascist from hell.

 

La Lioness Priyanka

(53,866 posts)
62. All this shit about Feinstein is based on a fake allegation from yesterday
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 01:38 PM
Jan 2017

That people shared without looking into it at all

In the age of fake news, I wish du'ers would not spread misinformation

 

Talk Is Cheap

(389 posts)
29. I'm tired of spineless Dems...
Thu Jan 26, 2017, 09:34 PM
Jan 2017

Republicans go for broke right out of the starting gate, and implement their
agenda no matter what.

I do believe in civility, but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire (or water).

Republicans want to turn America into a fascist authoritarian oligarchy. We are almost there. We, Dems,
must stop them by every means. To me, this is political war and normal people need
to fight the Republican cancer.

And if the Democratic leadership remains milk-toasty - well, the people will have to rise up (as they should no matter what).

 

appal_jack

(3,813 posts)
40. Um, no.
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 01:02 AM
Jan 2017

I'll tell you what: any Independent voting as badly as Joe Manchin? Sure, torpedo that ass. But I guarantee you that any Independent Senator (Who are we kidding? We are discussing Bernie Sanders.) will vote in a far more principled manner. So quit the Party over Principles nonsense, OK? Democrats clearly need more numbers than are just within the Party at present to mount an effective opposition. Plus arrogance like yours helps keep the Party small and dwindling.

-app

 

appal_jack

(3,813 posts)
45. Oh, gotcha, yes!
Fri Jan 27, 2017, 01:24 AM
Jan 2017

I thought you were recommending treating Independents as pariahs in general...

My bad.

Pun in subject line was unintended, but too funny (to my own warped humor at least) to delete.

Yes, I am with you 100% that any Independent voting for Sessions is not our ally, and I will hold that standard for Bernie as well as anyone else.

Thanks for explaining further,

-app

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