Burnt Orange Report

Judicial Scales are Tipped

By Katie Naranjo

A frightening article entitled “Conservatives Near Lock on US Courts” landed on my doorstep this morning. Democrats are beginning to prepare for more filibusters as Republicans try to maneuver appointments for control of the judicial branch. With the legislative, executive, and judicial branches the count is Republicans 3 – Democrats 0, pending the potential for more trouble during this weeks appointments. Here are some fun facts:

Republican appointees now constitute a majority of judges on 10 of the nation's 13 federal appeals courts. As few as three more lifetime appointments on key courts would tip the balance in favor of GOP appointees on all but one appeals court - the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The confrontation over judges heats up Thursday with the Senate Judiciary Committee expected to send a second appeals court candidate to the full Senate for a possible vote. The process is being closely watched because if either nomination triggers a filibuster, it could provide the vehicle for Republican senators to launch the so-called nuclear option, which would squelch filibusters

For more http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0414/p01s02-uspo.html

Lets wish the Democratic Senators well as they get ready to RUMBLE!!!! (Jim Dallas Reference)