America watched the filibuster this past week as Senator Rand Paul spoke for 13 hours before the house. Throughout his speech, Paul brought up many of the questions, the average American was asking themselves about the use of drones, and other important issues. While Senator Paul held the Senate floor, many of his fellow senators were being wined and dined by the president across town.The following morning, instead of congratulating Paul on a job well done, two prominent Senators ~ John McCain and Lindsey Graham ~ denounced him before any camera or microphone they could get in front of.
Only a week before the filibuster, March 3rd to be exact, both McCain and Graham were on Face the Nation wherein they were fighting to get answers on the Benghazi situation, the use of drones, and many other issues, before they would even consider a vote for John Brennan for CIA. As of last week, answers to the Benghazi situation have not been provided, according to Senator McCain. However, due to the filibuster, Senator Rand Paul was able to force the administration, specifically, the Dept of Justice, to admit the administration has no legal authority to use drones against US Citizens. Instead of being thanked for his filibuster, Senator Paul is continually being berated by these two senior senators - McCain and Graham. Is this a coincidence, or an after dinner planned attack?
The entire situation reminds this author of the movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." For those who never watched this movie, let me give you a brief synopsis ~ A naive man (played by Jimmy Stewart), is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. His appointment quickly collides with political corruption on capitol hill, when he proposes a simple boy camp on the very spot where the political machine wants to build a damn. When he doesn't back down after being warned by Senator Paine, (played by Claude Rains), he becomes the product of slander by the very political machine that put him on the hill. Lies, deceit, and corruption rears its ugly head to save the pork project that will make a lot of senators and people back home rich. Mr. Smith goes on the offensive and maintains his own filibuster by reading the Constitution, and other noted historical documents in order to maintain the attention of his fellow Senators, until his message is received back home. Both McCain and Graham reminded me of Senator Paine this past week with their antics.
Why would two highly respected Senators feel it necessary to come out swinging against a fellow Senator for asking the same questions they themselves asked on March 3rd during their interview on Face the Nation. What changed the minds of Senators McCain and Graham? Was it because a junior Senator had the guts to conduct a filibuster and you didn't? Are you jealous of his courage, or have you both been bought with a Presidential steak and a bottle of wine?
Am I the only American voter who believes that the usefulness of both McCain and Graham has expired?
1 comment:
Seems the GOP is up to it's old tricks. denouncing anyone who has an opinion favored by the people, rather than the opinion of the party bosses. It cost them the last two elections. Makes me wonder what kind of RINOs McCain and Graham are?
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