I don’t have time, unfortunately, to really rip into this, but the Republican continue to demonstrate amazing hypocrisy by fillibustering EVERY bill they dislike even a portion of. It’s insane. Even more insane is that fact that I haven’t read about this on CNN.com or NYTimes.com. There isn’t one story about this on the Times’ political page or on CNN’s political page. Not one story! When the Democrats considering filibustering one judicial nominee, it was the end of the world. Nuclear option! Obstructionist! Apparently, It’s OK If You’re a Republican.

Fortunately, at least there are bloggers covering this story so we can get some word out. Hilzoy has the best rundown of the tactics that Republicans are using. Read it. They’re not only filibustering bills, but they’re stalling on conference appointments*. This is egregious and beyond any reasonable interpretation of how a minority party should behave.

I also agree with Hilzoy and others who would ask Reid to cancel the August recess if the Republicans want to filibuster. Let them talk, just keep them there until the bills get to a vote. I’m going to write Dodd, Lieberman, and Reid this weekend on this issue. Please send them a note, too.

(and keep your eye out for the Republican talking points about how Democrats can’t accomplish anything in Congress… it’s sure to be on CNN soon, since they don’t seem to report anything that isn’t in a RNC memo.)

* bills passed by the House and Senate often differ, and a conference committee is formed with members of both parties from both houses to reconcile the two bills. The bill isn’t law until they reconcile these. Wikipedia has more on conference committees.