Hold This, Harry

As Atrios points out, "It's absolutely outrageous that one senator and one senator only appears to be blocking us from passing this piece of legislation," said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Who? And what legislation? Why, Senator Tom Coburn, a Republican, and the legislation he has so cruelly put a hold on, completely stripping Harry Reid of his ability to act? A bill that would provide more money to investigate cold case files from the Civil Rights era.

But when it comes to Chris Dodd's hold to prevent a bill giving retroactive immunity to telecoms for spying on Americans, it's full fucking steam ahead for Battleship Harry. Because there's no fight he won't fight, damn the torpedoes, when it comes to delivering the goods for His Royal Corporate Majesty.

With Democrats like these, who needs Republicans?

Earlier today, Juan Cole compared Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Democrats to a bunch of gentle hobbits facing off against the Orcs of Mordor. As I noted in comments (not yet posted), I'd much prefer hobbits. They at least will fight when backed into a corner.

One year ago, America had a Scouring of the Shire moment when Democrats took control of the House and Senate. But Reid and Pelosi immediately turned into high sheriffs and declared that expelling Sharky and his men was "off the table," I suppose because they liked the size and importance of the feathers in their caps. Apparently they are more frightened of what might happen if the horncall of Buckland is sounded and the general rabble of hobbitry is roused from its frightened lethargy. No telling who we might turn on next. Maybe even the high sheriffs!

This just shows you who our leaders really trust.

It ain't us hobbits, Frodo, my boy. So we must stick together.