KILL FILibuster

A Poem by Carolyn McGiffert Ekedahl

In Two thousand and six, many Repubs had a soul
A unanimous vote to extend was the goal.
And they did it.  The Senators, both left and right,
Extended the Act giving voters their rights.
Sixteen Republicans, still senators, supported that bill.
But now they’re all in for the Voting Act Kill.
They’re all in for Wide Voter Suppression,
All in to deny democratic expression!
Biden has labeled it “Jim Crow Two Point 0.
In order to win, all Republicans know
That they have to deny liberal voters the chance
To participate in the electoral dance.
So they lie, they suppress, they subvert when they can,
Instead of preparing a governing plan.
There’s one chance, and it’s slim, to demolish their plot.
One chance to preserve the republic we’ve got.
That chance will require an heroic muster
Focused on thwarting the vile filibuster.
Used in the past civil rights to deny
Black and brown people a slice of the pie,
The tactic’s become just a part of the plan
To maintain minority control of the land!
McConnell and company long have betrayed
The ideals and courage of Republican Abe.
It’s time for the Senate to do what it must—
Leave voter suppression behind in the dust!

Carolyn McGiffert Ekedahl is the former Deputy Inspector General for Inspections, Central Intelligence Agency and co-author of “The Wars of Edward Shevardnadze.” 

Recent News and Latest Book

The NYT’s Proclaims Israel’s Military Has Reclaimed Its “Stature”

Several days after the Washington Post bogusly declared that Israel has recovered the “military primacy” that it lost a year ago, the New York Times goes one step further.  It obscenely proclaims that the Israeli military has regained its “stature.”  We’re are talking about a sophisticated and lethal military force that has been facing Arab adversaries who lack air power and air defense for the past 57 years. 

Netanyahu’s Dangerous Militarism

Greater use of Israeli military power has not provided Israel with greater security over the years, and there is no reason to believe that any retaliation—other than a symbolic response similar to the April attack—would end the current cycle of permanent occupation.  Israeli analysts continue to speak of “escalate to deescalate,” “escalation dominance,” and “restoration of deterrence,” but Israel’s “targeted assassinations,” the violence of settlers on the West Bank, and the genocidal campaign in Gaza will never serve any long-term strategic purpose. 

Containing the National Security State

Containing the National Security State