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Rand Paul's #Filiblizzard Enters Its Sixth (Now Tenth) Hour
Starting at 1147ET, Rand Paul began his James-Joycean discussion on US-based Drone strikes, six hours later (and with some minor aid from Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)), he is still going. Have you ever felt so strongly about something that you were willing to talk about it for over six hours? From Cruz's note that today is the 177th anniversary of the fall of (or stand at) the Alamo to Paul's rhetorical (we think) question to the President: "Are you going to just drop a hellfire missile on Jane Fonda?" We suspect the night is yet young as the snowquester continues.
The Atlantic summarizes:
Rand Paul spent Wednesday doing something you don't see very often—an honest-to-goodness, non-stop filibuster speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Lacking the 41 votes necessary to prevent a cloture vote that would block the nomination of John Brennan to be the CIA director, Paul chose to stall the old-fashioned way, through the original meaning of the talking filibuster. As long as Paul spoke (and stood), he held the Senate captive — and he had a lot to say about drones.
Paul opened by vowing to "speak until I can no longer speak." He held true to that, though senators from several other states (including a Democrat from Oregon) came to the floor to ask questions, during which breaks Paul presumably attended to necessary personal needs.
Paul's was the first talking filibuster since Bernie Sanders spoke for 8.5 hours back in 2010, beginning at around 11:45 a.m. and lasting well into the evening. Whether or not Paul's intended audience — the president — paid any attention remains unclear.
By way of reference (via About.com), The record for the longest filibuster goes to U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957, according to U.S. Senate records. Thurmond began speaking at 8:54 p.m. on Aug. 28 and continued until 9:12 p.m. the following evening, reciting the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, President George Washington's farewell address and other historical documents along the way.
Some choice, totally out-of-context quotes, so far (via The Atlantic):
"If there was an ounce of courage in this body, I would not be here alone."
"The point isn't that any body in our country is Hitler..."
"If you're going to kill people in America, you need to have rules and we need to know what those rules are. ... I don't want to find out that having seven days worth of food in your house is on the list."
"To be bombed in your sleep? There's nothing American about that."
Live video (via The Washington Post):
The Twittersphere's take on it all:
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Amazing that a US senator has to plead (with a desperate filibuster) for 'no signature strikes in America.'
Is this the level we've sunk to?
Sadly, apparently so.
The matrix is very unhappy.
wrong. you are deluded if you think this entire episode is not staged and orchestrated.
How people here of all places can't see that is beyond me. If Rand Paul was any kind of a threat he'd be dead by the weekend. This is controlled oppositon. They just bought 2700 light TANKS to use on Americans, 2 BILLION rounds of JHP. These idiots think Rand Paul is going to save us all. Nobody is coming to save you.
He's not a theat yet because the MSM and the status-quo politicians from both parties can still marginalize him. If that ever changes, then his life will be in danger big time.
Oh jesus, he's a fucking relief valve. A thermometer.
Vote it down bitchez. Nobody is coming to save you. Fuck you.
they want to believe... they always do... and therefore can't see the other hand moving...
One of the best ways to trap humans is with a false polarity. Like Republicans and Democrats. You have to join one side or the other, and then blame the opposite side for everything that's wrong.
It works great on 98% of the population, and that's good. The problem is that the remaining 2% constitute a large fraction of the smart ones - the evolutionary leading-edge types who make real change happen.
So you provide a filter for them as well. Somebody who really tells it like it is. ( And he really does, mostly. Much more than the morons you employ as 'Republicans' and 'Democrats'. ) He appears to offer a way out of the obviously staged polarity. The tell -- the little bit of poison mixed in with the truth he's speaking -- is that he encourages the smart 2% that we must 'still work within the system'.
This filter traps 90% of that troublesome 2%. The hope is that the few left untrapped will now be too sparse to achieve anything.
Our enemies are not stupid.
Whether or not this is Rand Paul's intent, you are absolutely right on.
I am in the 2% and vacilliate between the 90% and the 10%. My heart is with the 10% but my life experience prevents me from turning completely away from the 90%.
I think the older Paul is in actuality, a part of the .2%
Let them eat Rothbard.
-1
Down vote per your request. Fuck you too.
No, it's John & Mumcard who are delusional here. I don't think nor did I imply that Rand Paul is some kind of savior, no politician can undo this.
However if the average amerikan mushhead consumes even a few minutes of this epic rant, perhaps somewhere in the deep, repressed recesses of their brain a spidy sense might be detected saying "there is something very wrong here. Very wrong in me and very wrong all around me".
e.g. "America is the battlefield = martial law"
A tiny bug in the matrix. So shut the fuck up and take it for what it is worth.
Zardoz
https://twitter.com/search/realtime?q=%23standwithrand&src=typd
It isn't often that someone has the fucking stones to stand up to the Dark Princes so whether or not you agree with the mans politics, the man has some balls and apparently, a conscience. That's a hell of a lot more than I can say for most of the other scumbags in DC.
+1 @Randpaul
Rand Paul repeatedly stated that claiming 'America is a battlefield' = MARTIAL LAW.
He stopped short of admitting that we're ALREADY under martial law.
But that's what the USA PATRIOT Act is about. It IS martial law -- a dozen years' worth, already in the rear view mirror.
I hope there are a few people resting their voice in preparation for Obama's assault on the second amendment......
Obama will destroy you economically while you are not paying attention. Emperor Obama is not going to take your guns, but he certainly has you distracted. Keep your eye on the ball before its too late!
Obama and his gang are going to try and take our guns, but you're right to think they will use the economic situation to their advantage. The thing is, they think they can bend the economy to their will, when it really is going to go beyond anyone's control. Hungry people make easy slaves. Prepare accordingly.
I thought he swore to uphold and defend the Constitution?
Was Rand invted to dinner tonight? And...
inquiring minds want to know, What's on the menu? - and who is doing the tasting before it hits the table?
White oily-anal-leakage tuna and Ikea poop cake. Possibly some horsemeat laced with cyanide.
Oops, I accidentally hit the -1 arrow. I am so sorry. Fucking iphone and my fat finger. Awesome comment. Again, sorry.
Damn! I just hit the +1 arrow and the -1 goes away! Move along, nothing to see here.
didn't this turncoat endorse Obamney last year's (s)election cycle?
I haven't given a single fuck about what he had to say since he showed his true colors.
Mixed emotions. Lots of trufiness on Senate floor today.
How can your idols save you if you always question them?
How about considering what he's saying today? Not saying words/deeds from the past are unimportant, but people can be on the right side of certain issues even though they've done some silly things in the past.
Give Em HELL Rand Paul! +1
Pretty damn impressive. Been watching for the last hour or so and for once I feel like someone is standing up for liberty (besides his Dad)
If he was so pro-liberty, why didn't this pussy support his Father?
A question every American should be asking today is why, out of 535 members of the house and senate, is this the only Man speaking out about this issue. Still not totallly convinced of Rand's "thinking", but he's made a huge step in the right direction in my mind.
About a half dozen Senators took the floor to support him, including Democratic senator Ron Wyden of Oregon.
Rubio needs to get his ass in there If he wants my vote again.
If it's OK for the government to murder citizens without trial or due process is it OK for citizens to off government officials without trial or due process?
Just asking!
That's exactly the right question. Maybe RP will pose it.
That's kinda the way I'm starting to see it.
Yes, justified manslaughter in self defense.
Rand will be safe from the drones as long as he stays in the Senate building. I recommend he speaks on this for days... maybe weeks.
Rand Paul is fantastic. Damned proud to call him my senator! I don't admit to mitch mcconnell being more than my placeholder in the senate. Rand actually stands for more than just occupying a seat. Somebody has to push back against the erosion of our rights (religious, taxes, healthcare, ndaa, guns, voting-without threat of being billyclubbed by black thugs, education, speech...) I sure as hell hope that some others help him in this. Rand is the stud horse amongst geldings.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas gave him the ultimate compliment -- reading Col. William Travis's last letter from the Alamo, and telling Rand Paul that the ghosts of Travis, James Bowie and Davy Crockett are standing beside him during his filibuster.
What's your beef with health care? All the Dear Leader did was codify into law the corrupt, inefficient and costly system we already had. Isn't that what you wanted? You know, because universal health care has failed wherever it has been tried. Except of course, wherever it has been tried. You could have had a system like Japan for a third the cost and better health outcomes. We didn't go there.
Stop bitching about health care. You got exactly what you wanted.
I'd recommend Mr. Paul stay out of Cessnas and hot tubs for a while...but he already knows that.
I watch Paul, Cruz, and Lee and actually think there is some hope. Then I remember that I'm the only person within a hundred miles who's watching C-Span.
Not sure about Lee, but be careful with Cruz - he's not what he appears.
Be careful with all of them
Hooray Rand Paul!!!
And BTW, let's defund "Learn Lesbianism" courses.
But I kinda wanna learn more about lesbianism.
I just want to watch.
Only if both chicks are hot.
What if we change it to "learn hot lesbianism"?
It's a myth.
Not until Uncle Joe Biden says we made annual new world quota for hookers. Gang rape marathon is tough on 15 year olds. Fuck socialism.
"but but but but George Bush is taking away all of your rights"
Sadly, the sheeple only believe what they are told to believe........
Don't look now, but some of the flock wandered in.
Cain and Abel
4 Adam[a] made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.[b] She said, “With the help of theLord I have brought forth[c] a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.
Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lordlooked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”[d] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”
God gave Cain due process. .. this idea of no due process is taking us back to the dark ages. Civilization is unravelling right before us.
Goldman isn't doing God's work..Rand Paul is.
thats the first time god spoke to two people in public...Or was it off TV?
Rand I think may wrap it up by around 7PM due to a tv appearance on CNN he is supposed to be booked for tonite.
Anyways the scorecard so far for Senators who have stepped up to help out Rand.
Mike lee (UT)
Ted Cruz (TX)
Jerry Moran (KS)
Ron Wyden (OR)
Marco Rubio (TX) also cracked a water joke
Saxby Chambliss (GA)
Pat Toomey (PA)
John Cornyn (TX)
Even Harry Reid (NV) gave him a small breather to spew some procedural mumbo jumbo.
But none of those other senators are liberpublicans. Shit, some are DEMOCRATS. It must be a subtle trick.
Ron Wyden has been pretty consistent on the Civil Liberties issues Democrat or not, he did vote against the NDAA 2012 and 2013 bills. So did Mike Lee. Ted Cruz well he seems to be a real shit stirrer so far. I like what I've seen from him in his short time as a freshman.
Reid was so mumbling and inarticulate, he could have been mistaken for a janitor who accidently wandered onto the set.
All the janitors are on furlough.
John Barrosso Wyoming has also been present speaking.
The canary is warning.
Rand Raul 2016
Guv'ment gon' save us!
2 stupid
I wouldn't wish that "honor" on my worst enemy. Let one of the status-quo goons inherit the rudder of this Titanic.
F*****G Hairy Reed.
Go Go Go RP!!!
Don't drone me, brObama
He's still a turncoat, but thats pretty impressive. I listened to 2 hours straight, then decided to go home. of course, he is still a GOP shill.
Everyone hates the government, but this guy...THIS guy is a hero. /sarc
Numb nuts and brain.
he just drones on and on
Droning: It's not just for terrists anymore.
Well, they'll drone ya when you're trying to be so good
They'll drone ya just a-like they said they would
They'll drone ya when you're tryin' to go home
Then they'll drone ya when you're there all alone
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get droned.
Well, they'll drone ya when you're walkin' 'long the street
They'll drone ya when you're tryin' to keep your seat
They'll drone ya when you're walkin' on the floor
They'll drone ya when you're walkin' to the door
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get droned.
<golf clap>
had to up that terrible pun...so bad it's good
much as I like Jane Fonda; I am glad this guy iconised her past anti war stance for showing up the totalitarian reality of USA today. Nobody would have dared prosecute her then; Nixon didn't and he tried to prosecute Pentagon Papers Ellsberg; who would have been nailed today as a traitor under Patriot act; just like Assange is.
Funny how our generation thought RN was the pits during NAm and Watergate!
god bless rand paul and fuck the president and his nazi administration.
The longer Rand goes the greater the national interest grows. This is fucking awesome!
Nobody is watching. The media will spin this into marginalization. This is all misidirection. God why do I feel like I have Cassandra complex.
Are you kidding? The twitter feed is going nuts. There is plenty to by cynical about, but this is a good day. The more people hear rumblings for Liberty the more it leads to a day a prarie fire for liberty will rage. If there are Black Swans events out there, I believe there are the opposite events out there. Always be ready for both!
Fucking twitter. I'm sure the people that could save this republic are all on twitter.
Did you see where DHS bought 2700 light tanks? That's 50+ per state. 1 person in congress is what you're pinning your hopes on. Wake up.
Fuck off.
Back to your goblet of sour whine... lol
You mean reality. Keep dancing around and acting like a kid on Christmas. Rand isn't going to save you.
Re: "Goof ball", see num nuts 'mumcard'.
Since you want to play, fuck you.
-1 Bozo
Hell, yeah.
It all begins with One Man.
"We are Spartacus!"
This is strange, but brave, behavior. To stand in congress and speak up for the rights of Americans and against the wide spread police state measures that this government feels free to claim for itself. Not since Stalin ruled the USSR as a mad and murderous dictator has a government claimed all rights to murder, detain without charge and torture confessions out of people. The American people were not asked to approve a right for the president to kill on a whim. The right to arrest in secret and render a person to a secret torture prison where highly paid private contractors getting tax payer paychecks reserve the right to unlimited torture. They can hold you for ten years and torture you everyday if the great American president wills it. Poland has secret CIA torture prisons in a number of places, these are for Americans who have no right to be charged, not right to a lawyer, no right to even have their family notified of what has happened to them.
Mr. Stalin is dancing with glee in his grave. These are the powers only he had, but now Obama has them. No American gave him those powers, the elite military and security complexes, backed by corporate America has carried out a revolution from above. In this revolution all Americans have become suspects in their own country. We now live and are free ONLY on the whim of the President and the CIA/NSA/Military intelligence community.
Nobody much seems to care, but when times get harder and the elite establishment feels threatened by masses of unemployed and desperate Americans, the full force of the illegal patriot act will be brought to bear on these Americans in the manner and style of the USSR's NKVD and later KGB. Secret arrests, secret torture, extra judical killings, imprisioned for life without charge, held and tortured until one confesses. All this the great American president can visit upon ANY American on a whim.
Where is the outrage?
'No American gave him those powers, the elite military and security complexes, backed by corporate America has carried out a revolution from above.'
Unfortunately RP can't or won't say that 9/11 was the pretense for this revolution.
Like father, like son.
Just because someone has not publicly endorsed the 911 truth movement doesn't denote they don't.
You will have to trust me on that!
But feel free to come down and ask him yourself, in private, June 30, 2013 Galveston TX.
http://www.dailypaul.com/273097/ron-paul-celebration-event
After being very active in both his father's campaigns for president, I wasn't exactly sure about Rand based on some of his past actions and statements but then again I remembered that it IS politics after all. But now after this, I am much more willing to dismiss some of those percieved transgressions.
Great job Rand and keep it going!
(somebody should get Rand a covert 8 ball so he can set a new filibuster record)
He's an MD. Prescribe thyself some Adderall, physician!
Anyone taking bets on how long he will go on?
I'd like to see him go until he drops (2 days from now). Maybe then someone else might grow the balls to join him.
If I could stick a knife in my heart
Suicide right on stage
Would it be enough for your teenage lust?
Would it help to ease the pain? Ease your brain?
I know, it's only rock 'n roll, but I like it
I know, it's only rock 'n roll, but I like it, like it, yes, I do
Where is Tim Scott?
We know Miss Lind-say is playing hide the sausage with skeeter.....
Too bad Kucinich can't help on this one.
He's taking the opportunity to blast big government in general. Beautiful.
Good job Rand but be carefull for you just might be "suicided".
If Rand gets whacked, it would only be justice if anonymous characters put a hit on skeeter.
I'm not suggesting it, but it would be poetic justice.
The best way to control the opposition is to lead it ourselves.
I AM SPARTACUS and I'm well armed. C'mon, fuckers.
He's supporting drones strikes he's just saying it needs rules... Fuck Rand Paul.
Yes, he's failing to make a moral argument against summary murder overseas.
But he's putting the issue right in everyone's face. He's pounding the point home.
The man is rendering a service, whether he carries the argument far enough or not.
RAND DON'T EAT THAT CANDY BAR!!!
Twitter post:
Unleash The Beef @UnleashTheBeef. I opposed drone strikes on US citizens until this headline: "Taco Bell fans mad after Cool Ranch Tacos delay." #KillUsAlready #StandWithRand
LOL!
Awesome. Rand Paul may actually follow in the footsteps of this father.
You mean career politician who took the money and pissed it away and never stood up and said the full truth when he had the platform to do so?
Too little too fucking late. Still have too much to lose? Then enjoy your trip to the gulag.
You're quite a man. You the pitcher or the catcher there semen lips?
Got anything to refute what I said cocksucker?
This filli deservers a national audience of many millions, but still the yanks sleep. C-SPAN ? Yawn.
Wake everybody the fuck up and get them tuned in to Rand.
Do it before he sits down, and before its too late.
I have a lot of respect for the effort he's making.
I normally wouldn't condone a guy talking with a mouth full of food, but in his case, I'll make an exception.
Keep feeding him. At least he won't drop from starvation.
He really needs to stop eating/drinking or he's not going to last much longer before his bladder explodes.
Go Rand!
Hour 7!
Break Strom's record!
Go for American Freedomz!!
We either have Law or we have Brigandage!
Down with Hitler!
He is talking way too fast, he can't keep up that pace all night.
You've never tried cocaine? Meth? Ramble for days, just stop making sense after a few hours... there are better 'mood modifiers'
At the pace he's going, I'm afraid he is going to run out of material.
Is there any way to get a note into his hand?
Between all of us ZH'ers, we should be able to supply him with enough ammo to keep this thing going for days!
Remember Netanyahu's clever use of animated drawings to get his message across to the UN? We might suggest BANZAI produce a few of his gems for Rand to hold up. Let the pictures of some well placed hellfire's do the talking....
We need to get a man and a laptop in there, asap!
Maybe we can airdrop Banzaii in!
Run out of material?? Maybe in a week or two. He could just start reading the Road to Serfdom or the Federalist Papers. Or as Strom did, the Constitution and Washington's farewell address.
How long can he drone on? Hopefully for a long while.
Proud to be living in Kentucky! Give'em hell Rand.
stateside
The ACLU is backing Paul.
Holder says, "the president could conceivably have no choice but to authorize the military to use such force if necessary to protect the homeland in the circumstances like a catastrophic attack like the ones suffered on December 7, 1941, and September 11, 2001."
...or like when Sadam had WMD's that could be launched on 45 minutes notice...
It's not that hard to envision a scenario where nearly all the posters on this website are seen by President Obama to be national security threats and thus targeted for assassination by drones, or other means. Totalitarianism is advanced incrementally, and Obama, along with Holder, seems to be taking it step by step.
Do you still have what it takes, America?
Commandancy of the Alamo------
Bejar Fby. 24th 1836
To the People of Texas &
all Americans in the world------
Fellow citizens & compatriots------
I am besieged, by a thousand
or more of the Mexicans under
Santa Anna ----- I have sustained
a continual Bombardment &
cannonade for 24 hours & have
not lost a man ----- The enemy
has demanded a Surrender at
discretion, otherwise, the garrison
are to be put to the sword, if
the fort is taken ----- I have answered
the demand with a cannon
shot, & our flag still waves
proudly from the wall ----- I
shall never Surrender or retreat
Then, I call on you in the
name of Liberty, of patriotism &
every thing dear to the American
character, to come to our aid,
(Second Page)
with an dispatch ----- The enemy is
receiving reinforcements daily &
will no doubt increase to three or
four thousand in four or five days.
If this can is neglected, I am deter
mined to sustain myself as long as
possible & die like a soldier
who never forgets what is due to
his own honor & that of his
country ----- Victory or Death
William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt
(The Alamo was overrun by Sant'ana March 6, 1836; 177 years ago Today. There was No Quarter).
The number one threat to humanity is governments.
No thank you, I will no longer comply...
LE RESISTANCE BITCHES!
Good man. No surrender. He deserves more practical support. Someone start handing him excerpts from the Constitution (in full), the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.
If he gets no practical support from CONgress, then we know for certain that they Party on, and don't care who they kill, so long as they get their 'man' in power at any level of state or nation. Filth.
How ironic. Rand Paul drones on to stop drones!
Just another ring to the "sequester" circus. Misdirection, watch the other hand people.
Vote it down you hopeful cocksuckers. Even IF this shitbird was on your side, it's ONE guy and it's too late baby, it's too late. You sit there on your fat ass hoping someone ANYONE will come and put things right so you won't have to think about what it means if they don't. YOU may have to get up and do something. Well suck on that.
I voted your ass down. I'm sucking on a cold beer as well you nut sack. This after digging a water holding pond with a track hoe today, then feeding 400 head of cattle before dark. Fat? Not yet Mfer.
Go Rand Go!!!
Go Cruz Go!!!
I have C-Span2 on Freddie, you will have to forgive me.
Well, then you're just a dumbfuck. When this guy betrays you then remember my nutsack. You can suck it.
-1
"When this guy betrays you then remember my nutsack. You can suck it."
He'd need a smaller mouth than that on a gnat to do that.
.. sez num nuts ...
Oh, and -1.
You're adding a lot to the conversation shitbag. I notice you haven't refuted anything I said.
I don't see where you have posted anything to "refute". Besides, who wants to step in a pile of shit? It's more fun just to poke you in the eye, nut sack.
-1
Why waste the time refuting someone who insists on being an asshole?
For all the dead and dying in wasteful foreign wars including our Armed Forces, I hope Mr Paul finds the strength to match their 24/7 love of life. Defend the Republic with your dying breath. Everything depends on it.
Live Twitter Reports!
This has turned into truly interactive reality tv.
Well done, people.
Get your friends, family, neighbours and co-workers tuned in.
Maybe if we're real lucky, we can get some ZH commentary read into the record as well.
Crash the Machine, Rand!
Down with Hitler!
Down with Hitler!
Down with Hitler!
What about Stalin? Or Mao? You know there is a lot of hype and hysteria about Hitler. You can't beleive everything you read these days.