A few years ago, when Republicans held a slight majority over Democrats in the Senate, whenever Democrats even thought the word "filibuster", a frenzy erupted. It was obstruction! It was an abuse of their powers! It was a denial of the will of the people!

Now that it's the Democrats who hold the slight majority, every issue is discussed as if in order for anything to pass in the Senate, 60 votes (the number that would override a filibuster, should one occur) seems to be required. Check out this AP article:

The Senate narrowly rejected legislation on Wednesday that would have given military detainees the right to protest their detention in federal court.

The 56-43 vote against the bill, by Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa., fell four votes shy of the 60 needed to cut off debate

The vote wasn't 56-43 against the bill. It was 56-43 in favor of the bill. But the framing, now that Democrats have control of the Senate, is completely backwards. This isn't just a stray mistake by the AP. It's the same on Fox, CNN, even C-SPAN. And it's not just on the restoration of habeas corpus issue. The same framing (the Democrats don't have the 60 votes needed) is being used on the anti-war legislation currently being considered. While the Democrats were considered out of bounds for even considering filibusters, the Republicans filibuster by default.

Also, it seems to me the Democrats are (as usual) letting the Republicans off easy on this. First of all, they aren't using the same rhetoric ("Why, do you know what the filibuster was used for in the past? It was used to delay the passage of the Civil Rights act!") the Republicans were. More importantly, they don't seem to actually make the Republicans go through with the threat. I'm sure i don't understand all the arcane Senate procedures, but if the Republicans are saying they're gonna filibuster, make them do the full 'Mr. Smith Goes To Washington / ranting and raving from the floor of the Senate until they pass out' thing before you fold.

A majority of Senators are in favor of these bills. A majority of Americans are in favor of these bills. Republicans have a responsibility to represent their constituents as well, but they shouldn't get preferential treatment.

It's very frustrating. You should just about things you don't care about or don't understand, like, I don't know, the DC Universe. You won't get so upset then.