Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., delivered a speech on the Senate floor for 13 hours straight to protest the Obama Administration’s controversial drone policy
Rand Paul has guts, whether you agree or disagree with the man’s politics. Standing on the Senate floor, delivering a speech for 13 hours straight, without sitting, going to the bathroom or checking your cellphone once -all to defend one’s principles- takes a great deal of conviction and strength.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., filibustered the nomination of John Brennan to CIA director for 13 hours straight beginning yesterday afternoon. He is protesting the Obama Administration’s controversial drone program, of which Brennan has been a key architect, according to CBS News.
Paul, who spoke during the debate for Brennan’s nomination, began just before noon saying that he would “speak until I can no longer speak.” He would not conclude his speech until after midnight this morning.
“I rise today to begin to filibuster John Brennan’s nomination for the CIA. I will speak until I can no longer speak. I will speak as long as it takes, until the alarm is sounded from coast to coast that our Constitution is important, that your rights to trial by jury are precious, that no American should be killed by a drone on American soil without first being charged with a crime, without first being found to be guilty by a court,” he said, according to CBS News.
Paul generated support not only from his own party but also liberals for his lengthy rant against Obama’s drone policy. “It was a courageous and historic effort by Sen. Paul and his colleagues to demand information from this administration on an issue where they have refused to give it,” said Christopher Anders to ABC News, senior legislative counsel to the known-to-be liberal American Civil Liberties Union.
Rand Paul also got early support from younger Republicans who joined the Senate since 2010. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas gave Paul some much needed brief breaks from talking. The older establishment refused their support until much later in the night, when support over popular social media networks made the grass roots popularity of Rand’s protest clear.
Now it’s your turn. What did you think of Rand Paul’s filibuster? Is he a courageous crusader for the civil liberties of all Americans or is he just wasting the Senate’s time? Comment below!
