From RH Reality Check 6/19/09:

Yesterday, a Republican Senator used his power to put a "hold" on a Senate Resolution originally introduced by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) condemning violence against women's health providers, thereby blocking any vote on the resolution. Senators have the power to do this anonymously and with no explanation. This way, Republicans can get away with sorrowful expressions to the media on violence, but don't have to be put to the test of actually voting to denounce the violence against either Dr. Tiller or clinic workers generally.

One of the most galling things about this is that anonymous holds are completely illegal.

The Constitution very specifically sets out the margins by which laws are accepted or rejected. In most cases, that is a simple majority. In a few others, a two thirds vote is needed for passage. Nowhere in the Constitution does it even suggest that one senator can single handedly reject legislation. Even the presidential veto doesn't go that far.

The anonymity also is a disgustingly corrupt practice. This is the peoples' business, and the people have an absolute right to know exactly who is doing what on every legislative vote or maneuver.

I remember when Senate Democrats ran on change and the rule of law, yet they are perpetuating an illegal tactic in order to give tacit support to terrorists who attack abortion providers. Given that Harry Reid is the Democratic Party leader in the Senate, this is hardly shocking. Throughout his life, he has viciously promoted the misogynistic, racist, and heterosexist agenda of the Mormon Church/Hate Group. Reid has taken his Mormon hatred of women to a new extreme in this case, providing political cover to an act of terrorism against our country.

We need to speak out against the corruption, run a primary challenger against Reid, and vote Green if the Democrats don't start acting like Democrats instead of pro terrorism Republicans.