Going "Nucular"
The Right Rev. Dr. Senator Frist has begun debate on judcial nominees this morning, and with it the probable use of the "nuclear option." For a reminder of what this is, here's the entry in Wikipedia:

The "nuclear option" is an expression used in American politics in 2005 referring to a proposed change in the interpretation of the rules of the U.S. Senate. The new interpretation would allow a simple majority (51 out of 100) of Senators to end any filibuster blocking a judicial nomination. Under current Senate rules, a supermajority (60 senators) is required to break the filibuster (this is called a cloture motion). Once a filibuster has ended, judges can be confirmed by simple majority vote. Republicans currently hold 55 seats, while Democrats hold 44 seats plus the vote of independent Jim Jeffords. Democrats filibustered to prevent a Senate vote to confirm several individuals nominated by President George W. Bush to fill vacancies in federal courts during Bush's first term and threaten to do so again. Republicans could use several possible methods to change the Senate rules, but it is probable that a Senator would appeal to the presiding officer to rule that filibusters of judicial nominees are unconstitutional and/or otherwise improper. Only a simple majority would be necessary to approve such a ruling.

Things seem dire... so here's a little entertainment from our friend Ward Sutton: