Just to clarify, just because I don't think this is all the Republicans' fault (from the reaction I've gotten in this thread, I'm starting to think that it's hard for some people to imagine the thought of anybody *not* blaming it all on the evil Republicans!), and because I don't condone the filibustering of judicial nominees on a conceptual basis, is a far cry from "blaming Democrats for the state of the judiciary." As I note above, the state of the judiciary is not something either party is responsible for, just something they've reacted to. And I certainly didn't give either party the upper hand in their response, I just don't like the way either has responded. Even by accusing me of doing so, you're not going to get me to put this in terms of good guys, bad guys, because that is simply not the way I believe this issue should be viewed, and I believe viewing it that way detracts from the truly important issue and masks the necessity of both sides to be willing to look past this stupid polarized culture and FIX IT.