When the Republicans thought they were going to win the filibuster fight, they tried to change the term of art from “nuclear option” to “constitutional option.” The GOP’s lexicographer-in-chief, Frank Luntz, argued that “the implication of ‘nuclear option’ is way too hot and extreme.” Even Trent Lott, showing a surprising lack of authorial pride, took up the new phrase, despite the fact that he personally had coined the old one.

But the far rights’ reaction to the compromise between fourteen moderate Senators demonstrates how much they view the struggle over the judiciary in violent terms. Out went the soothing references to founding principles; in came the militaristic metaphors. Pat Buchanan referred to the agreement as “the Munich of the Republican Party,” conflating the importance of a handful of conservative judges with that of Czechoslovakia.

Senator George Allen went even farther on Imus. The “constitutional option” was needed, in his words, “to set the rules of engagement.” He said that it was “kind of like everyone was lined up for a duel, and they determined three of these hostages can go loose, and we’ll discharge our pistols on two of these judicial nominees.” According to him, Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid wanted some “scalps” and gave the Republicans the choice of which one of their”troops” they were going to “take down.”

Let’s see: duels, hostages, scalps, troops, Munich, rules of engagement–no, it’s obvious that “nuclear option” captures the far right’s intentions. They clearly have learned to love the bomb.