The veto vs. the filibuster

There was a report today on how George W. Bush was planning to veto the stem-cell bill about to be passed by Congress and it struck me: how different is the priniple of veto power different than tt of the filibuster? How can GWB demand that judges be given an up or down vote in Congress - claim that they deserve one in the true spirit of Democracy - and with a straight face override the aight up and down voteof Congress with a veto?

I personally believe strongly in the filibuster and veto power despite the fillibuster's dark past. Democracy is, by no means, the perfect solution to the problems of government and luckily we have a few safeguards against the "tyranny of the majority." The Constitution, and the judicial branch's interpretation of it provides some, protecting certain rights that the oldsters thought should be nearly inalienable and the filibuster and veto provide the other - one power safeguard for each branch of government.

I hope someone picks up on that in the progressive world.