ED GORDON, host: Time now for your comments.  Lee Ryan Miller of Turlock, California, took      issue with some of commentator's Joseph C. Phillips' facts.  Phillips      said, `The use of the filibuster by Democrats to block judicial nominees      is historically unprecedented.'  `This is not true,' writes Miller.  `In      September, 1968, Senate Republicans used a filibuster to successfully      block President Johnson's nomination of Abe Fortas to become chief      justice.'  Mr. Phillips stands corrected.</s>ED GORDON, host: JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS:  This is exactly why I love the NPR audience.  Abe      Fortas was filibustered in 1968.  However, he did not have clear Senate      support, as the current nominees do.  And I apologize that I was not      clear in my commentary.  What I should have said is, `Never before in the      history of the Senate have judicial nominees with clear majority support      been denied an up-or-down vote.'</s>ED GORDON, host: We received this e-mail from Candice Christianson(ph):  `I      really can't find the words to tell you how gratifying it is to hear from      the black community in voices that are strong, intelligent and      inspiring.'</s>ED GORDON, host: Rone Frasier(ph) took issue with a conversation Farai Chideya had with      the producer of the documentary called "Africa:  Open for Business."  He      wrote `Carol Pineau paints an innocent picture of American corporations'      neutrality toward the natural resources of Africa.  In reality, American      corporations have been exploiting these natural resources.'</s>ED GORDON, host: Thanks for your constructive criticism and praise.  If you'd like to      comment on this program, call us at (202) 408-3330 or send an e-mail to      newsandnotes@npr.org.</s>ED GORDON, host: This is NPR News.
Ed Gordon shares letters and voicemails he's received from listeners, including comments on the facts regarding the use of the filibuster in the U.S. Senate and exploitation of Africa's natural resources.