According to slate.com, "filibuster" is "an untranslatable word that has its origins in 19th century maritime piracy and was once used to describe the practice of violently overthrowing Latin American governments."
In Slate's article explaining how the U.S. press treats our nation's issues differently than it does news and issues in other countries, the author points out that the result of the recent Senate vote to restrict the use of the filibuster will be a number of vacant judicial posts being filled, which "will improve the
quality of U.S. governance in the eyes of the World Bank and other
international institutions."
The reason Slate had to point out this fact is that some members of the press, and ultra-right-wing conservative politicians and pundits, are calling the vote to restrict the filibuster the "Nuclear Option."
The Slate article also points out that calling this the nuclear option is "a serious statement in the only country ever to drop an atomic bomb on another country."
Madame L recommends the entire article for its clear and unbiased explanation of the filibuster, the vote to reduce its use, and the consequences.
Here's another excellent article that explains WHY the Senate "went nuclear."
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