Confirm Merrick Garland in a recess appointment

The repercussions of a Trump appointment to the Supreme Court will reverberate for decades, especially if he picks a rightwing ideologue who's young. Ensuring that Merrick Garland occupies the vacant seat on the Court is one concrete way to stave off the entrenchment of a rightwing majority that will potentially reverse decades of progress on civil rights, women's and labor rights, gay rights, environmental protection, and other critical issues. President Obama needs to strike some decisive blows before leaving office and this is one way to do it. The Democrats have no need to model gracious, accommodating behavior in light of the callous obstruction Senate Republicans have utilized for over six months to block President Obama's nominee. This obstruction has been compounded by the destructive campaign the Republicans unleashed this election season, and what they're prepared to bring on after Trump's inauguration.