Dems' FISA Thriller: 3, .. 2, .. 1 .. The Constitution Is Saved!
By John Amato Thursday Feb 21, 2008 8:05pm
House Democrats Save the World! (for now) Dems' Freedom Card v. GOP's Fear Card: Constitution v. Cowardice
Who wins this hand may depend on you. Contacted your Representative yet? Here's a new C&L video that parodies the latest fearmongering efforts by the House Republicans because the Democratic Party refused to grant immunity to the Telecoms. If the GOP truly cared about the safety of America then they would have passed the bill and sent it on to the president. Instead, they threw a hissy fit---staged a photo-op---and whined to the press. They looked like insignificant little children playing with our national security. The clock is ticking away at the GOP's foolishness.
"In a stunning display of courage today, House Democrats have upheld their constitutional responsibilities by allowing the Protect America Act to expire. "
It expired because George Bush threatened to veto any extensions and House Republicans unanimously voted against any extension. Our blood, to be gushing shortly like a volcanic eruption, will be on their loving, protective hands.
Dems' Freedom Card v. GOP's Fear Card: Constitution v. Cowardice
Who wins this hand may depend on you. Contacted your Representative yet?
All the GOP has left is the fear card, and that sucker is wore slam out. Bush’s trusty Supreme Court has already seen fit to throw up a firewall for the telecoms, so why is it the Republicans are still insisting on holding up the FISA bill? It’s because the Republican Party will do anything they can to keep whatever secrets are hidden in those NSA spy rooms from ever incriminating their President, even if it does mean putting our country at more risk to do so. That’s why.
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Expect to see Congresses' rating skyrocket in the next poll, while Bush sinks further into irrelevancy.
Ms. Iseman regarding scandal, "It’s all true".
McCain admits to dropping loads all over her face. See video here!!
Holy crap! Did you hear that? I think the House Democrat's collective balls just dropped.
Faux News Opinion Poll--2-22-2008
If you are a fair and balanced viewer please vote:
Could reducing non-Republican Congressional votes to 3/5ths of a vote actually provide for a truer democracy in America?:
A. Absolutely. Non-Republicans actually have on average 40% less patriotism than Republicans.
B. Without a doubt. And it is what the Founding Fathers intended.
C. I would raise it to 4/5ths of a vote if the non-Republican has actually killed someone in a war--even accidentally.
For Bush and the GOP avoiding accountability trumps everything--even "national security" whatever that means.
Uh oh. BushCo better get that telco immunity on the fast track - all the spying they're going to be doing with RISA expired is sure to trigger a couple of law suits.
I hope.
I am proud of the Democrats including Rep. Louise Slaughter from Rochester, who was shown on the video. Unfortunately, we are stuck with a Republican rep Randy Kuhl, who, I am sure , was on the steps outside, while others were working seriously. He has voted every single time with President Bush and lies to his constituents about how he votes using our own money!
Keep in mind that several very-left Democrats also refused to pass the extension, including Kucinich. There were two reasons for voting against it: to protect Bush (since he'd really look silly if he actually vetoed it) and to protect civil liberties, since the PAA is a POS.
In fact, the failure of an extension to pass is a very good thing. FISA without the PAA is much much better than FISA with it.
It goes without saying that FISA with the Senate's bill is flat-out evil.
woot
about damn time.
The Republicans are airing their commercial during the local news here in Phoenix. When can we expect our side to start doing the same thing?
Dugg it.
;^)
I really like the juxtaposition of Bush warning people not to use the term "lynching" because it causes fear and terror.
The assholes are already trying to claim that it has hindered the "war on terror": http://www.newsweek.com/id/114572
Outstanding video! Well done
Finally.
Excellent! This is the message the American electorate needs to see more of.
Hail Fredonia!
Yes, finally! Although the Bush Administration still can tap under old FISA. All they want is telecom immunity. I wonder why?
If you haven't written your Congressperson yet,
Write Your Representative.
AP - 29 minutes ago
PHOENIX - Federal authorities announced corruption charges Friday accusing Rep. Rick Renzi (R) of engineering a swap of federally owned mining land to benefit himself and a former business partner and stealing from his insurance company's clients.
FESA FISA FOSA FUM
Republicans chill the blood of everyone
I guess a lot of Bush Buddies will not be passing Go and collecting two hundred dollars.
L.A. Confidential @ 21:
I read where Renzis indictment had 35 counts. Is that a current Republican count record?
Move over Ney and Cunningham.
Col Kilgore @ 23:
Could be. Going to be a busy decade or two putting these guys away.
L.A. Confidential @ 24:
I'll bet they sure miss having Alberto at the helm of the justice department.
Y E S !!
*
Is it safe to come out of my bunker yet? Have they passed the FISA billyet?
L.A. Confidential @ 24:
Keep Bush's address down in South America in the Rolodex. It may come in handy.
Captain Kangaroo @ 28:
And Cheney is looking at water front property in UAE. It might be a good idea to keep an eye on where he goes.
Captain Kangaroo @ 29:
Does somebody have Rummy's address in Palo Alto?
Take Gonzo's passport away he may try to head down to see his relitives.
D to the Izzle @ 14:
I read that too ..
And the reason they're whining about how it's "hindering the war on terror" is that several (unnamed, of course) telecom companies are refusing to continue to cooperate with the illegal surveillance ..
To which I say BRAVO!!
Awesome!
(typo alert, though: the Richard Clarke quotation in the video misspells "manipulated.")
that's an effective video response , however in a few sections the texts appearing on the screen are coming at too fast a pace. if they were either slowed down or a couple omitted the remaining would have more punch. other than that, very nice.
How come the Senate voting to kill the Bill of Rights was a NON STORY in the US media?
No one cares - instead the networks run "aww puppies" kind of stories.
No, I am not kidding.
Well done overall ... but the quotes flashed by too fast to easily read.
Excellent use of the Bush clip at the end! Really illustrates the irony of the GOP's using terror for political purposes. Bush Laden hates us for our freedom.
But agreed that the quotes went by too fast. It's a tradeoff cuz you don't want the vid to be too long. Maybe use fewer of them?
More post-9/11 irony here.
Warning. Walmart just sold out of all vinyl mattress covers and Depends.
It's a ploy by the Democrats to make the chickenshit repugs hide in their homes while the rest of America votes!
I'M IN A PANIC! I CAN'T FIND MY DUCT TAPE AND PLASTIC SHEETING!!!!!!!
Cool.
Awesome.
People have to understand this:
It is not a security-versus-privacy debate, it's actually a debate about liberty versus control.
Period.
JTM @ 8:
A twenty-one day extension would likely have infringed no one's rights, and it was silly to oppose it (but DK has to keep looking like the pure saint no effective politician will EVER likely be).
Chalk up another meaningless vote for the Kucinich mythos.
krisken @ 3:
Over a year ago the House Dems had exactly the same position on the immunity offer they have ALWAYS had, which is that it cannot be considered without a full briefing on what was being immunized.
All this time with these 'balls' metaphors, and yet the Democrats have opposed the offer, and quite a bit more, for the entire time Bushco has been foisted on us all. Maybe it's time to reexamine this 'balls' metaphor and see if it isn't context and balance on the part of the metaphor makers that is lacking.
Maybe it has something to do with John McCain and Miss Vickii! She was a telecom lobbiest. Another "cover our asses"
Contacted your Representative yet?
Yes, every single one, who's representative said they would be happy to pass my opinion along.
Storming WDC by the millions is way past due.
If this passes, all bets are off, and the gloves are coming off as well.
Time to take some action they will feel.
The latest attempt by the culture of corruption Republicans to "rewrite" the Truth is their fear advertisement over Bush and Cheney not getting their way by not getting retroactive immunity for the telecom companies who've been illegally spying on U.S. citizens for the past seven years.
However, upon seeing this ad, my first thought was of the criminal incompetence of the Bush administration in its first eight months in office over seven years ago that got close to 3,000 U.S. citizens killed on 9/11.
Yes, criminal incompetence.
The Bush administration obviously had different priorities after entering the White House than protecting U.S. citizens from the al Qaeda terrorist threat.(Unlike the outgoing Clinton administration which made the al Qaeda terrorist threat its top priority, along with protecting U.S. citizens).
Remember: Aug. 6, 2001 PDB: "Bin Laden Determined to Strike Inside the U.S."??? And how Ashcroft downgraded the terrorist threat??? And how Richard Clarke, the counter-terrorism chief, was demoted, and forbidden from attending Bush administration top-level principals meetings??? And how Condi Rice only held ONE cabinet-level counter-terrorism principals meeting ONE WEEK before the 9/11 attacks???
So, if any terrorist attacks occur on U.S. soil anytime between now and when the worst and most corrupt administration in American history leaves office, it will be the Republicans who will be solely responsible, just as it was criminally incompetent Republicans who got close to 3,000 U.S. citizens killed on 9/11!!!!
It's time to call the Republicans in Congress what they really are: traitors, plain and simple. Sadly, the Democrats deserve the same label. Both parties in both houses have failed in their sworn duty to defend the Constitution. The same is true, obviously, of Bush and his cronies.
Remember, the oath of office taken by the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives is an oath to defend the Constitution. Although national security is clearly vital to that goal, it is not the sworn duty of these representatives. The oath is not, "I swear to protect Americans," it is "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic..."
The Republicans are clearly "domestic enemies" attacking the Constitution on a daily basis, so they are traitors.
The Democrats regularly fail to "support and defend" the Constitution, so they are traitors.
Bush, Cheney, and their ilk...well, enough said. Traitors, one and all.
The Constitution defines treason as "adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort" and so forth. Again, this is clearly applicable to the Republicans and the Democrats. The highest possible penalty for treason against the U.S. is the death penalty. That is a bit much to ask or hope for these days--besides, it would leave Washington D.C. empty--but the next best thing would be to kick every single one of the bastards out of office. Not a single sitting Congressperson should be reelected--they are traitors. Bush and Cheney should be dragged away in chains--they are traitors.
Go and read the Oath of Office given for the President in the Constitution. Read the Senate's oath (http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Oath_Office.htm). Look at the wording carefully. It is very clear that treason has been, and is still being, committed by both parties.
Impeach them all! Out with the traitors!
I have given the FISA bill with it's blanket immunity to telecommunication companies that wiretapped without warrants a lot of thought. I am not that concerned about "terrorists" attacking on U.S. soil as much as I am concerned about our children being unprotected from sexual preditors. If protection is the basis for immunizing companies that act outside the law on behalf of our elected leaders definition of their powers, why not use this type of immunity in going after something that is more substantial and actually a threat to our most innocent ... our children. Let law enforcement tap into phones of those they suspect to be a threat to children, search what ever they need without warrant, give them blanket immunity if they prove to be wrong, or violate civil liberties of innocent civilians during the course of their investigation. Just think of the evidence that would now be allowed without those silly laws regarding unlawful search and seizure.
Take the republican arguments FOR immunity to a new level.... PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL PREDITORS... and see if they truly believe that violating civil liberties and laws requiring warrants are the only means to protect U. S. from attack. Then those same theories and reasoning might well apply to protect our most vulnerable citizens of all, our children. Perhaps Mark Foley would like to give comment, or any other congressman who was aware of Foley's bad acts and did nothing of substance to protect the interns.
It's time to change the discussion, put their arguments into a perspective that actually shows where they are loyal.... Bush, telecommunications, or us. My money is on the first two. Us would include some support of our Constitution and frankly that has not been evidenced by their actions.
Yes, let's give the dems some positive reinforcement. We sent this letter to Pelosi and our congressional reps. Offered here because it's got Pelosi's contact info.
-------------
February 15, 2007
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
D.C. office via fax 202 225-8259
202 225-4188
District Office
450 Golden Gate Ave., 14th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear Speaker Pelosi:
This is a heartfelt THANK YOU to you and the rest of the Democrats in the House of Representatives for finally standing up to President Bush’s fearmongering on FISA, and refusing to enact the administration’s and the Senate’s version of the so-called Protect America Act. Please continue to protect our Constitution while doing what is needed to combat terrorism threats to the United States. No bill at all will be better than what the Senate passed.
No matter who wins the nomination, we Democrats will win the Presidency this year with a transformative candidate, and we will solidify our control of Congress IF WE START STANDING UP FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE AS DEMOCRATS. The country is with us on this and every other real issue.
Sincerely,
Tom and Cheryl Fitzpatrick
Kenmore WA 98028
Cc via fax: Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Representative Jay Inslee
Different Anonymous @ 6:
Cheney knows the Supreme's will cover their ass.
After Jan. 20th, the only vestige left of the Bushco corporate-fascist state, will be the Supreme Court. Since Bush's cronies stole Ohio, we should impeach Alito and Roberts. Otherwise, the SCOTUS will be shoving corporate-fascist crap down our throats for years to come; long after the neocon repukes are extinct.
*NEW* Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the Bill of Rights with which it stands, one nation of Laws, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Use it. Bait the wingnuts with it. Let them twist themselves into a pretzel trying to claim the substituted words are 'unpatriotic'.
Previously the House passed a bill addressing the FISA changes. Then the Senate passed a similar bill that included telecom immunity. It was the Democrats in the House who tried to pass a bill to extend the Protect America Act powers until the differences between the previously passed House bill and the newly passed Senate version. Rather than extend the PAA powers the GOP walked out to waiting microphones holding a planned press conference claiming that Democrats were allowing FISA to expire (FISA hasn’t expired it is only the PAA that expired). If they really wanted the PAA provisions not to expire the Republicans could have voted with the Democrats to extend it while the two versions of the new legislation are hammered out between the House and Senate. If allowing the PAA provisions really endangers Americans then it was the Republican who by walking out and not passing the extension of the PAA provisions endangered America. In reality they and the White House are only interested in getting retroactive immunity for telecoms in case it was found that they violated the law which it is pretty clear they did. This is nothing about protecting America. Bush has said he will veto any bill that does not have retroactive immunity for telecoms. This is only about protecting the telecom industry and scoring political points by lying the American people.
The existing FISA law that has not expired allows the Bush Administration to gather as much intelligence as it wants and get warrants after the fact. If they need to gather intelligence they are allowed to do so freely under the existing FISA law. Bush and the Right Wing tell Americans that we are endangered because of the Democrats. They are LYING!!!!!
If they know the terrorist's phone numbers... why don't they go pick them up?
The Constitution Is Saved!
The Constitution has been Born Again?
Oh Hellelujah...
"War on terror" through warrantless surveilling of U.S. persons is a fraud.
They can legally tap both foreign and domestic communications without a warrant. If wiretapped party is in the U.S. they must apply for a FISA warrant within 72 hours (as pointed out above).
1978 FISA law is itself an abuse of power. Through 2004 according to Wikipedia, FISA court granted 18,761 warrants, rejected four known ones which were then granted after being modified. Total of 178 requests modified, 173 in 2003-4, after court found the FBI had falsified info on 75 plus applications.
Bush & co have made few claims to have identified suspects through warrantless wiretapping. In each instance that I know of, their claims have been rebutted. They claim to have caught a few terror suspects by finding evidence of other crimes using illegal wiretaps. That amounts to use of a general warrant, banned in England in the Middle Ages and by the Fourth Amendment, and a cause of the American Revolution.
Therefore any Congressperson who votes to allow warrantless wiretapping or basket warrants is ignorant, corrupt, or a coward.
Therefore I'd suggest asking the members of local Dem organizations to press their Reps to impeach.
YEEEEESSSS!!!
Bush regime are already trying to find ways to make a terrorist attack believable and acceptable thinking it is the only way to maintain power and cover Bush's ass for all the lawbreaking he could already be convicted of. Do we really think that someone who issues signing statements without consequence, tortures, wiretaps illegally, steals elections and fixes vote counts, corrupted the DoJ, and makes the role of congress an advisory role only, is now going to say, "Let's let the voters decide."? Everything has been set in place and here Pelosi is thinking "Oh, he would never do that". Who will stop him or the GOP since DoJ and executive branch control all police, guard and troops, and have a private military force and a military tribunal. What ya think?
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