Blue America's Steny Hoyer FISA ad
By Howie Klein Thursday Jun 19, 2008 5:10pm 
Since we started our campaign to hold Steny Hoyer and other members of Congress accountable for conspiring with Bush against the Constitution, almost 5,000 patriotic Americans-- regardless of political party-- have donated to our drive. You've seen our thermometer rising and now it's approaching $300,000. Our first batch of advertising, including a full page ad in the Washington Post goes out next week.
Here's a sneak-peak at the Post ad: (click on above graphic to make larger)
None of the progressives who voted against Hoyer's disgraceful capitulation to Bush today will go on record advocating for a new Majority Leader and many of the candidates are too frightened to do so. There's even a cousinly split. The two House Udalls, Tom from New Mexico (the progressive one) and Mark from Colorado (the more establishment one), are each running for the U.S. Senate against rabidly right-wing Republicans. Mark (CO) voted with Hoyer, Bush, the Blue Dogs and the GOP to trash the Constitution. Keep it in mind when the DSCC send you an e-mail begging for money. The better Udall, Tom (NM) voted with us and had this to say to New Mexico residents:
The FISA bill we considered today would compromise the constitutionally guaranteed rights that make America a beacon of hope around the world. Today's vote was not easy. I stood up to leaders of my own party and voted against this bill, because I took an oath to defend Americans and That duty is most important when it is most difficult. We can protect our nation while upholding our values, but unfortunately, this bill falls short.
That sounds like real change. Mark? Not so much.
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This makes me sick! Damn repugs and demoncrats take turns fucking us over!
Is revolution an option yet?
Do they still hate us for our freedom?
Gee, how dod obamalamadingdong vote on thisun?
Pelosi, hoyer, WILL joins the ranks of TRADER JOE LIBERMAN kissing more BUSH Asssssssss
IF OBAMA DOES NOT oppose this BILL
then his Chant for change will be NULLED
Attila the Appeaser, Trollop Despot @ 3:
Yes...
c. atrox @ 2:
Yes...
.
I can't wait till the Obama/Senate ad comes out...
.
also I just received an email saying that 77 democrats are going to back the white house on a total embargo of Iran who are these 77 can we get them committed because they are nuts it's time to clean house the longer you stay in the beltway the more likely it is that you'll drink the kool aid and forget that they are suppose to serve the people not the other way around
There's a typo in the second mention of colorofchange (it says colororchange). Nice ad. Maybe you could mention the Fisa bill by name, so people could google it easier?
secularhumanizinevoluter @ 4:
Since it was in the House of Representatives he didn't vote at all on it you dingleberry.
for conspiring against the Constitution of the United States and the govt
hoyer is an enemy combattant of the United States and should be
incarcerated in gitmo for life.
No link to the ad for me. am I missing something?
*
Anyone who has said, in the past, that Ralph Nader's claims of the 2 parties being almost identical are getting more and more evidence that he might be right thrown at them by the Democrats. I am fully aware of the differences between the two parties, but for crying out loud, this bill, and crap like it since the Democrats took control of Congress aren't doing much to help their case that they are different.
Also, why in the hell is Nancy Pelosi voting for it? Is she holding out hope that voting for something like this will help her get rid of the "San Fransisco Liberal Elite" tag the right-wingers have placed on her? If she is, she's lost her mind because these guys will always tag her with it unless she puts an R next to her name and becomes a right-winger completely and unashamedly.
This is just completely unbelievable anymore.
a protohominid @ 10:
secularhumanizinevoluter @ 4 is the creamy center of a dried dingleberry
hanging off bush's a$$.
You should have voted for Ron Paul, you had yer chance.
Why would you have a photo of Malcolm X in this ad? Do you actually believe that he is overwhelmingly loved and admired or that he has anywhere near the same type of popularity and respect as MLK? Wouldn't a better example of someone being wiretapped by the government be RFK?
I'd paid in to help out Blue America, but seeing this one against Hoyer leaves me cold. Too much text, and why in hell include Malcolm X. He had his rights stepped on by Hoover, but is he the poster child we need to see for government excesses?
I agree with Big Tent.
Barack Obama said:
I will work in the Senate to remove this [telecom immunity] provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses...
"Work" MUST include leading a filibuster of the Steny Surrender bill. I am saying that a vow to remove this provision includes a vow to filibuster the Steny Surrender bill. He made that very vow in April. I am holding him to it.
If he breaks that vow, it will be more evidence that Obama is not a man of his word.
How about THIS for an advert?
"Here comes the new boss, same as the Old Boss".
Picture of Obama in white face, looking in a mirror, and reflecting Bush with a black face.
Then under that, run that BS quote of his, which he used to justify this fscking travesty to the constitution.
Anyone want to mock that one up for me?
I am waiting for the Senate's decision before I am outraged. I think flooding emails to all politicians and tying up their phones will send a message. This bill should not go through as long as we have a careless fool in the WH.
Yes, I too question your use of Malcolm X in the ad. If you've got 2 black civil rights activists (of varying degrees of radicalism - but those degrees are more than lost on too many people!) at the top of an ad with that headline, I think you're going to have too many folks reading the headline and saying "Yeah, thank God they were being wiretapped, too!!" and turn the page of the paper.
Of course, I'm not saying you should be working hard to get America's KKK folks to see things your way, but there are those more subtly, more politely racist people who might be drawn into this issue if it's not seen as something that is a cause of radical blacks...
The ad works for me, but then, I didn't need convincing.
L.A. Confidential @ 18:
LA now you have committed yourself to criticizing Hillary if she votes for it. She skipped the last time.
Steny Hoyer may need some Larry Craig "wide stance" training to enable him to take it from Bush a little easier...
I have to second the idea that this is an idiotic ad. Malcolm X, for god's sake? Oh yeah, that's gonna be real persuasive to someone who doesn't already agree with our position on this to begin with. Yeah, your average white American is going to really relate to Malcolm X. This is why I don't give money to MoveOn anymore. Their advertising sucks. Even their latest with the mother and baby, which has an underlying good message, is crude, unpolished and unsophisticated. Time to hire some professionals, if we want to actually reach people outside the blogs.
Who is worst? The Dems or Repugs? I think I'll drink Drain-o!
Who is the worst, the Republicrats or the Republicrats?
I'm not sure I understand the question. What's the difference?
Yeah....whatever. Congress is nothing but a useless appendage. All they do now is collect a paycheck, payment for being Bush$Co.'s flunkies. They not only steal our money, but are selling out the country with their inaction. Welcome to AmeriKa. If Congress was doing something, Bush and Cheney would be sitting in Levinworth and be nothing but a bad memory by now.
andy @ 15:
I supported Dennis Kucinich...
... And still do!
.
L.A. Confidential @ 18:
But, but, but McBama supports the compromise...
... please parse it for us...
.
I'm so freaking angry right now. I called just about all of the fucking blue dogs, and now I'm going to go drink a lot of beer. You hear that Mukasey? Wiretap this, you piece of shit.
How can anyone now say the democrats will bring "change" ? elected in 06 to end the Iraq war, what happens ? they allow Bush to send more, then Pelowsi strips down a bill that would have required Bush to seek the authority of congress before attacking Iran at the behest of AIPAC, giving Bush carte blanch to wage another war.... and now this monstrosity, meet the new boss.
The repubs and dems are lockstep in enslaving the American public.
P.S i noticed Obama has Iraq baby mass murderer Allbright on his foreign policy team ?
CHANGE ? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.
meet the new boss......
andy @ 31:
Will you idiots give it a rest. Obama has nothing to do with this yet. Next week, we'll see what he does.
Jesus frickin' christ!!!!
Old Billy Hussein @ 32:
I live in the UK, believe me, I've seen all this "change" rhetoric when Blair came to office, it's an empty slogan, look at the people Obama is surrounding himself with, criminals from Bill Clintons cabinet, Madliane "half a million Iraqi children dead is worth it" Allbright ffs.
How much you want to bet that US troops will still be in Iraq in 4 years time if Obama is president ?
Old Billy Hussein @ 32:
Until this bill is signed it is overreacting, I agree about giving it a rest. But the Senate needs to be harassed all weekend and forever as long as this bill contains the get out of jail free provisions, if passsed then the speaker and other leaders needs to resign their positions. Bush and cheney are the terrorists that needs to be taken care of.
After the Obama move, I'm curious to see what MoveOn's reaction to this will be.
richard @ 16:
John Lennon
richard @ 16:
Agreed, I thought the same thing.
We will see what Obama does next week. If he isn't active in a filibuster I may hold my nose & vote for him, but it'll be hard to have the enthusiasm to contribute $. (Sounds like by ditching public financing he's got the big guys on his side anyway)
The MSM has played its usual disgraceful role in this. I just finished watching "liberal" PBS's Leher News hour and both pundits, even the "liberal" Mark Shields, were enthusiastic about the sellout of constitutional rights and agreed it would be "popular" for the Demo's. (Bobo Brooks was practically orgasmic, needless to say, he's an unrepentant NeoCon & fascist).
I gave $25 to the anti-sellout campaign yesterday (called Nancy Pelosi's office too, knowing it was futile in advance) and am glad to see it's reached $300,000 though disappointed only 5,000 netroots folks have given . . .As to the people above objecting to Malcolm X, get real! He was on a US Postage stamp about a decade ago and while the hard right may hate him, most 'Murikans are too ignorant to know much about him beyond that Spike Lee made a cool flick on his life.
Old Billy Hussein @ 30:
Let's both get drunk and follow Steny around for a week. He needs to know how this affects us. Apparently, he can't understand that. DUH
Here's your Democrats in Action.
Here's your agents of CHANGE.
PARTY...........YAY.....NAY
Democratic......105.....128
Republican......188.....1
This includes Nancy "Off the table" Pelosi.
Better put Obama up on that ad too now.... :(
Forget just running it in the paper; anyone here from Maryland? Print hundreds of copies of this up and paint the cities with it. Plaster Hoyer's treasonous face all over his damn state.
I made a few phone calls and promised some people that if they didn't change course, I would, with a very clear conscience, vote for a third party this Fall. I've always been a Democrat, by choice, but now I'm a Democrat by force. I've had enough! Maybe four more years of McCain/Bush is whats needed to wake the Democratic party up. There's still plenty of time to call/email/fax your senators . . . I suggest you all do so.
Horrible day for freedom and more to come with this unity crap.
Beyond disgusting.
Anybody who thinks that putting Malcolm X's image, in an ad about the dangers of wiretapping, is going to be effective with the majority of Americans, should read Rick Pearlstein's book "Nixonland".
If you want to protect the lives and liberties of the American people, you can begin by fulfilling your obligations to your oath of office and protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Surrendering to fascism is not a defense.
You want to impress your voters? "LEAD THE FILIBUSTER" against this bill. Don't just sit on the sidelines cheering others on like an armchair quarterback. Step up to plate and swing the bat. If the filibuster fails, fine. But don't just bend over and spread your cheeks while bitching about those mean ol' republicans raping the bill of rights.
The old FISA rules will do just fine for the time being. There's no rush on this.
1. This is why I officially left the party and I'm currently listed as unenrolled. The Dems disgust and disappoint me.
2. I understand exactly why Malcolm X is in this ad. For those of you who have a problem with the ad having 2 African Americans in, too bad. They were both famously wiretapped. Duh!
Join:
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/
Why do we continue to let Pelosi, Reid and Lieberman represent us? They are traitors to the Democratic Party. Pelosi is supposed to be leading the House and Reid the Senate and look what they have done. I wasn't sure I was going to like Pelosi when she got the job and now I know for damned sure she should never have been seated as Speaker of the Hosue. As for "wimpy" Harry Reid, we might as well consider the Senate giving Bush what he wants too. If Pelosi and Reid think they will leave a legacy we will make sure it isn't the legacy they planned on. This FISA bill is the last straw. We can't sit back any longer and let Pelosi and Reid destroy the Democratic Party and our country. We need to start impeachment of these two NOW!!!
Support Cindy Sheehan's run against Pelosi!!
http://www.cindyforcongress.org/
White text on black is impossible to read. It's basic, basic design...
If white text on black was easy to read, the NYTimes would be printed that way.
Reverse type lowers ad impressions.
The federal government already had the legal right to spy on Osama, INC...
They want to spy on US... those of us that are not going to put up with this shit forever...
They want to know when Revolution 2.0 is about to begin so they can round us up.
jaywent123 @ 48:
You need to get a grip, my comment had NOTHING to do with having two African Americans in the ad. It has to do with the level of respect and admiration that one has over the other.
I think running such ads is a great tactic, but it's too bad this ad is so weak -- it addresses the issue as a matter of principle rather than as somthing that can affect ordinary people. Do you want the government listening to your phone calls? seems to me much more pertinent than Do you want people like Malcolm X wiretapped? This is not a philosophy class, it's an ad campaign.
I think the only solution is to support only individual Democrats but never give $ to the Democratic party. Being a Democrat means nothing.
jaywent123 @ 48:
Good ad. But after the words ".. read your emails" they should say "Illegally. Without Warrants. Without Cause. On the say so of just one man."
I know they said the without warrants part before but that is what they have to keep hammering away on. Most of us, probably all of us, would conceed that a wiretap obtained WITH a warrant, upon presentation of cause, constitutionally, is OK. And just the same, most people (not here) don't realize that that is the issue. So keep pounding away on that aspect of it.
BTW, "email" is "e-mail." I'm just saying...
And I know that those are two high profile guys in the poster. Wouldn't hurt to have a white guy or two. There are a LOT of crackers you've gotta convince. I'm just saying...
I can't find detailed voting results to see how each of the congress-people voted. Does anyone have a link so that I/we can see how my/our congress-person voted?
Leo B. @ 57:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll437.xml
Since there is little difference between Steny Hoyer and the Republicans why not give to his Republican opponent?
Mille grazie, harley! Cheers!
I just signed up for recurring contributions to the DSCC a few days ago. They're pushing both Udall's. Does that make them 50% evil? Mark's opponent is extremely reactionary and needs to be defeated, FISA vote or no. Are there any other DSCC candidates that are working against the best interests of our republic and her citizens, because if this is an isolated issue, I'd rather consider it one more reason why the two-party system is less than perfect, move on, and continue working to build an extremely strong majority in the Senate. Anyone have any suggestions for groups that'll better utilize the fruit of my labors? Because after knocking on a thousand doors in 2006, making guarantees to voters that had to have brought at least a few more feet through the doors of the polls, and subsequently having been proven a serial liar by McCaskill and Cleaver, it's all I can do to give a shit about our elected reps anymore. All I want is the end to the excuses--let's have a definitive wipe out for the Republicans, and then we'll see who among the remaining Congresscritters is really progressive.
And you can go to the house roll call for the full details of the vote--I haven't found a better breakdown yet.
Why the cave? Why the tepid and weak response from Obama?
All those calls, e-mails, faxes and threats were for nothing - the Fix was in from the word Go. This was planned out months ago to go down just as soon as the primaries were over and all the incumbents were safe.
Then BAM, out of nowhere - FISA appears and gets passed with lightening speed. 1/2 the Democrats and all but 1 Republicans were either in on it or were told to vote "Yea" by their leaders and mentors - the ones that put this thing together.
Why? The issue is framed by all - including Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama (Hillary is, of course, on vacation) as a national security one which is always well received by the John and Jane Doe and, more importantly, the Media. The Bloggers and the rest of us paying attention know immunity was about holding Bush & Co. accountable - suing for discovery, evidence to use against them.
None of them - Speaker, Majority Leader, Presidential Candidate nor any of the other politicos want to see this happen. Bringing Bush to justice sets a bad precedent you see - if the Republican ruling elite can be made to pay for breaking the law then the Democratic ruling elite could someday be as well. And none of them - and with Barack Obama's frighteningly quick and utterly complete takeover of the DNC and longer requiring the support of the hard core liberals to finance him he is now one of the ruling elite as well - ever want to be held accountable for their actions.
It's that simple. If Bush goes down, they could go down one day as well - and they will never allow that to happen. They think they are the Government, that the law doesn't apply to them, that they, not some "scrap of paper" are the law of this land.
And for all intents and practical purposes, they are right.
Obama and the Dems are still far better than McCain and the Republicans - but the social order of an All-Powerful Government surrounded and in bed with the ruling class of Big Business at the peak and everyone else at the bottom squabbling over table scraps has been maintained. Bush was bad and abused his position enough to bring out the people for real change - even a few good Democrats and a lone Republican were on board - but the movement has been squashed, as will any and every other attempt to prosecute the Bush/Cheney Cabal. Obama, Hillary, I doubt even Edwards and certainly not McCain or any of the other Republican candidates were ever going to do anything different.
Justice for 8 years of stomping on the law, the people and their rights? It's a lost cause.
A Black Day for America Indeed.
Sorry, Harley beat me to it, I've got the same like he has.
Der, like should be link. I'll clam up now.
Obama can kill the FISA bill right now if he chooses. He can use the tactics the Repubs have so successfully used through a procedural filibuster. Which 11 Democratic Senators would be willing to vote cloture to terminate the presumptive Democratic nominee's filibuster?
So it's time for Obama to demonstrate a little backbone here and show that he can lead this country.
If he can't or won't....why the hell are we going to nominate him.
Obama, stop the retroactive immunity!!!!
Bush approval rating is at 24%, there is no reason for anyone to 'compromise' with the criminals in the White House.
Hey Congress: If you will not fight to defend our Constitution there are Americans who will, and you might not want to be on the wrong side when they march into DC to take our government back.
If that statement is interpreted as 'advocating violence' and moderated out of existence, the Founding Fathers would like a word with you.
From the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams:
[An extraterrestrial robot and spaceship has just landed on earth. The robot steps out of the spaceship...]
"I come in peace," it said, adding after a long moment of further grinding, "take me to your Lizard."
Ford Prefect, of course, had an explanation for this, as he sat with Arthur and watched the nonstop frenetic news reports on television, none of which had anything to say other than to record that the thing had done this amount of damage which was valued at that amount of billions of pounds and had killed this totally other number of people, and then say it again, because the robot was doing nothing more than standing there, swaying very slightly, and emitting short incomprehensible error messages.
"It comes from a very ancient democracy, you see..."
"You mean, it comes from a world of lizards?"
"No," said Ford, who by this time was a little more rational and coherent than he had been, having finally had the coffee forced down him, "nothing so simple. Nothing anything like to straightforward. On its world, the people are people. The leaders are lizards. The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people."
"Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy."
"I did," said ford. "It is."
"So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?"
"It honestly doesn't occur to them," said Ford. "They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates to the government they want."
"You mean they actually vote for the lizards?"
"Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course."
"But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?"
"Because if they didn't vote for a lizard," said Ford, "the wrong lizard might get in."
Ron @ 65:
Well he doesn't choose to. He issued a press release this afternoon that he will support this damned bill. To hell with the Bill of Rights, to hell with all the mythical little people who vote and give him money. I am too pissed off. How does he know that he himself has not been wiretapped? Or won't be in the future? The only way to hold this administration accountable is to let the courts decide. And that is exactly what is stopped with this.
So if I understand correctly, Hoyer ran interference for FISA to secure a nice contribution to his campaign chest. With the assurance that progressive Democrats in his district are now going to scramble to find another Democratic candidate, to run against him? Is that right? Or is he just doing this because he wants to give a Republican challenger this November a better chance? Anyone?
Can't we agree on a date and just meet on the halls of congress, jam pack as many concerned citizens of every political stripe? Can some bloggers organize such a thing, if we can put 300 grand to one problem...can't we demand it literally; for our leaders to start working for it's citizens? Do we wait until we're in a war with Iran like we're yelling at congress for doing?
After reading Obama's response, I don't see how he's any different than any other DC dem. That did it for me; if they roll over on this...they may roll over on Iran too, it's the power not the people for both sides. Maybe, now, at this time it's our duty, the citizens to protect this country?
Steney Hoyer has been involved in shady dealings for as long as he's been a member of Congress. When Nancy Pelosi selected him over Murtha, we could have predicted the rationale behind it. The whistleblower who outed Bush on his telecom wiretapping was located in California; Nancy Pelosi' state - ah, right! So the "dirt" was already dug on Pelosi et al in California and we immediately saw a clicking of heels and a nazi salute out of our little Ms. Pelosi.
Enter Steney Hoyer - the Republican Shill in the Democratic Party! He's no different than Joe Lieberman. Both horrible liars and frauds.
To permit Hoyer to be blackmailed along with the rest of the Democrats whom Bush spied upon illegally and got plenty of personal dirt is the wholesale "selling of america and everything we've ever stood for". This signals the absolute end of this democracy, thanks to the blackmailed Democrats (could Obama be one of them?? If he votes "yes" you can probably bet on it) and the criminal Repukes who have done the illegal spying on political foes and who are using it as blackmail.
Our government is in a serious "deadlock" right now; essentially it's run amok and we no longer have a government of laws and rules. Everyone in office who votes "yes" on this wiretapping law needs to be expelled from Congress immediately as a "traitor" to our Constitution. The people need to carefully scrutinize the Roll Call from the House and begin taking names for expulsion from office. All "yes" votes get the heave the next time they're up for reelection.
Let's send a clear signal to the Senate that anything short of filibustering this nonsensical aberattion of our civil rights will be held against them - and that goes for McSame and Obama, too.
MrChip @ 70:
Maybe Obama's theme song should be changed to "Roll over Obama" sung to the tune of "Roll Over Beethoven". He's absolutely selling us out if he votes yes in support of this criminal exoneration form of legislation. He won't have a snowball's chance in hell of being elected if he does.
This violation of our civil rights is INTIMATE AND PERSONAL. Every american will be against Obama if he caves in to either the blackmail they are threatening him with or just plain stupidity on his part. (called pandering).
Congressman (and future Senator!) Tom Allen of Maine along with Congressman Mike Michaud voted against this 4th Amendment Wrecker today. Here's what Tom Allen said after he voted:
“I voted against this bill because it provides immunity to telecommunications companies for their involvement in warrantless domestic surveillance. Such immunity would effectively end the Maine PUC’s case filed on behalf of Maine consumers. I believe that pending cases like this can be resolved without harm to national security and have voted for legislation that would achieve this. The Bush Administration’s claim of ‘state secrets’ is nothing more than an attempt to evade questions about possible violations of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by Administration officials. As I have stated before, neither the government nor large telecommunications corporations are above the law; everyone must be held accountable. This ‘compromise’ fails to hold either the Bush Administration or the telecommunications companies to the same standards that apply to other Americans.”
Let's hope the Senate hasn't lost their mind when it's time for them to vote on this.
liberAL @ 50:
Just follow the dots if you want to see how Pelosi was muzzled. The whistleblower for the telecom on 60 minutes was located in California. Ironic, isn't it? So we knew back then that the GOP had dirt on Pelosi and her husband. The next thing we realize is that Pelosi's gone mute. Just like Lieberman, for their own sleezy reasons, they're wolves in sheep's clothing - shills/frauds. Hoyer has a long laundry list of quasi-criminal dealings if we check back through the history of his tenure in congress.
Barack Obama's statement supporting the FISA amendment suggests he is slowly moving to the center, while his Democratic colleagues in the U. S. House and Senate (particularly in the House) demonstrate that they are INCAPABLE of delivering on their promises which got them control of Congress! OsiSpeaks[dot]com
We need to keep yelling at them:
Steny Hoyer: (202) 225-4131
Nancy Pelosi: (202) 225-0100
osiris @ 74:
Agreed on impeachment of these two democrats. Soon it will be time to impeach them all and for the people to take back control of OUR government. We've been invaded by sycophants and frauds. The future looks quite dire right now for this country who has lost it's scruples and it's morality. This form of government is definitely NOT working unless We, The People, decide that we've "had enough".
KayInMaine @ 76:
thanks Kay - everyone needs to get these numbers out to everyone they know. Steny and Nancy will be impeached if they keep this nonsense up.
KYJurisDoctor @ 75:
Obama moving toward the center will put him smack dab into a collision course with McSame and he will become McBarackSame. What he should be doing right now is definining his position left of center and not budge one inch. He's seriously blowing it right now as we type I'm afraid.
osiris @ 71:
Murtha voted for this travesty as well.
I'll bring the tar,who's got the feathers?
I held off giving money, because I had a feeling that you would muck it up. Malcolm X. That's really connecting with middle America. What were you thinking?
Chris F @ 81:
*rummaging through toy box*, I've got some pitchforks & torches!
Did you know that there are National Guard units being deployed to DC to 'protect the nation's Capital'? Apparently, it's a routine thing, not in response to anything specific. Protect it from what? Seriously?
Capable as they are, the full might of our military can't stop attacks in Iraq, what are they going to do in DC? Is DC in danger of a full-on invasion by a conventional force? Where would this conventional force come from? Certainly not overland, through Virginia... is there any group on the face of the earth stupid enough to attempt an invasion by sea? Does al-qaeda have a Navy? Even if they did, don't we have our own Navy in place who would see it coming from a thousand miles away?
So... since none of that makes sense, does that mean the Washington Criminals are planning to use National Guard units to fend off angry, armed American citizens?
I don't understand this ad:
1. Why bother with Hoyer now? He can't do a "take back". Shouldn't we concentrate effort on the Senate at this point?
2. Agree with the comments on Malcolm X being a bad choice.
3. "Millions of ordinary people have the system crashing down on them"? That's the reason for not letting the phone companies off the hook? You think drumming up sympathy for convicted criminals is the way to get this thing reversed? Good luck on that.
Maybe the idea is to "dumb things down" for the average American but I think that's the wrong way to go. Explain how how FISA already gives the government the power it needs, how our Constitutional rights are being trampled on and the ramifications.
You realize Obama wouldn't dare change his position now that he's said he will vote for this piece of crap. It does no good to scream about it, he's already stepped in that steaming pile. Why not direct efforts towards supporting someone who might lead a filibuster, like Dodd or Feingold?
The flier is right on, but I'm still disappointed that the characterization of surveillance activities seems limited to recording phone calls and emails. It's SO much more vast than that. Some doubt remains because so little has ever been revealed about this operation, but the equipment in place is capable of recording every transaction in any protocol over the Internet at large: website visits, financial transactions, VoIP, file downloads, etc., etc... potentially in real-time. Assuming one is targeted - for activities apparently not limited to organizing in opposition to the Iraq war - this could amount to a computerized "agent" literally looking over your shoulder and reconstructing data as it is rendered on your screen, deciding whether or not you pose some kind of "risk."
Wouldn't the message be more effective if the true scope of surveillance was emphasized?
"Steny Hoyer says your next"
Yeah, and so does Obama!
To all the conservatives (trolls) watching and participating:
All this means is that when Obama becomes POTUS, your phone calls may be monitored. Are you comfortable?
The Rat Bastard Blue Dogs like Hoyer are worse than the Rethuglicans. They HAVE to GO.
Wonder how he's going to like it when they start monitoring his phone after he's voted out of office?
Paybacks are a bitch Hoyer.
It's all but official , we are SOL . the Dems too have become traitors and criminals ! WTF ! All we can do is work to inform the ignorant and try to clean house by our vote OR give it up and say goodbye to America . I am beginning to think it's too late and she is already dead and gone . God damn these politicians and the ignorant dopes who keep voting for these weasels and rats !
Commentator @ 62:
your exactly right! ive said this before on here, they all suck off the same straw!
This ad is terrible. Middle America doesn't care about Malcom X and something that happened forty years ago. This is happening now, to us, to everyone. I'm sorry but the people that we need to convince need to know that THEY are being wiretapped, not just some scary, black, radical. What am I missing here?
I agree about the choice of Malcolm X as a sympathetic figure - it's odd. There are other ads in the series, however, and I think this one is better. (Apologies for the blog whoring, but that's where I have a copy.) I'm less concerned about the white on black text about which other commenters have voiced concern - it will stand out well in a white on black newspaper, and readability is not a big deal for a one pager, at least in contrast to an entire newspaper.
The Democratic leadership needs to be cleared out wholesale. Reid has been pathetic for a long time, and while Pelosi has had some strong moments, her "impeachment is off the table" shtick in combination with this rank betrayal of her oath of office are plenty reason enough to can her and start afresh. Hoyer has been a miserable, corrupt pol for a long time, and while his behavior is not surprising, it's no less despicable.
I just went to the Obama website and for what it is worth asked to be removed from their email list because of his statement in support of the FISA bill. Perhaps if we all do that it might have some impact.
I also agree that Malcolm X is not a known figure to many and to others may not be a positive figure. How about going a different route and use a picture of McCarthy smiling at Hoyler instead?
frances @ 95:
I agree with asking to be removed from their email list because of the FISA fiasco. I'm waiting for their next contribution request. I don't think we're the only ones, I've been reading the same thing on Kos and Firedoglake.
uhm...every time I try to call any of them, the mailbox seems to be full???
Please tell me what has to happen for us to go to plan B? They raise several millions of dollars, they do not care about the millions of us?? How many times must we be burned to know this??? Tell me one Good Thing since 2000?? ONE?? Min. wage raise?
What happened to the 4th amendment??? The right to Privacy??? What's happening to our Constitution??? Are we going to let these lying Right-Wing Republicans take away our rights???
Nobody seems to be mentioning this from The Constitution of the United States (which, btw, I swore an oath similar to the Presidential one to defend from all enemies, foreign and domestic, when I became a citizen in 2002)Article I, Section 9, Clause 3:
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
This bill is ipso facto unconstitutional on its face, let alone anything buried. By definition, a retroactive clause is ex post facto. Quite apart from the fact that, like all Bu$hie 'laws', it contains no provisions for penalties for non-compliance nor redress for errors. Nor is Bu$h really worried - he does not believe he has to comply with anything Congress does anyway.
In order to get it declared UC, however, the aggrieved parties whose cases against AT&T etc will be dismissed will hopefully have enough standing to get the SCOTUS to consider their case.
So the big question is: what will Obama actually do once he is handed the One Ring?
Why is the ad targeting Steny Hoyer? He already let the House vote yes to telecom immunity and more FISA shit. This is an old ad.
Shouldn't the Senate be the focus?
Who designs these ads? This is like John McCain bringing up "the second term of Jimmy Carter". Nobody remembers this old stuff. Well I guess we have to blow $300,000 of donations on something.
Someone must know what dirt the Republicans have on Nancy Pelosi. If not, someone make something up anyway.
Obama just wants you to shut up and vote for him. got it?
designer @ 52:
You're probably right that this is bad graphic design, but I doubt it's "impossible to read".
I can read everything that's large enough for my old eyes, just in the small sample pic.
The design is the LEAST of my worries about that ad...
Some historical thoughts and perspectives....http://www.tagg-theangrygayguy.com
Its all figured out before the vote starts.
andy @ 15:
You mean the same Ron Paul that didn't even bother to cast a vote on the bill?
Yeah, right.....
I'm not a marketer, but header pictures of Malcolm X and MLK jr guarantee a segment of the readers will skip this full page ad as a "black cause." I donated to the creation of this ad; I think a different mock-up would be more effective.
As for Steny, Nancy, and the house--fuck 'em. They've sold the keys to my kingdom, anyway. We need to focus on the senate and your two senators in general and Barack in particular. We need heroes and Feingold and Dodd need allies. I don't want revolution 2.0. I'm out of shape. Please prove to me we're not, as a country, bought and sold. Make your phone calls. Spend your money.
It's time to either clean house or leave the country.
I'm a graphic designer and a real leftie, and agree with all of the sentiments in this ad, but...
I'm with others here who say this is a really bad ad, and could be counterproductive to human rights and Obama's run for the WH...
It's dark tone and and the pictures of "scary lookin'" black people will not convince anyone who's not a convert already, and will scare a lot of people away.
Surely they can do better then this...and GET RID OF THE WHITE TYPE on black background fer chrissake!
Look it's been in the news for months that Hoyer was going to push this thru and there has been absolutely NO grassroots effort mounted to stop him. Campaigns should have been mounted against him in his district and nationwide. Where the hell was MoveOn, PFAW, and ACLU BEFORE this vote ? All the outrage AFTER the fact is completely disingenuous.
When are you people going to understand that DLC Republicrats are a bigger enemy than common Rethugs ?
I have a suggestion for a new tactic for MoveOn. Do not blindly follow the democratic nominee. If your support is taken for granted, Obama will focus on securing other support - like big business. So, if for example the FISA amnesty bill is signed to law under a democratic majority, then shift focus. Do not attack the republicans, attack Obama and tell what a fraud he is. Sure, it might lose an election, but it will secure, that a democratic candidate is real change.
dadams @ 11:
He's not an enemy combatant, as he didn't take up arms. He is a TRAITOR and a violator of his oath of office. He should be removed from office. Is there a process for criminal procedures against those who violate the House of Representatives' oath of office?
tyree @ 92:
Agreed at this analysis. Incumbs are the weakest link in our democracy. The Fed Courts and the Supreme Court of the United States will be the arbiter on whether this new FISA law is constitutional. There is so much constitutional conflict in this law that the courts must take it up.
It also looks like in the 'paid for' tagline you first have 'ColorOfChange.org' and then use 'ColorOrChange.org'. Might just be my browser though...
I sent Obama an E-mail yesterday asking for help in fighting this bill, I got back a request for money. Fuck you Obama. I have long suspected you were a bullshit slinger! this is just way over the line, I think we all have to face the fact that nothing is going to change untill we remove every last one of these criminals now in office! Their are a small handfull that have done their job and we should make sure they remain, however everyone who has been in office before 06 must go. It's time to show these slime balls we mean what we say, dem or gop, all sitting must be tossed out on their ass, and if Obama gets caught up in it due to lack of guts, then it's just tough tit! #:;*&?<-CEO
There is a new site in town and everybody that wants to can sign up to post on it
Repealing FISA is not the answer. FISA works fine with regular judicial overview.
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