It's sickening. What aren't these jokers willing to give away in the name of holding onto power?
Posted by Tom Burka at October 9, 2007 02:41 AMHey Tom,
The Democrats have to keep their powder dry, dont'cha know? After all they don't have the votes to actually do something, like their Constitutional duty, for instance. In the name of fear, they have to surrender everything that America once stood for, or the terrorists will have won. No wait! Never mind.
That's why it's so important to elect more of them.
Posted by DeminNewJ at October 9, 2007 03:13 AMWell looking on the bright side here (there really isn't one but what Jon STewart said about stuff like this when he was interviewing Jack Goldsmith). Seems like Congress and Cheney Co are busy giving the tools for more presidential power for Hillary Clinton to use.
What a bunch of wankers.
You know, why shouldn't the telcom companies have retroactive immunity? Bush isn't getting sued for spying--why should they? He broke the law and nothing is being done to him--why should they be the ones to suffer. People who are upset about the wiretapping should sue the Bush admin, not the telecom companies.
Posted by CG at October 9, 2007 04:49 AMJust as the Republican Party has changed, maybe the Democrats don't stand for what they use to. Ever think of that?
Posted by Judith at October 9, 2007 05:29 AMYes Judith, they stand for Republican values. We may as well vote for the real Republicans.
Posted by Fr33d0m at October 9, 2007 06:01 AMThe FISA law is one of the great landmark progressive Democratic laws passed in the past 50 years---right up there with social security. It ended a very long term executive abuse of power. Dems should see it as such and not weaken it THEMSELVES.
I would note that Dem Jerrold Nadler (quoted in article) is an expert in this area, and he seems to be supporting the changes, so I'm torn about condemning the move completely. But moving away from individual warrants to blanket ones is clearly a weakening of FISA.
How these Dems think this kind of stuff is going to translate into progressive "energy" in 08 is just simply beyond me.
Posted by euzoius at October 9, 2007 06:29 AM"We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home."
-- Edward R. Murrow
Ron Paul. Dennis Kucinich. Mike Gravell.
Posted by skeptic at October 9, 2007 07:43 AMThe no BS zone on FISA Pedagogy: IOZ
Posted by Marie at October 9, 2007 01:35 PMWhen the democrats cave in to republican fear-mongering it is a defeat for the whole nation. Our democracy is going up in smoke.
Posted by Copeland at October 9, 2007 07:47 PM