Think Progress

Pelosi, Conyers offer legislation to amend FISA.

Shortly after passing legislation to temporarily expand the administration’s spying authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Conyers introduced a bill to amend that legislation “as soon as possible.”



135 Responses to “Pelosi, Conyers offer legislation to amend FISA.”

  1. iron skunk says:

    What manner of kabuki is this??? We’re being bamboozled…..


  2. Ophelia Heinie says:

    But George W. might not like that…unless they come up with still more concessions to grant his imperial majesty.


  3. klyde says:

    Bwahahah! Oh mother, the sheeplecrats cave to the boy king again but expect us to believe that they really plan to do something to stop his radical agenda. This is not what I gave money for in 06.


  4. wally says:

    Is this some kind of devil’s bargain? We’ll amend FISA so you can justify your illegal activities in the past, but it has to be amended again so that it’s actually constitutional in the future?


  5. Wayne says:

    Pelosi and Conyers both need to change the D next to their names to R, because thats what they are for allowing this outragious FISA bill hit the floor and be passed to begin with.

    Instead of impeaching for breaking the law, they aid and abet the Criminal in Chief in his lawbreaking. We have been played for fools by both the Democrats and Republicans


  6. doro says:

    Too late! They had their chance.


  7. oldtree says:

    blackmail is ugly. why would they be in a hurry to help bush? unbelievable. we disapprove


  8. Amerikagulag says:

    Does anyone really believe there are 2 parties any more? If so, can you prove it?

    Pelosi, Reid, Conyers = enablers

    Democratic party = reluctant complicit-ness
    Reluctant complicit-ness = COMPLICIT

    34 Democrats voted to suspend habeas Corpus
    57 Democrats voted to spy on you.

    The fascist agenda is gaining popularity


  9. bilbobaggins says:

    “Pelosi and Conyers both need to change the D next to their names to R, because thats what they are for allowing this outragious FISA bill hit the floor and be passed to begin with.”

    There really wasn’t much they could do about it. Those damn Blue Dog Democrats are the ones that did this to us. Pelosi obviously could not get them to change their minds. Write or call every one of those Blue Dog Democrats today. I can’t list them here because TP keeps hosing my posts when I try to post the list, but you can find it at Daily Kos. Go to their websites, figure out what city and zip works for their form, and that will get you past their filters. That is how I intend to spend the morning.


  10. ForTruth says:

    I toldja about those “Dems”


  11. expat says:

    No more money for Democrats.


  12. doro says:

    bilbo,

    I’ve seen you try to post this list here for quite a time. How come TP wont let this through? It’s important!


  13. Robert Malloy says:

    This is such an obvious, pain-stakingly transparent attempt to CYA by Pelosi and the Democratic “leadership” in general; how better to mask your quailing and cowering than by loudly declaring, (in an official letter, no less), “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me–I didn’t rush this insanely stupid piece of monarchical bull through the House–after all, I’m not the Speaker of the House.” Give me a break


  14. BARTLEBEE says:

    Maybe we should just have a Constitution burning party and get it over with?

    Thanks Pelosi.

    With democrat leaders like you, who needs neocons?


  15. expat says:

    WHAT?!?! Hey Pelosi as speaker of the House it’s your job to get all the Democrats to vote responsibly. You failed BIG TIME!.

    I am sorry I voted for you actually, and donated to you. Take notice Dems. NO MORE MONEY. By winning control of both Houses last November it was so that piece of shit legalisation like this would not pass.

    Too little to late Pelosi, you lost my vote and my money as well as your colleagues.


  16. jake3988 says:

    I told you people already… they voted yes SIMPLY to go on vacation.

    Its a sad reality, but congress didn’t care enough to vote then.

    They passed it, went on vacation, when they return they’ll fix it.

    Unfortunately, they’ll need to override a veto which basically means… Bush will have it forever… again.


  17. jake3988 says:

    Also, it shows yet another lose-lose for the dems.

    They would have attempted to overhaul it, and would not gotten it to pass (that is, overriding a veto). Dems say OMG, they’re constitution destroyers.
    Repubs would say they love the terrorists.

    What happens now is A) They get to introduce REAL legislation after the break. B) Its only TEMPORARY! Without this, he could have done whatever he wanted permanently. I’d rather go on living knowing Bush can only spy on me for 4 more month than until the end of his presidency.

    I have faith they’ll fix it. You and I can be pissed they did this solely to go on vacation, but they’ll fix it.


  18. Wayne says:

    The hell with the Democrats and Republicans.
    My money and support is now going toward any 3rd party candidates fighting against both parties.
    I want people in Washington who will fight for the Constitution and the rights of the People.

    Voting Democrat or Republican obviously is not going to work any more.


  19. BARTLEBEE says:

    I hope everyone realizes, that in the midst of all the investigations into the spying scandal, the worthless Pelosi just essentially legalized Bush’s spying program by giving him a temporary extension of it.

    She just handed over our constitutional rights to privacy so she, and the rest of the fat pigs could GO ON VACATION.

    ANYONE voting for Nancy Pelosi or any of these members of congress again, is an idiot.


  20. BARTLEBEE says:

    I hope they have a nice vacation.


  21. Sharon says:

    I’m with you Wayne…Blessings


  22. Wayne says:

    I hope they have a nice vacation.
    Comment by BARTLEBEE

    I hope they all choke on their cake.


  23. Badger says:

    There are TWO problems with all this justifiable outrage.1. Bush is still President 2. The Republicans can block any legislation and sustain any veto that want to.
    We need A Democratic President and huge gains in congress to fix the mess our country is in. We need to bide our time…make our case…and vote for courageous , smart ,progressive leadership in 2008. Bush and the Republicans are disorgtanized, demoralized, and heading over a political cliff. Let them.


  24. bogtrotters says:

    Big whoop. That’s closing the barn door after the horse is out.


  25. bogtrotters says:

    23. Agree w/Badger, but Hillary and the Party status quo will make mincemeat out of my candidiate, Obama, before the year is out. Not only is he smart, courageous, etc. but, according to an excellent profile in “New Yorker,” he’s a true conciliator, willing to listen to both sides, etc.–everything Bush is NOT.


  26. Wayne says:

    Bush and the Republicans are disorgtanized, demoralized, and heading over a political cliff. Let them.
    Comment by Badger

    The Democrats are helping push the rest of us off that cliff, especially supporting this bad FISA law change, rather than enforcing the breaking of current law.

    The Dems have just kicked what moral authority they had, along with their supporters, to the curb


  27. Publicus says:

    Badger:

    “There are TWO problems with all this justifiable outrage.1. Bush is still President 2. The Republicans can block any legislation and sustain any veto that want to.”

    There’s ONE big problem with the actions of many Democrats: they are actively supporting the destruction of our unalienable rights.


  28. Candyce says:

    I’m not giving up on them yet. I’m ever an optimist. W hasn’t completely destroyed that. Sometimes I get the feeling Pelosi and Reid, and the chairmen Leahy and Waxman and Conyers, are just reeling the pukes in real slow to make sure they don’t fall off the hook.


  29. Publicus says:

    Badger:

    I personally won’t support…and will actually oppose…anyone of any party who endorses the destruction of our unalienable rights with his/her votes in Congress.


  30. Guido, Lover, OBGYN says:

    Too late. To hell with the Democrats.


  31. Badger says:

    If every Democrat had voted against this spy bill, what would the result be?. A better bill with safeguards would be vetoed or fillibustered , and the Democrats would be blamed for Obstructing the changes in the FISA law that virtually everyone agrees needs changing.


  32. bilbobaggins says:

    “I’ve seen you try to post this list here for quite a time. How come TP wont let this through? It’s important!”

    I have no idea. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to what they are stopping being posted. The first time I tried the entire list, posting it twice. Then I broke it into parts and I was able to post the first two parts, but the third would never post. I gave up and directed people to Daily Kos where you can get a list of all House Members and all Senators who voted with Bush.


  33. bilbobaggins says:

    “Too little to late Pelosi, you lost my vote and my money as well as your colleagues.”

    I hope that Cindy Sheehan follows through on her threat and does run against Pelosi. I have a feeling that Cindy can beat Nancy, especially in Liberal San Francisco. I no longer live in the Bay Area, but I will send money for Cindy Sheehan’s campaign and I suspect that she will get a lot of contributions from outside the district.


  34. Wayne says:

    If every Democrat had voted against this spy bill, what would the result be?. A better bill with safeguards would be vetoed or fillibustered , and the Democrats would be blamed for Obstructing the changes in the FISA law that virtually everyone agrees needs changing.
    Comment by Badger

    That “Oh the poor Democrats, the didn’t have a choice” CRAP doesn’t wash. Especially with the passage of this bill.
    They made their choice and it was a bad one.

    That dog just don’t hunt any more.


  35. bilbobaggins says:

    “A better bill with safeguards would be vetoed or fillibustered , and the Democrats would be blamed for Obstructing the changes in the FISA law that virtually everyone agrees needs changing.”

    “Virtually everyone agrees needs changing”? Care to back that up with facts. A link or something.

    Don’t you love these trolls who pull things out of their butt and expect us to take them as the truth? Fortunately most people who post here are capable of critical thinking and can see through the trolls.


  36. katy says:

    No more money for Democrats.
    Comment by expat — August 5, 2007 @ 11:21 am

    i have been tossing the mailed requests from all the different
    dems asking for money…
    it occurred to me – send those forms back – with a special message,
    and no check…

    do put a stamp on the envelope though…

    unless it’s the credit card cos or banks…
    those i send back, stuffed, post paid…
    fun!


  37. Zooey says:

    I’m not giving up on them yet. I’m ever an optimist. W hasn’t completely destroyed that. Sometimes I get the feeling Pelosi and Reid, and the chairmen Leahy and Waxman and Conyers, are just reeling the pukes in real slow to make sure they don’t fall off the hook.
    Comment by Candyce — August 5, 2007 @ 12:11 pm

    While I am disgusted with the whole bunch of them, I still have some hope as well. If they do have this great plan, I wish they’d get on with it, because that rope they’re reeling out is getting mighty thin.


  38. Zooey says:

    unless it’s the credit card cos or banks…
    those i send back, stuffed, post paid…
    fun!
    Comment by katy — August 5, 2007 @ 12:30 pm

    Great minds…. :-D


  39. katy says:

    bilbo, that’s twice now you’ve jumped on someone as a troll
    who is actually a long-time (no see) poster of TP…
    and both times i could see no reason for that,
    except you obviously disagree with them…
    YOU’re the newbie, i think…
    try civility first, if you can’t wait to protest…


  40. AngryOne says:

    During the very time Congress was debating codifying President Bush’s lawbreaking by revising FISA, Alberto Gonzales’ DOJ was raiding the home of a former Justice official to identify the person who first brought the illicit program to light.

    For the disturbing details of selective retribution by the White House, see:
    “Payback Time: FBI Raids Home of Suspected NSA Leaker.”


  41. katy says:

    fun!
    Comment by katy — August 5, 2007 @ 12:30 pm

    Great minds…. :-D
    Comment by Zooey — August 5, 2007 @ 12:33 pm

    it’s amazing how long it took them to stop sending those to me!…
    now i’m getting newer ones… capitol one was the worst…


  42. katy says:

    i posted this on the nadler thread, in response to voting 3rd party…
    works here also:

    if you were listening to the republicRATS like i am, on abc,
    you would think again before giving any one of THEM
    such an opening to be the next dictator…
    well, if we’re lucky it would be rudy… but we’re not so lucky…

    thirds are best left to the state and locals, maybe congress…
    but not for prez… not. this. time. …
    …


  43. Jay Randal says:

    Rep. Nancy Pelosi > it is your job to get fellow Democrats in the House to oppose anything that President Bush desires. You allowed 41 Democrat members of the House to support the FISA override bill. Those Democrats caused the bill to pass, hence if they had not done so it would have failed. You are responsible for any abuse that Dubya does now and Sen. Harry Reid is also responsible for allowing 16 fool Democrat Senators to vote for it too.


  44. Marcus Aruelius says:

    Yeah – lets unfart.


  45. Marcus Aruelius says:

    try civility first, if you can’t wait to protest…
    …

    Comment by katy — August 5, 2007 @ 12:39 pm

    i am a progressive – not a democrat. Your post is exactly why the dems are in trouble. Never bring civility to a gun fight.


  46. Jay Randal says:

    bilbo > I tried to post a list of the 41 Democrats names on another TP thread last night, but every time I tried my post was deleted. I did post a link to the list and I revealed about 7 of the traitors bio information.


  47. the fly-man says:

    I think the best we can hope for is to hope for nothing.


  48. Wayne says:

    bah, about 1 in 4 posts actually make it through.
    Getting sick of typing them just to have them poof.


  49. Goraidh says:

    Katy, As the democrats are caving into buch/cheney on just about every issue of utmost importance to America, ie, wiretaps, supreme court judges, war financing, etc, I see no difference between to two parties. I’ll not vote democratic again. And if a third party vote is a vote for the republicans, then so be it. Maybe the democrats will finally learn a lesson if they once again lose the majority. Can’t be much worse than it is now and has been for the last six and a half years. VOTE GREEN!


  50. katy says:

    Never bring civility to a gun fight.
    Comment by Marcus Aruelius — August 5, 2007 @ 12:57 pm

    wow… it’s a blog, not a gunfight…

    i dunno, i just have a thing for that golden rule…

    bilbo was calling a long time poster a troll…
    i was politely trying to point out his mistake…


  51. troll alert says:

    I hate how the vote turned out, but I also have to factor in what the Dems. must be thinking…

    ºººBush, Cheney, Rove and Chertoff can concoct terror and terror threats at will.ººº

    Also, if you let this split the Dems., Rove wins again.


  52. Konservo says:

    katy,
    How dare you not be a hypocrite?!?!
    ————————————————————-
    Rove wins again.

    Comment by troll alert — August 5, 2007 @ 1:33 pm

    Yup.


  53. the fly-man says:

  54. troll alert says:

    Rove wins again
    Yup.

    Comment by Konservo

    Don’t get your hopes up there,Big Guy.
    ‘08 will probably be worse for you Rethugs than ‘06.
    Nancy is playing rope-a-dope with the swine following Bush off the cliff.


  55. Badger says:

    the Democrats would be blamed for Obstructing the changes in the FISA law that virtually everyone agrees needs changing.”

    “Virtually everyone agrees needs changing”? Care to back that up with facts. A link or something.

    Comment by bilbobaggins — August 5, 2007 @ 12:26 pm

    FISA is broken and the George W. Bush broke it. Because Bush and his cronies pushed the exisiting law too far, they ended up losing a court case and severely damaged our ability to obtain intelligence. This was the result of sloppiness and a total disregard for the rule of law on the part of the Republicans.
    There is near uniform, bipartisan agreement on the need to reform FISA to reflect modern telecommunications and information technology.

    My senators and congressman voted against the FISA bill. For the record, I think they were both correct and courageous. I also think there is a lot more than a dimes worth of difference between the Democrats and the Republicans. If that makes me a troll in some people’s eyes….so be it.
    And thanks Katy for your comments.


  56. Bruce Gorton says:

    Yeah, sure the Democrats are going to increase oversight, just after they give the president absolute power. We’ve heard them talk before, and we have seen them act. Lets judge the Democrats by their actions, or more accurately, inaction.


  57. DUH says:

    What are they thinking!!??? Why didn’t they do the thing the right way the first time? What a bunch of wienies! This one confuses me!

    I guess the only thing is on Monday, start making your calls and not emails and ask some questions about their thinking! This is stupid!

    Then why did they go on break? To be with their families? Well there are a lot of families in America who need competent decision makers to question any administration about their actions when asked that they MUST re due FISA and that they may not leave until it is done!

    This action the administration did was a TEST! A fear TEST! and they can now point out that THEY are better at keeping fear in the minds of Americans during election time!

    Stupid stupid congress!


  58. bilbobaggins says:

    “bilbo, that’s twice now you’ve jumped on someone as a troll
    who is actually a long-time (no see) poster of TP…
    and both times i could see no reason for that,
    except you obviously disagree with them…
    YOU’re the newbie, i think…
    try civility first, if you can’t wait to protest
    Comment by katy”

    You are saying that a “regular poster” here is saying that “Virtually everyone agrees FISA needs changing”? And I am supposed to read that as being posted by a “regular poster” and not express my opinion? That doesn’t sound like something that anyone other than a troll would say. So, excuse the hell out of me for offending you with my post.


  59. katy says:

    bruce – what’s this “we”?…
    have you moved here from south africa?
    i understand how US policies affect the world,
    but your comments tend to blur your nationality…
    am i mistaken?

    btw – i do agree with most everything you have to say…
    just so you know…

    you too, bilbobaggins… settle down…
    yeesh…


  60. theswan says:

    Sold Out!
    I never expected it but I’m not surprised.
    Cut out the donations and vote for ANYBODY else.


  61. Bruce Gorton says:

    katy

    I don’t have to be an American to judge what I see in front of me. The Democrats need to get real, otherwise they need to get gone because all they are doing is faking opposition – just like the opposition to the Nats did.

    bilbobaggins

    katy is a Democrat loyalist. It is a character flaw born of her honest, and to some extent valid, fear of a Republican dictatorship.

    There are all the ingredients in the mix for a dictatorship in America, the groundwork is already there in rightwing propaganda, in the economic crisis brewing with that national debt to China (Why do you think China thinks it can get away with selling you poisoned goods?) and in a dissaffected workforce.

    What katy does not realise is that 2006 granted the Democrats time to stop this from happening by fulfilling their mandates of oversight, getting out of Iraq, and stopping the rubber stamp style Congress the Republicans introduced. Each time they cave on a mandated issue, they make that horror more likely.


  62. Jay Randal says:

    Bruce and everybody > the problem is that Democrats actually do not control the Senate, nor the House of Representatives, because some of the Senators are DINOs and a few dozen Reps are Blue Dogs, which I call Repub-lite. It has become necessary to punish the 16 Democrat Senators who voted for FISA override bill and to remove most of the 41 Blue Dog Reps. Since Nancy Pelosi is the Speaker of the House, in name only, therefore the worst offender Blue Dogs must be forced out. If they want to join the fascist GOP, then we must let them do so and run real Democrats in 2008 to kick their butts to the curb.


  63. Jay Randal says:

    One Dem Rep. Leonard Boswell of Iowa has been in office since 1969. I checked out his bio on the web and the man is senile. He probably had no idea that he was voting to help Bush spy on Congress. The citizens of Iowa in his 3rd District must retire him in 2008 election. No reason to have some Democrat in Iowa who has lost his mind.

    About 35 Reps out of the other 40 are Blue Dogs. They are NOT real Democrats so time to kick them all to the curb.


  64. Bruce Gorton says:

    Jay Randal

    Exactly. Vote independent, not for president but for Congress, for those seats occupied by DINOS. Get some independents in there.

    This whole thing with you only having two parties, I have to ask, how long has it been since Americans really believed in their vote, and the idea that “there is nothing to fear, but fear itself”?


  65. katy says:

    you don’t KNOW me bruce…
    you have no right to characterize me or
    even TRY to pin down my beliefs…
    much less try to explain any of that to another
    annonymous blogger…

    please don’t attempt to speak for me.

    i am loyal only to myself and my children…
    .


  66. Bruce Gorton says:

    katy

    The Democrats could crown Bush emperor and you would still say vote Democrat or fear the coming of the Republicans.

    I have yet to see you support criticism of the Democrats. You are a loyalist to them, my flaw lies in the opposite direction.


  67. katy says:

    well, now i can say you are a bloviating liar.

    because you don’t know shit about me.

    done with you.
    .


  68. Bruce Gorton says:

    katy

    I have read your arguments. Repeatedly. Including this:

    Comment by DigDug — August 5, 2007 @ 12:33 pm

    you didn’t “get it”…
    what i’m sayin’ is: vote 3rd party = repug dictator…

    you forgot the last part:
    thirds are best left to the state and locals, maybe congress…
    but not for prez… not. this. time. …

    OVERWHELMING DEMOCRATIC VOTER TURNOUT
    is the only way to keep them from stealing the presidency…
    …

    Comment by katy — August 5, 2007 @ 12:57 pm

    I do not think I misrepresented your beliefs in the least. Perhaps you do not realise that I do actually read your posts.


  69. Jay Randal says:

    Bruce > for a third party to work it also has to take out equal number of Republicans, otherwise it just splits away from Democrats and helps GOP. I would love to see 3 viable parties in the US with each around 30+ Senators each, but the wealthy elite will fight to the death to prevent it.

    Best option for 2008 election is for Blue Dog Democrats to be challenged in the primaries by real Democrats, then if that fails for Independents to take them on in the general election.


  70. katy says:

    jay, tell him about the stupid electoral college we have in this country…
    the reason why 3rd party prez does not work.
    .


  71. Jay Randal says:

    Best way to punish DINO Senators is to publicly expose and humiliate them. Sen. Feinstein’s husband, for example, is a war profiteer. He and his Senator wife have made millions off the Iraq Fiasco War. As a native born Californian, and a Democrat activist, Feinstein does not represent the progressive citizens of California. She just got re-elected last year, but she can never do that again. She is hated by the far-right GOPers in CA and by the left-wing now too.


  72. Jay Randal says:

    Katy and Bruce > it is time for Electoral College to be abolished. It basically is undemocratic and cost Gore his presidency in 2000.


  73. Bruce Gorton says:

    Jay Randal

    The stupid thing is, 2008 should be a lock for the Democrats. It should be a foregone conclusion but they keep on acting like they are somehow ashamed of their base.

    America is currently recoiling in horror from what the Republicans have done and the Democrats do not seem to realise that now is the time to strike, to put pressure on the president and to get out of Iraq.

    The Democrat base is genuinely unhappy with the direction the Democrats are taking and the Democrats aren’t listening. Now is the time they should be capitalising on their success, politicising their politics. Without the blogs the Democrats would have lost in 2006, but the blogs are run by people, and people can get gatvol if they think they are being lied to.

    What I really want I guess is to go over to America and knock some sense into them. They lost the 2000, and 2004 elections based to some extent on an image of weakness, caving in on these issues is not helping that image.


  74. Spudd says:

    TOO LATE, TOO LATE SHALL BE THE CRY!!!!


  75. Bruce Gorton says:

    Jay Randal

    A parliamentary system would probably be a good idea too. You need to bring your states together a bit to achieve that though.

    What is really needed, is for the Republican oldschool types, those who disliked Bush but voted for him because he wasn’t a Democrat, to go independent.

    There needs to be a serious campaign to turn the rightwing moderates not into Democrats, but into independents. Some votes you will just never get, but maybe you can make sure the other side doesn’t get them either.


  76. Jay Randal says:

    Bruce > Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi believe that the Democrat base voters can be ignored, so they go after middle of the road voters, but if the base stays home on election day, then Democrats get creamed by GOPers. Thank Bill Clinton for creating the DLC group of Democrats who are the ones undermining the Dem party.

    My prediction for 2008 is that most voters are going to vote out incumbents of both political parties in the US. More Republicans in the Senate have to defend their seats, so they will suffer more than the Democrats, but someone like Harry Reid might get dumped out too.


  77. Jay Randal says:

    My other prediction for 2008 is that there is going to be a huge backlash, by Democrat base, against Sen. Hillary Clinton. Americans are tired of the Bush family and the Clinton family too. Former Sen. Edwards blew it by tying his fate to Sen. Kerry in 2004, so he will be rejected too. This makes a huge opening for Sen. Obama to get the nomination or for Al Gore to step forward to grab it. Gore-Obama ticket would body slam the Republicans bigtime. I would like to see Rep. Kucinich be named Secretary of State under Gore presidency.


  78. Bruce Gorton says:

    Jay Randal

    My prediction is as follows:

    If the Dems manage to prove themselves over this period, if they reverse their current trend and get America out of Iraq OR manage to impeach Bush it will be a Democrat president whoever wins the primaries.

    If they do not manage to prove themselves, if they fail on both of those two counts, it will be a Republican president whoever the Democrats field.

    That is what is at stake over these issues where the Democrats are caving in.


  79. Jay Randal says:

    Bruce > at present the caving in is hurting Democrats to gain more seats in the House and Senate in 2008 election. Americans are disgusted with President Bush, so that dumps filth on every last GOPer running for President. Americans would hold their nose to vote for Hillary, before voting for cross-dressing Giuliani or Mormon Romney.


  80. expat says:

    No more money for Democrats


  81. Bruce Gorton says:

    Jay Randal

    The trouble is, Congress will reflect on the Democrat candidate.

    You need it to be clear that the Democrat platform is strong and is different. Otherwise, a lot people won’t vote and you will lose the elections, just like you did in 2004 and in the same way as you did in 2004. You need mass turnout and you need enthusiastic support to beat the Republicans.


  82. Doc Rock says:

    This dog won’t hunt!


  83. katy says:

    bruce – one last thing, you should know:

    it’s democratIC candidate,
    democratIC platform, etc…

    DEMOCRATIC PARTY

    thanks…


  84. BlueArkansas says:

    The interim bill contains “provisions that are unacceptable,” but we’ll PASS THE F*CKER ANYWAY!!!

    Now THAT’S what I call statesmanship! Go Nancy! Go Harry! It’s your birthday!


  85. Probus says:

    While the passage of the spy bill is regrettable, Pelosi’s and Conyer’s attempts to remedy this is a welcome step in the right direction. Fortunately Bush will have to return to Congress in 6 months as the current bill is not permanent.


  86. Bruce Gorton says:

    katy

    And Coke is Coca-Cola.

    Does it change anything? Democratic or Democrat they still have flaws which need correcting urgently. 2008 is not a long time to go, they dídn’t have very long to begin with, they need to get a move on if they are going to win.

    I agree with you that a Democrat president is probably the best bet, but those DINOs need to go before they drive the Democrats extinct.



  87. Keith says:

    The American people do not like the strategies of Pelosi and Reid. That is why congressional approval has fallen so low—they don’t like either side. They want ALL troops out of Iraq by April ‘08 and they do not want to be spied on.


  88. Jay Randal says:

    The weakest Democratic candidate for President is Sen. Hillary Clinton. She has the strongest negatives and tends to fire up the GOPer base. But so far the Republican field of candidates are all creepy trash, so even Hillary looks good compared to them. If Obama would tone down his wanting to be a warmonger on Pakistan, then he could end up being the Democratic nominee, that is if Al Gore stays out of it. I like Kucinich the best, but the press trashes him daily, so prevents him from getting the nomination.


  89. Jay Randal says:

    Probus > do the math > 6 months from now will be beginning of February 2008, so the start of presidential campaigning non-stop. Bush hopes to dig up dirt on Democrats for the next 6 months, and on his war opponents like Cindy Sheehan, and on fellow GOPers to blackmail them to do his bidding. FISA override bill passage enables Dubya to do all of it.


  90. Keith says:

    Jay,

    It is obvious to me that the candidate with the best policies is Kucinich. But the only time he is ever mentioned in the MSM is in a negative way. He won’t be able to raise much money and the way the system is set up now—you need to raise $200 million at least.


  91. Keith says:

    Probus—

    We have been giving this White House another “Friedman” forever. It has got to end. 70% of the American people are fed up with it.


  92. Egads says:

    Join the Contribution Strike. Contribute your time and $ to individual Progressives across the Nation, but when the DNC, DSCC, etc., etc., call, do as many now are doing and tell them when impeachment went off the table, you closed your checkbooks and put your wallets away…


  93. katy says:

    And Coke is Coca-Cola.
    Comment by Bruce Gorton — August 5, 2007 @ 5:15 pm

    must respond…

    that is being disrespectful… and shows why your remarks
    should maybe not be taken so seriously…

    i am a DEMOCRAT… a member of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY…

    got it?
    .


  94. pluege says:

    what kind of stupid shit is that? Do Pelosi and Conyers really think we’re that stupid to think their little pile of shit amendment with no chance of becoming law means anything at all?

    Pelosi better put impeachment back on the table right away and start moving on it or she’ll be permanent shit in my book.
    .


  95. Jay Randal says:

    pluege > Pelosi will claim impeachment is NOT possible because of the Blue Dogs in the House. That is partly true, because her leadership is weak, so the Blue Dogs vote to help Bush. They must be told to cut out that sh-t or get kicked to the curb > PERIOD.


  96. Konservo says:

    i am a DEMOCRAT… a member of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY…

    got it?
    .

    Comment by katy — August 5, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
    ——————————————-
    Republican Party is to Republican

    as

    Democratic Party is to Democratican

    Are you a Democratican, katy?


  97. Raven says:

    hey gang, I’m in Boise, tapped into a hotel computer, i feel like such a subversive……… later


  98. Konservo says:

  99. Jay Randal says:

    Raven > be careful if the hotel is owned by a GOPer. The management might claim you are a terrorist > lol.


  100. bilbobaggins says:

    “I agree with you that a Democrat president is probably the best bet, but those DINOs need to go before they drive the Democrats extinct.
    Comment by Bruce Gorton — August 5, 2007 @ 5:15 “

    Bruce, I think what Katy was trying to tell you is that the misuse of Democrat rather than democratic just plays into the neoCONs hands. They do that purposely to demean Democrats. It doesn’t look good when Democrats start referring to themselves as the Democrat party.

    You are a Democrat, the party is the Democratic party.


  101. Zooey says:

    hey gang, I’m in Boise, tapped into a hotel computer, i feel like such a subversive……… later
    Comment by Raven — August 5, 2007 @ 6:57 pm

    Well, there’s one other sane person in Idaho this evening. :-)


  102. Patrick Shumaker says:

    This is like giving a bully a big stick to hit you with and then asking him to give it back. Congressional demopublicans have abandoned the people. There is no longer a difference between the parties. It is what you do that is important and the Demopubicans have legalized Bush’s illegal activities.


  103. The Republic of Stupidity says:

    Are you a Democratican, katy?

    Comment by Konservo — August 5, 2007 @ 6:56 pm

    Are you a Republicanic, or just an a**hole?


  104. Maeven says:

    Pelosi’s offer is insulting, intended to placate the base over the recess. Congress doesn’t reconvene until September, and Democrats are counting on the base having gotten over our anger by then. Pelosi is a huge disappointment.

    The bill should have been killed in the Senate. Only 3 of the Democrats who voted for it are up for reelection in 2008.

    Tell Congress that there is only one thing they should be doing, and until that is done, stop collaborating with Republicans. On anything. No impeachment, no nothing.


  105. Keith H. says:

    I have lost all faith in the democratic party with what I have seen since November.
    I had a re-newed but minimal faith in our system when the majority was realized.
    That is now gone.
    A horrible turn of events, as of late, I would say.
    Words can’t really describe.


  106. Paul in LA says:

    “Pelosi, Conyers offer legislation to amend FISA. Shortly after passing legislation to temporarily expand the administration’s spying authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Conyers introduced a bill to amend that legislation “as soon as possible.”

    BAD ENGLISH.

    NEITHER Conyers nor Pelosi “passed” this legislation. THEY BOTH VOTED AGAINST IT, along with 5/6 of the House Dem caucus.

    TWENTY-NINE of the forty-one “Dem” yeas were Blue Dogs.
    Blaming Conyers or Pelosi for the existence of the Blue Dogs is nonsensical. Writing headlines which suggest their involvement in passage of a bill they voted against along with 5/6 of the caucus is LYING.

    Please correct the headline.


  107. Maeven says:

    P.S.

    Find out what each representative is doing this recess. Find out where they are vacationing and publish it as, “I Gave Away Your Constitutional Rights and Protections To Bush So That I Could Go ______ On My Vacation.”

    When you find out where they’re going, publish it so that if any of us are local to the vacation spot, we might be able to get a picture of them relaxing.


  108. Paul in LA says:

    “Pelosi’s offer is insulting, intended to placate the base over the recess.” –Maeven

    So you assert. It is much more likely to be what it looks like — the effort to reverse another Republican bill which betrays our civil rights.

    The suggestion that the opposition of such policies and bills is POLITICAL is spurious slander. Chairman Conyers has spend DECADES fighting the Republican takeover of America. Speaker Pelosi is one of the most honorable politicians in American history.

    You, are a liar.


  109. Keith H. says:

    Wow Maeven . . . I like it ! . . but let’s not limit the activity to a picture.

    They deserve so much more.


  110. Paul in LA says:

    Blaming 230 House Dems (and the leadership, all of whom voted NAY) for the actions of 41 members, 29 of whom are Blue Dogs who have voted for Bushco over and over, is the special province of the disaffiliated leftist — who don’t mind LYING for their cause.


  111. billjpa says:

    too little- too late. They blew it and they will rot in historical hell for doing what they did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  112. Paul in LA says:

    Biljpa spreads hysterical Dem bashing to all hearers. Booyah!


  113. rockyroad says:

    “As soon as possible”?!?* That would have been yesterday. The dem majority act like sheep seeking slaughter.

    What will it take to force our “leaders” to enforce the Constitution? The majority just bent over and got screwed again.

    Give Bush an inch . . . and warrants are issued to search the home of an alleged “leaker” of the existence of the warrantless wiretap program. . . . an illegal program that you just retroactively ratified. If Tamm leaked the existence of this illegal program, he’s a hero. Exposing illegality is heroic. Exposing the identity of covert CIA agents . . . now that’s treason.

    Humm . . . just what are our priorities? Pelosi? You out there?

    You won’t even consider empeachment . . . you vote in favor of illegal wiretapping . . . . since you refuse to get rid of Bush, maybe we should get rid of you.

    Your boat hasn’t only sprung a leak, it’s foundering.


  114. nullJohn Fippinger says:

    With our gutless Democrats and sieg heil Replycicans our once great country is doomed.


  115. rockyroad says:

    Clarification – Pelosi may not have voted in favor of the Bush wiretap legislation, but she’s Speaker of the House . . . she is charged with the duty of leadership . . . she failed to lead . . . Congress should still be in session . . . they were not elected to serve at their convenience . . . they do not serve “at the pleasure of the president.” They serve at the pleasure of the people. The people ain’t pleased.

    Let’s find out where their “taking holiday” publish it and then stop by for a friendly chat.


  116. baffled says:

    Perhaps the solution is to send Bush, Cheney and Gonzo on vacation to Gitmo, lock them in a cell, wheel in a kegger and a waterboard. After a few beers, dubya will convince Gonzo to test drive the waterboard, Cheney will provide technical advice. fun, fun, fun, “it won’t hurt Gonzo- not torture, just good clean fun!” When things really get hoppin’ Gonzo escapes, but is none to happy. He retrieves his Tsar and zaps Cheney . . . who it turns out has no heart after all. Tsar explodes in his hand. Bush roils in giggles. Heee! Bush wants a little China white. Doesn’t anybody in this joint got a little blow? What good are Afghani’s if they got no white? Oh yeah. They’re not Chinese. Oh yeah. They’re Iraqi. Dammit Laura. This is no vacation. I wanna go home. Let me out! I got rights! I’m an American citizen . . .


  117. duh says:

    Well next time you get a call from a candidate or a political

    organization just say no until they do what the base wants!

    What, did they read it after it was approved? And had a moment of “oh my G*d” what did I do?

    As a child and young adult and now a wise adult, my mother always said, read it before you put your signature on it! Don’t ask someone else to do the reading for you…You need to read it yourself!

    Well, congress you will too be out of a job not because of votes but because of the chipping of the Constitution.

    What will you do then! do what the rest of us have been screaming about and falling on deaf ears! You will join the rest of America in the food-housing line! See you there!


  118. Devil's Advocate says:

    Why the Dems are caving in in to a lame-duck, widely-hated, President, I do not know. To hell with the Dems! It is high time for a third party!


  119. Alejandro says:

    Time to support the Cindy Sheehan candidacy, hmmm?


  120. rockyroad says:

    Cindy Sheehan is devisive. She’s passionate and a powerful voice, but not the right choice. We need decisive leadership. Losing your son in Iraq is tragic, but it does not qualify one for a position of leadership.

    We are in dire straights. We need informed, tactical leadership.

    Cindy plucks at our heart strings . . .she also has shown poor judgment. We cannot afford poor judgment.

    Barak would be best. Hillary would be better than Sheehan. Edwards might be our best hope of an electable candidate. With Obama as VP, we might be able to hold office for the next four terms. Get real.


  121. Buck Fush says:

    Not reading and not posting…screw you trolls…over and done with.


  122. curmudgeon says:

    Although I wish John and Nancy luck in this endeavor, to me it seems that, given the Repulsive Repukes, who speak with a singular voice along with the turncoat Dems (aka wannabe Nazis), putting toothpaste back into the tube would be infinitely easier.

    Although I’ve been a staunch Democrat for many years (for lack of a better and electable alternative), I’m just waiting for the next phone call asking me to contribute money. I will advise the caller that I have nothing against them, but very clearly convey that I am no longer willing to financially contribute to the continued destruction of our country.

    Although the rhetoric by the Dems and Repukes sounds different, the results seem to be the same. Why would this be? Both sides are owned by their large corporate benefactors and must follow a strict, narrowly prescribed agenda or risk having their allowance permanently terminated.

    If there was a viable third party who could speak to the truth, financed only by individuals and not owned by corporate benefactors, the climate would most likely be ripe for such a party to achieve record gains in 2008.


  123. Bruce Gorton says:

    bilbobaggins

    The Democratic party has been called Democrat longer then there has been a major neocon movement, besides respect isn’t my strong suit.

    Anyway, to change the subject

    African National Congress
    Democratic Alliance
    Inkatha Freedom Party
    United Democratic Movement
    Independent Democrats
    African Christian Democratic Party
    Freedom Front Plus
    National Democratic Convention
    Pan Africanist Congress
    United Christian Democratic Party
    Minority Front
    Azanian Peoples Organisation
    Other parties
    SA Communist Party
    New National Party

    South Africa’s political parties. Note the lack of a Republican party.

    Tells you something of how the world sees the two parties now doesn’t it?


  124. JPV says:

    I have faith they’ll fix it. You and I can be pissed they did this solely to go on vacation, but they’ll fix it.

    Comment by jake3988

    Wanna buy a bridge?


  125. GOP says:

    So dear democrats please tell me what your leaders have accomplished for you? The war has been expanded under them, and all of the heinous legislation you guys hate (like wiretapping) has been signed off on by them. Wow, they really know how to stand up to Bush! You guys were played. They haven’t done a single thing. They are too stupid to. They’re afraid to stand up to a president 70% of America disagrees with. You have to admit, at least Republicans took on Clinton in the 90s and had the guts to do it and Clinton’s approval ratings were nowhere as low as Bush’s.


  126. anothergreenbus says:

    The Republicans are playing smash mouth and the Democrats are playing tiddlywinks. It’s been that way since Florida.


  127. Bruno Hauptmann says:

    Well that’s a great analogy. Our thugs are better than your thugs cause we started a war we’re losing and you can’t stop it. We created a National debt that your great grandchildren can’t pay off and you didn’t solve it. We like to torture people and you allow us to keep doing it. And the really good one. Our thugs and your thugs have ignored the Nations infrastructure that puts us all at risk. So now common, just vote for us. We start all the catastrophies you can’t stop. So get out in front, come help us destroy America first!


  128. Publicus says:

    Too little, too late.


  129. Steve says:

    Sorry Dingbat, Repubs will NOT allow do-overs. You shoulda thought about this $hit, when you bent over and took it from King W.


  130. Evergreen says:

    Probus #85
    and
    Paul in LA #111 and #107

    Thank you for trying to inject a voice of reason and facts into this board.


  131. drew_ill says:

    It’s official. I’m punching out. I am done with the Democratic party. It is clear to me that the promises made by the jackass party prior to the ‘06 elections were nothing but lies…a sham, if you will. Never have I seen such a spineless majority. All the crooks in the legislative and executive branches are interested in one thing – THEMSELVES. Independent status, here I come!!! Hopefully someone, somewhere with a true progressive policy concept and a backbone will come along.


  132. Tony Mack says:

    This just in from the AP (Amalgamated Press):

    WASHINGTON — August 8, 2007 — FBI Director Robert Mueller today announced the establishment of a new Federal Bureau of Investigation program called “SCROD,” — Secret Commission Reporting on Democrats.”
    According to Muller, “This special commission is the result of the Democratic Congress passing new FISA legislation which holds us accountable for absolutely nothing we may or may not do which may previsously have been deemed illegal.”
    Mueller did not rule out the possibility the program could be enlarged to include not just Democrats but all Americans considered unpatriotic or disloyal to the Bush regime.
    Mueller said the additional program — called “SCREWED” — Secret Commission Reporting an Everyone We Establish as Disloyal — will permit extensive warrantless phone taps, reading private emails, checking bank accounts for political donations to the wrong party, and detaining “…anyone we determine who might stand in the way of the God-fearing Bush Administration from retaining the power of the Almighty in 2008,” he added.
    Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that they are thinking of sending a “strongly-worded” letter to someone decrying the move. According to Pelosi, “We’ll monitor the situation for six months and then introduce legislation — of some sort.”
    Quizzed by reporters as to the effect on the Democratic Party’s base, Reid stated, “We just want to do what is right for America and the Administration, pretty much giving them anything they want as long as we can get out of town for August.”
    Sources at the White House reported seeing Karl Rove prancing around his office singing “I’m Just Wild About Harry…”


  133. arroyo says:

    You just can’t make this stuff up any more.

    I wish Conyers and Pelosi well but … it’s not going to happen.


  134. natisman says:

    Did these folks really need to sign the contract if they were’nt going to make a payment?



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