FLASHBACK: Last Month, House GOP Said ‘Secret Session’ On FISA Was A ‘Stalling Tactic’
FLASHBACK: Last Month, House GOP Said ‘Secret Session’ On FISA Was A ‘Stalling Tactic’
Today, House conservatives announced they would go into a “secret session” to discuss classified portions of a proposed FISA update, the sixth closed session in history. According to an internal GOP memo, they are to have a “candid debate on the importance of passing a long-term modernization of our nation’s foreign surveillance.”
In reality, the session is not a “candid debate.” Next week, the House is scheduled to go into recess. The Hill reports that the conservatives are organizing the session in order to “delay” Democrats’ FISA legislation, raising the possibility that nothing will be passed until after break:
House Republicans had been seeking the closed session to delay a vote on a new Democratic FISA overhaul, unveiled Tuesday, and discuss its national security implications.
Weeks ago, however, conservatives were uncomfortable with the idea of a secret session. When Democrats proposed a closed session in late February to “discuss the legal underpinnings” of Bush’s spy program, Minority Leader John Boehner’s (R-OH) office said it was a “stalling tactic“:
“There are clear rules and procedures for how Congress handles classified information,” [Boehner's spokesperson] said. “This nonsense is nothing more than another stalling tactic from a bunch of liberals who don’t want to give our intelligence officials all the tools they need to keep America safe.“
“Every day” that a FISA update is delayed, Boehner said at the time, is “wrong and dangerous” and “we are losing valuable information about terrorists’ plans.”
This morning, President Bush fearmongered that “children” may be not “safe from terror” without a FISA fix, urging Congress to get him a bill before this weekend. His criticism is better directed at House GOP for their own “stalling tactic.”
Boehner’s flip-flop underscores how the conservatives’ “secret session” isn’t about a “candid debate” or improving intelligence gathering. Instead, they are clearly more concerned with theatrics.
(HT: Glenn Greenwald)
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I’m not saying I love the Democrats and they’re great or anything, but the GOP HAS GOT TO GO FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY!
March 13th, 2008 at 6:17 pmGeez, Boner, I don’t think I can fit under my bed. Where should I hide and cower in fear from the mean old terrorist?
March 13th, 2008 at 6:18 pmI’ll get down with their plan the day after “islamist radicals” chop off Boner’s head on a golf course.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:18 pmI guess they still havent got any more campaign contributions from the telcoms yet, that, they want to stop a republican prostitution sting before the GOP convention.
Snarkatutes.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:22 pmDo we really need to say it?
(sigh) Okay…
IOKIYAR.
There. Satisfied?
March 13th, 2008 at 6:23 pmThe weepy boner loves Theatrics.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:24 pmOur children are more endangered by contaminated toys from China than from any terrorist.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:27 pm“The Hill reports that the conservatives are organizing the session in order to “delay†Democrats’ FISA legislation, raising the possibility that nothing will be passed until after break:”
For once these dopes are doing something useful! I say delay, delay, and then delay some more on PAA reauthorization. We don’t need it and the longer this drags on the better. Let it it die the ignominious death it deserves!
March 13th, 2008 at 6:28 pmOFF TOPIC
Iraq has cut the official selling price of its Basra Light crude for April loading by $2.20 a barrel to European buyers and raised prices for the US, Simon Webb reports for Reuters.
http://iraqoilreport.com/
March 13th, 2008 at 6:28 pmThe Hill reports that the conservatives are organizing the session in order to “delay†Democrats’ FISA legislation
Just to be clear, then, the Republicans were right to call it a stalling tactic last month.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:29 pmOur children are more endangered by contaminated toys from China than from any terrorist.
Comment by woodguy
I would add that our children are far more endangered by the current squatter in our White House. Bush is a imbecile and probably loaded again. His decisions are delusional and they serve to make the country less safe – and his buddies more money. If there is a God, I truly hope Bush gets some quality face time with the deity so he can be punished for his crimes against humanity.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:30 pmI wonder when the Bush CrimeCo is going to attack us to drive his point home. Since he has his hands on nukes, biologicals, god only knows what else, there has to be another attack to scare us into compliance. Words don’t work any longer so I fully expect him to scare us by killing some of us.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:31 pmPelosi and Hoyer could simply stop the FISA “redo” from ever reaching the floor. Stop playing games and simply stop. The original FISA bill is still operable, and actions authorized by the temp. “new” FISA bill can go on for ONE YEAR. A new President and a new Congress will be in play in Jan. of 2009…10 months. I’m sick to death of our congress continuing to allow this dictator to have his way!!
March 13th, 2008 at 6:31 pmYeah, StratRat…Caligula anyone?
March 13th, 2008 at 6:32 pmBut — but — but — isn’t this delay putting our lives at risk????
That’s what the preznit said.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:32 pmI’m sick to death of our congress continuing to allow this dictator to have his way!!
Comment by impeachcheneythenbush — March 13, 2008 @ 6:31 pm
Think Siegleman and Spitzer and you will understand why they are constantly caving.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:33 pmThe only thing boner should be worried about is the gopher’s stealing his ball’s in full view while he is T-ing up…What a winey, weepy, phony tool…..Blessings
March 13th, 2008 at 6:37 pmBoehner: “I’m just a simple, tear-duct challenged Congressman.”
March 13th, 2008 at 6:41 pmComment by Tobie Tall — March 13, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
Thats messed up.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:48 pmthe entire GOP is obstructing justice and perpetrating a crime. It is coming unraveled for them and more is about to come out that will bury the last of them under garbage of their own making. Will it matter? good question
March 13th, 2008 at 6:48 pmor maybe they need to discuss this more important (to them) detail…
NRCC Treasurer Accused of Campaign Fraud
Washington Post – 1 hour ago
By Paul Kane The former treasurer for the National Republican Congressional Committee transferred as much as $1 million in committee funds into his own personal and business accounts, officials announced today, describing a scheme that could prove to …
Accounting scandal hits House GOP campaign committee CNN
Apparent Fraud Costs GOP Group Heavily The Associated Press
just guessin’…
March 13th, 2008 at 6:50 pmThe Greedy Obstructionist Party hardly at work.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:50 pmA stalling tactic. Isn’t that what Republican Senator Larry Craig did?
March 13th, 2008 at 6:53 pmI fully expect him to scare us by killing some of us.
Comment by Ms_Joanne
I believe this could happen also, it’s not like they won’t grab some of our Military Grade Anthrax again and do some mailing around.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:53 pm(The Politico) The House will go into a rare closed session Thursday night to debate a controversial electronic surveillance measure.
[...]
House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) plans to offer a motion on the issue as soon as the House finishes work on the budget.
During the session, the chamber will discuss an update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that has been gridlocked for months over the issue of granting immunity to telecom companies who aided the government in the wake of the Sept. 11.
Privately, House aides were speculating that the closed session will give House Democratic leaders a chance to whip support for the measure, which is not ensured of passage. A large bloc of moderate “blue dog” Democrats have previously expressed their desire for the House to take up the Senate bill.
While House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) expressed confidence earlier in the week that the bill would pass, however, a defection by the “Blue Dogs” could threaten the passage of the bill, which would be a major setback for House Democratic leaders who have worked furiously for weeks to craft a compromise.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:54 pm[...]
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/13/politics/politico/thecrypt/main3936824.shtml
Glen Greenwald wrote about this in the morning…
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/03/13/house_gop/index.html
March 13th, 2008 at 6:58 pmgood idea from rachel…
they need to sweep the whold House chambers for bugs and various
other listening/recording devices before starting this “secret session”…
eh?
March 13th, 2008 at 6:59 pmi gave it 5 flags… you?
March 13th, 2008 at 7:00 pmWhy isn’t there some Democrat with the balls and wit enough to quote verbatum(swapping Dems for Repub of course) what these idiots say when the Dems do things and then the next week the Repubs do the same thing.
And then do a silly quote like “Ooops, I had the Republican talking point tape in.”
It might make it into the press if it becomes a common shtick,
March 13th, 2008 at 7:01 pmanother reminder from rachel:
this morning duby goes nationwide to tell us how patriotic the telecoms are…
those telecoms shut down the wire taps when the government didn’t
pay the phone bill.
USA! USA! USA!
March 13th, 2008 at 7:03 pmquote of the day:
“The House Republican brand is so bad right now that if it were a dog food, they’d take it off the shelf,” said retiring Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (Va.)
(h/t c&l)
*
March 13th, 2008 at 7:09 pm“….Wheew! That was Close…”
Comment by Billy Hill
Did you do that all by yersef?
Heh.
Ceptin’ I ain’t never seen no dark people ever messin’ roun’ wit snakes….
March 13th, 2008 at 7:09 pmI think yoo got a bit cornfoooosed, an’ yer tinkin’ o’ dat udder church, thet on’ out there at the CROSS-roads, if’ern ya no wut ah mee?
Comment by Billy Hill — March 13, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
hey there billy. i found this peanut m&m in an old sneaker of mine i was going to give to good will. it’s a red one. would you like to eat it?
March 13th, 2008 at 7:14 pmLet’s add “stalling” to the smoke & mirrors description of the GOP. Smoke, mirrors, and stalling tactics are their forte.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:20 pmKatyHusseinKaty – The telecoms were probably lied to by Bush that he’d gotten the warrants for the wiretaps. Now they can hang him out to dry. Yippee!
March 13th, 2008 at 7:21 pmJoe, ROTFLMFAO!
There’s one coppertop that I certainly wouldn’t mind the machine sucking up. What an embarrassment to all Americans!
March 13th, 2008 at 7:21 pmTheir secret meeting is to find some “terrorists” to stage an “event” so they can start telling America that democrats are soft on terror, soft on crime, soft on gathering intelligence, etc. I’m so sick of this big money grab boondoggle I have a good mind to hop in my truck and find crybaby John Boehner and just beat the ever-loving-shit out of him. He’s nothing but a criminal enterprise enabling SOB!!!
March 13th, 2008 at 7:26 pmComment by Ms_Joanne — March 13, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
thanks, jo.
sometimes i laugh at billy.
but when i read his racist “humor” i think of this:
warning! disturbing images
http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/main.html
then i don’t think he’s so funny.
(sorry for being ot)
March 13th, 2008 at 7:32 pmThe longer they stall, the longer the wait for a change in the FISA bill. Wasn’t passing a new FISA bill all the Republicans cared about? They are so tricksy and think they are so smart. All they do is repeat, repeat and repeat. Such boring people. It won’t matter what they do this year because the Republicans are going to lose BIG time in November. Just think about all the Democrats riding on Barack Obama’s coattails.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:33 pmYes, those are very disturbing images. Too bad that there are still so many that appreciate that kind of thinking.
Sick stuff. Truly sick stuff.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:34 pmThink Siegleman and Spitzer and you will understand why they are constantly caving.
Comment by Ms_Joanne
Siegelman I can buy, he did nothing wrong. Spitzer, I can’t buy. I don’t think he would have been exposed if he was a Republican, but he did do something wrong.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:40 pmA large bloc of moderate “blue dog†Democrats have previously expressed their desire for the House to take up the Senate bill.
God how I hope those blue dogs get kicked to the curb in the next election.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:45 pmComment by joe cantwell — March 13, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
Just went and took a look at the dark side of humanity Joe and nothing funny there. Sometimes I wonder how we made it this far. Those pictures are proof positive what fear can turn people into. Walking contradictions; monsters scared of their own shadows.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:45 pmYou know those missing emails are probably is some telcoms disks
March 13th, 2008 at 7:45 pmComment by Thecairngman — March 13, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
if you die in the next five minutes that will be the last thing anybody ever reads by you.
feel proud?
March 13th, 2008 at 7:46 pmComment by Mr. Evil — March 13, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
look carefully at those postcards you can almost see “Thecairngman” bringing the rope…
March 13th, 2008 at 7:48 pmgood luck on your new digs!
March 13th, 2008 at 7:48 pmComment by joe cantwell — March 13, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
Hel looks like one of those good christian folk doin’ God’s work.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:51 pmWe are headed towards the election of McCain as president. This unfortunate ending will come because of the mishandling of the national security issue by the Democrat party (said with full derision.)
1. We have consistently caved into the President and his fascist party comrades on issues involving wiretap and other surveillance activities. The Democrat party caving makes it look like it is using the issue to make political hay while finally agreeing with the danger presented to the American people by failing to support King George.
2. Hillary Clinton has done a marvelous job of conceding that national security will be the central issue of this campaign. Her brilliant argument that only two people have passed the commander in chief thresh hold in terms of experience (herself having been First Lady – but not baking cookies – and McCain with his many years in the Senate and experiences as a POW) while undercutting Obama’s credentials will provide the Republicans with much fodder during the upcoming campaign, no matter whether Hillary or Barak wins the nomination.
3. The general lack of courage and constant caving of the Democrat party even though it roared into control of the Congress. It may not be able to pass legislation or override a veto. However, it could show a little backbone by simply fighting back and telling Bush that he will have no legislation until he agrees with the Democratic minimum conditions. The Democrat party played chicken with the President and the Democrat party proved itself to be the chicken.
4. Public support for the Iraq War has grown with the surge and lower (back to 1985) level of violence. We can be sure that Bush will not reduce troop strength further to keep Iraq somewhat under control.
5. Recent polling show that although the majority of the public does not want the war and want a quick withdrawal. However, they trust McCain more than Obama or Hillary to make the right decisions in defending the US against terrorism.
The Democrat have done everything in its power to snatch defeat from the jaws of a certain victory.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:55 pmThe democrats are simply complicit in their craving for their portion of the corporate contribution pie. Politicians put themselves before the American people and our country for a few dollars. In other words, they are whores.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:07 pm4. Public support for the Iraq War has grown with the surge and lower (back to 1985) level of violence.
Comment by JMOHR
1985? Kind of off, aren’t you? At least we know now that you’re not cut and pasting….
March 13th, 2008 at 8:15 pmDo you know where you are?
that’s why Boner has such a tan—-he spends all his time playing golf in the Bahamas!
March 13th, 2008 at 8:41 pmjmohr,
March 13th, 2008 at 8:46 pmDo the Iraqi people have any say about whether or not they continue to be occupied by the USA? Because the last I heard, 90% thought they should leave and 61% agreed with attacks on US troops. About 85% thought the reason they were there was to take Iraqi OIL. Recent poll said 2% in southern Iraqi viewed the occupation positively.
Our children are more endangered by contaminated toys from China than from any terrorist.
Comment by woodguy — March 13, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
you could add to that their own classmates as well – why does no-one ask these people how this fisa thing will keep kids from bringing guns to school? – shit,you can’t even try and get an education in america without the possibility of being shot – that too is terrorism right?
March 13th, 2008 at 9:14 pmbu,but….wait a minute.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:37 pmuhhhh, OK.
Let’s do it!.
but only if we get the ball first.
childlike behaviour
Bone head has his opinions. There are clear procedures in law that stipulate how a warrant is needed and a judge needs to be involved in the process of spying on Americans. There are laws against kidnapping and assault but that hasn’t stopped the Republican party Bone Head. Nice golf swing, where did you learn it, in a foresome with Delay and Abramoff in Scotland. I like the way you inflame by using the word liberals like a tomahawk but there is nothing more inflaming than a Nazi dressed in an American suit or an alleged American swinging a golf club. By the way, where did you serve your country in the military. All true Patriots volunteer and do their duty shithead. I’ll bet your gonna say well I was hittin’ on mary ann back home so I didn’t have time to volunteer for the military.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:01 pmThis morning, President Bush fearmongered that “children” may be not “safe from terror” without a FISA fix,
Think Iraqi children are ever gonna’ be safe , with or without your BS “FISA” bill , you mindless , grinning , braying jackass ?
March 14th, 2008 at 7:42 amYesterday’s stalling tactic is now a principled move? That’s a flip flop.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:09 amBone head has his opinions. There are clear procedures in law that stipulate how a warrant is needed and a judge needs to be involved in the process of spying on Americans. There are laws against kidnapping and assault but that hasn’t stopped the Republican party Bone Head. Nice golf swing, where did you learn it, in a foresome with Delay and Abramoff in Scotland. I like the way you inflame by using the word liberals like a tomahawk but there is nothing more inflaming than a Nazi dressed in an American suit or an alleged American swinging a golf club. By the way, where did you serve your country in the military. All true Patriots compaq x1000 battery,compaq x1100 battery volunteer and do their duty shithead. I’ll bet your gonna say well I was hittin’ on mary ann back home so I didn’t have time to volunteer for the military.
October 15th, 2008 at 4:34 am