House passes surveillance bill with telecomm immunity.
By on Jun 20th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
House passes surveillance bill with telecomm immunity.
Today in a 293-129 vote, the House passed a “compromise” wiretapping bill that shields telecomms civil lawsuits for their participation in the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. FDL liveblogged today’s hearing and as ThinkProgress reported yesterday, there was little in today’s bill that constituted a compromise. The ACLU has also put out a statement calling the vote “infuriating.”
UpdateRoll call vote here.
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CO(KSU(KERS!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:56 pmThe Democratic leaders in congress behavior in this matter is disgusting. Is there really any difference between them and the Republicans? No.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:57 pmSh*t. Sh*t. Sh*t.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:57 pmNo, this was not a compromise, it was total capitulation. The BS spewed on the House floor today was pathetic.
Reaffirms FISA as the exclusive means . . . give me a break. W and his minions still believe that the President has the INHERENT CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY to violate the law. Nothing in this bill changes that.
Pathetic. I truly hope that every Democrat and Republican who voted for this bill is defeated come November. That likely won't happen, but together it can.
The Democrats are no better than the GOP - enablers one and all.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:58 pmI watched this mess and listened to all the call in's....Across the board, dem's, rep.s and independent's that called in were livid at the immunety and impeahment being off the table...Only 1 person was for it....Many stated it's time for a third party...The time is now....Blessings
June 20th, 2008 at 12:58 pmYou know what we have to do...send them all home to look for new jobs!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:58 pmI should have used the word Politburo instead of Congress.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:59 pmOK, so now the President not only has authority to violate the law himself and order government employees to do so, but ALSO can issue a "get out of jail free card" to private entities authorizing them to break the law.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:02 pmWhere's the roll call?
June 20th, 2008 at 1:03 pmDems are craven cowards, and they STILL expect me to donate to their campaigns?
PHUCK NO!
June 20th, 2008 at 1:06 pmDon't have a roll call link RUCerious but last I checked 105 enabeler's and traiter's voted for it.....I'm going for write in's and green myself, you all do as you choose..Blessings
June 20th, 2008 at 1:06 pmVote out all the scumbags.
We need a list of every traitor that voted for this travesty.
I am so sick of crooked politicians both Republican and Democrat.
None of those voting for letting criminals get away with violating ALL OF OUR RIGHTS honor their oaths of office.
Where is my damn pitchfork, time for us peasants to storm the Bastille.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:06 pmThe roll call will be here soon: http://clerk.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.asp?year=2008&rollnumber=437
June 20th, 2008 at 1:07 pmThe Democrats have sold out because they are afraid the Republicans will accuse them of being soft on terror (notice the deafening silence from the Democratic presidential nominee). But the Republicans are going to do that anyway. Proving that Democrats are not just cowards, they're stupid cowards.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
June 20th, 2008 at 1:08 pmThrough the haze of my anger at this pure capitulation for lobby money that my fellow progressives and anyone who cherishes the Constitution and rule of law are feeling today there is one tiny shred of hope that I cling to if this bill should ever become law. That is the precise wording in the bill would allow a judge to dismiss charges of illegal telecom complicity in aiding the Administration in cases that stem from supposed illegal wire tapping that have occured since 9/11/01. My hope is that a suit (or many) is brought before the courts alleging illegal wire tapping during any of the months between February '01 and September of that year. It is no secret that Bush had the telecoms open the flood gates somewhere around february of 2001. It would take just one such case to possibly bring down Bush's house of cards. Hope springs eternal even on this sad day for justice and the rule of law that America was founded on.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:09 pmUncle Ho Says:
Dems are craven cowards, and they STILL expect me to donate to their campaigns?
This just made me decide to vote straight 3rd party, phuck both parties. The Democrats just lost any further votes from me.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:09 pmUnless the Senate puts up a roadblock, there goes our last chance to uncover the slime under that rock. Way to go Dems -- you disappoint me once again.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:09 pmAt this point, I'm disgusted by the Dems. I'm pretty sure money I was going to give to the dems this fall is now going to the ACLU
June 20th, 2008 at 1:10 pmAny time Boehner smiles, I know I've been phuqued.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:11 pmSo now where do we stand? The Senate still has to pass the bill, correct? Do we still have a chance to defeat this? If not, then democracy is dead in America. The Constitution is really "just a peice of paper" as Der Fuhrer once stated.
And to think we put these people into power in 2006. I am simply flabbergasted. I hope the dems in congress that voted for this bill get voted out. There needs to be some sort of web-drive to single out these yellow bellied, gutless, weak-kneed, beholden to the telecom industry congressmen. Plaster their homes states with advertising explaining exactly what telecom immunity means. I bet if people really knew the ramifications of this bill, they wouldn't allow it.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:11 pmSo the fix is in. A majority of Democratic Congressmen and women opposed the bill, yet the leadership ceded control of the calender and brought it to the floor. Clearly, they're not even acting in the party interest here--they're acting in their own.
Pelosi and others were briefed on the surveillance program before the Times broke the story. They're on the hook, too. I wouldn't be surprised at this point if Hoyer, Pelosi, Reid, and others share a toast with Shrub this evening on their grand victory. They're above the law, so they can play fast and loose with our Constitutional rights and not give a FLYING FU(K!
On the other hand, how many House Dems voted "nay" to cover their own asses for re-election, knowing that the "yea" votes were there?
THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THIS TRAVESTY WITH EITHER THEIR VOTES OR THEIR INTENTIONS: TRAITORS, ALL!
June 20th, 2008 at 1:11 pmI'm with you Wayne, let me know when it start's I'll be there...For now I'm sending out scathing email's and left a message on the madam's voice mail just before the vote....You know why they did this don't ya? Because they are just as guilty as bush is...Of course you knew that, not gonna preach to the choir today, into bashing rotten polatician's.....Blessings all
June 20th, 2008 at 1:12 pmrogerse Says
June 20th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
so majority supported immunity, its the right thing to do.
______________________________________________
So if it's "the right thing to do", would you mind explaining:
A) If the telecoms did nothing wrong, why do they need immunity?
B) If the telecoms require immunity to absolve them from wrongdoing, why do you support wrongdoing?
And would you have been so quick to support the telecoms if they had been doing dirty work for -- oh, say -- Clinton, for example?
June 20th, 2008 at 1:14 pmObama should learn how to communicate telepathically, a celebratory eavesdropping of his phones is in order. Huh? GOP? *wink wink*
June 20th, 2008 at 1:15 pmWitch1 Says:
"I’m going for write in’s and green myself, you all do as you choose..Blessings"
I'm with you, Witch1! Despite the potential consequences, I can't support these spineless bastards. Thoroughly disgusted and mad as hell!
June 20th, 2008 at 1:16 pmOK, the roll call vote is in, and I see my Congressman, Brad Miller of NC, voted nay. Good -- now I can vote for his re-election with a clear conscience.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:16 pmHere's the roll call:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll437.xml
I'm proud to say that my Member of Congress still has a spine and will be getting my vote this November.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:18 pmrogerse Says:
were talking about immunity from civil, not criminal law….
June 20th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
_____
So? What do you have against individual civil rights?
June 20th, 2008 at 1:20 pm"The death-knell of the republic had rung as soon as the active power became lodged in the hands of those who sought, not to do justice to all citizens, rich and poor alike, but to stand for one special class and for its interests as opposed to the interests of others."
"Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people."
-T. Roosevelt
"Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government..."
-T. Jefferson
"Man perfected by society is the best of all animals; he is the most terrible of all when he lives without law, and without justice."
June 20th, 2008 at 1:22 pm-ARISTOTLE
hussein toasterhead Says:
Here’s the roll call:
I see traitor Pelosi voted for it as did Hoyer.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:23 pmWhy am I not surprised?
Well good for Larson he did vote no but then my bet is he knew the fix was in and it was safe....The back lash from all side's may be huge...Perhap's we will get someone else as president after all....Blessings
June 20th, 2008 at 1:25 pmI'm glad Jay Inslee voted for it. I really don't have time to run against him in the Fall.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:25 pm"I’m proud to say that my Member of Congress still has a spine and will be getting my vote this November."
Sadly I live in a red area and my rep voted yes.
Grr.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:26 pmUmmm. Don't anybody tell rogershiteater that the civil suits were brought to get damages for corporations that ILLEGALLY VIOLATED our FOURTH AMENDMENT rights.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:26 pmIf memory serves, "the establishment" barging into peoples homes and snooping into their private communications without warrants was part of the "intolerable acts" that was in the prelude to the American Revolution our founding fathers rebelled against.
Take care US government. You are stoking the embers of another armed uprising.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:28 pmThose lame ass Bush ball lickers.
VOTE THEM ALL OUT, this is outrageous and criminal.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:28 pmThis tells me that the DLC Democrats are not going to support their canidate in the fall election. THey just can't seem to relinquish their dependency on corporate america. THey will be voting for McCain in the fall. Be prepared to stay in Iraq as well. Pelosi was holding Lieberman's hand during the vote.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:28 pmThis a complete cave in to the Republicans and the President. Please contact Sen. Obama's Campaign and ask him to stop this madness by blocking the Senate version fo the bill. As the supposed leader of the Democratic Party he could tell Sen. Reid to stop the bill. The phone number for his campaign is 1-866-675-2008. His Senate Office number is 1-202-224-2854. Please call his office in Washington, DC and express your opposition to the bill.
PLEASE HURRY TIME IS RUNNING OUT*****************************
June 20th, 2008 at 1:29 pmYet another sad day for the Constitution.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:30 pmGood Idea, Shadow. Consider it done on my end.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:30 pmI just emailed my representative, Ben Chandler, D-KY, and told him he is a gutless spineless coward, and he lost my vote.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:30 pmWell, at least my representative voted NO to this crime, so I guess he can stay.
Thank you McDermott for doing the right thing, unlike the rest of those traitors.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:32 pmTo late, Obama's voice mail box is full, I just tried...By the way how come his bunch is so quiet.?....Hummm.....Blessings .I'm moving on
June 20th, 2008 at 1:33 pmrogerse Says
June 20th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
were talking about immunity from civil, not criminal law….
_______________________________________________
Which is why I said "wrongdoing" instead of "criminal activity". My original questions stand. Do you have something against civil rights? Why should they not be protected? Why shouldn't those whose civil rights have been violated have any recourse? If the telecoms were truly in the right, a jury would find in their favor. They don't need immunity.
However, here's what would happen. Any lawyer who paid attention at all during law school would be able to get a telecom client exonerated, but it would mean pointing a finger where it belongs -- at those who asked (or intimidated) the telecoms to spy for them. This is what the White House is trying like crazy to avoid, because they can't afford to be exposed. They could really care less about the welfare of the telecoms. And this is the cover-up you're enabling.
So, I am asking you: Why do you support keeping this nasty business covered up? Why not see all the cards put on the table? If your heroes Bush and Cheney are so moral and just, what have they got to hide?
June 20th, 2008 at 1:33 pmmisshusseinmolly said:
Unless the Senate puts up a roadblock, there goes our last chance to uncover the slime under that rock. Way to go Dems — you disappoint me once again.
Don't hold your breath. The Senate has already rolled over with much less of a fight than the House. In fact, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Rockefeller (D-WV) has been trying to push this despicable legislation through from the beginning.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
June 20th, 2008 at 1:34 pmHere's Senator Obama's web site to contact him...
June 20th, 2008 at 1:36 pmContact Senator Obama
Remember the illegal wiretapping started a full SEVEN months BEFORE 9/11. NSA Domestic Surveillance Began 7 Months Before 9/11, Convicted Qwest CEO Claims
NSA Spying: What Did Pelosi Know? by Ray Mcgovern - LINK
RESIGN, Nancy Pelosi.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:37 pmHere is what I wrote my congressmen Ben 'the coward' Chandler:
It appears you have capitulated to moneyed interests and republican fear tactics and voted for telecom immunity. I am outraged, disgusted, and ashamed that you failed to stand up for the 4th amendment of the Constitution.
I hold you and your fellow democrats that voted yeah in sheer and utter contempt. It appears that either you are solidly entrenched in the corporate corruption of Washington, or are simply a flat out coward and really do believe there is a terrorist boogeyman hiding under your bed.
Needless to say, you have lost my vote. Permanently.
Without any due respect, your ashamed constituent,
I encourage everyone else to do the same.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:39 pmtwo-hundred-ninety-three betrayers of the Constitution. Two-hundred-ninety-three gutless punks who should be tarred and feathered and THROWN down the Capitol steps. Burn in hell, Pelosi.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:41 pmStephanie Herseth-Sandlin voted for immunity.
Wasn't she a net-roots darlin?
June 20th, 2008 at 1:41 pmCorporate campaign contributions and influence has shown its ugly head once again. Half the Dems in Washington, D.C. would clearly qualify as DINOs (Democrats in Name Only).
Voters in Republican districts, and apparently those in the Blue Dog Democratic districts equate the worth of the candidate based upon two criteria: 1) their willingness to initiate pre-emptive war against foreign countries that pose no immediate threat to our country, even if the rationale has to be falsified, and 2) the willingness to surrender our civil rights and reinstate the police-state powers that led to the colonists' declaration of independence from England in 1776.
If Adolf Hitler could be reincarnated, given another name and some plastic surgery, how do you suppose he'd fare as a Republican or Blue Dog Democratic candidate?
June 20th, 2008 at 1:41 pmTheir's a difference between leadership & leadershit.
All House members are up for re-election in November. At the very least, call & tell your Rep you won't vote for them this year, based solely on your Telcom Immunity Yes vote.
Do the same to your Senators, before they vote.
Next, sharpen your pitchfork...
June 20th, 2008 at 1:42 pm128 Democratic traitors to this country and our Constitution.VOTE these people out the next time around in 08 and 10, get them out.How do these people not know what the Constitution and the 4th Amendment mean to this country.......
June 20th, 2008 at 1:43 pmMy rep. Darlene Hooley voted No. Thank You Darlene.
Vote out the bums that voted yes.
It's time to call or write our senators and pressure them to stop this treason.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:44 pmGet the SHRUB and his crime family out of office and put to trial......
June 20th, 2008 at 1:44 pmMy stinkin' rep Berman voted yes, the schmuck.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:45 pmRon Paul didn't vote. ???
June 20th, 2008 at 1:46 pmWhat's new:Dem congress leadership is corrupt but moreover keep voting for 'em that will help.Cindy Sheehan is running against Pelosi in Nov.Let's see if the Dems in San Fran are OK with Pelosi's BS.Unless we vote these DINOS out we are gonna be done in folks.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:48 pm*****Look the bottom line is all these Dems in leadership were aware that Bush was breaking the law.The passing of this crap ensures you & I cannot find out who were apart of the scam.
Kira Says:
Ron Paul didn’t vote. ???
I noticed that, the f-king hypocrite.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:49 pmKucinich voted nay, as I expected.
I donated money to ACTBLUE a couple of days ago and I'm giving a little more today. I want to see political ads run against the following turncoats: Barrow, Carney, Emanuel, Mahoney, Hoyer, Murtha, Perlmutter, and Pelosi. There are many more, but this is a good place to start.
$260k raised thus far. Let's keep it going: http://www.actblue.com/page/fisa
June 20th, 2008 at 1:49 pmApproval ratings for Congress during the past four months have ranged between 13 and 24 percent. Today's abject capitulation is not likely to result in increased numbers.
Where are the approval ratings for Congress by their most generous corporate benefactors? If such a true result could be obtained, be assured that such an approval rating would never fall below 90 percent.
We have truly become a nation "of the corporations, by the corporations and for the corporations." The people no longer count.
"The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power.” -- Frank Delano Roosevelt
June 20th, 2008 at 1:52 pmWhy do they need immunity if they didn't break the law?
June 20th, 2008 at 1:52 pmI've got a bad feeling that the D's are also an accessory in the warrantless wiretapping and are just covering their asses. (Or maybe they were wiretapped themselves and are being blackmailed? [/tinfoil hat])
Anybody know the status of Cindy Sheehan's campaign. It's time to send support. Pelosi needed to go long before this.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:56 pmThis veteran encourages anyone contemplating military service to not serve their country.
There is nothing left to defend.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:56 pmWonder how much they've got on these dems from the illegal wiretapping. Mistresses, gay affairs, payoffs, child molestation? There must be quite a few skeletons closeted for the moment.
June 20th, 2008 at 1:57 pmUncle Ho Says:
Dems are craven cowards, and they STILL expect me to donate to their campaigns?
I don't think it was cowardice. They voted for their best interests not yours or mine.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:00 pmObama can save my vote for him, by personally filibustering this travesty in the Senate.
Otherwise my vote this Nov will be totally against both parties.
This pisses me off to no end to see my country which I fought for, bled for and still carry the scars for, become an anti-thesis to our own Constitution.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:01 pmThe enemy of the American people is NOT Iraq, Iran, North Korea, and not even Osama been forgotten.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:01 pmThe enemy of the American people is it's OWN GOVERNMENT.
Re: Post #63 --
Kucinich a hypocrite? Were you counting on him voting with the Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats?
Wouldn't the hypocrites in this matter be the Democrats who voted with the Republicans and George W. Bush?
June 20th, 2008 at 2:01 pmrogerse Says
June 20th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
but the telecoms have authority from the government, and are just willing lackies.
________________________________________________
Exactly. Which is why the telecoms really don't need immunity. If they are sued and brought to court, any decent representation will have them found not liable. However, in order to do this, the telecoms would finger certain parties in the government they answered to.
Which is why the WH wants immunity so badly. They will move heaven and earth to keep the telecoms out of court. My question to you, which you still have not answered, is "why are you supporting the White House efforts to maintain the cover-up?"
June 20th, 2008 at 2:02 pmApparently, swearing on the Bible to uphold the Constitution doesn't mean anything. How do the people benefit from this law? It's obvious how telecoms benefit, but laws aren't supposed to be written for individual interests. It says so right there in the Consti....oh yeah. It's weird that they wouldn't have a straight vote to abolish the Bill of Rights, but they are willing to pick 'em off in a round-about way.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:06 pmRUCerious Says
June 20th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I’m glad Jay Inslee voted for it. I really don’t have time to run against him in the Fall.
____________________________________________
Um...did you mean "I'm glad Jay Inslee voted AGAINST it"? After you posted, I had to look up Inslee's vote, and I see he did vote nay.
If he had voted yea and you were happy about that, I would have to check to see if you were running a fever, because that isn't the RUCerious I know.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:06 pmMUCKING FORONS!
By the people, for the people, right?
June 20th, 2008 at 2:08 pmWRONG!
bonzo 1958 says;
They are SUPPOSED to WORK FOR US, NOT their own interests.
Like Wayne, I served my country, swore an oath to defend it against ALL enemies, foreign or domestic, and shed blood for it. I will be DAMNED if I idly sit by and see my country become another Nazi German-like monster.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:08 pmRUCerious Says:
I’m glad Jay Inslee voted for it. I really don’t have time to run against him in the Fall.
I'm sure you meant to say he voted against it (as well as speaking out on the floor in opposition).
June 20th, 2008 at 2:09 pmcurmudgeon Says: Re: Post #63 – Kucinich a hypocrite?
I think you misread that. Ron Paul is the hypocrite for not voting.
=========================================
I agree the wiretapping has probably been used mostly against congress & the dissenting portion of US citizenry. Why else start BEFORE 9/11. I don't think this is tinfoil hat stuff - it's what informed people deduce from the facts.
Remember who received the ANTHRAX.
This is all really sick & dirty.
Fascism on the move.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:11 pmYeah Impeacherator, I meant to say he voted FOR us! And against the bill. A nay is a yay!
June 20th, 2008 at 2:14 pmThanks for pointing that out. I wouldn't want the trolls to see my slip...
And MissHMolly, I was just so overjoyed at seeing him in the Nay column I went ecstatic on myself!
June 20th, 2008 at 2:15 pmI am much calmer now.
WWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Have you ever done anything in your life that you wouldn't want your closest family members and friends to know about? Alternatively, have you ever done anything that might appear suspect to an outside observer, but for which a rational explanation exists?
Should the government ever decide to take away a right that is meaningful to you, including those "protected" under any and all of the amendments to our constitution, would you still be willing to voice your objection if your past actions were to be publicized to all?
If you have nothing to worry about in this regard, send in your application for sainthood. Approval should be a "slam dunk."
With regard to members of Congress, can you imagine the power that whoever possesses and controls such information has over everyone?
Could that be why, absent significant reform with regard to how business is conducted in Washington, we will never see the opposition (e.g., Dems voting against this bill) rise to the point that the overall goals of those running this country are impeded?
June 20th, 2008 at 2:17 pmI just wrote my Congressman, Tim Mahoney 16th District Fl., telling him how angry I am and that he has lost my vote this November. This multi-millionaire piece of crap only cares about his money and the corporations that pay for his election and I told him so. I also said he wouldn't care about my opinion and in my opinion he won't and doesn't. This is a sad day in America, our country has sold itself for corporate profits and greed.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:23 pmHere is what I wrote to Obama, and I encourage everyone to do the same:
Senator Obama: As you may well know by now, Congress has given the telecoms immunity from prosecution for their illegal spying activities on us Americans. We elected a Congress in 2006 to stop this madness, and it is painfully obvious they value special interests over the Constitution. I shudder to think what the Founding Fathers would say and do if they were here to witness such a travesty. Not to mention the countless American lives that have been lost fighting for our supposed freedoms, freedoms that have been systematically gutted by Bu$h and his handlers, with a spineless Congress henpecked and sidelined.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:30 pmI call for you to make a principled stand and stop this bill in the Senate. Change, your mantra, starts here. To stand up to this blatant and sickening violation of our Constitution would most certainly only help in your efforts to become President. The question you have to ask yourself is this: What kind of country do you want to govern? A banana republic, borderline fascist, or a democratic republic?
Sincerely,
Pete Landfield
Follow the money.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:36 pmWell, at least my Congressman, John Hall, will be spared my ire over this, as he voted against the bill. (Way to go, John!) Now if I can just get him to continue following his oath of office and to support impeaching Cheney then Bush, he can win my vote again in November.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:39 pm.
Is it TREASON when lawmakers violate the sovereignty of the Republic?
.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:39 pmcurmudgeon Says:
Re: Post #63 –
Kucinich a hypocrite?
Reading comprehension problems?
June 20th, 2008 at 2:40 pmI called ron paul a hypocrite, then noted Kucinich voted against the bill as I expected for a true patriot.
re-read my post.
.
Is it TREASON when lawmakers act to undermine the Constitution?
.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:41 pminteresting that the Udall cousins split.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:45 pmone voting yea, the other nay.
.
Is it TREASON when lawmakers sell out your Rights and FREEDOMS?
.
June 20th, 2008 at 2:49 pmFrom Slashdot
Hello ??? Anybody out there???
The President requested this eavesdropping in order to save us from the Terrorists ???
He requested this eavesdropping in February 2001 ... 7 months BEFORE 9/11.
Did it SAVE US FROM THE TERRORISTS then???
Hello?
June 20th, 2008 at 2:49 pmShould we all be so surprised?
As of June 12, 2008, (http://www.pollingreport.com) the latest Gallop poll reflects this Democratic Congress holds one pathethic, 19% approval rating.
Having said, again, Congress holds a much lower approval rating than that of George W. Bush, and while his is at 30%, you know George Bush hasn't stop laughing yet, that was just too easy!
Now the least George W. can do, is formally thank Democratic House Speaker Pelosi for all she has done, and 'never you mind that your latest job approval numbers' is still a whole lot worse... than his!
June 20th, 2008 at 2:53 pm"I'm not here to say that the government is always right, but when the government tells you to do something, I'm sure you would all agree that I think you all recognize that is something you need to do," Bond said.
This is what Kit Bond (R-MO) says about YOUR GOVERNMENT!!!!!! We all need to do what the government (OUR GOVERNMENT - OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE) says we should. What kind of a country have the Dems taken us? They undermined their own oaths of office, those are recall reasons if I ever considered any. They threw out their oaths to protect themselves from their criminal culpability - that is all they did.
One question: What good does this capitulation do for the PEOPLE of this country? We know its good for the telcoms, we know its good for the campaign contributions to the congresscritters, we know that bush needs to hide his criminal behavior - we know all of that. What good does this capitulation do for YOU???????
June 20th, 2008 at 2:56 pmlock box;
WHY do you HATE AMERICA?
June 20th, 2008 at 2:56 pmWhoops, you're a wee bit behind in the latest poll numbers, jfklimox63nov -- Only 24% think bush is doing a good job & 80 percent of Americans think that the country is going down the wrong path.
As with most polls, I assume it's slightly weighted to favor the repukes. Therefore, I suggest that 24% is friends, family & assorted loony-toons.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:01 pmI'll show you politics in America. Here it is, right here. "I think the puppet on the right shares my beliefs." "I think the puppet on the left is more to my liking"' "Hey, wait a minute, there's one guy holding out both puppets!"
BILL HICKS (December 16, 1961 - February 26, 1994)
"So long as the rulers are comfortable, what reason have they to improve the lot of their serfs?"- Bertrand Russell, 1952
June 20th, 2008 at 3:02 pmWhen being spineless is not enough, speak with D.C. Democrats.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:03 pmGutless display!!! There should be 293 names on the incumbents are out list These bastards need to lose their fat ass cushy jobs
June 20th, 2008 at 3:05 pmRe: Post #91 --
Wayne, thank you for clarifying. Given your previous postings, I couldn't imagine you lambasting Kucinich for voting "nay."
Your explanation makes sense. Glad it wasn't a matter of a troll hijacking your name.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:11 pmThese Dems have proven themselves to be worthless scum - just like the worthless scum republicans.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:15 pmIt's the same club, people. R or D, it's the same club.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:22 pmThe Democrats pull this off EVERYTIME thinking we'll be fooled and that we'll knee-jerk vote for them because they're not Republicans. They pull off this facade of resisting the Bush administration for a while and then they compromise in the name of bipartisanship which really is tantamount to a surrender or a compromise in name only. Then they come out before the elections promising to get tough on the Republicans expecting that we'll vote for them no matter what. Well we're not mindless Republicans who would rather vote against their economic interests if the GOP will spare them from catching TEH GAY...
June 20th, 2008 at 3:22 pmKira Says:
Whoops, you’re a wee bit behind in the latest poll numbers, jfklimox63nov — Only 24% think bush is doing a good job & 80 percent of Americans think that the country is going down the wrong path.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
This is why I don't trust polls. According to these numbers (and I don't doubt you wrote them correctly), apparently 4% of Americans think the president is doing a good job by taking us down the wrong path.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:24 pmA sick part of me wishes that the government WOULD spy on these trolls so that they could see how much their "If you don't have anything to hide, then you shouldn't worry" mantra is bullshit...
then again, that is un-American. Not even trolls deserve that...
June 20th, 2008 at 3:30 pmre post in the right place this time
Why is it this criminal thug administration is allowed to hide behind the skirt of Pelosi and other traitor democrats?
Money?
blackmail?
payoffs?
special interest?
Get rid of Pelosi? From what I have heard on SF KGO radio, but can not find this data, 80% in her district of SF are in favor of her.
We have the most unpopular and criminal administration in history and yet the Dems that were going to drain the swamp DO NOTHING.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:37 pmHas Obama come out against this Fisa bill yet.? Anyone...Painfuly quiet huh.?.Well I'm gonna do some more weeding and tree hugging..Blessings
June 20th, 2008 at 3:38 pmWe all need to go to Barack Obama's website and send him a message that it is time for him to stand up as the presumptive leader of the Democratic party and put an end to this madness. All Obama needs to do is to tell the Senate to refuse to advance the bill until after the new president takes office.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:42 pmThe Shadow Says:
This a complete cave in to the Republicans and the President. Please contact Sen. Obama’s Campaign and ask him to stop this madness by blocking the Senate version fo the bill. As the supposed leader of the Democratic Party he could tell Sen. Reid to stop the bill. The phone number for his campaign is 1-866-675-2008. His Senate Office number is 1-202-224-2854. Please call his office in Washington, DC and express your opposition to the bill.
I couldn't get through to his campaign, but I spoke with someone at his Senate office. I urged him to block the bill. I identified myself as a more-than-once contributor and told the woman my future contributions and my vote in November were contingent on his action or inaction on the telecom immunity travesty.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:42 pmWayne A. Schneider Says: This is why I don’t trust polls. According to these numbers (and I don’t doubt you wrote them correctly), apparently 4% of Americans think the president is doing a good job by taking us down the wrong path.
Y'know - I can actually see that happening. There's so much double-talk the bushies frequently contradict themselves. But they have a pat answer ready if challenged -- Clinton Did It.
Here's the link to the info I quoted above:
bush hits rock-bottom in opinion poll
June 20th, 2008 at 3:46 pmI weep.
June 20th, 2008 at 4:42 pm20th June 2008 DemocracyNow
'Congress to Grant Immunity to Telecoms
Leaders in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate have agreed to rewrite the nation’s surveillance laws and to give what amounts to legal immunity to phone companies that took part in the Bush administration’s secret domestic surveillance program. The bill has been described as the most significant revision of surveillance law in three decades. The legislation gives the government new powers to eavesdrop on both domestic and international communications. One provision would allow the government to wiretap Americans for up to a week without a court order. The House is expected to approve the measure today. The Senate will vote next week. Several prominent Democratic Senators criticized the bill. Senator Russ Feingold said, “The proposed FISA deal is not a compromise; it is a capitulation.”'
The Democrats have stabbed in the back the freedoms and rights of the American people. They sold FREEDOM for politics.
June 20th, 2008 at 4:58 pm... and we are hoping for change in the WH with Obama... just check who he picked for advisers... ex-Clintons... There will be no real change, just a facade change, with less FREEDOM and Civil Rights for the American people. and more money for the military indutry complex. What a Shame! Shame on this Congress! Traitors!
The Shadow Says:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This a complete cave in to the Republicans and the President. 40#
I have to repeat your posting... it is very important!!
June 20th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
40# I meant 40's posting...
I have to repeat your posting… it is very important!!
June 20th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Obama has issued a statement: LINK
dKos has this: LINK
Well, what say you? Are they REALLY gonna give it the Ol' College Try? Surely this isn't just some sort of appeasement to the Troops, is it?
Color me disgusted with the whole thing.
GAK.
June 20th, 2008 at 5:20 pmI just wrote to Obama with this in the header:
"Please remove me from the Contributors List"
ditto what this person wrote:
"Obama - Change We Can Believe In"
What a joke. We've all been had, yet again. There is no change, only more worthless talk. Yet another empty suit politico.
None Of The Above '08!
June 20th, 2008 at 5:55 pmMurtha voted for it.... MURTHA????? WTF?????
I feel like I'm drowning in disgust and this whole mess seems so insurmountable. Are there enough of us to actually get the green party elected to any reasonable end?
June 20th, 2008 at 5:57 pmMaybe a better idea is to support Obama on his statement that he "will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses."
That is the worst part of the compromising bill.
Call Obama and call Reid -- They've gotta do more than Try Real Hard. They've gotta DO IT.
June 20th, 2008 at 6:05 pmlock_box Says:
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Well the system does work. How about that! Congratulations!
Now let’s get Murtha behind bars!!
Haditha Marine prepares to sue Murtha over smear
June 20th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
You believe being bought off/corruption makes the system work well ?
Congratulations .......You're a complete fu(king moron.
June 20th, 2008 at 6:18 pmIt scares me to death to think that the party of John McCooties/McInsane/McBombers might win this election.
If that happens, we are truly SUNK as a country - and the devastation will be global.
DU is polluting the world as we speak. We've GOT to stop this insane bush WAR.
June 20th, 2008 at 6:19 pmAnd Obama endorsed it.
Lets see. Now that Obama has duped the Obamaheads, he came out against public financing (after PROMISING he would accept it to 'change' the way campaigns are financed), he's seriously considering a REPUBLICAN (Hagel) running mate (something that all of the Obamaheads naively said they though Hillary would do if nominated), he's endorsed the telecom immunity bill, and it goes on and on.... Ironic how the most REPUBLICAN candidate was the one that rode in the mantra of 'I'm a uniter not a divider' while dividing the party and country - now how could we have seen that coming?
June 20th, 2008 at 6:58 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
We all need to go to Barack Obama’s website and send him a message that it is time for him to stand up as the presumptive leader of the Democratic party and put an end to this madness. All Obama needs to do is to tell the Senate to refuse to advance the bill until after the new president takes office.
It's not like I warned you that Obama wasn't the pristine hero you thought he was... Wow you obamaheads are dumb!
June 20th, 2008 at 7:00 pmJumping to conclusions is what's dumb.
I say - let's wait and see what happens.
BTW - republicans hate facts - who in their right mind thinks any human is "pristine"?
Oh, yea. I forget -- my relatives who thought bush would bring Honor and Dignity to the White House!!! Hahahahah!
June 20th, 2008 at 7:14 pmKira Says:
Jumping to conclusions is what’s dumb.
I say - let’s wait and see what happens.
BTW - republicans hate facts - who in their right mind thinks any human is “pristine”?
Oh, yea. I forget — my relatives who thought bush would bring Honor and Dignity to the White House!!! Hahahahah!
Jumping to conclusions is EXACTLY what the OBAMAHEADS did, when they assumed a Senator WITHOUT a progressive voting record, would magically be a PRISTINE FIGURE OF CHANGE because he uttered the CHANT - 'CHANGE'. I've SEEN ENOUGH to not need to wait, but the DUMB and DUMBERS like YOURSELF apparently need more MATURING before you the ether will be lifted...
And yeah, the same moronic idiocy that thought Bush would bring dignity to the whitehouse, misguides the Obamaheads.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:27 pmWell that tear's it, Obama is 3 strike's your out in my book..First he's for the continuing war. back's Israel all the way and now the fisa bill..No way will my vote go there..Remember when I said there wasen't a dime's worth of diffrence between him and Hillery...Atleast with her and I wasent for her BTW but with her we would of got a twofer..Her and old Bill..Ha!
I'm gonna go with write in's and the green party..Kucinich is still my guy.....No more Dem's except the handful of good one's...Gonna go be a puppy now, anything I don't like gonna piss on it...Blessings
June 20th, 2008 at 7:27 pmJohn Kerry Says:
The evil George Bush WINS again!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Bush, McCain, Obama - it's all the same. Arrogant *ssh*les that think THEY KNOW BETTER and who don't care about DEMOCRACY - much like yourself FAUX-KERRY PRICK...
June 20th, 2008 at 7:28 pmFor the dem's here that are screaming wait and see and continue with the same status quo of voting for these rotten dem's let me make it perfectly clear, there is not diffrence in the reich wingers and the lieing dem's at this point...Only a handfull of good dem's remain and none are in the race....I'm writing my own rules....I'm for the constitution.....Blessings
June 20th, 2008 at 7:40 pmSo you can be held harmless if the government orders you to break the law? Wasn't that premise rejected at Nuremburg?
June 20th, 2008 at 7:44 pmThis really is a horrible day, for all Americans. Sad to see our party simply not able to rise to the challenge of the fascist war-pig traitors of the hard right. The Fourth Amendment was really the cornerstone of freedom, which allowed people to go out and exercise their rights of speech and assembly, no matter what side of the aisle, knowing they could not be individually monitored and persecuted (in theory at least). Everyone who truly loves this country and all the blessings of Liberty it promised has lost today. There are simply too many people who feel that it is reasonable to sacrifice that liberty for a promise of safety. The deal is a rip-off. the next strike that happens, the air will be filled with calls for yet more infringement. And so on until nothing is left. Osama could never have done this. I'll bet he's laughing his ass off now. Good to see republicans hate facts finding time for pissant little cheap shots as well, as if Hillary had demonstrated her ability to stand firm for the Constitution when it was easier to just go with flow. Good one,RHF.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:54 pmI just fired off an e-mail to Nancy Pelosi saying that by taking impeachment "off the table", she is not only protecting war criminals, but aiding and abetting, and even collaborating with them.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:07 pmI also said that the Democratic party should rename itself the Vichy Party.
Look's like we were together in thought and action's today Uncle Ho..I also dumped and left remark's on all the site's for the dem's that have been sending me email's for money....It's a done deal..By, By to the present big party of criminal's..Only a few good guy's left.....Blessings
June 20th, 2008 at 8:29 pmbut..but..Sen Obama is going to be different! Change!
uh huh....
He'd vote "present" if he could still get away with that.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:56 pmBarack 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
June 20th, 2008 at 9:04 pmThe thing that REALLY make me angry is that they waited on this until the primary race was over.
Had they done this while the primary battle was going on, one side or the other would have jumped on the opponent as cavin to the Republicns. Now that it's just Barack, well...
I would very much like to see Hiillary speak out on this.
But one thing: for all of you saying there's no difference between the Democrats and Republicans, that's crap.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:10 pmOne party had a majority rebel against the leadership, and another voted in lock step.
Witch1 - Kucinich was my candidate, too. He has endorsed Obama - I still agree with Kucinich.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:06 pmBush was the greatest threat to our freedom, now it's Pelosi and Hoyer.
Democrats suck just as much as Republicans.
Dump them all!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:29 pmMaybe the Center for American Progress knows more than I do, but any indication that Obama will support this abomination is abhorrent to me. He better change his tune.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:30 pmYah Kira I know that....I"m voting green or any one for the constitution....I fell so much better now that I have made a final decesion..Dump all the bad guy's is my moto and that include;s the one's saying they are dem and enabeling rep's...Time to clean out the white house, house and senate..Blessings
June 20th, 2008 at 10:52 pmWe all have a solution for the future.
Support Cindy Sheehan for Congress rather than Pelosi.
Put your anger and disgust to work!
http://www.cindyforcongress.org/
ka-ching
June 20th, 2008 at 11:05 pmThese Yes people all have stocks in Verizon or AT&T, and practically all of the Red Companies like Intel, GE, Northrip, Lockheed, ExxonMobil, Wyeth, and Good Year. If We The People actually follow the Constitution, and rightfully sue a company, administration, or individual for 4th Amendment violations, then there is the fear that their stocks will go down. This is the Ultimate Fear of the Corporatist/Globalist.
http://www.bluefund.com/why-blue/blue-companies
Obama's vote on this will determine his compromising with The Enemy, thus being the enemy, or will he be a true patriot. Anyone who votes Yes is a Traitor. Anyone who votes No is a Patriot.
Another question I have....Is Dumbya sniffing around Pelosi's................Table?
June 20th, 2008 at 11:32 pmA sad day for the rule of law. I have nothing against the Telco's, but giving them immunity before trial is ridiculous. Immunity will keep the question I have from ever being asked and answered. I want to hear the question to the Telco's, "When you knew that there would be no warrant for the wiretap, under whose authority did the surveillance continue?"
The answer to that question would lead investigators to those in the highest levels of our government who are trampling our liberties and laws.
Are we a nation of laws, or a petty little dictatorship run a petty little dictator?
"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier - just so long I'm the dictator." December 18, 2000 George Bush
"Our government... teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy." - Justice Louis Brandeis
June 21st, 2008 at 12:02 am______
curmudgeon Says:
Have you ever done anything in your life that you wouldn’t want your closest family members and friends to know about? Alternatively, have you ever done anything that might appear suspect to an outside observer, but for which a rational explanation exists?
Should the government ever decide to take away a right that is meaningful to you, including those “protected” under any and all of the amendments to our constitution, would you still be willing to voice your objection if your past actions were to be publicized to all?
If you have nothing to worry about in this regard, send in your application for sainthood. Approval should be a “slam dunk.”
With regard to members of Congress, can you imagine the power that whoever possesses and controls such information has over everyone?
Could that be why, absent significant reform with regard to how business is conducted in Washington, we will never see the opposition (e.g., Dems voting against this bill) rise to the point that the overall goals of those running this country are impeded?
June 20th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
______
We've all done things of which we are not proud, but things over which we would allow ourselves to be blackmailed? I have nothing to hide that is that serious, how about you? You don't honestly believe that the 105 Dems are closeted gays or criminals? If so, then one would have to assume the same for Repubs and the reasoning for their votes. More likely, none of them are being blackmailed and they are all acting like politicians. Some votes are cast in the interest of their constituents and some are cast in their own interest.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:15 amWell, my guy's in the ney column.
June 21st, 2008 at 12:03 pmGood for you Earl.
I've thought that Obama provided hope.
That is now gone, and with it, my vote.