The AP story on the Senate vote last night can be found at click here /> I find this cave-in most discouraging.
Because the bill evidently allows the executive to invade the privacy of Americans WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF ANYONE OUTSIDE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, it raises this vital question:
Is this legislation even constitutional?
Evidently, the FISA court does to some sort of review, but not only is it four months after the fact but --according to Jonathan Turley on COUNTDOWN last night-- it is not a case-by-case review but a more general look at the "process." I find no reassurance there.
One central disappointing aspect of this story is that the Bush administration is apparently still able to use completely bogus scare tactics of its usual post-9/11 sort to intimidate the Democrats. I am referring to arguments like these:
"Al-Qaida is not going on vacation this month," said Sen. Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
"I hope that there are no attacks before we are able to effectively update this important act," said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.
It is disgraceful that this kind of argument can successfully be used despite the fact that THERE IS NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that prior court review as called for under FISA has interfered with necessary surveillance, nor that the Bushite's trampling over the law has protected America in any instance.
What this does, instead, is help to consolidate the notion of an unchecked executive power, which indeed is the whole core of this national crisis we face with this criminal regime.
It seems clear that the Democrats are terribly frightened of getting in the way of the administration on anything that can be used by the Rovian propagandists to blame them for any kind of future disaster, however flimsy and unfounded that blame might be.
That fear may be understandable, given the history. But with an administration whose approval is hovering below 30 percent, that fear now seems excessive.
If the Democrats could mount a more vigorous campaign of telling it like it is --that prophetic fire (I've been talking about for more than two years), and that image from Aesop of grabbing the nettle firmly (which I employed a few months ago)-- I believe they would be able to get the upper hand in the PR war.
But the Dems lack the coherent, powerful message --and perhaps the single, effective spokesman-- to be able to stand up to this contemptible presidency.
The one consolation to be found in this AP report lies in this statement:
The Senate bill gives Bush the expanded eavesdropping authority for six months. The temporary powers give Congress time to hammer out a more comprehensive plan instead of rushing approval for a permanent bill in the waning hours before lawmakers begin their month-long break.
I'm not sure I can see, however, what is going to change in the next six months that will lead to a different outcome that time around. The Bushites can be relied upon to continue to hold America hostage to getting ratification for their all-powerful, lawless presidency. And as for the Democrats in the Congress, if they cannot get the upper hand under the present circumstances, when would they?
Andrew Bard Schmookler's website www.nonesoblind.org is devoted to understanding the roots of America's present moral crisis and the means by which the urgent challenge of this dangerous moment can be met. Dr. Schmookler is also the author of such books as The Parable of the Tribes: The Problem of Power in Social Evolution (SUNY Press) and Debating the Good Society: A Quest to Bridge America's Moral Divide (M.I.T. Press). He also conducts regular talk-radio conversations in both red and blue states.
Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Congress is composed mostly of treasonous gangsters. And who is the one in charge of deciding? The Director of Natioal Intelligence -- like he can be trusted or has the authority to issue warrents.. (and is, of course, obedient to the Prez and VP).
And one Mr. Gonzales!!! The absurdity of this is nothing short of astounding! Yes -- those who voted for this are traitors to the constitution and the nation. They are gangsters. They are tyrants.
It's gone, people. America is gone. We might be able to get it back, but we are now living in a dictatorship.
by
Blue Pilgrim (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 997 comments)
on Saturday, August 4, 2007 at 1:53:34 PM
JUST STOP BUYING STUFF, NOW! You americans are like children; as long as you have some candy then everything is fine. There is a secret to changing a govt. just stop buying stuff. don’t buy gas or anything you can live without. do this 2 days each week and you will see such a god-awful scramble of the pols. that you will wonder how you got so much power. But, the catch is; you will have to sacrifice some comfort, and kids don't like to do that. It is your only choice! But it is YOU that must change!! If you continue to expect bush/cheney to change then you will continue in your child-like bewilderment. YOU must change, NOW! Here’s another secret kids; you don’t need a leader or a consolidator or an organizer to stop buying stuff. JUST STOP, NOW!! the situation is dire kids. Just stop buying. stop expecting bush/cheney to change; YOU MUST CHANGE, NOW! if it is not too late. Pelosi/ Reid and the rest of the dems are not your friend. They are part of the murderous bush/cheney gang. This is serious kids, better get some adult help and STOP BUYING
by
joed (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 49 comments)
on Saturday, August 4, 2007 at 7:47:43 PM
Many Democrats Are Already Living on Bare Necessities
..and many are doing without much that we (those of us with a computer and internet access) would consider to be "bare necessities".
Still, not a bad idea - "IF" we were to target it at one (or a few) businesses or industries at a time. For enhanced effect, we could also "target" our spending towards their competitors/those businesses that are behaving responsibly (if we can find any); thereby, improving their business while punishing their competitors. Whaddya think?
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And Andrew, it's amazing the things that these gangsters continue to get away with - if only the people (i.e. the masses) knew! But the media is not going to tell them, and "the people" are not going to come in here to find out.
It's past time for some "legal" guerrilla mass-media/mass-information spreading. We should have one day a month that every one of us agrees to take it to the streets... to grab megaphones (and video cameras) and to pass out pamphlets, our favorite video CD's, and DVD's, and whatever else we can think of. Imagine, instead of another million or so of us descending on Washington, expending our limited resources, and protesting in legal protest areas (aka, fenced in fields away from the public) - just imagine if we had a mass-information protest like I described across the country? And everyone could use the good money that they would have wasted on another fruitless Washington trip. Which would add up to a lot. Groups could organzize special events around it as well. A lack of imagination being the only limit on this effort. But, *sigh" I know that nothing like that will ever happen, unless, and until some of the progressive powers that be on the net (like Rob Kall) get behind something like this - or a group of pissed off uppity opednews readers decide to get together and fight to make it happen. Until then, we ALL will continue wsating our preaching to the already converted. Just like I've wasted my words here. Or did I?
by
RCG (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 348 comments)
on Saturday, August 4, 2007 at 10:51:57 PM
Actually, I am more "heartened" than "disheartened" by this, because it actually seems to have finally at long last awoken most of the democrats and progressives as to the real agenda of the democrats.
They (most of them) don't do what they do because they are scared - they do what they do, because that is what they want to do. And they could get the majority of the other members in line - if they really wanted to.
Anyhoo, I find it most enheartening that so many democrats and progressives have finally awoken - They're Free At Last! - because that's the only way that we (as a group) will get any real change.
by
RCG (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 348 comments)
on Saturday, August 4, 2007 at 11:15:20 PM
With the popularity of bush so high, with all the successes he's had on the domestic and foreign scene, the fact that his administration has been scandal free for it's full term, with the Democrats not in control of Congress, I can't see how the Democrats could not do anything but give bush want he ... what?, huh? ... really?
oh, never mind ...
by
Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 1696 comments)
on Sunday, August 5, 2007 at 8:42:29 AM
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