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What do you say, Chuck?
Inspiration for picture, here.Politics
Debate on FISA Expansion Bill Stalls in House
by Debbie Elliott
All Things Considered, October 17, 2007 · The House had been expected to approve a Democratic overhaul of the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act, but it is now unclear when the vote will occur. Debate on the FISA bill has stalled and Democrats are scrambling to beat back a Republican attempt to kill the measure.
House Majority leader Steny Hoyer admits that Democrats might not have the votes to salvage their bill.
During debate Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the measure would help defend against terrorism threats while protecting the privacy of Americans.
The bill allows surveillance of foreign targets without a warrant, unless those targets are likely to communicate with people in the U.S. In those cases, officials could seek broad “blanket” warrants from a secret federal intelligence court. Civil libertarians are concerned that could violate the privacy of Americans.
What part of the Forth Amendment do you not understand?
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.
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4 Responses to “What do you say, Chuck?”
After the new congress’s 100 days, I felt a ray of hope that I had not had for years. Day 101 for this congress, it faded. A friend says the Demcrats in the house are have something like “abused wife syndrom”. I just think they used the cries of the people to get elected and are now relishing in their new found power singing, “To hell with the people…”
At this point, all I can do is cry “Aaaaargh!!” like Charlie Brown….. and curl up with Linus’ blankie….. and purposely avoid this insanity with music like Schroeder.
sigh….
Sweet Jesus… who knew that Peanuts would be a roadmap to surviving in 2007 America?
ROTFL! Splendid wielding of Photoshop!
I’m still trying to determine how much of the Democrats’ repeated caving is cowardice, or (as ziem put it) “abused wife syndrome,” or wanting power and/or money for themselves, or election-year jitters a year in advance, or a who-gives-a-damn attitude. There’s probably some of all of that.
Obviously not all Dems are caving (look at Leahy and especially Dodd today; they show some evidence of putting up a real fight, and on any given day, Waxman is usually good for some inspiration). But it’s going to take more than a dozen or so spread across both houses of Congress to make any progress. Anybody got any suggestions how we build a fire under them?
I’m so sick of these right wigners who think the only way THEY will be safe is if the government can spy on everyone, torture anyone, and “detain” anyone.
Time and time again I get trolls coming by my site trying to claim that if Bush doesn’t have these super spy powers that “we’ll be hit again”.
Few grasp that Bush can spy all he wants and get his damn warrant RETROACTIVELY. The only difference between what Bush could do before FISA was overturned is a god damned paper trail.
Bush doesn’t want anyone to know who he is spying on because he isn’t spying on “terrorists”, he’s spying on political enemies.
This notion that if “Bush could just spy on everyone he could prevent another terror attack” is bullshit.
The fucking asshole Bush couldn’t even stop 9/11 when in August 2001 a memo crossed his desk stating “Bin Laden Determiend to Strike in U.S.” and yet somehow with millions of phone calles and emails to listen to/read he’ll be able to stop the next terror attack?
Only brain dead idiots buy that line of reasoning.