Remember way back when. . .
Posted By Sika on January 24, 2008
When I made these posts about FISA? Well, just like I promised, the issue has come up again, and Senator Reid is doing his best to make sure that the necessary amendments to the bill are not made. Please read Glen Greenwald on salon.com and read here for a list of the senators most likely to support Dodd and Feingold’s absolutely necessary filibuster. Please call them and give them your support. A movement has been started to ask Edwards to take a leadership role in encouraging Clinton and Obama to return to the senate, do their jobs, and support the rule of law and the constitution over GWB’s powergrabbing and illegal spying.
I can’t call, or believe me I would be on the phone with all of their offices, so please, please, please, do what you can to try to preserve some inkling of our right to privacy.
It’s too long and overly harsh, but since I don’t expect Sen. Reid to really be giving any thought to emails that point him out to be the lily-livered wuss he is, I kind of took the opportunity to say what I really think. Probably a mistake, but oh well:
I could not decide quite how to word this note, as I find your recent actions so unbearably frustrating that it makes me want to tear my hair out. I realize that, since I am not from Nevada, you may be disinclined to pay attention to what I have to say, but I hope you will hear me out anyway.
The Democrats won Congress in 2006 because the people of America wanted a change and wanted someone who would stand up to the power grabs of the president. We wanted change and instead, in a true codependent manner, you have ensured that we have gotten more of the same.
The FISA bill as it stands is unjust, unethical, and unconstitutional. For you to practically ensure that it passes (so that Senators can go to their *conferences*? That is almost as ridiculous as passing it in the first place so you could go on vacation) and then say that’s not what you’re doing is ridiculous, immoral, and shows that you have no backbone.
The Dems are laughingstocks because of their tendency to cave in order to not be seen as caving. As well they should be.
Here is the fundamental issue: The FISA bill, as it stands, negates in large part the fourth amendment. The Telecom immunity provision will make it defacto legal for the President to have done all the domestic spying that was so grossly illegal in the first place that all he could do to protect himself from the backlash was to deface the constitution.
Worried about appearing soft in the media if you stand up to the President (despite that is what your constituency is begging you to do)? Spin it first and spin it better. The President has an approval rating that is in the basement. You will be heard.
Just so you know, I am writing this from abroad, and therefore, under the current FISA bill am not due the right to privacy that I should be able to expect as an American Citizen. But hey, I guess suspension of my constitutional rights is just what I deserve, considering that I am serving my country in the Peace Corps.
OK OK. So, and I want to preface this with “I blame you.”, I registered to vote.
*sigh*
What is the world coming to?
Of course I realize this is a day late and a dollar short because our system doesn’t need fixed from within any longer it simply needs ripped down and rebuilt. But, hey, it’s a new game to play!
-Sarah
Congratulations! I’m glad you did it and I’m even more glad that it’s “her fault”. She inspires me to do better things too.
Heh heh. I’m not sure I consider voting a better thing to do. But, the system has piqued my curiosity so I’ll dabble a little for now.
-Sarah