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Kathy
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1 year ago
in FISA-Jacking - Obama Takes the Lead on Jack and Jill Politics
The way I read Obama's explanation was that there was nothing to replace the expiring bill and he didn't think that it would be a good idea to leave the US totally at risk. He promised he'd fix this if elected and I am going to trust him and hold him to that when he's the president.
2 replies
msmartin
Trust - it is precisely why I'm not outraged an up-in-arms regarding this issue. It is not simple, it's complicated, but I trust - trust, that he is doing the best he can for the time. Times change.
fafnir
Obama's explanation was B.S. The so-called "Protect America Act" was a temporary fig leaf amendment to the existing FISA law to cover Bush's illegal, warrantless wiretapping activities. The amendment expired last February. FISA itself is law and doesn't expire.
However, with today's vote in the Senate, the power of the executive has been expanded dangerously to violate citizens right to be secure in their communications against warrantless spying for "evidence" that may be used against them.
If you never make a call or send an e-mail overseas or visit a foreign web site, you're less likely to become a "person of interest." However, if you work for company that has international operations, have a family member in the military stationed overseas or is a foreign exchange student, or if you're a Muslim brother or sister who has family in the Middle East, Africa or Asia, for example, watch what say, do, and who you contact.
If this isn't a deal breaker, I don't know what else is.
Consider for a moment if Bill Clinton had violated FISA by ordering the telecos to conduct illegal surveillance of Americans. I don't think Republicans would be lining up to defend him the way they and the Democrats are for Bush. Instead, they would be drawing up articles of impeach, and rightly so.
This was a moment for leadership. Instead, the Democrats and their party leader, Sen. Obama, capitulated to Mr. 28 percent. History will not be kind these feckless cowards, and even less so to the citizenry who failed to use their powerful franchise -- the vote -- to hold officials accountable and protect the Constitution.
However, with today's vote in the Senate, the power of the executive has been expanded dangerously to violate citizens right to be secure in their communications against warrantless spying for "evidence" that may be used against them.
If you never make a call or send an e-mail overseas or visit a foreign web site, you're less likely to become a "person of interest." However, if you work for company that has international operations, have a family member in the military stationed overseas or is a foreign exchange student, or if you're a Muslim brother or sister who has family in the Middle East, Africa or Asia, for example, watch what say, do, and who you contact.
If this isn't a deal breaker, I don't know what else is.
Consider for a moment if Bill Clinton had violated FISA by ordering the telecos to conduct illegal surveillance of Americans. I don't think Republicans would be lining up to defend him the way they and the Democrats are for Bush. Instead, they would be drawing up articles of impeach, and rightly so.
This was a moment for leadership. Instead, the Democrats and their party leader, Sen. Obama, capitulated to Mr. 28 percent. History will not be kind these feckless cowards, and even less so to the citizenry who failed to use their powerful franchise -- the vote -- to hold officials accountable and protect the Constitution.
