Yeah, the cooks thing was funny. But maybe Evan is a non-native speaker, in which case, his English is excellent, really, even if he is advocating a police state--but just for the perks!

I was initially pleased to see posters here getting out representative's numbers to call. But then I looked back at the last 7 years and remembered all of the disappointments that the Democrats have plopped in our laps. From the Patriot Act to Iraq, from Surge to FISA, they have pretended to fight back, only to be planning on how to sell their cooperation all along. The order has been given on this one--just as it was on Iraq, and it seems to me, that while we are able to wield much power over our representatives on certain issues, there are others that lie completely out of the realm of democracy. This is going to keep happening as long as we have only a two party system. Democrats will keep tap dancing through the first act, while they sign the deals with Republicans in the second, and stab us in the back in the third. I'm just saying. Remember Kerry in '04, the pro-war anti-war candidate? Remember how Democrats promised us they would stop the war and Bush's unchecked power if only we gave them control of the House and Senate? Anyone remember AG Gonzo?

And now we have Obama. It will be interesting to see how he goes on the Senate version of the bill, having given a pass to actually voting on it last round (and yes I know he voted for the ammendments. But isn't that like filling the pie without putting it in the oven?). Anywho. Just saying, this was never in our league to change. Feel free to leap upon me without mercy.

Well, I hadn't yet seriously considered emigrating. And I'm not trying to keep anyone from basting this turkey. There was a time when I swallowed my doubts and actually got out on the streets for the Dems...in 2002 and again in 2004, and again '06--canvassed, phone banked, all that jazz. All the while I suspected that they were screwing with us, but I said to myself that we had to try anyway. It takes a while to get jaded, but the Democrats have done a great job of souring their constituency, and when its done, its done.

It can't hurt.

I wanted to emphasize that I do see constituent-led change occuring on the local level and even on a state level. I'm not throwing out the baby with the bathwater. But it does seem that when corporate interests are involved, change, if it is even possible, is never what its cracked up to be. There are just some things designed to be out of reach for legislators, but that doesn't mean we can't leverage our power once in a while.

To barage Obama with phone calls rather than your own representative. I must admit I don't know how to do that, but I do think that it would be more effective. He is after all a Senator, he has a huge bullypulpit and lots of public capital to spend. I guess we could call his legislative office and see how that goes. You know, I think I'm going to waste my phone call that way, just for fun...

I just called his DC office and left a voicemail urging him to take a principled stand on FISA when it comes back to the Senate.

http://obama.senate.gov/contact/

Tempus: Don't look at me; I've been saying Obama's full o' crap since the get-go. I just thought that if I was going to waste my call on somebody, it might as well be somebody who has the capacity (but as you note, not the desire) to lead on the issue.

Gordon: I agree about history not being a linear narrative. It does seem to rarely deviate from the course of our worst expectations however.

I find distasteful about the postings here. There is a pile on mentality--once a recognized regular has gotten into it with somebody, a lot of other regulars pile on. Its definitley not befitting of the politics most espouse here.

Those right wingers like Elephantman who post here to get our goats, are better left alone and ignored. He's never said anything that I haven't heard on Hannity and Colmes, and I'd just soon shout at the tv screen than engage in that kind of warped discourse.

It was an exclamation of distaste. Then an observation. Then a suggestion and opinion. Directed at no one person in particular. Me thinks some here doth protest too much.

My biggest question is how you got through a whole Tucker program; that guy is one the oiliest telechatshow host I have ever witnessed.

That being said, McCain tried to retract some boneheaded comment a week or so ago,

"If I may, I'd like to retract 'I'll lose."

That was widely reported and he looked like a dope for doing it. I've heard him use this ploy before on his straight talk express--something he said about gay and lesbian people, and then he asked if he could retract it a little later.

As for Power--there were a dozen ways she could rolled out of that 'monster' comment once she had said it. 'Hillary is a monster..campaigner', or 'Hillary is a monster, oh my god, that sounds so extreme, I mean....' She pretty much guaranteed that it would be the highlight of her commentary once she asked if it could be retracted. So the flies are on her.