Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Democrats had little to gain and a lot to lose by going against the administration on these particular votes. While they currently have the edge in the presidential horserace at the moment, why do a lot of grandstanding now and hand the Republicans raw-meat ammo? Unh-unh.

I'm sorry, but that is complete twaddle. Now, I'm not a Democrat, but I did vote that party in the mid-terms, and I did so P*R*E*C*I*S*E*L*Y to end the lawlessness of the Bush Executive, to vouchsafe civil liberties, repeal the MCA, get us out of Iraq and keep us out of Iran, & etc. I did NOT vote for them so they can protect their electoral chances in '08. (And don't believe that hardball maneuvering by Pelosi and Reid re: the FISA bill would have impacted the '08 elections anyway, except perhaps positively.)

If the Democrat majorities are only about making sure they keep playing in Peoria forever and ever, amen -- and I imagine Peoria's parents don't want their sons and daughters sent to Iran, either -- then you can count me out. I don't give a damn what the party label is; if the results of voting for Democrats do not yield sufficiently more protection of core civil liberties and preventing/ending wars, then screw 'em.

I mean, really, what is the matter with you? We have a murderous mess going on in Iraq with another in Iran on the horizon, and your govt may now legally intercept anything you email to anyone in another country (and I email as well as converse by telephone with several people in a number of foreign nations, all of whom are vocally anti-Bush -- I am NOT liking this one bit). But you don't think Nancy and Harry should play the procedural cards they have in order to fight the Republicans on these trifling issues?

Whatever.

U.S. v. Arnold, said that a laptop search (like a body cavity search) is non-routine and requires "reasonable suspicion".

In a previous 9th circuit case (US v. Romm, No. 04-10648) there was more than reasonable suspicion (Canadian officials had found child porn on Romm's hard drive, and had alerted the U.S. officials, who "undeleted" it.)

Also notable is the fact that when CBP/ICE searches you, you know it's happening, and you can later challenge it, in court.

The FISA intrusions won't be known, nor will they be subject to court challenge.

The difference is between somewhat regulated surveillance and totally unregulated surveillance.

Within a week or so, Anonymous Liberal, Balkinization, FDL, Greenwald will have had a chance to go through this amendment and its consequences. There are some excellent commentors as well, who are attorneys and such. During that time, your members of congress will have settled back in at home and will be visible in your state and district.

This means you can get at them. For those who suffer under bluedogs, you can fry them. Show them some heat. For those who have progressives, you can ask them to fix the problem (like another amendment). Letters to the editor of your paper. For those with republicans, you can try to...hmmm. Not sure what to say there...

Anger will consume and wither to cloud the greysky and make us all melancholy and too blue.

The good news: A red 5- leaf-petal Hibiscus 'Fireball' is now blooming!

The Swamp (White) Hibiscus is aglow too. It is hot and muggy as blazes but,

The African Sunset is burgandy, and wow, the 'Houttuynia cordat' "Variegata' with multicolored red, blue-green and heart shaped yellow leaves, exciting.

"Pretty!"

Also: The 'White Pickeral' and The 'Blue Royal Pickeral' is very delightful!

Lilly pods may bloom soon.

*~ A Natural Solution to Pollution and a insistence to bring the

politic's back from death and dormancy is our only real Hope, in my honest opinion.

I go now to do another chore and find my way to another sanctuary. Tolerance? Justice! There is a "Justicia americana" flower that blooms in August heat blazes. It has white flowers

with foilage similar to a weeping willow green leaf. It is a "Fantasia' hybrid.

No eat a Wendy Cheese Burger. That's what's wrong with the Corporate CEO's.o, try some fresh picked

Basil, green or purple, with olive oil and red beef steak tomatoes?

The Democrats are not doing what we elected them to do.

They are the majority because MOST VOTERS WANT AN END TO THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S STUPIDITY AND MISDEEDS.

So here's a message to the Dems: Do what you were elected to do and stop playing Mr. Nice Guy!

I believe it was LWM (if I'm wrong--all props to the author--my bad) who asked what happens when an aggressive tribe encounters a peace loving tribe...

I'll answer that one: extermination of The Weak by The Strong.

I was questioning that person's characterization of the GOP as "warriors". Criminals and predators maybe, like an organization that RICO laws would apply to.

Furthermore, if there was truth to what you say, Vietnam would be an American resort spot and protectorate. The Vietnamese are a very peace loving people. 1000 plus years of having different tribes and nations push you around can make you rather testy. And then there's Iraq. It would be one giant American oilfield by now. The New Jersey of the ME.

What you smell is my fear that another neocon will be elected president, especially given the complicity of the MSM (why I read GG in the first place). I take nothing for granted.

My point exactly. Except that what you do seem to take for granted is the assumption that the GOP will be able to win elections by distorting what Democrats have done. This assumption was at least severely shaken by the "thumpin" the Democrats gave the Republicans in 2006, despite the Republicans' best efforts to demagogue national security issues, including the wiretapping controversy.

Apparently your intellect is beyond my capacity for understanding in that your references make little sense to one such as myself.

My simple point is that the Democratic leadership is a symbol of the entire ruling class of the party: craven and weak.

Should I consider citing you in the future I will consider the convolutions of your prose before doing so.

My most humble apologies.

Ed Richter