Forgive me if I'm missing something obvious, but if terrorists in a cell (or other criminals) purchase pre-paid cell phones, discard them in 30-60 days & purchase new ones with different numbers MONTHLY, how is it possible to find a pattern in their calls? Wouldn't the same apply to using e-mail addresses, internet cafes, wireless, remote servers etc? Will we be required to show passports at Wal-Mart before we can buy a $19.00 Tracfone?

It would seem that mining such huge amounts of data for pattern-related calls COULD ONLY work effectively against customers with fixed names & addresses on their accounts - or retroactively once law enforcement knows a variey of names & numbers to look at.

I will contact Congress & Edwards, but it seems to me the entire argument for necessitating this expansion of power is specious and if that's true, I'd like to hear any Dem say so.

Reid & Pelosi should be deported, but failing that, voted out ASAP.

Majorities are worthless when they're riddled with fools, maybe voting straight Democratic ticket wasn't the best thing for my country after all.

How sad is this? Only 14 US Senators willing to defend the rule of law and the Bill of Rights. What was that oath of office they took?

The good news is: the "war on terror" may be over. The bad news is: I think we lost. What a pathetic and corrupt bunch.

I'll be back up in your neck of the woods come next St. James Art Fair (or before then, I sure like that portion of Louisville), but I wanted to comment on something you said: 'If they are only going to act like Republican Squared, why should I donate my time, money and energy to getting these clowns elected? I've yet to hear an answer and come November, I might just sit at home.'

Now as far as donating your time & money, if you feel like you do right now, don't. But make no mistake about it, Sen. McConnell wants you to stay at home in Nov. & if you do, he'll be cackling with glee.

You see the old SOB more than I do. Think about how happy he would be if a progressive voter like yourself stays home on election day (ick, I thought about it & I'll try to keep that picture out of my head).

It's a looong time to November. Please keep the faith.

What options are available to citizens to recall Reid and Pelosi? Is there anything at all we can do to get new leadership? Their so-called "leadership" has been dismal.

Forgive me if I'm missing something obvious, but if terrorists in a cell (or other criminals) purchase pre-paid cell phones, discard them in 30-60 days & purchase new ones with different numbers MONTHLY, how is it possible to find a pattern in their calls? Wouldn't the same apply to using e-mail addresses, internet cafes, wireless, remote servers etc? Will we be required to show passports at Wal-Mart before we can buy a $19.00 Tracfone?

Actually I just got back from Italy and they wouldn't let you use an internet cafe computer unless you had a passport- then they swiped it in some machine and probably tracked everywhere I went. The reasoning? Terrorism prevention. I don't know if we have similar requirements here since I don't frequent internet cafes when I'm not traveling.

As for pre-paid cells- hasn't someone in the Senate, besides Obama, been watching The Wire? Easy as pie to avoid wire taps. :-)

I'm making phone calls now.

I called the Democratic Party on this issue. The party leadership may need to know what this issue means to its constituents.

My own sense is that the more phone calls, the better.

I appreciate any other suggestions.

It's beyond ridiculous. He is behaving more like a Republican than a Democrat.

Everyone, attend what Bamage found out earlier today (emphases mine):

http://letters.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/01/23/reid/permalink/e49f38c5f46867f1daa5a82570541f30.html

I called Dodd's office to determine whether Sen. Dodd intends to filibuster (YES) and whether Reid has ever given Dodd an answer as to why Reid chooses to ignore Dodd's hold (NO).

Called Reidss office w/ question on why Reid is ignoring Dodd's hold. I'm referred to an online statment from Reid and cut off. Reid's statement does NOT address the question.

Called Reid's office back. I'm told "during the Dec. 14th debate, Sen's. Reid and Dodd AGREED debate would continue in January, so Reid is NOT ignoring a Dodd hold."

I called Dodd's office, and relayed this info. Somewhat surprised, I was, by the response. Something to the effect of, (paraphrasing)"No, we did not know Reid's office was stating that as their position, thank you very very much for calling, I will see that Sen. Dodd receives this information as soon as I can."

In other words, Reid's office is lying their butts off in order to deflect the heat we're putting on them. Pile it on, HOTTER!

Last month before this issue was tabled in the Senate, I posted the following comment:

"Harry Reid has no choice but to push for Telecom immunity and it is not because he is opposed to the views of Dodd or Feingold, nor is it because he is in bed with the Bushies. It is because he (along with a few key Democratic congressional leaders) is also complicit in the unlawful wiretapping decisions that were made years ago.

When the wiretapping story first broke five years ago, there was much talk about certain Telecoms (e.g. Quest) refusing to go along with the Administration’s push for their support. They knew that it was illegal to do what was requested of them without a warrant, and they also knew that approval from “just” the Executive Branch would not be enough to justify the potential for future legal actions against them if they were to comply. The Telecom legal teams were not stupid. The Administration knew this. As the media attention quieted down, the Cheney team went to work lining up as many key congressional leaders as they could to “officially” support the Administration’s contention that the Telecom industry would be held harmless if future legal problems arose. One must remember that at the time, (a.) The Administration was riding a euphoric wave of invincibility, (b.) Congress was being run by sycophantic Republicans, and (c.) Congressional Democrats were afraid to oppose anything for fear of being labeled unpatriotic. It’s also important to note that it is doubtful than any of the eventual Congressional supporters knew the real magnitude and audacity of the program that was about to unfold.

Now, as the real illegal wiretapping story comes to light, the Telecoms have found it necessary to call in their Congressional chits. Reid, et al, know that depositions given by the Telecoms would include formal evidence of their complicity, and they know that by offering immunity to the Telecoms this complicity would probably never be exposed (or perhaps exposed after several decades through the Freedom of Information Act).

It’s easy to tell now which Democrats were “touched” by the Cheney crew back then. They are the ones who are either pushing for quick congressional approval of the immunity issue, or are helping to create the beltway CW that says this is all going to blow over in a few weeks."

I believe the same situation still exists.