I know what you mean and how you feel.

I'm involved in aspects of literacy training and it is hard to see some of the things you describe.

I could write a 500 page treatise on all this right here, but there's not enough room, and I'd be charged with taking over the thread if I tried.

By the way, I mentioned "The Wire" in my comment on television and recall you mentioned it to me, along with "24".

I am watching a lot of other drama for professional reasons but did just finish watching the first season of "The Wire" on a library DVD. It is very good drama, although it would be too hard for some tastes. Really well done.

I thought of you as I discovered it in the library rack and am looking to see if they have season one of "24".

Everything in order you know.

(Fellow) Blognerds...

Glenn, impossible as it might seem, it appears you have been understating the iniquity of the SIC bill. At today's meeting of the Vermont State Democratic Committee (of which I am a member), we passed, unanimously, a resolution to be forwarded to our Senators, urging them to oppose the bill by any and all means, including filibuster. The resolution runs to more than two pages, but the summary is as follows (I direct your attention particularly to the fourth paragraph):

"The current FISA renewal bill contains clauses that would create sweeping and dangerous changes to the rule of law in our country.

"The bill contains a clause that would give those who knowingly broke the law a 'get out of jail free' card. This rewards those who broke the law, while the one company (Qwest Communications) that refused to break the law was effectively shut down by the administration.

"But worse, because of the way the clause is worded, it not only excuses the wrongdoing of the telecommunications companies who broke the law, it also grants immunity from prosecution to all administration officials involved.

"Even worse than that, some of the wording makes it so that, if an administration official ever makes certain statements while asking someone to do something illegal, that action becomes instantly legal, regardless of the law. As a result, law would have no meaning for any administration if the immunity portion of the FISA law is passed.

"We ask our Senators to do all they can to prevent the immunity clause from passing, by any and all means at their disposal, including filibuster."

How do you make a law that declares lawbreaking lawful? If we had honest courts, I'd say: go ahead and pass this turkey! But we don't, so we'd better not!