Letters to the Editor
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The expected, indeed seemingly inevitable, capitulation
Glenn:
Thanks for staying on top of this. I appreciate your work, because it's demoralizing just to read about these events; I can't imagine how it is to be journalist/blogging, in depth, almost every day on your subject matter.
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Dodd's staffer says
"The Senator will filibuster any bill containing retroactive telecom immunity". Alludes to the fact that "last time, there was a cloture vote that prevented us from filibustering".
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Not to Sound Negative
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.
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Skybluered
What are the Dems trying to prove? How good they are at capitulating?
When Pelosi took impeachment off the table it should have told you everything you needed to know: that not all neocons are Republicans. Nothing but impeachment likely to prevent the US from becoming a totalitarian police state.
They're taking it one step at a time. The Democrats made it look good for a while but it's clear that it was never anything more than a show. There probably aren't more than twenty people in the three branches of the federal government who aren't in gross violation of their oath of office to uphold the Constitution, and they're only tolerated because they're completely outnumbered.
It gets worse, but you get the idea.
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I'm done calling.
I'm done calling, it does no good. Time to face reality folks, they don't listen to us. They have different priorities, ours is not one of them. So waste your time if you will, don't think it's going to accomplish anything. For those that will accuse me of giving up, yeah you got me. I give up. So save your typing.
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@omooex
this was never in our league to change
Well, I'm not going to jump on you, though I won't disparage the efforts of those who at least tried. Not that I think you're doing that, but it's kind of easy for people like you and me to say "well, the game was rigged from the start, what do you expect?"
As for me, I'm voting with my goddamned feet. This is the year I make good on my threats to emigrate. I have mixed emotions, but this isn't my country any more.
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Emigration
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.
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judiciating from the legislature
I keep hearing people upset by what they term "activist judges" that are "legislating from the bench". This usually seems to mean that the judges in the judiciary branch are interpreting laws (which is their job) in some way other than the way the commentator does not want the law to be interpreted.
Adding in retroactive immunity to a bill, especially in a case like this where there are pending court cases, seems to be the legislature making judicial decisions on the legislative floor. Strangely, those upset about the activist judges are very much in favor of a comparative activist legislature.
Let the judicial branch do it's job and determine if laws were broken
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Kiss the Fourth Amendment goodbye...
I suppose we can kiss the fourth amendment goodbye now, along with the rest of those pesky constitutional restrictions on the monarchy of George the Bushed. Americans on the whole are too ignorant of their own history and their own "legal rights" (soon to pass on to the ash heap of history) to be incensed by the actions of the Democratic (worthless unless actually used) majority. Our children will wonder what the rule of law meant if not to protect them from the tyrannies of the Bush Crime family et al.
I hope against all evidence that the Democrats will find a way to take back the White House and rescind the dictatorship of the Rethuglicant Party, but I’m not sanguine that they have the guts or the brains to do much to prevent our continued slide into ignominy. I used to be proud to be an American...alas....apparently the oath of office that Congresspersons took means nothing, because the Constitution cries out to be saved while they count contributors' (read: phone cos.) donations to their election coffers. Democracy: what is it good for..?
I weep for all those brave souls who gave their lives so that cowards like the current Democratic leadership can gorge themselves on the public's ignorance.
A lifelong Democrat's lament...