Glenn is more than equal to responding himself to your supercilious Critical Parent clucking, and will probably have done so by the time I crank up this screed-- but I share Glenn's fury at lame rationalizations or speculations on why Obama may be weighlessing in on this vital issue at a critical moment-- perhaps the critical moment.

I appreciate that those who have become enthralled by Obama generally view him as a political phenomenon-- the Tiger Woods of the political playing field, to make a too-obvious comparison. Ostensibly one of his special abilities, or super-powers, is his predilection for fading in and out of sight, rather like the Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland".

Thus, supporters who are process-obsessed, self-styled rational political pragmatists assert that Obama's "present" votes, or no-shows, or other elusive actions that concern or disappoint non-zealots are actually virtuoso dance steps that further his plans, and thus ultimately redound to the good of all. (And besides, consider the alternatives!)

All that is as may be, but trying to make a silk purse out of a noncommittal Obama tongue by speculating that he's observing protocol, or preserving the comity necessary for progress between adversarial political blocs is outrageous and aggravating. As is "Change You Can Believe In-- When Not Crowded by Circumstances".

If Glenn "snapped out", as we used to put it, it's because of the cumulative comments disputing that Obama needs to stand up and make a special effort in this eleventh hour to boldly proclaim that legislation undermining the Constitution and the rule of law is impermissible, and must be forcefully opposed regardless of the inconvenience of the crisis occurring during campaign season.

In short, he is a captain or leader who ought to be in the breach, instead of drifting aloft like a parade float offering the lip-service of his stated positions against telecom amnesty and unfettered government surveillance. And the time is now.

So it's perfectly cromulent to ask aloud in this thread, "Shit, is there anything Obama can do-- or not-do-- to deserve criticism and negative consequences?"

"because if you do let me know and I'll for for them right now?"

It's really obscene that Hoyer and his Bluedogs want this FISA/immunity bill passed just before the July 4th recess.

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Just before July 4, 2008, it was cynically taken away from us by a handful of corporate Democrats and Republicans in Congress who insisted that it was a good "compromise".

senators Pelosi, Reed, and Rockefeller should be added to the list. we dems need representatives who have the guts to represent us rather than their own self-interest. they need to understand the greater risk to their own political necks (self-interest) for rolling over every time the Fear party cries Terror! and if they don't have the guts, they should at least have the grace to step aside so someone else can take their place. then they can start their lobbying careers like so many of their criminal colleagues.

Give Me Mutiny Then Give Me Immunity.

Take One From Column A And One From Column B And Put Them Into The 5th Column.

This would be a real good night for a Town Hall debate.

How are we ever gonna explain this to Nixon's ghost?

Is there a right ear left ear bias in this kind of work?

Can FISA be privatized?

Has The Ventriloquists Union Taken A Position On This?

Will It Raise My Phone Bill?

Is There A Carrier Pidgeon Division?

Can Congress Issue Warrantless Subpoenas?

If i sing a new song over the phone to my publisher and FISA is listening, will my copyrights still be in force?

Will FISA law trump attorney - client or doctor - patient priviledge?

Does anyone threading here think this bill might get tabled? *

* (Who's not afraid to post anymore)

I called and emailed my local reps' offices...

I suggest we all prayer vigil through the weekend..

"end their political careers

senators Pelosi, Reed, and Rockefeller should be added to the list. we dems need representatives who have the guts to represent us rather than their own self-interest

"

oBAMA IS DAMNED IF HE DOES, DAMNED IF HE DOESN'T. iGNROE THE GOP PAENUT GALLERY. tHEY WILL ONYL BE HAPPY WITH A 3RD BUSH TERM.

You said

"rrriiiiiiiiiiiiight.

I'm sure the gop, the racist fascists, are begging for an obama presidency."

Maybe not begging, but if he gives them what they want, then they can probably live with it.

Well, I think any rationale person clocking Obama has to admit the man is a political animal. As such he has his "trope" image--the outsized outsider reformer, and it has nothing to do with the reality. Its important to keep up the criticism of Obama while also stressing that he is the only thing going right now--McCain just can't win.

But if we don't keep criticizing Obama, and there is a lot to criticize, then he will be the model of "change" candidates for years to come, just as Reagan is still the ideal for Republicans today. Reform will become a word like hip-hop or alternative, meaning just about anything but the original definition. Then we can pretty much guarantee absoltuely no change in the near (or far) future.

Prescript: LMW -- scroll on by.

Sergeant Scholtz was saying, I see nuthing . . . nuthing".

THE TEACHER / Elmer The Glue Elephant weighs in (yet again. Heavy sighs -- okay children, take notes) with his insights: "I'm advocating that you go out and take a bodily function, like a bowel movement. I think constipation may be one of your problems. It makes me feel cranky and bloated too. And take some of these other nutbars with you."

Cranky? Der Googlemeister / Mr. Wiki (you'd haved to have lived in Japan during the 90's to appreciate that one) is suffering from terminal constipation???

Bloated? In a reach, I'd use that adjective to describe you. An editor would say 'verbose'. Some may say, pompous. I'd agree. POMPOUS. A stuffed shirt. A swell-head.You figure that maybe I'm unkind?? Like we don't understand or appreciate your . . . genius? Intellect??

"Advocate"? You & Tonto? You seem to feel that there are readers out there that really hang on to your every Cut/Paste panoramic view of the world. Lousy teachers make lousy advocates.

No. I don't like you. I don't like lousy teachers. I don't like teachers who shouldn't be teachers. You, sir, are no teacher . . .

and hey . . . your sense of humor?

Not.