Your list appears incomplete -- I see some progressive Dems who should be on there and aren't. But rather than talk about a four month old vote that was more about strategy than commitment, we have today's results from CQ Politics. As expected the FISA bill passed, 293 - 129. 188 Republicans and 105 Democrats voted for it, so assuming that all Republicans supported it, a safe guess, a solid majority of Democrats voted AGAINST it. Considering the electorate's opinion of the Republican Party these days, this is very good news for the future. As adnoto says, all we need to do is elect more, and especially better, Democrats.

RPM, Cheers! Confusion to the enemy!

105 Congressional Democrats Are Pussies

You know it. I know. The Republicans sure know it and laugh about it all the time. Pathetic. Utterly and totally pathetic.

The political context makes this an act of sheer cowardice:

1) The Democrats "control" Congress.

2) Bush is the most unpopular president in history and broke laws.

3) By huge majorities, voters of all parties opposed the contents of this bill.

But the pussies in the Democratic party, including the absolutely embarassing Nancy Pelosi, voted for it anyway.

I read Riper's article for that particular war game. Didn't sound too good but it also didn't address the fact that Iran's Navy would've most likely have been neutralized prior to our fleet transitting the Straits by a vast air campaign. Sorry, but I know we're not dumb enough to sail right through the Straits without disabling Iran's defenses in that region.

Pedinska and bdop4(?)

I did read the article you posted and good on you for actually doing some research. Again, you jump to the worst case scenario of the government targeting the general public, which is what my original point was from the beginning. The government doesn't have the manpower to do it even if they wanted to and believe me, they don't want to. They're a little busy right now dealing with more important things like tracking down terrorist. Always the "government is evil" mindset for you guys.

Kitt,

Either grow up and contribute something worthy to the debate or put the binky back in your mouth.

Et tu, Obama?

I guess "More and Better Democrats" would not include Barack Obama then? -- ckelly707

He is a Democrat isn't he? What are you implying? I am guessing you are a youngster right? You just don't understand patience. Can't you see that he is just keeping his powder dry? Everything will change when he gets elected. And then we can elect even more and better Democrats next time around. Look no one said it would be easy. It just takes patience. One step forward and two steps back wins the prize!

It was a bit hard to concentrate when I read it the first time and wanted to get it up.

-- GlennGreenwald

You mean, you were breaking stuff, kicking in cupboards and howling at the moon...sort of?

You think that was nasty? I said you were right, but corrected the expression. LVM stands guilty as well, I guess I just noticed it in your more concise postings.

I AGREE with your stance, but Language is the lynchpin of any movement. Dems are constantly allowing self-defeating language to sneak in. Republicans are masters of framing. We must be ever vigilant against a slow semantic death, and the phrase "one step forward, two steps back" mathematically states a retreat.

0(starting postion) + 1(step fwd) - 2(steps back) = -1 (one step behind your starting position)

It's not enough to have people know what your getting at. Now I know I am guilty of many a typo, but this is an intentional syntax thing that corrupts the noble intention of your words and subliminally sabotages your movement.

I'm trying to help.

and told the person who picked up that I found the congressperson's marshalling of the FISA bill utterly contemptible.

Way to go Barry. We've been watching you and you failed.

Senator Obama,

The House today passed a laughable "compromise" bill re: FISA, telecom immunity and warrantless wiretapping.

This piece of legislation is an insult to the Constitution and a grotesque threat to the rights of every single American. It sets precedent for the removal of oversight in cases where the administration and the Attorney General deem domestic spying to be "necessary."

This is absurd on its face. The FISA court system was established as a relatively minor nod to checks and balances. To say that giving an Administration carte blanche to spy on Americans without their reasons being examined or ever even made public, is the only way to equip are intelligence agencies, is an insult to the agencies themselves. The FISA system was good, and the fact that Fear (synonymous with "terror") has compelled us to scrap that system is a symbol to every single suicide bomber in the world, that their methods work. If the greatest nation on Earth compromises its principles because they are afraid of what 20 guys with box-cutters are capable of, then all is lost.

You have spoken out frequently against Telecom Immunity. Now is your opportunity to prove that you truly are more than just eloquent speeches. Prove to this voter and countless others that you actually mean what say about change. Stop this bill.

I am going to write to other Senators whom I have reason to believe will fight this thing. I envision a situation where you along with senators Dodd, Feingold and Clinton will stand united in protecting the rights of US citizens and preventing the unchecked expansion of Executive Power.

Show the world that we can be vigilant without being paranoid; that we can be strong without being oppressive; that we can balance Freedom and Security in the face of evil men.

This is a key moment in your campaign. People who want to vote for you in November are watching. People who know how to network, reach out, change minds and mobilize votes want to know if you really mean what you say.

Handle this well, and you will have an army ready to work with you. Cower like your colleagues in the House, and who knows what our indifference will mean in November.

Sincerely,

E.M. Stoveken