Obama supporting it... it's over. Beyond depressing.

John

In some ways, a leader with a healthy respect for Congress’s traditional procedures would be a breath of fresh air after the last decade, in which Reps Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Tom DeLay (R-Texas) rode roughshod over almost a century of established legislative norms. But the flip side of Hoyer’s obsession with process and old-fashioned relationship building is a reluctance to think strategically about changing the ways that Washington operates—even when doing so would benefit Democrats. Over the last year and a half, Hoyer—a protégé of Tony Coelho, the former California congressman who revolutionized Democratic fundraising in the 1980s—has led an aggressive effort to raise money from K Street lobbyists. Even more important, he has seemed unwilling to fundamentally rethink the unhealthy relationship between lobbyists and legislators that currently drives our political system. If Democrats are not only to regain power, but to maintain it and govern in a fairer and more responsive fashion, they’ll need to unite behind root-and-branch reform. But the evidence suggests that Hoyer lacks the political vision, and the will, to do so.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0611.roth.html

Much easier to reach the Hoyer's office today -- keep calling and make them sweat. Call: 202-225-4131. I was polite but told them Democrats would remember which Democrats defended the Constitution and which betrayed it.

I could have done without update 7. So, Obama plans to support the compromise.

I'm speechless . . .

Now there's an unimpeachable source if ever I've seen one (sorry Bystander - I just have this incredible itch to scratch today it seems).

I mean, anyone who's been called a "probing, pushy perfectionist" by Playgirl magazine is certainly someone whose word I take as gospel.

http://www.ioffer.com/i/32597546

That Harman letter is positively schizophrenic. I really do believe that the Dems are covering their own illegal complicity; there's no other logical conclusion.

I hope the Bush administration secretly eavesdrops on every communication Obama sends or receives.

You’re a fountain of useful information especially for those who want to drown their sorrows in a cup of cheer. Turns out, there is a group that meets in my hometown and only two blocks from the campaign headquarters for my congressional candidate. I just sent an invitation for all campaign staff to join me at the next meeting. Suggest others check on a location near them or form a new group. See sig.

Check out the history channel for the next broadcast. I also remember Geraldo Rivera and Bernard Shaw talking about it on CNN back in 1990 and 91.

-- bucks4mccain

Gosh, f**ksformccain, please tell us more! You're such a fountain of information!

...because it's working so well, so far...

Brilliant!

http://static1.firedoglake.com/1/files//2008/06/9.jpeg (or click my sig)

This ad rocks.

I'm STILL broke, but I like the ad so much I'm gonna plunk down another $20 (racking up even more credit card debt... oh well).

It really feels good to punish these miscreants (though a defeat of that abomination disguised as legislation would have felt a lot better).

Well done, Glenn, Jane, McJoan, etc. Your work is helping keep a lot of us from the brink of despair and paralysis.

P.S. whether or not the McSame troll is a paid gop operative, it's always good not to engage it.

Now that the Iraq war is over, Bush's crimes have been exposed, and our civil rights restored, I'm overjoyed that we elected a Democratic majority to Congress.

I'd hate to think what it would be like if they just backstabbed thier base in the process of being enablers for Bush and the GOP.

Nevermind.

BTW, you should see the lies my Congresswoman, Jane Harman, put up about her vote. Here it is:

HARMAN SUPPORTS FISA COMPROMISE

Says it replaces “bad law” and that she is “angry about the way the Bush Administration abused [FISA] and disrespected Congress” June 20, 2008

Washington, D.C. Representative Jane Harman (D-Venice) today released the following statement, prepared for delivery on the House floor, in support of the FISA compromise legislation.

My phones are ringing off the hook and my email accounts are full.

By the hundreds, and hundreds, my constituents are saying “don’t cave in,” “don’t toss due process out the window,” “no compromise on our civil liberties” and “all surveillance of Americans should require a warrant.”

One of the most powerful: “The U.S. Constitution has been ‘marked up.’ Don’t shred it.”

I agree – now and always.

The hard part is deciding whether the FISA compromise before us meets my constituents’ requirements, and my own.

After reading every word of it, and, after many, many hours working to develop and revise portions of it, I conclude that the compromise replaces bad law (The Protect America Act) with law that actually improves a number of the provisions of the underlying FISA law – which has served our country well for three decades.

Let me highlight three issues:

First, this bill makes clear that no President can ignore it, ever again. FISA is the exclusive means by which our government can conduct surveillance. In short: no more warrantless surveillance.

Second, it expands the circumstances for which individual warrants are required by including Americans outside the U.S. And it protects Americans from so-called “reverse targeting.”

Third, it requires federal court review to determine whether communications firms which assisted in post-9/11 activities get civil liability protection. If the evidence is inadequate, courts can deny immunity. And immunity does not cover government officials who may have violated the law.

I have lived with FISA up close and personal for many years. I am angry about the way the Bush Administration abused it and disrespected Congress.

My constituents are right to demand that Congress show courage and stand up for the Constitution.

Security and liberty are reinforcing values, not a zero-sum game. This bill, though imperfect, protects both."

Nice how she admits she backstabbed her constituents to support Bush's illegal spying. What a piece of work.