FISA laws were explicitly exclusive. The President chose to ignore that. "Reaffirming" does nothing.

It's like reminding a serial killer that yes, murder is illegal -- in case they forgot.

When someone is unwilling to follow the law passing more laws, or simply re-reading the law in a stern voice, is pointless.

by only allowing McCain to really fuck things up and his successor and their successor will we be rid of this infestation, this fetid disease, this cancer called 'conservatism'.

If the last seven years haven't given the lie to that silly, silly idea, do we really have to go through another eight to finally disprove it?

There hasn't been any "mass political action" directed at Washington... not of the variety that would actually bring about change anyway.

No, you're right, the dozens of insurgent Democratic primary campaigns, hundreds of new campaign staffers with an election or two now under their belts, thousands of new campaign volunteers, and hundreds of thousands of dollars raised to unseat conservative Democrats, contest elections against right-wing incumbents, and and stall or reverse reactionary legislation have all totally failed in the past year.

Due to a lack of boots on the ground.

If the last seven years haven't given the lie to that silly, silly idea, do we really have to go through another eight to finally disprove it?

If it (the last seven plus years) was enough, we wouldn't be in the position we are in right now, would we.

Evidently America has a whole lot more sewer to be pulled through before we get meaningful change... I'm not happy about it but it seems to be the truth... The pendulum has farther to swing.

The position Obama sold out his principles to take is an UNPOPULAR one. Voters across party lines oppose warrantless wiretaps -- including large majorities of independents and Republicans. Large majorities of Democrats and independents also oppose telecom immunity - -and Republicans are evenly divided. This was proven by Steny Hoyer, John Barrow's, and Harry Reid's pollster, Mark Mellman.

Explain how it helps Obama to sell out on a matter of principle in order to adopt a position opposed not only by Democrats by most independents and Republicans?

This was an argument Obama could easily have won. He could have used this as a club against McCain. And of course, not that it matters, but it IS a matter of core principle that he shouldn't have caved in on no matter what the numbers are.

But given what the numbers are, there is no excuse for this craven display of abject cowardice on the part of Obama, Pelosi et al.

They are a disgrace to our country.

Those of you who want to apologize for Obama can do so, of course. But it won't fly.

The essence of the apologia is this: he is a politician, he needs to get elected, most people don't care, yada yada. We all need to rally around this Sainted Man and once he is elected, things will turn out just fine.

Nonsense. He has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is just another corrupt and lying politician. His corruption may not (necessarily) be of the same type as Tom DeLay.

But he is corrupt nonetheless. His corruption is that he is willing to sell out the principles he claims to hold in the name of power.

If he really was a leader and a change agent he would be leading the fight against this terrible bill. He would be explaining why it is so bad and why it must be opposed. He should put everyone in congress on notice that when he is elected there will be a new sheriff in town, one with a long memory, who will not lift his finger on behalf of the politicians who are selling us out.

But he is just going along, using a pack of lies and nonsense and scaremongering to "explain" why he supports the capitulation.

It is disgusting. He must assume he will alienate fewer people like me (I had been planning to vote for him, fool that I am) than he converts from the right wing.

Perhaps Hillary really would be his ideal running mate. They can start another war and cackle as they open up the re-education camps.

I just love the sound of weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth in the morning. Meanwhile the Democrat penchant for ignoring national problems in favor of personal enrichment is exemplified today in the Subprime Six led by Senator Chris Dodd.
http://www.freedomworks.org/newsroom/press_template.php?press_id=2569

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laland/the_subprime_six_1/index.html

Why, conflicts of interest are against the law! They are absolutely guilty and should be sent to jail immediately. Oh, oooops. That's only for Republicans. Heh.

PS. That is one butt-ugly ad.

Siegfried: How do I know you're not from CONTROL?

Maxwell Smart: If I were from CONTROL, you'd already be dead.

Siegfried: If you were from CONTROL, YOU'D already be dead.

Maxwell Smart: Neither of us is dead, so I'm obviously not from CONTROL.

[long pause]

Shtarker: That actually makes sense.

There is a movie quote that covers every situation, by the way...

He thinks you are agreeing with him and it's making me laugh and cry at the same time.

Adnoto,

You're a good soldier and you have the right metaphor but you haven't completely transferred the strategery part. If the revolution comes, I'll look for you and you can run the show.

I just love the sound of weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth in the morning.

I'd get that alarm clock fixed. It's after noon now and we want you up bright and early the day after the election, with you knowing what time it is.

No, you're right, the dozens of insurgent Democratic primary campaigns, hundreds of new campaign staffers with an election or two now under their belts, thousands of new campaign volunteers, and hundreds of thousands of dollars raised to unseat conservative Democrats, contest elections against right-wing incumbents, and and stall or reverse reactionary legislation have all totally failed in the past year.

Due to a lack of boots on the ground.

-- Amity

Amity. Listen to yourself! Those insurgent Dem primaries? Those Act Blue candidates that got elected? How many of them voted the correct way today? Please listen to yourself. Please. You are obviously a very intelligent person but you are not thinking rationally right now. What have the thousands of campaign volunteers succeeded in doing? Electing people who voted for the telecom amnesty bill today. I mean what part of that do you not understand? I am really not trying to be an ass here but I cannot see how you can continue to call "more and better democrats" progress. That is demonstrably wrong assertion and to continue to urge others to keep doing the same things...well, it is just insanity!

Think about it. Please. I now you are pissed. So am I, believe me. I am not saying we should not fight. I am just saying that the way in which we are fighting is losing us the war. Let's consider changing or adding to our tactics.