LOL!

Funniest thing I've read all week.

GG and friends here:

Check out the attack comments for calling Obama out (supported by excerpt and link to GG post) on his support for the "compromise" - and this is blue state NJ speaking!

http://www.nj.com/njvoices/index.ssf/2008/06/obama_caves_to_bush_on_domesti.html

Dodd, Feingold Statement on Senate Consideration of FISA

Will Immediately Offer Amendment to Strip Retroactive Immunity

June 24, 2008

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) released the following statement today in response to the announcement that the Senate this week will consider the compromise legislation that would reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) this week.

“This is a deeply flawed bill, which does nothing more than offer retroactive immunity by another name. We strongly urge our colleagues to reject this so-called ‘compromise’ legislation and oppose any efforts to consider this bill in its current form. We will oppose efforts to end debate on this bill as long as it provides retroactive immunity for the telecommunications companies that may have participated in the President’s warrantless wiretapping program, and as long as it fails to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans.

“If the Senate does proceed to this legislation, our immediate response will be to offer an amendment that strips the retroactive immunity provision out of the bill. We hope our colleagues will join us in supporting Americans’ civil liberties by opposing retroactive immunity and rejecting this so-called ‘compromise’ legislation.”

http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/4473

My bet is none of the above. See update IV, they had 95 billion other reasons.

For the vast majority of the Congress, including all the Democratic leadership apparently, civil liberties, war on terror, etc. are the Circuses they distract the masses with while they give the Bread to their campaign contributors... don't worry though, at least the Democrats are kind enough to leave a few crumbs for their constituents to fight over.

That may be a bit harsh, but Pelosi et al. have been frustrated for many years that they haven't been able to get any of there pet programs passed... now she can, but the price is your civil liberties...

Not to imply that those pet programs are necessarily bad things, but she is a small minded person during times that demand big picture thinking. And, to be honest, it is highly unlikely that selling out our freedoms will result in any significant political fallout, which is why they simply don't care that much.

You're starting to get a lot of attention in the media. And you must recognize that you in collaboration with the A.C.L.U. and others have run a successful ad campaign. Do you think you would ever be tempted to run for Congress, or is the nation better served having people with your expertise and political skills in the blogosphere, since that is where real democracy is being practiced today? Inquiring minds want to know.

cAN YOU sue? Use it as a mean to reverse the game and shut them down, as they do to us? the gop shuts us up and down at every turn. That or puts some moron on their propgoanda shows to misrepresent us. Oh, and mis quote.

Sue them. Take the fight to them gg. Is that legal?misrepresentation? A fine? something. we got to use what they give us. :)

"PS I see Politico still hasn't corrected that bogus quote, many hours after saying they would do so."

-- GlennGreenwald

I read the interview. He was asked point blank if he would filibuster.

He did not say "Yes, I will filibuster."

He said, "Well, that's what it means."

I don't agree that a filibuster is guaranteed.

Glenn, I'm not surprised that Poltico has still not corrected the quote. They've proven over and over that they are an unethical outfit so I look at this as just more evidence of that fact.

I just called both Senator Dodd and Senator Feingold's offices and neither will confirm filibuster, only that they will put forth an amendment to strike immunity. I referenced the Huffpo's claim of filibuster but the aides would not use the word and when pressed, would not confirm it.

Obama would, no doubt, make for a somewhat better president than McCain. But that is a small benefit compared to the irreparable damage we would do to by giving our support to the Democratic candidate after his party has embraced some of the most extreme right wing policies of the Bush administration. The effect will simply be that we'll eliminate serious opposition to authoritarianism from mainstream political discourse. -- notveryhappy

Serious opposition to authoritarianism has already been removed from mainstream political discourse. Whatever marginal, principled opposition remains is being ridiculed and discarded in favor of establishment (authoritarian) enabling "pragmatism." Just look at the responses you receive here.

I admire your efforts but it is already over.

I admire your [notveryhappy] efforts but it is already over.

-- -halo-

So then I take it that you are just going to sit back and watch the holocaust put upon us by the government? Seeing how it is "already over" I guess we have nothing left to say and nothing left to fight for and nothing left to lose. Let them slaughter anyone and everyone they choose to slaughter for no reason at all, because we can't stop them for it is already over. "It's already over". Lets go home and hope we won't be the specific chosen ones taken out and shot or gassed.

Sounds to me like both Senators fully intend to filibuster - but of course whether or not they can is not up to them. All they can do is force a cloture vote and a couple extra hours of debate.

If they're avoiding the word "filibuster", I propose it's because Obama promised to "support any filibuster" against telecom amnesty. They have been informed, I'd guess, that using the word "filibuster" would tend to underline the fact that Barack has made a U turn on this one, and their colleagues would all consider that beyond the pale. You can be mavericks, but you can't embarrass the nominee. They'd be given a deep freeze of a cold shoulder for the rest of their natural political lives in the Senate, passed over for plum committee memberships, the works. Just like Lieberman has.