Unchecked authority to spy on those meddling terrorist-loving Quakers.  And Russ Feingold.  How long until we see the bill allowing them to assassinate terrorist-lovers as long as they notify the Intelligence committees with 45 days?

Aren't these all judiciary people?  What does Specter say?

I always knew somebody had to have an obedient bent to be a Republican, but this is beyond grovelling.

These four Senators are licking the boots of the Executive that are trampling all over the Constitution and the rights of Americans.

The only problem is that the bill is meaningless.

If BushCo didn't obey the FISA law, why should he obey the 45-day statute?  He can just thumb his nose again at Congress and the American people at day 46.

It's a war of wills and the Republicans aren't fighting.

TO OBEY IS OUR WAY!

That should be the American motto.  They should put that into the bill if they want Bush to sign it.

The so-called "War on Terror" (SCWOT) IS Terrorism!

Unfortunately, it almost doesn't matter.  Bushco does as it pleases now, despite FISA.  Why would there be compliance with this silly excuse for abuse-limiting legislation?  

Oh, there you are, Perry. -Phineas -SLB-

So are we at least over the fantasies about "liberal" Republicans like Snowe? Can the Dems, liberals and all their allies including the pro-choice outfits finally realize that there are no "good" Republicans anymore? Every single one of them has to be fought into extinction.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

The proposed bill doesn't create the necessary conditions for anyone to challenge the spying program(s).  Here's a link for the press release DeWine's office issued yesterday for the introduction of the bill, S. 2455.  The full text of the bill is not available yet from Thomas, but it's reasonable to suppose that the press release describes the salient points in the light most favorable to Bush and his Senate enablers.  The key point would appear to be this:

Every 45 days, the Attorney General must also review the surveillance of any individual targets under the program. -- If, at any time, the Attorney General determines that he has sufficient evidence to obtain a FISA warrant, he must seek a FISA warrant to continue surveillance on that target. -- If the Attorney General determines that he does not have sufficient evidence to obtain a FISA warrant, but nonetheless wants to continue surveillance, then he must certify in writing and under oath to the Terrorist Surveillance Subcommittees the following four things: 1) that all previous surveillance complied with this Act; 2) that there is insufficient evidence to obtain a warrant under FISA; 3) that the President has determined that continued surveillance of the target without a court order is necessary to protect the United States, its citizens, or its interests; and 4) that continued surveillance is being undertaken in a good faith belief that it will result in the acquisition of foreign intelligence information.

No target may be subject to surveillance beyond the 45-day reauthorization period unless the Attorney General obtains a FISA warrant or files a certification, in writing and under oath, with the Terrorist Surveillance Subcommittees.

Unlike how the proposed legislation was portrayed by most of the traditional media, it seems clear that warrantless surveillance of an individual can continue beyond the 45-day "limit" without the explicit approval of the rubber-stamp subcommittee, but merely with the filing of a certification by the Attorney General.  Some oversight.  Even if the certification shows that the surveillance is totally improper, so long as it's been filed with the subcommittee, the Dear Leader and his buddies are all okay under this new law, and thus there's not really anything to challenge.  And our republic marches ever onward toward tyranny.

Isn't a national assembly passing a law to retroactively cover a despot's ass something out of the Guatemala of the 1950's?

"If Adolph Hitler flew in today, they'd send a limousine anyway" -- Joe Strummer

  Can you define 'spying' in this context? I think the problem is far more dangerous and deceptive than a trditional wiretap surveillance.

Lost respect for Snowe a long time ago...Just shows that no repulican and the damn dems who side w/them aren't worth anything to those they represent.

"First, they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Mahatma Gandhi

I would suggest a filibuster once this piece of idiocy reached the Senate floor, but then given the Dems' track record, I realize I have a better chance of being struck by lightning twice.

Visit Notes From Underground: red state rebel scum since 2003.

Bush has been told he can do whatever he wants in his Commander-of-his-Pants capacity.  

Look at the torture thingy and his signing statement.

He does not believe the law applies to him.  

Case closed until congress makes him obey the law or sends him home.

there is no such thing as history. there are only historians.