Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

FISA Betrayal

by BooMan
Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 11:52:44 AM EST

All of the FISA amendments are failing.

Feingold/Webb (Sequestration) S.Amdt. 3979 rejected.
Dodd/Feingold (Stripping Retroactive Immunity) S.Admt. 3907 rejected.
Feinstein (FISA is exclusive means) S. Admt. 3910 rejected.

They are voting now on the Specter/Whitehouse 'substitution' amendment that would make the federal government the defendant in any civil suits against the telcos. This would be better than immunity. I expect it to fail, too.

On Dodd's amendment, the following Democrats sold us out:

Bayh (D-IN), Carper (D-DE), Conrad (D-ND), Feinstein (D-CA), Inouye (D-HI), Johnson (D-SD), Kohl (D-WI), Landrieu (D-LA), Lieberman (ID-CT), Lincoln (D-AR), McCaskill (D-MO), Mikulski (D-MD), Nelson (D-FL), Nelson (D-NE), Pryor (D-AR), Rockefeller (D-WV), Salazar (D-CO) Stabenow (D-MI), Webb (D-VA)

Obama did show up to vote...Clinton did not.

Update [2008-2-12 12:34:53 by BooMan]: Cloture has been invoked 69-29.

FISA Betrayal | 45 comments (45 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: FISA Betrayal (4.00 / 3)

Webb. Again.

Another nail in the coffin of the stupid notion that Dem veterans automatically make good politicians.

Maybe someday people will flash on the fact that the military is not exactly a hotbed of democratic sentiment. It is -- by necessity, to be fair -- an autocratic, authoritarian state-within-a-state, and the values that are necessary to a functioning military are antithetical to the free society it serves.

---Cthulhu for President: Why vote for the lesser evil?

by eodell (eodell at naqada dot org) on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:08:42 PM EST

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

Bullseye! The military is not a democracy. I'm still disappointed in Webb. Dammit.

"We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; now we know that it is bad economics;" - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

by Salunga on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 01:05:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

well said!

I'm going to save this to quote to Wes Clark fans.

The Four Horsemen of Bushism: War, Corruption, Hypocrisy and Greed

by esquimaux (esquimaux1 at gmail dot com) on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 01:29:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

Obama's now getting my money.

Benny "The 'Do" Nelson - no surprise there. Jerk.

Bastiges, all of them.

by BlueMonkey on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 11:58:27 AM EST

For the Dodd amendment (none / 0)

was it under the simple majority or the 60 vote rule?

by dataguy on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:02:33 PM EST

Re: For the Dodd amendment (none / 0)

50 votes.

by BooMan on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:06:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: For the Dodd amendment (none / 1)

I hope some of the leftover energy from Paul Wellstone's desk (as a reminder of what he stood for) rubs off on Obama.

At random, Obama was assigned the desk Paul Wellstone (may he RIP) used in the Senate. Apparently senators carve their names in their desk drawers.

Quite some shoes to fill.

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:46:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

Remind me again why I worked my ass off for McCaskill last year?

by maryb2004 on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:06:02 PM EST

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

Jim Talent. Majority Leader McConnell.

by BooMan on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:06:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

I know.

I'm not sorry I worked for a Dem majority.

by maryb2004 on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 02:00:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

I just want to know who it was that told her she should be voting that way. Didn't she indicate last summer that someone she respected had urged her to support this?

"Little people are very stuff-intensive."

by CabinGirl on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:10:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

Other Dems on the Armed Services committee I think.

by maryb2004 on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 02:01:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Here's her office (none / 0)

(202) 224-6154

Call her. I just did.

by dataguy on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:22:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Here's her office (none / 0)

I call all the time.

I picture the guy I usually get on the phone chewing gum and rolling his eyes at me.

by maryb2004 on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 02:00:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

Don't get me started on her.

by RollaMO on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:32:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

She did not vote with the Dems (none / 0)

on a 50-vote bill.

Call her and ask why not? The aides think that it's just fine to break the law. I said "Hey, they pay their lawyers millions of dollars." The aides are with the telecoms.

How much is Claire getting from the telecoms?

by dataguy on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:34:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 1)

The assholes I worked my own ass off for are all on the list of the Hateful Eighteen. Won't be doing it again. I'm beginning to believe we'd be better off with another 20 years of GOP rule, because nothing's going to change this country but a revolution.

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

by DaveW on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 02:15:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

Didn't Dodd pledge to filibuster all the way through, and didn't Leahy pledge to join him?
Same shit, different capitulation from these habitual liars and traitors, all of them. Dem congress, suck it.

Green Grass and High Tides Forever

by supersoling (colorsplash62@optonline.net) on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:08:23 PM EST

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 1)

You can't filibuster if at least 60 vote to cut off debate. I guess he didn't get enough to join him.

by maryb2004 on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 02:23:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

can I wish cancer on them now?

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:11:29 PM EST

Re: FISA Betrayal (4.00 / 4)

Dude, don't do it! The last time I wished ill on politicians, I sliced up my toe (through the toenail, too) on broken glass, nearly broke my leg falling over a marble coffee table when my dog tripped me, and got bronchitis to boot.

Those Clintons have some bad mojo... ;)

"Little people are very stuff-intensive."

by CabinGirl on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:18:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

On the other hand, for years, my 91 year old grandmother has been saying "pray his plane goes down" every time Bush travels. She also thought it was a shame Cheney's wasn't hurt in the Bagram bombing. Shes been healthy and may the Gods Bless her she's a hoot. So I say, Go for it Brendan!

"We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; now we know that it is bad economics;" - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

by Salunga on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 01:14:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

if you don't care about karma.

by BooMan on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:12:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

I think it balances out. Casey voted the right way, correct? I'm going to send out a DL bulletin citing this post.

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??

by brendan on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:20:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

Im with Pat Robertson I think it was, I am wishing for god to call many of them home.

"Some men see things as they are and say why - I dream things that never were and say why not." George Bernard Shaw.

by benjamink on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:14:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Primary challenge is better (none / 0)

This is not a good vote.

by dataguy on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:35:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

Members of the Senate New Democratic Coalition

On stripping retroactive immunity:

* Sen. Max Baucus of Montana- YES
* Sen. Thomas R. Carper of Delaware- NO
* Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota- NO
* Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota- NO
* Sen. Herb Kohl of Wisconsin- NO
* Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana- NO
* Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut- NO
* Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas- NO
* Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida- NO
* Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska- NO
* Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas- NO
* Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado- NO
* Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan- NO

Still want Clinton?

by BooMan on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:11:53 PM EST

Clinton's office # (none / 0)

202-224-4451

Where is Hillary? Call and ask...

by dataguy on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:30:08 PM EST

Re: Clinton's office # (none / 1)

REmember that Hillary missed this vote.

by dataguy on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:32:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

FISA Betrayal (none / 1)

no surprises...salazar is a lost cause. but where'd the filibuster go?

looks like the house is the last stand.

mark udall's office responded to my last letter with this rather vague answer:

...Thank you for telling me you oppose shielding telecommunications companies from lawsuits related to their agreeing to government request for monitoring certain conversations. I appreciate hearing from you.
President Bush has asked Congress to include such a provision in legislation to extend the law that temporarily authorizes some electronic surveillance to obtain intelligence information. On November 15, 2007, the House of Representatives passed a bill (H.R. 3773) to revise and extend this surveillance authority through 2009. It does not include a provision providing immunity to telecommunications companies. I had some concerns about the bill, but I voted for it because I thought it would enable our intelligence community to do its job to protect us against terrorism and other threats while still respecting and safeguarding the rights and liberties of all Americans.
The Senate may change that bill, or pass a different one. If so, the House will again address this subject and may vote on a proposal to add a lawsuit shield. If so, I think the burden is on its supporters to explain clearly why this would be appropriate, and you can be sure I will remember your views...

here's the contact info for the HOUSE, and a direct link to PELOSI.

FDL petition Tell House Members to Stand Firm Behind the RESTORE Act!

BASTARDS!

lTMF'sA

the revolution will not be televised...

by dada on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:35:32 PM EST

Which goes to show (none / 1)

That all of Feinstein's bleating and hand-wringing over what the Bush administration was doing, was an act. Again.

~~~THIS SPACE FOR RENT~~~

by fabooj (fabooj [at} mail [dot} com) on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:46:20 PM EST

Oh so long ago and so far away (none / 0)

From the DSCC-DCCC in March 2006

NEW DSCC-DCCC REPORT REVEALS: RUBBERSTAMP GOP CONGRESS? OVERSIGHT FAILURES RESPONSIBLE FOR WHITE HOUSE'S INCOMPETENCE
Emanuel, Schumer Urge Rubber Stamp Republican Congress to Fulfill Its Oversight Duties GOP Congress? Oversight of Bush Pales in Comparison to GOP's Oversight of Previous Administrations
(Washington, D.C.)- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) released a new report today showing that the Republican Congress' failure to fulfill its oversight duties is responsible for the incompetence that has plagued the Bush administration over the last five years. The report also showed that the GOP Congress' scrutiny of the Bush White House pales in comparison to the massive oversight the Clinton administration endured.
"The Republicans idea of conducting oversight is to put a blindfold on and say 'see no evil, hear no evil", DSCC Chairman Chuck Schumer said. "You can't have a Congress that lives in fear of criticizing the administration because it leads to the incompetent policies that we see today. It's not good enough to suddenly get religion on oversight when the White House tries to turn our ports over to a country that recognized the Taliban. You can't talk about oversight six months before Election Day ? It has to be an everyday issue and that's why we need a Democratic Congress."
"This Rubber Stamp Republican Congress has been inept and irresponsible when it comes to oversight and protecting the American people. It's as if congressional Republicans would rather outsource their oversight duties to Dubai as well," said Congressman Rahm Emanuel, Chairman of the DCCC. "It's high time that Republicans in Congress joined Democrats in fighting for American families instead of simply hitting the snooze button on their congressional responsibilities."
The Republican-led Congress has repeatedly refused to hold the Bush administration accountable for its policies.

Lying and incompetent sacks of shit. That is what they are.

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity"

by MikeInOhio on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 12:46:58 PM EST

Re: Oh so long ago and so far away (none / 1)

Yes. The Democratic party is dead. For me, as with torture, this issue was a bright line issue. The Democrats crossed that line and I can not be a member of a party that crossed that line. It's that simple.

This President admitted to illegal spying on the American people and the "opposition" party not only did nothing, they changed the law to make the illegal legal, and made sure there would be no investigation into what happened. Worse, they pretend like they actually opposed the lawless spying while they quietly worked to aid and abet it.

I really can't support any of the Democrats right now. Was there a single Senator that was offended and publicly spoke out about Reid not honoring Dodd's hold? Or that the majority leader rigged the game to help the VP? Where is the outrage? Where? Obama is nearly as guilty as Hillary.

Screw them. I'm not voting for these traitors to the constitution.

by SFHawkguy on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 01:02:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Oh so long ago and so far away (4.00 / 6)

Last night I sat well into the wee hours watching Chris Dodd on C-Span speaking on the Senate floor, until my wife wouldn't quit yelling at me to come to bed. I couldn't stop watching because in my gut I really felt that I was watching, literally, the final dismantling and destruction of the heart and soul of our republic. You call it a bright line issue, but to me it would seem to be much, much more than that. Our representatives have completely ceded, absolutely completely ceded ALL of the responsibilities of their elected office to an executive branch which has admitted to breaking the law and violating, with impunity, the Constitution of this country. The Constitution, the founding document of all things which have made this country the preeminent example of mans capacity for representative self government. Indeed, it has been the benchmark on which our humanity as a country has been built.

And it is now as quaint an object in this country as the Geneva Conventions were to Alberto Gonzales.

Jesus, what a sickening and sad day to be an American citizen.

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity"

by MikeInOhio on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 01:21:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well said and so true (none / 0)

Our representatives have completely ceded, absolutely completely ceded ALL of the responsibilities of their elected office to an executive branch which has admitted to breaking the law and violating, with impunity, the Constitution of this country.

by ddc on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 01:57:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

At the risk of stating the obvious (none / 1)

or going into territory that "everybody knows" . . . the choice between Clinton and Obama, while important, is of less importance than getting Democratic majorities into the House and Senate, and not just Democrats, but our kind of Democrats -- ones that will stand up to this nonsense. I am hoping that once we take solid control of the White House and both houses of Congress this whipped-dog mindset will evaporate like the morning dew, but I am also prepared to be disappointed.

I for one welcome our new Twitter overlords. @Omir55

by Omir the Storyteller (omir.the.storyteller -CAT- gmail -DOG- com) on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 01:01:49 PM EST

Re: At the risk of stating the obvious (none / 0)

Exactly. We have no hope in Nebraska (it's either Nelson or the GOP - this state is terminally stupid). But there is hope elsewhere and that's where the work needs to be done (and where my money will go).

by BlueMonkey on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 01:10:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 1)

The SINGLE good thing I can swallow on this is that with the obvious commitment that Feingold has to this, Obama showed support today while Hillary did not AND Obama is up 11 pts in Wisconsin. If I'm to force myself to look beyond the battle, hopefully I can see Feingold endorse Obama before the Wisconsin primary.
Not much to hold out for, but it's something

by mainsailset on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 01:26:03 PM EST

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 1)

Like I said in my earlier post. To hell with the Dems. tHEY DON'T WANT MY VOTE.I strongly urge that the dnc needs to hear your anger. Don't VOTE DEM!

by billjpa (billjpa@aol.com) on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 01:28:48 PM EST

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't retroactive immunity unconstitutional? Surely the Supreme Court will throw this out.

It's sort of like saying that they were spying on us because of 9/11 when they started spying on us before 9/11.

by Bob In Pacifica on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 02:47:50 PM EST

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 1)

Since when did the Constitution stop anybody from doing what they want to do? For a look at who's "protecting" the Constitution on the supine court, here's Scalia:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7239748.stm

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

by DaveW on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 02:56:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Dodd will filibuster conference bill (none / 1)

TPM has a story that Dodd will filibuster a House-Senate compromise bill that includes immunity. Now is the time to put maximum pressure on House members to stick to their guns, even if it means sending a bill that Bush will veto.

Damn, I wish Dodd was still in the president race.

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

by DaveW on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 03:17:30 PM EST

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 0)

I called my Senator (Stab em now) and expressed dismay over her vote.
I actually sat next to her at a Dem Party function a couple of years ago and thought that it was pretty cool. Not anymore. If she is on the ballot next time I'll vote Green or Socialist or even for Mickey Mouse for that matter. Besides Dodd, who is left in the Senate that is worth anything???

We need to push for Progressive change, now more than ever.

by keepinon (jaukkuri@sbcglobal.net) on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 05:33:47 PM EST

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 1)

Hi,
why not start voting Green or Socialist now, as a rule, since all these dems, who you, me, and so many others, like MaryB, who worked her tail off for, have turned and crapped on us all? Where is one example of a success or a stand that this group has made since they were given a majority to do what they pledged to do if we elected them? I don't see one. And these are no small capitulations. They are accomplices in the destruction of the very core fiber of what this country is supposed to stand for.

I can't do it any longer. I'm a Green. But I crossed over where it counted in 04 and 06, so I was halfway out the door to begin with. But what keeps so many dems tied to this now almost ritualistic beatdown that you're all taking? At what point is enough black eyes enough? I can't understand it.

Green Grass and High Tides Forever

by supersoling (colorsplash62@optonline.net) on Tue Feb 12th, 2008 at 11:29:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: FISA Betrayal (none / 1)

Don't the precious corp of America realize that warrantless wiretaps don't have to be limited to Joe on the Street? We've already seen a Boeing vs Airbus abuse, this could bring a whole new element to Bush's no-bid military contracts to say the least.
While the corp are busy strategizing over the phone/email their very corp strategies can be listened into.

by mainsailset on Wed Feb 13th, 2008 at 02:06:22 PM EST

FISA Betrayal | 45 comments (45 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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