Corresponding with fellow bloggers, I think it is fair to say that we feel like we dropped the ball on the FISA amendment. But, it looks like our congressional leaders really dropped the ball. As a huge portion of the blogosphere headed for Chicago, our congressional contacts did not reach out and tell us what was about to happen. As close as I can tell, they didn’t know themselves. It appears as if they were outmaneuvered even though they set the rules and controlled the agenda.
For the first time since I began blogging I actually felt shamed by the strong editorials in the Washington Post and the New York Times. They were way ahead of me on this and their rhetoric was admirably vituperative.
The short version of this story is that the House Dems found themselves in the position of passing a Republican version of the bill, or passing nothing at all. At that point, they should have cried foul and gone on recess.
[Update [2007-8-8 16:40:18 by BooMan]: I’ve got more on this now. Bush could have called Congress back into session (Article II, section 3) if they recessed without passing the FISA bill. Also, under the rules, a majority of the House can force a vote over the Speaker’s objections. They had the votes to force a vote on Rep. Heather Wilson’s (R-NM) bill, which we would not have liked. Ultimately, the fault for this lies with the Blue Dog caucus].
But they were not willing to take the risk of another terrorist attack occurring after they refused to accede to the administration’s demands. So, they caved. Completely caved.
It was an indefensible act. The law will sunset in six months. In the meantime, we will have to find ways to educate the public about this abuse of power. Any suggestions?
My suggestion would be for democrats to continue pushing for stem cell research. Maybe like that they have a chance of growing a spine!
I’ve called Salazar’s office and asked for a schedule of his public meetings over break. They are “working on scheduling some” but have none as of this time.
I explained how I went to the county fair last night, and even the folks in the Dem booth didn’t want to do any work for him- not a one.
Of course my calling has worked so well on every other issue, like introducing Gonzales, supporting Alito…
Um, viral video? YouTube?
I just saw the Simpson’s movie not too long ago, and there’s a scene in there where a room full of government employees are listening in on everybody’s phone conversations, and one of them hears the (then fugitive) Simpsons making their plans. The guy yells excitedly, “I’ve got one! The United States government actually found one of the people it was looking for!”
Or some words to that effect. It was in a Simpson’s movie, and therefore just one more “over the top” scenario. But it seems like that sort of thing could be used–something played for laughs–and followed with, “That couldn’t happen, could it?” Maybe it could be a family watching a funny video clip, and one of the kids asks that. And a parent answers with, “Well, this is what the law says right now…” Keeping it down to earth and not overly technical, but showing “real” people and their reactions to something that can’t possibly be allowed. Not here in America!
You’re not on the drinking liberally email list booman, but every week i send that bulletin to about 750 progressives, liberals, democrats and independents highlighting one topic or another: this week, i sent out contact information for all the dems who voted against fisa and encouraged people to call and express gratitude for the right vote. I also included casey’s number and explained that he DID vote for it and to call him as well.
Finally, I called casey’s office in DC (philly tomorrow) and read my bulletin to their staff and explained how many democrats in Philadelphia received it, and how many complained to me about it (zero).
I told them that every time Bobby Casey, or any other congresscritter for that matter, voted against progressive interests or in favor of GOP/Bushco policies, I will send out a bulletin explaining the problem and how to contact the Senator. “You work for us,” I said, “not the other way around. And you certainly do NOT work for Bush or the GOP. Tell your boss to wise up, because he screwed up badly and no one’s gonna forget it.”
To put it mildly, they were not happy with me. And I don’t give a rat’s ass if his record, so far as his short Senate career is concerned, is “the most progressive”. he fucked up on this one, and he fucked up badly.
the government should fear the people, not the other way around.
hey brendan– let us not forget how the ” Dem Leadership” came out in support over that anti privacy, anti womens rights pig casey as opposed to whatever the hell his competitor was. Just one more tragic example of the simple unalterable fact that the democratic party is dead!
Good going, Brendan. Just for your information, here is the update Progressive Punch ratings for the Senate.
suggestions?…find a progressive opponent and mount an aggressive primary challenge for every one of them.
tehanu, re; sleazazar: the man’s a menace, but unfortunately, not running again until 2010….let me count the ways l abhor holding my nose and voting for that man…never again!
and relative to the 6 month sunset…read the fine print, and weep:
guess l should take the “ITMF’sA” out of the sig….it’s definitely off the table now, even Dodd’s openly opesed to it. (scroll down)…smooth sailin’ for Bush™, right thru the election and past inauguration day…more there than meets the eye, eh. fuck!
lTMF’sA
In the meantime, we will have to find ways to educate the public about this abuse of power. Any suggestions?
Yes – I would like all the clever and creative people with computer skills to produce tri-fold brochure-type pamphlets that tie together this administration’s demand and congress’s acquiescence to both the limitations put on habeas corpus and this FISA amendment. I want samples of the misuses and abuses, room to type in my rep and senators, who approved both, with numbers to contact them. I would like the amendment Specter has introduced to restore habeas corpus and those who have signed on (dada was providing some info on this). And a list of actions people can take!
I would like the above in a variety of designs so I can print them and match recipients with different styles. I could then mail them to folks who don’t use e-mail (yes, they exist) and put them around town. Rights: use them before you lose them!
Great idea – I’m just not sure the list of abuses and misuses would fit on a single sheet of paper…
Ah yes, the length would be quite overwhelming. Very tiny print? Or some excellent artwork – one picture worth a thousand words?
If a corporation is a “person,” would the FISA amendment affect businesses? I would love to send something to every business that belongs to the local Chamber of Commerce! Maybe if presented from a “this threatens the privacy of your business communications” angle, people might find it more upsetting and “anti-American,” countering the “security” spin of the administration and signers.
I just received a telephone solicitation from the DNC. The poor soul making the call had to listen to me rant on and on about how the Democratic umbrella organizations would be receiving no funds from me until the Congress members starting honoring their oaths to protect and defend the Constitution.
She told me she was just paid to make the phone calls, but that if I wanted to make my comments known I should call the DNC directly. I did so. The young guy I spoke to said that mine was not the first call along those lines and that he would pass my comments on to the Chair. He said that such comments could result in a change in direction.
The number? 877-336-7200.
if i may quote from my current guest-stint on mike’s blog round up over at c&l:
is that the Democrats RETURN from the recess with the new version of the law already written. We DO NOT want to get 6 months down the line – which puts us SQUARELY into the heart of the primaries – with this crappy pile of dogshit hanging over us.
We need the law revised, and it must be revised BEFORE the Petreus report.
BEFORE THE PETREUS REPORT.
I am sick and tired of the bullshit line- well at least it sunsets in 6 months.
OK- READ THE GODDAMNED BILL! first of all, any tap started between now and the end of the six months doesn’t stop!!!!! It continues on and on and on- just like the effing battery rabbit!
Then- wake up folks– 41 dems voted for – I REPEAT —- FOR!!!!! the bill. How many of the bloody blueballs are gonna change their minds in six months? As my mom used to say, Read! Read! Read!.
Not too bad an idea.
I left a somewhat pointed and detailed message on the dropping of the ball by the progressive conventioneers in a thread I believe was called “Netroots Bronco”. Here is link:
http://www.boomantribune.com/comments/2007/8/6/152941/0937/8?mode=alone;showrate=1#8
I believe the comment speaks for itself. However, if you think the damage from this little treason by the Dem leaders can be cured by rolling back the law, you are fooling yourself. The law can be reset, but never fully; there will have been an incremental creep in the direction away from fundamental Constitutional rights. Additionally, the tactical damage done to the Democrat’s moral standing and ability to investigate and remedy Administration misconduct is literally immense and cannot be recovered. The Dem leaders effectively waived claims of illegality for the various wiretapping violations and ratified the Administration’s conduct.
This was no screwup or case of the Dems being “outfoxed”. The Dem leadership met with the White House and their DNI pitchmen, along with GOP leaders, and they cut a deal to handle the matter precisely this way. The ONLY question at this point is what did Dem “leaders” Pelosi and Reid get out of the deal, if anything? The best evidence so far is nothing unless you consider getting to leave for their unearned precious vacation to be a “win” out of the negotiation.
This was BooMan’s conclusion: “In the meantime, we will have to find ways to educate the public about this abuse of power. Any suggestions?”
So…where do your conclusions lead you?
The majority of the democrats that voted for this bill in the house were blue dogs…just like harold ford was…just like my rep is and I am here to tell you I have called and emailed till he and his crew will be sick of me before this is over. I have called both the Jackson and the Union City (TN) offices and complained. Guess where this sucker has gone over the Aug. break????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Israel! Just what does he think he will accomplish over there…not one damn thing! He is scared to come back home! I can tell you this! I think he is scared!
It really should not be that we have to hold these peoples hands all the time to get them to vote the right way! For Heavens sake do they not know which way the world is turning nowadays???!! They are not stupid! They think like some one said earlier, they think we work for them when it is the other way around. We should not have to hold their hand on every thing,for Gods sake. It has been like this for the past 6 years…I am tired of treating these adults like children. They need to grow up and work like senators and congresspeople should! That is the problem IMHO