Proud to stand
with Dodd and Feingold on FISA in February (aka Patriot Act). Backing Bush in June. Yes, he was for sure against amending FISA to allow the government to monitor more communications without a warrant. But then political expediency (he wasn't actually there for the vote--surprise, surprise!) starts to dawn on him. He might actually get to the White House after defeating Hillary in the primaries, and these powers of surveillance might be very useful, so he flipped on a clear promise to his supporters, stabbing his leftist buddies in the back (although they're loving him for it now)."Given the legitimate threats we face, providing effective intelligence collection tools with appropriate safeguards is too important to delay. So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as president, I will carefully monitor the program," Obama said in a statement hours after the House approved the legislation 293-129. [WaPo account]
Democrats hated FISA under Bush (1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act under Carter), but they've already learned to love it. Especially our Ohio Democratic administration. They are practicing to be good ObamaToms. So ripping through Joe the Plumber's records in Ohio (standard procedure we were told when someone's name appears in the news) is just a foretaste of what's to come with President Obama and the new, improved FISA. The fact that asking a question about taxes hardly makes one a national security threat, unless questioning Obama is perceived not only as racism, but a security threat.
HT Larry Johnson
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3 comments:
I haven't checked very closely, but I believe that FISA and the Patriot Act are two separate entities. The Patriot Act may have amended aspects of FISA, but I don't think they are the same.
Do you mean ObamaTONS or, as you put it, ObamaTOMS? As in Uncle Toms?
Some of us still hate FISA. Call me silly, but I believe in the rule of law. And I don't think that various law enforcement agencies (or governmental officials for that matter)should be allowed to conduct surveillance without court order.
Technically, you're right, but I think it's word quibbles. "In 2001, the Patriot Act made extensive changes to the FISA, broadening the circumstances when the secret FISA authorities could be used and eliminating some of the safeguards against abuse."
I thought librarians were whacked out over the Patriot Act in a time of real threat. Joe the Plumber whose state records were trashed (child support, tax records, driving record, etc.) by Gov. Strickland's people within 24 hours, was no threat to anyone but his campaign. He also pushed McCain into acknowledging what we all knew about Obama, but he didn't want to say.
Were you on holiday? Welcome back.
Actually, I don't know why the big deal about Joe the Plumber - he really didn't have anything of interest to say. But, whatever, that's just my opinion
Having said that, I don't think it's OK to start mining personal, and confidential, information about him.
I think the Patriot Act is a mistake. I think the FBI, et. al., have probably too much lee-way under the old FISA. Safe guards against search and seizure were enshrined in the constitution for a reason - and those rights weren't meant to be only for the good times. Again, just my view. LOL, lots-o-people disagree with me.
No holiday, was just lurking for a few.
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