Login HereI am sitting here watching the House vote on the FISA bill.
The bill that will be the Legislative branch caving in to the Executive branch to undo the heroic work of the Judicial branch which issued a decision in March declaring the President's warrantless wiretapping illegal under FISA.
The house vote is going on right now
Yeas 227
Nays 183
This is revolting.
Share This 
Spotlight
number ONE!
it is ridiculous… I will get the others…
Just joining you. USA RIP
Completely revolting.
OK, selise, you were right.
so long, what was left of my civil liberties…it was nice knowing ya!
This is no longer the country I grew up in.
Can someone explain why they needed a 2/3 vote to pass the Dem version of the bill? Who agreed to that rule change, and why?
I’m so disgusted.
Turned off C-Span a few minutes ago, couldn’t take it any more.
And I came here, figuring someone else amongst the Firepups would be registering the same grief I feel.
Thanks, LHP, for being the one to do it.
And please, LHP, or any other Firepup present tonight, please give me a reason for hope. It’s an especially dark night tonight.
that hurt.
I hope we all give our elected representatives a real *warm* welcome home this August.
Bisher al-Rawi, the British-based Iraqi and former MI5 source detained by America for more than four years, is suing the US private airline that transported him to Afghanistan on an illegal CIA ‘extraordinary rendition’ torture flight.
Last week’s Observer revealed how MI5 failed to protect al-Rawi when US agents abducted him during a business trip to Gambia in November 2002, despite the fact that he had helped the Security Service keep tabs on the radical preacher Abu Qatada - Osama bin Laden’s ‘ambassador to Europe’ - when he was in hiding.
‘Being a victim of the CIA’s rendition programme was horrific beyond words,’ al-Rawi said yesterday.
http://politics.guardian.co.uk.....87,00.html
GordonM @ 5
i’m so, so sorry.
BigMitch @ 8
that’s the thing that is cracking my butt right now.
I too am revolted.
BigMitch @ 8
Looked like Calvinball to me.
And don’t forget - Alberto is now in charge!!
Courts? We don’t need no stinkin’ courts!!
So, LHP, what excuse will they give?…vacation We are the majority
((((((everyone))))))
dakine01 @ 7
I am 42 and this is the country all the DFH’s warned me about.
I’m crying. After I cry, I get really angry. Where do we go from here. Am I dreaming? It feels like a nightmare I can’t wake up from.
Hi K8!
We need a list of the cave-in Dems and make sure they see their constituents constantly during the break.
jayt @ 10
Yes, now let’s see. What’s warm? Spit is warm.
BigMitch @ 8
that’s the #1 question for Miss Nancy on Monday morning. Someone please ask her at the next local meeting in Cali, heh?
Never forget this day folks. The day the United States of America died. R.I.P. Don’t forget this either come the next election. Vote the bums out!
The Dems cave again. Pathetic.
time for a drink. anyone care to join me? oh, and I’m going to smoke a cigarette, too.
Fear and Loathing in the House of Representatives - Their fear, our loathing!
BigMitch @ 8
if the leadership weren’t gaming the system - the worst case would have been that both bills would be considered under the same rule or rule suspension.
therefore, i conclude that the fix was in.
this was to make sure the bill passed, but that most of the dems could vote against it and so “look” good.
fuckery and kabuki.
When & where can we find out which Ds voted for it?
LoudounLib @ 6
Oh, you can have them back in 6 months. All you need is this nice little RFID chip, won’t hurt a bit, and now you’ll be able to pay for your groceries with a retinal scan! It will be so excellent. The subcutaneous X*n*x really makes breathing diesel fumes so pleasant, they smell like.. roses.. whatever they were.
So, FDL, when the DNC comes calling, and they will, will you give?
pour me up, LoudounLib…
I’m afraid that I am getting numb about this, that can’t be good, that’s like giving up or giving in.
And I won’t!
Gordon, you made me grin ;-)
Fern @ 15
apt choice of analogy!
This would only be revolting if we had a President with a history of assaults on the Constitution and an Attorney General who had the trustworthiness of a pimp.
Oh, wait.
lhp! you might be interested in some of the summaries I did on the CRS report on Congress’ contempt powers over at my place. feel free to use whatever you like. you can make much better use of the info than I can.
sure, thanks LL
Hey, Elliott! Good to see you here, together with all the Pups at the wake.
LS — I’m crying too. And very very angry.
eCAHN — thanks for that hug for all of us. I sure know that I need it.
LoudounLib @ 27
I’m already out here. Would you like one of mine?
Let’s start referring to the country by their terminology.
New Homeland speak….let’s start professing loyalty oaths to der Busheur…
Part of the problem is that we are not rioting in the streets over this. They don’t see any palpable rage from us, so they don’t think we care.
The Dems are being constantly harraunged by the GOP members that can get in their faces… by their fellow ‘insiders’ who follow and obey the Beltway ideology rather than the mood in the rest of the country…
Do you know how nations truly die? They die by apathy.
LoudounLib @ 27
no, dont do it. step away from the butt. but, by all means, have a drink.
and of course - maybe we really, really fucked up by asking the dems in the house this week to block their own version of the bill.
now i’m wishing that last night’s bill had passed.
eCAHNomics @ 30
About 6-1/2 minutes remaining in the electronic vote record according to C-Span.
TiredFed @ 24
I didn’t see the final count but they may have been worried about losing with two third rule.
snowbird42 @ 32
yup.
Frank Probst @ 26
A whole party of Snarlin’ Arlens.
Northwest Gal @ 41
Thanks. A cigarette (or a whole pack) would be so nice right now.
BigMitch @ 8
I’ll give it a shot.
The Dem’s, in the spirit of moving forward to get a bill passed, had to suspend a rule to get it to a quick vote. The motion to suspend the rule needed 2/3 to pass.
Tonight was a straight up-or down as to whether to concur with last night’s Senate vote.
I wonder who voted for it.
I’m tired of Dems who won’t stand up and fight. And I’m REALLY tired of people voting for bad legislation just because they don’t want to look “weak”. That attitude is what got into Iraq in the first place. People like John Kerry can claim they never thought Bush would fuck it up as badly as he did, but they should have been worried about it even back then, and they sure as hell ought to know better now.
The dems have become those people that have been convinced to vote against their own interest. What . Is . Going . On ???
Then dont complain. If you send money you concur
Northwest Gal @ 41
Anybody want a menthol? I’ve been thinking of quitting, but then why would anyone want to live LONGER in a big banana republic with fancy high-tech surveillance?
Kiss the United States goodbye, in my estimation. Thanks congress. What worthless fucks.
I had CSpan on all day waitng for the FISA debate.
My stepdaughter is visiting and she and Littleprop almost didn’t believe me when I told them what this bill was all about.
My step daughter (going into her junior year of college) was amazed and said “If something like this is going on why isn’t it all over the news? Why isn’t someone telling the people?”
The kids and I had a talk about that scene in one of the Star Wars movies where the Sith Lord declares himself Emperor “just until the presnt security crisis is over”.
Remeber the line? “This is how democracy dies…”
“Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin
Hugh @ 37
Nicely put. Sad, but accurate.
Not one penny more to any Democrat until they learn to grow some balls.
damn. I’m an hour and a half from 6 months without a drink… and boy, is it tough right about now.
Frank Probst @ 53
John Kerry should have listened to Molly Ivins!!!!!! She knew what the Decider was like when he was still Governor. She warned people, and not enough listened.
looseheadprop @ 58
You have amazing kids if they listen to you explain what this is all about. Bravo.
They are driving us to drink and smoke!
In perspective…
This bridge in Minnesota, Katrina/New Orleans, and Pat Tillman are all related. Our infrastructure and social fabric are disintegrating before our eyes. “I pledge ‘No New Taxes!!!’” is the refrain that we hear, but what do we get in return? A Dow at 14,000?
The Dow is a thermometer that is telling us we are sick and unstable. The symptoms of the disease are incompetence at directing a disaster recovery, the inability to fix the plumbing (so to speak) on our roadways. And the inability or unwillingness to tell the truth when something does go wrong. Oh, because there might be some liability, someone might find out. and it is better that a Nation dwell in unbelief rather than someone tell the truth. Well, I am sick of it.
I want someone to change the channel. But only I can do that.
Andrew @ 61
Thank you, this is our power. Power that will work.
You can give to individuals who think and vote right.
Who in Northern Cali wants to go with me to meet with Nancy??? I am not kidding.I live in the Sac area but can get to the bay area anytime.
(((jayt))) keep up the good work. I’ll go fix you a cup of coffee.
With thunderous applause.
-GSD
For some reason lyrics to the song Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald came to mind.
“When supper time came the old cook came on deck
Saying fellows it’s too rough to feed ya
At 7PM a main hatchway caved in
He said fellas it’s been good to know ya.”
jayt @ 62
it’s been ten and a half years, it DOES get easier, though I eat lotsa chocolate
looseheadprop @ 58
Did you explain to your step-daughter about how the mass media enjoy their fascism so very much?
snowbird42 @ 32
They get a tip: “When you swear to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, you’re supposed to mean it.”
jayt @ 62
don’t give up now, want a Hershey kiss?
snowbird42 @ 32
I stopped giving in February except to very specific folks.
I think we need to be figuring out what primary challenges to mount now. Some of the sellouts have got to be vulnerable to one after this performance. I can’t wait to see the actual rollcall.
I hate the fucking Democrat Party.
The Democrat Party Democrat Party Democrat Party Democrat Party Democrat Party.
There. That felt good.
I hate those fucks.
wigwam @ 59
You know, I don’t think the Democrats combined in DC have the intellectual capacity of Franklin.
Mrs. K8 @ 56
No - No - No! Don’t give one extra breath to big tobacco! Let’s have group hugs and some massages, instead! I care about all of you!
What can be done? Well, the original patriots had RedCoats smirking among them.
I rather think that it’s time for another tea party. I’m bringing lanterns and box cutters (for tea chest entry).
What will you bring?
looseheadprop @ 58
funny how the kids recognize evil so easily. why can’t we?
i’m not feeling good right now about the time i spent last fall on moveon’s calling program to GOTV for dem representatives.
at least i don’t have to regret all the time i spent volunteering for ned lamont.
jayt @ 62
Wait until you can crack a champange when D is elected prez & majorities in H & S increase. Or, better still, hold out for the rapture. It’s better for you.
Mrs.K8,
I can’t believe this.
I need chocolate….
TiredFed @ 38
Thank you. I sent myself an email so I will remeber to give a good hard read in the morning
GordonM @ 74
Isn’t that the oath they take when they are sworn in?
LoudounLib @ 69
(((jayt))) keep up the good work. I’ll go fix you a cup of coffee.
Thank you. Then hit me over the head with a frying pan, please.
You can see what you will in this.
Our freshman Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) voted against it, so our family sent him a thankyou for that, and for his dedication and energy working on many other issues we support.
Our other senator (voinovich - R - go along to get along), and our rep. regula (R-etiring very soon) get nothing from us today. They’ll get the usual soon, once I can figure out how to put feelings into printable language.
We cant stop fighting and writing but we dont have to support them with money.
Whatever games the Dems are playing, they are very dangerous games.
jayt @ 62
(((jayt))). hang in there. nothing is worth it.
wigwam @ 59
I’m waiting for the day it becomes considered “subversive” by Homeland Security to quote the founders, like Franklin or Paine or Jefferson.
Some people have been hanging upside-down American flags as a sign of distress.
What I want to do is hang the Revolutionary Flag. the one with the thirteen stars in a circle — and dare someone to tell me it’s subersive to support our own founding as a nation devoted to liberty.
jayt @ 51
So anyone who voted to suspend rule but voted against the bill is trying to pull a fast one on us, correct?
Thanks for being among those who took the trouble to stay up on a Saturday night to witness this betrayal of American freedom. Most Americans were too busy watching TV, partying, or just plain sleeping.
If there were any kind of strong reaction against the Military Commissions Act, or the Patriot Act, then I’d believe that there will be a Democratic grassroots uprising against those who voted for this. Sadly, that’s not how it has worked in the past.
How much bull will Democrats take from their own party before they demand something better?
Let’s try to be analytical, even though we are dispirited because of this disgusting lack of courage that we have witnessed. I’m focussing on the Dems who didn’t stop this from happening.
It is obvious to me that they are afraid of something, and it isn’t a terrorist phone call that they don’t have translators to understand. It is that they are afraid of being blamed for something if it happens during the next 6 months (before the sunset provision.) To be blamed, someone must do the blaming. Someone with credibility would need to stand up and say, we couldn’t get this information because …. because what?
Because it was too hard to get a judge to go along with our eavesdropping? Even after the fact? I might be seriously wrong about this but I don’t think the bill lowers the standard for eavesdropping, it just relegates the decision making to the AG. If the AG could approve it, then the Judge could approve it in the same amount of time, n’est pas? And besides, the Senate bill was all worked out with Admiral McConnell (name?) DCI.
Furthermore, who could deliver the message that “this tragedy is the fault of the Dems?” Bush? Abu? Dick? Don’t they have someone with an approval rating above the minosa line? (.220)
So, I am just saying, that the 25 ship jumpers really didn’t have much to be afraid of on the soft on terrorism count. Then just what is it they are so afraid of?
Someone has got something on them, is all I can figure. And that someone — I won’t mention any names — but his dad used to be the head of the C.I.A.
I have said often, the Republicans have nothing to sell, but fear itself.
Well, now I am afraid, ’cause this shit is Scary.
when do we start goose-stepping is all i want to know …. this is truly madness!
We are going for a swim. Lahoma suggests a margarita, so I am going to build two of them (don’t use mix), frozen and salted glasses and take them out to the pool. Then we’re going to watch a movie. And then… say goodnight, Lahoma.
good night. L.
snowbird42 @ 55
haha. I totally misread what you said. I thought you said if FDL comes calling, would I send them money. I blanked out the DNC part. that’s gotta be Freudian.
snowbird42 @ 87
I’m damn sure not giving any more money to the Democrat Party.
What are they doing? Why give great speeches when you plan to lose?
snowbird42 @ 32
No. I’ve already sent a nasty letter to the Human Rights Campaign telling them they aren’t getting any more money as long as they continue to support anti-equality candidates like Joe Lieberman. I have no problem telling the DLC to go to hell. I give my money to people and groups that earn it. And people (and groups) who trample the Constitution because they don’t want to change their vacation plans do not fall into that category.
Jayt, have some coffee or tea or chocolate. Dems are not worth it. We have to forge a better way. Things have to change.
Oh no, it isn’t revolting. What we saw was disgusting as the House and the Senate committed Treason. Literally, they all committed High Treason and shredded the Constitution. 9/11 was the Reichstag fire and tonight, the FISA Act of 2007 was the Enabling Act. This was disgusting, not revolting. A revolt is what will be necessary to reinstate the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Rule of Law again.
GSD @ 70
I heard that song a couple hours ago on internet radio, and had a very similar brainwave.
“I’m going to stick with the party and fix it!”
Pfft. So long Democrats.
again we gets PLAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYED!!!
I bet Bush is licking his chops making a list of idiots for recess appointments.
Who’s that dickwad in the chair who rudely cut Debbie off?
If my Rep is one of them, She will not have a pleasant Summer!!! (Mazie Hirono!)
anne @ 91
No, the House was trying to suspend the rule in order to vote on *their* version of the bill.
Tonight they were voting to adopt the Senate’s version.
looseheadprop @ 58
Because the media corporations would much rather talk about how Nancy Pelosi, by keeping Roy Blunt and Mitch McConnell from their August fundraisers vacations, was in bed with Osama.
Meanwhile, there is a bit of good news today, though whether it survives a Bush veto remains to be seen: House passes bill putting additional $12 billion tax on Big Oil
looseheadprop @ 83
Really good stuff by tiredFed for anyone else who’s interested though I have little hope any one in Congress would give a shit.
Capitulation Number 2.
Bet the cowardly, craven Democratic WEASELS vote the Little Gawd a Gold Congressional Medal of Honor by September.
Let’s drop the pretense that the 2006 “election” meant a stop to the fascist takeover.
jayt @ 62
Jayt,
That is the best news and the best reason for hope I have seen all day. You hang tough there.
They can read you email and listen to your phone calls, but they can’t make you fall off the wagon.
What a great way to defy them. What a postive act of rebellion
methinks i’ve seen enough for one night must drown my sorrow as only i know how ;o)
eCAHNomics @ 30
Thomas the official website for Congress hasn’t updated the rollcall vote which is #837.
Mrs. K8 @ 9
It’s good to read LHP tonight.
In the meantime, Mrs. K8, I’m fresh out of hope, too.
-S
juslin @ 94
Gosh, I hadn’t thought of that. Do you think they give free goose-stepping lessons…wouldn’t want to be caught out of the fold.
Let’s not forget that CNN is running a breaking news story about a van full of explosives and “Middle Eastern men” in South Carolina.
-GSD
anne @ 91
not exactly (i think!). if the rule is suspended, then it requires 2/3s vote. that is what they should have done.
i don’t know how the rule for this bill and last night’s fisa vote got set - whoever did that not only made the bill passage tonight possible, but is also attempting to obsure how it is done.
the house leadership is on the top of my responsibility list.
but, i’d really, really like to understand the nuts and bolts of this.
LS @ 99
Jayt, have some coffee or