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Not to be too crabby, but how hard is it for journalists to state the obvious -- that Democrats and libertarian-leaning Republicans are standing up for the rule of law and the constitution against a unilateral executive power grab and a CYA effort to cover the Bush/Cheney illegal domestic spying tracks? Apparently altogether too hard for some. Via NYTimes:
In clear defiance of the White House, the proposal from House Democratic leaders would not give retroactive legal protection to the phone companies that helped in the National Security Agency program of warrantless wiretapping. Mr. Bush also threatened to veto any such measure, should it reach his desk.
Brian Knowleton, who wrote this piece for the Times apparently couldn't be bothered to deviate from the WH fax blast script. It's that bad. Pamela Hess of AP (via WaPo), to her credit, gives her piece a bit more context and legal heft:
Democrats launched their own broadside in response. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., suggested Bush's criticism was disingenuous.
"The president has said that our legislation will not make America safe," she told reporters. "The president is wrong, and he knows it."
The third-ranking House Democrat, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, called Bush's comments "absurd and outrageous."...
The Democrats' measure would encourage the judge to review in private any secret government documents underpinning the program, in order to decide whether the companies acted lawfully.
The administration has prevented those documents from being revealed, even to a judge, by invoking the state secrets privilege. That puts the companies in a bind because it puts off-limits evidence they might use to defend themselves.
Keeping that information secret is all about the Bush/Cheney Administration covering it's own flank for illegal domestic spying in contravention of the FISA law. Notice how quickly the House Judiciary committee analysis and language on Bush/Cheney CYA via their manipulative use of state secrets to hide the ball has made it into the media narrative. Good for Dems.
McJoan suggests calling your own Representative -- along with all the Blue Dogs (and includes numbers). I concur.
Take some time to make a few calls and ask for support of the rule of law and the Fourth Amendment, and that immunity not be given to the Bush/Cheney Administration and telecoms. While you are at it, do cast your vote for the Blue Dog who most needs a FISA wake-up call. While the House is still debating budget intricacies on the House floor, we should take the time to let them know that standing up for the rule of law is something we all think is important. Let's get to work...
UPDATE: ACLU has some thoughts on this as well. And CongressNow has a bit on the potential for a "secret session" (subs. req.) that some GOP folks are pushing -- but I haven't been able to confirm anything with any leadership or other House Members or staffers on this. Also, there is a rumor that the vote may not happen now until tomorrow, but I'm also hearing much later this evening, too -- so keep those phones ringing, gang. Stay tuned....
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yip yips
current action on the house floor: voting on the progressive caucus budget plan h. con. res. 312 (i think).
… gives us few more minutes to make a few more calls!
I wonder what kennel breeds all those Blue Dogs?
I don’t know what all the fuss is about?
Since I happened to be off work this afternoon, I just got off the phone with a young lady in (soon to be outgoing) Congressman Gilcrest’s DC office. Got through right away.
I do like this part though!;
“In clear defiance of the White House”,
c-span just replayed a pelosi press conference from earlier today (she sounded fine during this - not like at the begining of the house session this morning).
asked if bush was lying about fisa, pelosi said that she would say what she said in 2001 when she was asked the same question about the president’s statements on the iraq “threat” :
that’s pretty good. me like.
oT Carson of IN being sworn in!
There is a YouTube of the presser at The Gavel as well. That link will take you there and to transcripts on that. I’ve linked it above, but that way folks don’t have to hunt around for it…
That’s very similar to saying he’s a liar. I like, too!
Interesting “Quick Vote” at CNN right now:
Quick Vote
Do you worry about the FBI spying on you?
Yes 25%
No 75%
Unfortuantely, there appear to be a lot of folks with no clue.
thank you!
i recommend it to anyone looking for moral boost.
…i’ll watch it later though, as i have c-span on and am working on two computers and my concentration is a bit overtaxed as it is.
i like the way she said it too.
ok, a couple more calls… while i’m thinking about it.
This is what they used to call “being a good German”.
The YouTube linked there is just the very short clip where she said that, not the whole presser. So for folks just looking for that one, small bit — it’s a quick watch. About 40 seconds or so, if I recall correctly…
I’m really enjoying listening to Andre Carson. Oops, now he just talked about cutting property taxes. How is that a Federal issue?
The House announced with Carson they have 431 members. Aren’t there 435, what happened with the other 4, Republican resignations?
OT, but just wanted to let you know I’m still on the road:
http://freewayblogger.blogspot.....coast.html
I love John Cleese.
*waving to freeway blogger speeding by* -bye!
ok, ya got me Christy *g*
just got off the phone with prosimian John Carter -
kinda interesting . . . they hemmed and hawed as to whether he would be on the floor for the vote - yeah, whatever, told them I would be watching and would gladly report his vote to local media and his opponent in the general
then here’s the c-span archive link (for anyone who wants to see it)… they don’t have the video up yet, maybe later today.
i just called speaker pelosi’s office to say “thank you for calling the president a liar” (even though she didn’t use the word) and please don’t give in on fisa. the person answering the phone was much more polite than when i’ve called to complain (which i’ve done a lot of).
The whole concept of a “Quick Vote” is a little off. Especially wording it the way they did. People aren’t encouraged to think about their answer.
Am I worried about the FBI spying on me?
No. (I don’t think they’re currently spying on me at this moment)
Should we give the FBI the right to spy on me anytime without a warrant?
Hell No!
Yay, good for you! Letters to the editor are a great way to get the word out in local communities. For those who missed it, our Correspondence School series (here and here) is quite useful in that regard.
While I’m thinking about it — if folks do write LTE’s and they get published and you can send a copy and/or a link along, please do and we’ll see what we can do about putting them up. Its always such a kick to see what great work everyone is doing in their own communities. :)
“We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes which were, for the moment unpopular.” - Edward R. Murrow
Not to be too crabby, but how hard is it for journalists to state the obvious –
Very hard, considering the stakes
Hi selise! That’s a good idea, I’ll do that, too.
I called my congresscritter, Lamar Smith, tho’ I doubt it will do any good.
But the young(sounding) woman I spoke with was very polite, and asked my zip code. She said she would pass my view along to the Congressman.
Also called Chris Carney’s office - mentioned I donated to him thru Act Blue, and that I was very disappointed with his position on FISA, and hoped he would do the right thing and vote against immunity. Also a very polite young person.
Now I’ll call the Speaker’s office, then I’ve got to get going before the afternoon is gone.
Here’s a link to mine in the Fresno Bee today.
http://www.fresnobee.com/277/story/460690.html
Coupla Youtubes:
Pelosi on Bush’s FISA talk
Former Republican Congressman Mickey Edwards chastises a supine Congress
I sent my letter to my Rep. Trent Franks on the 7th of this month; I faxed it to all 21 blue dogs this morning. I’m really hoping that this means there is still a chance that all hope is not lost and Congress standing up for our rights (and their own) will hold! I’m truly surprised, but pleasantly, this time! Gee, I sure hope it works. BTW, if anyone wants to copy and use my letter for whatever the reasons, they don’t have time, etc., feel free. This is too important! The end result is what matters.
Great letter. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Christy, this is slightly o/t but on topic too?
I heard one of the FISA attack ads yesterday on KCBS in teh Bay Area targetting Jay McNerney. Burst my little bubble about the ACLU ad that ran the week before…
Still, I’m encouraged that the House is holding fast so far. NPR reported that the mood in the country is less fearful and Dems are confident that the public can now tell when Bush is crying wolf (words to that effect).
fwiw.
Christy, thanks a million for those correspondence links - they must have come up during my radio silence period
btw, I said ‘interesting’ above bec this guy is a total Bushdog - handpicked by DeLay, and that office has always given me the terra terra terra bs in the past - wildly coincidental that his once safe seat in our once very red county went Dem by more than 2 to 1 and his longshot Dem opponent in Nov outpolled him by almost 12,000 votes (Ft Hood went blue - tee hee)
Wonderful letter. Thanks for taking the time to write it and send it to the paper. That really increases the visibility of what we discuss here.
It only happens when his lips are moving.
You’re welcome.
OT Carson of IN being sworn in!
Yippee for Indianapolis!
Wanna see my still-purple finger?
(don’t ask which one)
That’s been my point!
Agreed. Thanks for reading it.
Hi, jayt! I posted my comments on the swearing-in and hhis first remarks on the wrong thread (I had toggled to Christy’s earlier FISA thread).
As an ex-Hoosier, raised in north-Central Indy, I was very, very proud of him myself.
Here’s a link about the same subject
——
My latest minor contribution on the FISA bill
Did CA replace Tom Lantos? If so, who with?
Call Congressman Tiberi’s office in DC and the staffer was great. Identified myself as the individual the congressman assisted with identity theft legislation and tied my identity theft experience to the concerns on FISA. Additionally, noted the top 15 donors to his last campaign in our area are top employers in central Ohio and that I felt he had a constituency obligation to vote no on immunity and redress the process of gathering intel in order to protect proprietary matters of these corporations, lest he ends up supporting a “backdoor” corporate espionage program. Thus risking the economy and jobs in our central Ohio region. Then I addressed 4th amendment rights.
Staffer was polite. Recalled hearing about my identity theft case and stated she would relay concerns.
Special election to be held in April. We have no rep right now.
Writing before reading all the comments:
Christy, good post! I reluctantly have to add NPR to the White House stenographers on your list: The report this morning, “Immunity Issue at Center of FISA Fight,” was pretty bad. It seems to have been read right off the White House FAX: All about tapping phones of “terrorists,” never mind the data mining of calls of US citizens, never mind that the Telcos already have immunity, and never mind the culpability of the White House goon squad in illegal acts. I sent them an email through their website complaining about the shoddy reporting and lax editing.
Bob in HI
Ooh, you play rough!
Updated above with this, but ACLU is out with a statement on this. And CongressNow has a bit on the potential for a “secret session” (subs. req.) that some GOP folks are pushing — but I haven’t been able to confirm anything with any leadership or other House Members or staffers on this. Also, there is a rumor that the vote may not happen now until tomorrow — keep those phones ringing, gang. And stay tuned.
cbl2 - I thought the response at Cong. Smith’s office was a bit more gracious, receptive, even, than usual. Ha! His has been a safe seat for years — could he be worried?
I was extra-glad that my zip code now is a very Republican, very affluent one. (I live in the shabby rental 4-plex at the end of a very expensive street in Alamo Heights. Could never ever buy a house here. But the zip code with my comment might shake Rep Smith a teeny bit.)
“Clear defiance” is a phrase used to reference a monarch.
Oh, wait –
Those lowly peasants. How dare they?
I’m hoping for Jackie Speir ;-)
tbsa, somebody set up a digg for your letter!
me, too. she’s a great person.
BTW, as I was typing my earlier post and getting ready to turn off tv and leave, I heard Boehner giving a press conf (which he seems to have repeated and extended on the floor, with an addendum about how cutting taxes is/has been/will ever be the cure-all for everything) about how the Dems are preventing the House from passing life-and death legislation, the horror that “some companies” are now hesitating to cooperate, etc., etc. The whole damn talking points.
I called his office–id’d as not a constitutent, immediately transferred to the Minority Leader’s voice mail — expressed my disappointment at hearing the false talking points, wish that he would start telling truth on the issue, esp on all the existing laws providing immunity. Also mentioned I was damn (oh, no I didn’t use the profane word) glad to hear some companies were backing off illegally listening to Americans calls and emails.
I’m pretty worked up. Better get the hell out before I stroke out.
(joke - my blood pressue is actually very low-normal.*g*)
In your poll of who should go I voted for Heath Shuler because I had supported him in 2006. Today I tried to send an email to Brad Ellsworth, to whom I also gave support, but he has an incorrect email address on his site and no address listed in the Congressional Directory. So I would like to revote and will do what I can to rid the Congress of Brad Ellsworth. Too bad he doesn’t have opposition this round, but I won’t forget.
Cool beans.
yeah, and i dug it!
Great job! I’m impressed!
Thanks siri and AZ Ann.
Off topic but …
DoD to Discuss 2007 Sexual Assault in the Military Report and 2006 Gender Relations Survey Results
http://www.defenselink.mil/adv.....oryid=2968
I saw Nancy’s presser a while ago on cspan1. Every question asked by the press sounded like came out of the Administrations’ mouth.
sounded like it*
Yeah it did. What do we expect when they all get their faux talking points memos each morning.
I expect the press not be propaganda tools.
Not to sound angry at you or anything.
This morning on Scarborough’s show Mika Brzezinski presided and she reported something about the FISA vote today right after they played Bush spouting off at the mouth. I expect better from her, but once again she referred to “the Democrats” blah, blah, blah. Somehow these people need to be clued in that we are not the only ones objecting. Mickey Edwards, Bruce Fein, John Dean, just to name three off the top of my head, are not Dems. Fortunately, though, they know and love the Constitution, and they have all been very vocal about this. So how do we tell the rest of the media to stop making it sound like this is a partisan issue. It’s an American issue. It’s a Constitutional issue. Period!
h/t to casual_observer on Glenn’s blog: McJoan is reporting that quite a few Blue Dogs (including Space, Boswell and Barrow from our targeted six) have announced support for the new House compromise bill that allows the telecoms to present documentation of government authorization of wiretapping in a secure courtroom.
But Democrats are the only ones in Congress objecting. That was her point.
Funny how that happened all of a sudden, isn’t it? Boehner has been touting Dem support for his side of the aisle all week…and suddenly he’s facing some defections. Altogether now: awwwwwwwwww…
You’re my hero…! *g*
thanks ! from McJoan’s link that is 6 who have flipped in favor of the Consitution today alone
Secret Session this Congressman Dogfood !
As an Ohioan, that makes my day. Snoopy dance in the Buckeye state!
Does this mean Barrow won’t be coming back here in his fruity bike tights?
Guess i shouldn’t bemoan the press from Nancy’s presser, even tho they deserve it, as much as I should say Nancy did a very good job of defending her constitutional stance in the face of very biased questioning.
a little snark break courtesy NY Gov Paterson
CT!
Good luck with that. I recently complained about their claim in a report that “FISA is expiring” and got a form response in return.
They are still more evenhanded than most news organizations, but they slip a bit more all the time.
This is turning into a pretty good day. Hoyer is ripping the R’s a new one right now on the budget bill.
a little snark break courtesy NY Gov Paterson
Paterson also displayed a rather awesome sense of humor. “Just so we don’t have to go through this whole resignation thing again,” one ballsy reporter asked, “have you ever patronized a prostitute?” Patterson thought for a minute. “Only the lobbyists,” he said
ROTFL!
maybe say both (as you did)? after all, both are true… and together they give a more accurate description of what happened than either of the them alone. my 2cents.
But her point is perpetuating a false impression; that this is a partisan subject and that Dems are objecting just for the purpose of being obstructionist. That’s my point. She could rephrase and make her point just like you did, but she’s taking the same short cuts almost everyone else in media does. One possible saving grace: Cafferty. That’s sad.
Yeah, they say it like it was a bad thing.
I’ve been wondering about the awesome degree of Republican solidarity has they all head for the cliff. Why?
Here’s a deeply cynical theory (tin foil hat firmly in place):
Between 2002 and 2004 or maybe 2005, when the Republicans were in control of everything, the Republicans staged some secret, Romanesque sex parties for their pals in Congress– and Rove & Cheney managed to just secure videotapes and other incriminating details on every Republican in Congress. Now with Spitzer as a concrete example of what can happen, the WH has all Republicans by the short hairs.
Is that how they’re doing it?
Bob in HI
Gee how about THAT secret session have testimony from Klein and Pasdar…
I see I got here in time for the festivities…! I like all the defections to the Light Side… I hope they don’t go into secret session, tho…!
I thought we’d discussed not making fun of metrosexuals on this foul mouthed fem blog. :~)
Snort! Thanks for sharing!
“I can’t help it….they’re so beautiful.”
Naah. They are just authoritarians and duly carry out the marching orders from above. It’s also entirely fear-based, if you have read Gore’s The Assault on Reason.
still debating the budget… makes me wonder if they will get to fisa tonight?
Man, the repugs are so tendentious on the budget, it is extremely tiresome watching them trying to defend the last 7+ years of trashing it…! 8-(
I think the only way the press in this country will change is if there are mass protests outside the corporate offices of the NYTimes, WaPo, LATimes, NBC, CBS, ABC, forget Fox. Today’s MSM has abrogated their role as an independent 4th Estate. They have to much interest in the status quo.
Well, Pelosi’s up now, maybe something’s about to happen…
You are so right. They shouldn’t be.
You’ll hear plenty about how “Congressional Gridlock” is the fault of the Democrat Party/s on the News. Most people will believe it.
nah… still budget debate. hopefully will be voted on soon… (budget debate is very important, i just don’t know enough about it to follow the debate in detail).
Thought I would share this email with all of the firepups, from Savetheinternet.com
Yep, the closing arguments are wrapping up…!
Wow, I hadn’t heard about that, anybody have a link or two…?
Jack Sprat could eat no fat…
Comcast acknowledges that it hired people to take up room at an F.C.C. hearing into its practices.
http://www.portfolio.com/news-.....g-Strategy
Correspondance from Holy Joe Lieberman. I apologize. But I find him more and more disturbing. I probably need therapy after reading this. I think it’s clear Holy Joe is becoming a surrogate for McCain. Oh I feel safe yes i do, I do, I do /snark.