Senate bows to Bush, approves surveillance bill (4th Amendment null & void)

[Kelvin Mace]

Source: AP

Senate bows to Bush, approves surveillance bill
Associated Press

Bowing to President Bush's demands, the Senate sent the White House a bill Wednesday overhauling bitterly disputed rules on secret government eavesdropping and shielding telecommunications companies from lawsuits complaining they helped the U.S. spy on Americans.

The relatively one-sided vote, 69-28, came only after a lengthy and heated debate that pitted privacy and civil liberties concerns against the desire to prevent terrorist attacks. It ended almost a year of wrangling over surveillance rules and the president's warrantless wiretapping program that was initiated after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Just under a third of the Senate, including Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, supported an amendment that would have stripped immunity from the bill. They were defeated on a 66-32 vote. Republican rival John McCain did not attend the vote.

Obama ended up voting for the final bill, as did Specter. Feingold voted no.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080709/ap_on_bi_ge/terrorist_surveillance

---

We have now moved from a <i>de facto</i> police state, to a <i>de jure</i> police state.

Obama, now that he has the nomination, felt it safe to betray us in order to show his loyalty to corporate America and to pander to the imaginary Bush supporters who he thinks will vote for him.

Other Democratic traitors who chose to nullify the 4th Amendment:

Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Conrad (D-ND)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Obama (D-IL)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)

The Republic is no more.

[Maat]

1. Sickening.

Absolutely sickening.

Maat, J.D.

[saigon68]

39. Horrid and Disgusting

Some "Profile in Courage" displayed by these snivelers and weaklings

[Maat]

54. You are right, Sir, and thank you for your service.

These are not the ideals that you fought for.

[high density]

2. Our presidential nominee is a traitor now?

Give us a break...

It's not about pandering, it's about winning the fucking presidency over McCain and preventing another four more years of disastrous policies (like this one.)

[RC]

6. If Obama voted for this, he is a traitor.

I am starting to wonder about him. This is not the first time DU has had to make excuses for him.

[high density]

9. The guy is busy getting himself elected president

There's nothing to "wonder about." His issue papers are still up on his website.

[humbled_opinion]

11. OMG what an appologist....

Obama agrees with Bush on this issue... It is bad law it is bad for American Civil Liberties it allows intrusive govt in your life.... Will you continue to appologize for Obama simply because he has A (D) after his name ... Have you learned nothing.... I will not sit idlly by and blindly support someone whose policies are against the very fabric of this country. Obama is a traitor and he is quickly losing my vote. Whats next morphed position on troop deployments in Iraq? What else hard lined military action against Iran... Obama is morphing into Bush lite... and Why the President is a failure why take that road... Be different stand on your convictions and principles at least Bush did as much even though they are all wrong... Obama is afraid and that is bad leadership....

[high density]

14. Yes, I'm going to blindly support Obama

I don't know what presidential race you are watching, but I have two clear choices in this race: A total fucking loon or a guy that isn't too bad on most issues. I'll choose the guy who isn't too bad on most issues. My convictions mean jack squat because I'm not running for president, and a presidential candidate couldn't care less about how I feel personally.

Focus your anger on McCain and the Republicans.

[KillCapitalism]

28. My only concern is

that Obama is starting to look like he's WAY to the right of McCain, and that's scary.:scared:

[humbled_opinion]

42. Don't tell poster High Density that

He seems completely enamoured by any candidate that runs with a (D) next to their name... Personally, I don't know how he sleeps at night supporting a candidate that is anti-Democratic... Sure I may wind up voting for Obama but at least I will remain an active advocate against this brand of Change.... which in effect is not change I want to believe in at all.... Seems like some on this board would rather we not discuss our candidates flawed policies.... Hell I say if they are screwing up we hold them accountable that at least is much closer to true Democracy then the Repukes can claim or handle...

[Kelvin Mace]

44. This was a test of integrity

and Obama failed, badly.

[KillCapitalism]

58. Yeah, I'll hold my nose & vote for Obama too.

Damnit, I really wish we had a true progressive Dem. candidate. Dennis Kucinich would have been nice.

[Kelvin Mace]

43. No, we are now back to the lesser of evils

when I though it was going to be about leadership.

Yes, I will vote for Obama, because I have no fucking choice. But goddamn him just the same. He is still a traitor who has sacrificed the Constitution on the altar of his political ambition.

I am sorry if the truth bothers some folks.

[Kelvin Mace]

41. Fuck his papers

It's his vote that matters.

[alllyingwhores]

66. Can you say BULLSHIT? There's is nothing politically advantageous about Obama...

...voting for this bill. The corporate media doesn't need an excuse to frame him as flipping on an issue or weak or caving under pressure--he just fucking handed it to them.

The only obvious explanation is that he is bought and paid for by the telecoms and other related criminal corporate backers. END OF FUCKING STORY.

[indepat]

37. Second the motion

[silverojo]

63. So what are you going to do, vote for McCain?

If you think our civil liberties have been assaulted by *this* bill, just think what'll happen if McSame is elected president.

Sometimes you have to vote for the lesser of two evils.

Oh, hell, let's be honest: You ALWAYS have to vote for the lesser of two evils.

[Nihil]

20. Looks like it.

You thought that you were voting for a change?

Ha!

[Malva Zebrina]

23. That is some sacrifice to win

Let Bush's criminal activities go unpunished and let the telecoms spy on us all---just to win. Wow. That is real democracy in action. Mickey Mouse would win over McCain in this election---but now, many Obama supporters are outraged at his flip flopping just to win an election. They will not vote for Obama and he blew it with this vote. He looks to be going the way of Kerry and the rest of the losers. Thanks for telling us we must suffer the loss of our rights just so that a flip flopper candidate can pander to the right and ignore the rest of us, in order to "win" What kind of a "win" would that be, I wonder.

The two parties have melded into one party. They all seem to be in the same camp and wow we voter think we have a choice? No choice. McCain the bad old guy and Obama the opportunist so he can win . And after he wins, what crystal ball will tell us what he would do? More flip flops? Just to stay in office? Sorry, but I am very very disappointed in Obama. He ran a brillian primary campaign, but is now going down the road of the rest of the losers.

My two cents.

[Kelvin Mace]

45. He has ZERO chance of picking up any of the Bush 29%

with this vote. This was craven selling out to the telcos.

[Kelvin Mace]

40. It IS about pandering

He vowed to vote against the bill, got the nomination, then voted for the bill.

I am tired of folks trying to claim Obama should get a free pass while he sells us and the country out.

[humbled_opinion]

51. Stop....

The Thought policy want to let you know that this is exactly how "four more years of disastrous policies" start. Nobody is advocating voting for McCain. We are saying to you to get mad. Don't take this crap especially from our side... because when they come for you there may be no one left to defend you as you gleefully went down the road hand in hand with the sell outs...

Take a stand and get involved don't placate bad decisions.... We are not the Repukes.... so don't start acting like them.

[dflprincess]

52. He has violated the oath he took as a senator to protect the Constitution

Maybe he's not a traitor, but at best he's a coward and he certainly cannot be trusted to keep his word.

[tidy_bowl]

55. Please....

...that is the same nonsense of 'we had to burn the village in order to save it'. Obama is a DINO as he has proven by all the reversals of the last two weeks and now this. It is not too late to take this all the way to Denver to draft Hillary. At least she voted against this bill. How can you still support this traitor?

[progressiveideals]

62. Can we move past this issue?

Can't wait till we return to tackling the Iraq war and the economy.

[Doremus]

3. Fight Back! Join the MoneyBomb on August 8!

"The first campaign of this new organization is the formation of Strange Bedfellows, the ideologically diverse coalition we have formed with liberals, libertarians and others who are devoted to the preservation of our core constitutional liberties and the rule of law. Before it has even begun, The Wall St. Journal and numerous online venues have written about this unique coalition.

To initiate and fund our new campaign, we have teamed with the individual who was behind the innovative and extraordinarily successful Ron Paul "money bombs" -- Trevor Lyman, along with Rick Williams and Break the Matrix -- to plan an "Accountability Money Bomb" for August 8. That is the day in 1974 when Richard Nixon was forced to resign from office for his lawbreaking and surveillance abuses. That day illustrates how far we have fallen in this country in less than 35 years, as we now not only permit rampant presidential lawbreaking and a limitless surveillance state, but have a bipartisan political class that endorses it and even retroactively protects the lawbreakers. "

More at links:
http://www.accountabilitynowpac.com/

Glenn Greenwald:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/07/08/accountability/index.html

[high density]

5. Ron Paul... say no more

Don't have to worry about giving a cent to them.

[biermeister]

30. kick!!

[PFunk]

4. Not yet it hasn't.

But now it's time to, well get off the pot and fight! Because the republic really will be no more if we don't.

[KansDem]

7. "Bowing to President Bush's demands..."

Damn, just think what Bush could do if he had a majority of Americans approving of his presidency, instead of just 28%!

[mvd]

8. I don't like the bill, but nice framing again by the AP

Later the article talks about a compromise, but it's "a bow to Bush" in the headline.

[Mojorabbit]

16. It is a bow to Bush and no compromise

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35726prs20080619.html

[mvd]

36. I was talking about the article's double standards

Plus, Bush already thinks he's king - doesn't need this language. LOL.

[Ytzak]

10. RIP US Constitution

It appears that McBush = OBush & Republican = Democrat

Stick a thermometer in us. We are done.

[elocs]

12. Oh the high drama! Yes, the Constitution is destroyed and the Republic has crumbled.

Why even bother to have an election in November? On that note, let me say that on August 8 I will be sending another contribution to Obama's presidential campaign just because I can.

[humbled_opinion]

13. So I take it that you ...

Agree with his position on this law?

You may want to rethink your party affiliation while your at it...

[Kelvin Mace]

46. Well, be my guest

Since he has folks like you to rely on, he doesn't need my money.

[WyldRogue]

15. Well....

.... guess it's going to be Hello President McCain.

The whole Democrat Party are a bunch of spineless cowards that caved-in time and time again and this time, it was the straw that broke the camel's back

The union I am involved in have rescinded our support for the Dem majority and sad to report this, Obama made a huge blunder for going lockstep. He turned his back on We the People.

As of now, over 15,000 members of our union will NOT be voting for ANYONE with an R or a D.

IF they can't stand up for all of us at THIS point in time, they won't stand up for us in the future either..

Good job Dems, you sure showed us huh? All that huffing and puffing was just for show to get you guys in office...

We Indies won't forgive nor forget how you sold We the People out!

Flame all you want but how can I support candidates/senators/representatives that will not support nor stand up for me?

[tridim]

18. Better just curl up in the fetal position and suck your thumb then.

Or are you going to vote for McCain or Barr in protest?

:eyes:

[WyldRogue]

21. Are you that daft???

McBush won't be getting any votes from any of us and had you actually READ my response, you would have seen that we would not be voting this go-round.

[tridim]

22. So you're not going to vote, but you're still going to complain?

Whatever. :eyes:

[WyldRogue]

24. Not even going....

... to entertain the thought of letting a kid like you under my black skin so take care and vote for your candidate as it will be Hello new boss, same as the old boss.

[tridim]

25. This is a Democratic board. I support our candidate.

You should probably read the rules because you're breaking them.

[WyldRogue]

29. So...

... one is SUPPOSED to go lockstep and just do as your told to do without having any sort of Opinion concerning who and what you are voting for and if they are on the same page as you or not?

Sorry but I'm not a drone/sheep/bot/fool.

If one cannot express differing opinions then how is it DEMOCRATIC?

He shot himself in the foot before he got into the WH and it's through no fault of mine. When I finally decided on who I would vote for, the true colors (yellow) showed through.

[tridim]

32. Comparing our candidate to "the old boss" aka Bush is against the rules.

But it's not just against the rules, it's also incredibly troll-like.

It's your choice if you want to follow Skinner's rules.

[WyldRogue]

33. Actually....

....was referencing the Dem controlled ( wow, controlled?) Congress in there as well.

And it just seems to me that instead of standing up for yourself and complaining to YOUR Senator/Rep/Candidate, you single me out and essentially want me to NOT be outraged, incensed, disgusted at the back-stabbing going on with the folks I helped get elected as they were SUPPOSED to support me as I supported them.

So turn your attention to the task at hand, which is to stand up, be counted, and be heard otherwise, we'll lose more liberties and freedoms if no one stands up...

And if I am in the wrong for feeling betrayed by the whole FISA thing then I will apologize but my anger is sincere but I won't just give in nor turn a blind eye to what is going on in our country

[tridim]

34. You're never going to be heard if you give up and don't vote

And BTW I never said I wasn't upset about FISA, I am. I'm just not going to take it all out on our candidate and help McShithead get elected.

[WyldRogue]

35. Our candidate....

.... our candidate....

Our candidate is SUPPOSED to represent those that support/supported him. His cave-in did alot of damage to his credibility. I'll vote for him if I have to but now he has to win me over yet again. I am totally shocked how fast he turned once he became the presumptive.... wonder how far he'll turn once in the WH?

And here's the killer of all of this:

It was ONLY the GOP and * that wanted this edited FISA bill while MILLIONS of HIS constituents (Dem, Indy and some Repubs) did not want that bill to be passed but who listed to who??

Obama didn't listen to my concerns (hell, none of the Dem-elect has either) nor did he hear my voice. He turned his back on me and my fellow Americans when he allowed that bill to pass without putting up much of a fight (maybe a strongly worded letter and speech will make up for that discrepancy as it seems to be the Dem-way).

If my father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncles were alive to witness this subjugation, they'd be disgusted at how these so called Elected officials are ignoring We the People and bowing down like spineless cowards. Patriotism indeed....

[Kelvin Mace]

48. You have a strange idea of the rules

Supporting does not mean accepting everything he does. He gets my vote, but not my money, my time, or my support. NO ONE is above criticism, especially when they dick us over the way Obama just did.

[Kelvin Mace]

47. Why would we vote for fucking McCain?

Obama will get my vote, but he is rapidly giving the electorate a choice between a faux Republican and a real one.

When the attack ads come out, he just kicked in the teeth the very people who would have defended him and fought back.

At this point, he has my vote, but not my money or my support. He can get his money and foot soldiers from AT&T.

[tridim]

56. Obama is not a Republican.

Period.

[humbled_opinion]

59. Why because the media put a (D) after his name

Supporting this flawed law is something that a Republican would do no a Democrat so you tell me what is he?

[Kelvin Mace]

64. And Lieberman is an "independent"

When you side with George Bush, sell out your supporters and the Constitution, the key words are "traitor", "tool" and "liar".

[BadgerKid]

17. SCOTUS could knock it down

after the election. I just can't see how the RW would allow themselves to be subjected to surveillance by a Democratic president.

[Kelvin Mace]

49. The Scalia court?

Maybe, but I don't see how anyone will have grounds to bring the matter before the court. The issue is now moot. Lawbreaking was legalized, corporate profits and Bush have been protected.

[depakid]

68. There's a takings issue

which could be very interesting, since the Scalia block has been advancing the takings clause since the 1980's.

Funny how law is a two edged sword sometimes.

[Phred42]

19. Bowing and Bending over are two differnt things

Once again the Democrats dropped 'em - Bent over - grabbed their cheeks - spread 'em and smiled.

[samsingh]

26. so many Dems caving. What are we missing?

[ForrestGump]

31. What we're missing are

people on the Hill who actually represent We, the People.

[samsingh]

61. i just don't understand why they're caving into an idiot like bush

[balantz]

27. Does anyone know if Kennedy made it back in time for the vote? n/t

[Kelvin Mace]

50. Yes,

and he voted against, God bless 'im.

[Hydra]

38. "Senate Bows to Bush"

That's about the size of it. You'd think we didn't exist.

[Danmel]

53. New York Senators both voted against this monstrosity

as did my Congressman, Steve Israel.

I am profoundly disappointed in Obama.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kelvin Mace]

65. She's no better

though on the right side of this particular issue.

[minnesota_liberal]

60. Obama still has my vote in November but no more $

There's no way I will send money to a candidate who fails to uphold their pledge to defend the Constitution. I'll focus my contributions on state and congressional races.

[nilram]

67. Bow? What do you mean? People only bow to royality.

Kings and such.


Oh.