Patriot Act measure OK’d, Oregon Senate anti Patriot Act

[BigLed]

A resolution urging Congress to roll back the USA Patriot Act, the anti-terrorism law enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, won easy approval Monday in the Oregon Senate.

Critics of the federal law say it goes too far and erodes basic liberties protected by the U.S. Constitution.

Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, said people across the political spectrum have become alarmed about the potential abuses that can occur under the act.

“It’s not just a bunch of whacked-out liberals opposing this,” Walker said.

The vote was 23-2 in a Senate that is split 15-15.

http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=66783

[benfranklin1776]

1. Encouraging!

Glad to see defense of the constitution can still muster bipartisan support.
A :toast: to the good people in the Oregon state legislature.

[stevedeshazer]

2. There's no one more surprised than me

It will die in the House, I'm afraid. But the 23-2 vote says something about the turn of the tide in the state legislature, which finally upped the ante on school funding and voted to actually increase taxes in a progressive way.

[Pastiche423]

3. Now if we can just get it past the House

To fellow Oregonians

Please do one or more of the following:

1.Contact someone you know in Salem, who can contact House Rules Chair Dan Doyle (R-19) 503-986-1419 [e-mail] and ask Representative Doyle to put SJM 7 on the Rules Committee agenda early tomorrow. Ask that the Committee pass the memorial to the House floor with a "do pass motion."

2.Contact your local representative and ask them to do whatever they can to get this to the House floor tomorrow, and ask them to vote YES!

[sandnsea]

6. And email Vicki Walker

I emailed my Rep and Doyle, but we also need to email Vicki Walker. She used the term 'whacked-out liberals' and we don't need Democrats perpetuating this rabid right rhetoric. So let's email her too and ask her if she's trying to help get more Republicans in Salem.

[e-mail]

On edit, here's my letter to her, whaddya think guys?:

Senator Walker:

I appreciate your efforts in regards to the Patriot Act.

However, I cannot figure out your use of the term 'whacked-out liberals'. First, I would like to know exactly which Democratic constituents you were referring to? The ones who believe in medical marijuana? Or assisted-suicide? Or saving old growth? Or habilitating the salmon which has benefitted the coastal economy enormously? Or those seeking to keep the elderly in their nursing homes? Exactly which group of 'whacked-out liberals' did you mean?

We can not afford one more utterance of this sort from any Democrat anywhere in this country. Joe Lieberman couldn't be more wrong or more harmful in his current remarks. If we want people to listen to the Democratic message, we simply have to present it proudly. If we want people to reject the rabid right rhetoric, we have to denounce it and denounce the horrific economic and social policies connected to it.

This is a most serious time in our country's history. I hope the Oregon Democratic Party is up to the task and ready to participate in the fight to clearly define our message of hope and prosperity in the next Presidential and Senate elections.

Sincerely,

(me)

[Myra]

12. Good letter!

And thanks for her email address.

[Myra]

13. Ok

I wrote to her.
Thanks again for her email.

[knight_of_the_star]

4. I know a good place to do that

If such a measure got passed in California that would porbably cause more than a few ripples.

[proud patriot]

5. YEAH

Fist in the air :bounce:

[depakid]

7. It has less to do with the "Patriot Act" than it does with Ashcroft

Nowhere in this country is Ashcroft more reviled than in Oregon.

Part of it has to do with his pretentions (such as blanketing Justice's breast) and part of it has to do with the libertarian streak you'll find running through much of rural Oregon... As in- live and let live- don't tell us what to do. We don't tell our neighbors what to do, so long as they aren't hurting anyone- so long as they aren't killing off the commons we all enjoy- together.

In his ideological fight to destroy Oregon's Death with Dignity Act- in his zeal to prosecute Medical Marijuana, Ashcroft has (and Bush has) alienated a large segment of the otherwise conservative base in rural Oregon. Outside of Portland, Eugene & the Rogue Valley, people here for the most part are still old school "Rockefeller Republicans." Or should I say- Packwood & Hatfield Republicans.

Maybe even McCall Republicans.

And to the extent that they pay attention, they aren't buying Bush and Ashcroft's bullshit.

[el_gato]

8. very good news

I sure hope this passes in the Oregon house.

[Arugula Latte]

9. Me too

Under normal circumstances the right-wing Repubs representatives from the rural areas of Oregon do nothing but drool, shoot down any sensible funding legislation, and screw over the public schools. However, this issue appeals to both sides of the aisle, so maybe they'll actually do something good for a change. Doubt it, though.

[0rganism]

11. Look at the crossover in the Senate

Taking a swing at AG Ashcroft and a federal gov't abuse of power isn't far outside the rural repugnant platform. The ruralites may value the 2nd ammendment more than the others, but this Patriot shit scares some of them too. For one thing, it means their wingnut churches could get investigated and wiretapped without warrant for offering financial backing to racist Idaho militia groups, and that's gotta hurt.

Other factors:
* no funding source required
* potential support could be leverage to get favors from shrubco
* simple enough that a republican legislator can understand it

Therefore, I think this has an even chance of passing in the house.

[Emboldened Chimp]

10. I don't like the "wacked-out liberal" crack

But this is good news, nonetheless.

[kwolf68]

14. Email sent

Mrs. Walker needs to know...we aint liking it.

[goobergunch]

15. Nice!

Oregon is looking pretty anti-shrub right now. :bounce: :bounce:

[NekoChris]

16. Hmm..

I think I understand why she said 'whacked out liberals'. She is a Democrat too, yes? The emphasis seemed to be more on her saying it's not JUST a bunch of 'whacked out liberals' who oppose the Patriot Act. She's drawing attention to the fact that Democrats AND Republicans are voting NO to the act, so people don't just hear about it and go 'Those damn hippies are at it again!'. Instead she's saying 'Nuh uh. We don't like it, your represenatives don't like it. We're not insane here.'

...And then they should all throw off their suits and dance in the streets to a musical against the Patriot Act.

...What a perfect world that would be.


Edit: Realized she is a Dem, duh me. Made adjustment.

[Myra]

17. Holy cow! Senator Vicki Walker replied to my email!

I just got the following email from her.
(My mail to her is attached below it.)
Pretty friggen classy of her to respond.
And I think it was an individualized response
because she quoted some of what I said to her.
Wow.
I'll write back and thank her.

Wish the WA Dems were as progressive as the OR Dems.

---

Dear Ms. []:

You are exactly right. As soon as I uttered those words out of my
mouth, I knew I shouldn't have said them. In the capitol, off the record, we often talk in the vernacular...whacked-out liberals or left-wing liberals; right-ring conservatives, or as you indicate "rabid right wingers and...well, you don't want to
hear the rest. At any rate, your point is so well-taken.

As long as we keep repeating the words people use to negatively describe any constituency, then we just continue to promote the negativity. My deep and humble apologies.
We cannot advocate for a progressive agenda by defining
any of us in such a way, and we certainly cannot
regain control of this country from the forces on the right if we
continue with that kind of characterization. ]Thank you for reminding me and others of that responsibility.

Vicki Walker

-----Original Message-----
From: []
Sent: Wed 8/27/2003 12:34 PM
To: SEN Walker
Cc:
Subject: Whacked-out rhetoric

Senator Walker,

While I'm heartened to hear that the Oregon Senate approved a
resolution urging Congress to roll back the Orwellian Patriot
Act, I'm very disappointed with your statement:

"It's not just a bunch of whacked-out liberals opposing this."

That kind of rhetoric only helps the rabid right wingers, who
are doing everything possible to undermine democracy in America,
and who have strategically turned the word "liberal" into a four
letter word.

Political progressives, like myself, have enough of a battle on
our hands with the Republican regressives, who assault our voting
rights, civil rights, independent media voices, environment,
and court system; as well as lie to justify an Iraqi invasion
where thousands are killed so their oil can be stolen.

We certainly don't need Democrats helping Republicans to
discredit liberals, who push for progressive humane responsible
policies from our government. There's nothing "wacked-out"
about that.

Myra []

[kwolf68]

21. Senator Walker also emailed me back

Here is my response from Mrs. Walker and the email I sent her:

You are exactly right. As soon as I uttered those words out of my
mouth, I knew I shouldn't have said them. In the capitol, off the
record, we often talk in the vernacular...whacked-out liberals, tree
huggers, far left and far right-wing, rabid right-wing....well, you
don't want to hear the rest. At any rate, your point is so
well-taken. As long as we keep repeating the words people use
to negatively describe any constituency, then we just continue to
promote the negativity. My deep and humble apologies.
We cannot advocate for a progressive agenda by defining any of us
in such a way, and we certainly cannot regain control of this country
from the forces on the right if we continue with that kind of
characterization.

I agree with you, the venom that comes out of the conservative talk
Shows is unbelievable. And you have abruptly reminded me that I really was
no better in my comment. I make no excuse other than it was late and
I was very tired. It doesn't matter the excuse, we've got to change the
way we label ourselves and others. My home in Eugene, Oregon,
is home to a host of individuals who are at times embarrassing
(anarchists who destroy private property, to name a few), and at times
among the nation's leaders. Unfortunately, I have fallen into the
category of embarrassing for my comment and will pledge to go
back to thinking before I speak. Thank you for reminding me and
others of that responsibility.

Sen. Vicki Walker


>>>>>>>>>>>

Senator Walker,

As someone disgusted with the Patriot Act, I was heartened to
read the Oregon Senate was doing its part to rollback this act, which
was promoted and signed into law amidst a time in our nation’s history
when we weren’t thinking clearly in my view. While rallying to the
cause, Americans aren't without our shortcomings in times of crisis.

This act is a shortcoming.

The real reason I write other than to lend support to your great
state is you-a Democrat-using a term offensive to me: "Whacked-Out
Liberals."

Part of the MO in any political debate is to label those you
oppose as radical, extreme, "whacked out", etc. The right has been doing this for eons. Liberals, Democrats, and progressives are called names by Republicans, and the AM hate talk stations. Us Democrats are constantly having to defend ourselves and to "prove" we are not whacked out.

What makes ME, a Liberal Democrat, "whacked out?" The fact I am
opposed to the EPA=E2=80=99s recent decision to subvert clean air rules, the fact I am opposed to the concentration of corporate power and against monopolization of our markets, that I am against our government killing people-even those who have committed a crime, that I support legislation that outlaws false advertising, that protects consumers against defective products, that demands what we consume is safe, that believes our stewardship of the environment should only consider corporate profits and unbridled consumerism as PART of the equation only?

I am sorry Mrs. Walker, but if you want to see "whacked out", I
submit ardent Conservatives who kill doctors who perform abortions, or
the KKK, or paranoidal anti-government militias living in Idaho waiting to declare war on D.C. I submit people who will use nary a brain cell to think for themselves, but instead parrot the latest screed heard on the Rush Limbaugh show.

Hell, I expect to be called names by Conservatives, by
Republicans, fascists and Libertarians, but NOT by a Democrat in Oregon.

Please don’t perpetuate this right-wing propaganda. I don’t know you,
what you stand for or what you have ever done. You may be the best
Democrat in the world, but the only thing I know about you is you
consider some of your "own kind" whacked out? Because of what? I have no clue.

I just wanted you to know there were people out here who noticed
that and take great offense to it.

Regards,

Kevin W.

[0rganism]

18. Rural Oregon is as regressive as ever

Wish I could join your :bounce: but half the state is ready to kiss W's ass on command.

[sattahipdeep]

19. 3,000 demonstrators....500 listening to bush.

One vote apiece. Salem, Eugene none wanted bush.

[0rganism]

20. Urban centers aren't Bush's strong suite

However, even in Portland, Bush DID manage to attract 500 people to listen to him babbling, for $2000 each, and walked away with a cool million in the bank. The demonstrators got to attend for free. If we'd been paying $2000 to demonstrate, the crowd there would have been far smaller, I can tell you that much.

Look at this from the 2000 election, and you'll see that rural Oregon is Bush's beeotch.

http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/nov72000/other.info/pres.htm

The only counties where Bush lost to Gore are Multnomah (Portland), Washington (Portland suburbs), Lane (Eugene), Hood River (surfers), Columbia (Portland suburbs), Lincoln (Newport, tourist coast), Clatsop (Astoria, north coast), and Benton (Corvalis). Everything east of the Cascades and south of Eugene, and I do mean everything, is pro-bush. It might as well be part of Idaho.

And it's no joke. I just visited my in-laws, living in Coquille/Coos county, and the bush popularity phenom there is dead serious. They are really genuinely happy with his bushit.