Why is Dianne Feinstein co-sponsoring the Patriot Act? Cui bono?

[shance]

The Patriot Act is not only unconstitutional, its essentially illegal and violates the rights of all US Citizens. The violations and invasions of privacy on innocent citizens can be done without that person ever knowing it and without ever having ANY RECOURSE.

It's an act that assaults American's privacy and allows those in power to remain secretive and unaccountable. Of course, we all know it's is a gross abuse of power and I am curious as to why Dianne Feinstein is eager to keep the fascist promoting Patriot Act in place?

Why would she want to allow such anti-Democratic piece of legislation to remain?

[woldnewton]

1. I'm sure you meant

un constitutional ;-)


"The Patriot Act is not only constitutional"

[shance]

5. thank ya darlin*

n/t

[woldnewton]

14. Not a problem

;-)

[wli]

2. say hello to the "fifth column" of GOP/AEI moles

Not a happy day, I'll say.

[shance]

6. What do you mean WLI?

What is a fifth column mole?

[wli]

12. okay

A "fifth column" is a regiment working covertly in enemy territory to undermine it, either psychologically or by a sudden ambush.

The "AEI/GOP moles" are democrats who appear to be serving the interests of the neofascists exclusively. It sounds spy-ish, but really only stands for the democrats who ally with the neofascists all the time. The connotation of espionage is really only supposed to convey our disdain and their betrayal as opposed to literal espionage.

So a "fifth column of AEI/GOP moles" is a little redundant, but just collectively refers to the set of "AEI/GOP moles."

[shance]

13. Interesting and certainly becoming more apparent. Thanks.

n/t

[FrenchieCat]

3. Because she plans on being

Bayh's or Biden's VP.

[woldnewton]

4. Nice sig/graphic

I just wish Clark had run in the Republican primary in '04 :(

He could have weakened Bush and Kerry would be president today.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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

[woldnewton]

15. I'm actually serious.

I'm sorry you think I'm joking out of my "crap bag", but he could have pulled enough moderate Republicans away from Bush in key states like Ohio, etc. and also would have been able to expose the tactics they would have used (Swift Boat Vets, etc.) There are a lot who identify as Republican who were disgusted as Bush, but they would never have voted for a Dem, but given the choice between Bush or Kerry, picked Kerry. However, if they voted for Clark in the primary and Clark lost (which of course he would have), they might have been disenchanted enough that AWOLs can somehow win over actual generals that they may have been convinced to stay home in the general election or cast a protest write-in vote rather than voting for the Shrub.

You have to admit the field of Dem candidates in '04 was quite crowded when he jumped in the primary, and his overall effect was to weaken candidates like Dean and Edwards. He only won one state in that crowded field, but in a head to head against Bush, he might have won 5 or 6 states, especially in the north where anti-war sentiment was high (and perhaps even including Oklahoma), and siphoned way significant percentages in other states as well.

But if he runs in '08 as a Dem, I'll support him. Whoever can oust these idiots.

[FrenchieCat]

17. I was laughing, cause that's a new one on me

Clark has been called Hillary's stalking horse, the anti Dean, and the Republican stealth candidate. So I guess the Nation's sacrificial lamb can be added to the molehill. :eyes:

Your "plan" does takes the cake....I'll give you that!

[AntiCoup2K4]

7. Her husband is a PNAC signator and a war profiteer

In other words, Diane directly profits from the PNAC global fascist agenda. She does NOT represent Californians or any other American citizens.

[shance]

11. Do you have any information on this Anticoup?

n/t

[AntiCoup2K4]

24. How's a potential $3.1 billion contract sound?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/04/22/MN310531.DTL

[genius]

27. More Info, please. I knew he was a war profiteer.He signed the PNAC doc?

[whistle]

8. Dianne Feinstein seems to be doing a lot of neo-conservative...

...things these days. Could this be the reason?

<snip>
Feinstein is a member of the Democratic Leadership Council:

Mission
The DLC’s mission is to promote public debate within the Democratic Party and the public at large about national and international policy and political issues. Specifically, as the founding organization of the New Democrat movement, the DLC’s goal is to modernize the progressive tradition in American politics for the 21st Century by advancing a set of innovative ideas for governing through a national network of elected officials and community leaders.
Who We Are
The Democratic Leadership Council is an idea center, catalyst, and national voice for a reform movement that is reshaping American politics by moving it beyond the old left-right debate. The DLC seeks to define and galvanize popular support for a new public philosophy built on progressive ideals, mainstream values, and innovative, non bureaucratic, market-based solutions. At its heart are three principles: promoting opportunity for all; demanding responsibility from everyone; and fostering a new sense of community.
Since its inception, the DLC has championed policies from spurring private sector economic growth, fiscal discipline and community policing to work based welfare reform, expanded international trade, and national service. Throughout the 90’s, innovative, New Democrat policies implemented by former DLC Chairman President Bill Clinton have helped produce the longest period of sustained economic growth in our history, the lowest unemployment in a generation, 22 million new jobs, cut the welfare rolls in half, reduced the crime rate for seven straight years, balanced the budget and streamlined the federal bureaucracy to its smallest size since the Kennedy administration.

Now, the DLC is promoting new ideas -- such as a second generation of environmental protection and new economy and technology development strategies -- that is distinctly different from traditional liberalism and conservatism to build the next generation of America’s leaders.

Source: Democratic Leadership Council web site 01-DLC0 on Nov 7, 2000

New Democrat: "Third Way" instead of left-right debate.
Feinstein adopted Third Way principles of the Democratic Leadership Council:
America and the world have changed dramatically in the closing decades of the 20th century. The industrial order of the 20th century is rapidly yielding to the networked “New Economy” of the 21st century. Our political and governing systems, however, have lagged behind the rest of society in adapting to these seismic shifts. They remain stuck in the left-right debates and the top-down bureaucracies of the industrial past.

The Democratic Leadership Council, and its affiliated think tank the Progressive Policy Institute, have been catalysts for modernizing politics and government. The core principles and ideas of this “Third Way” movement Bill Clinton’s Presidential campaign in 1992, Tony Blair’s Labour Party in Britain in 1997, and Gerhard Shroeder’s Social Democrats in Germany in 1998.

The Third Way philosophy seeks to adapt enduring progressive values to the new challenges of he information age. It rests on three cornerstones:
the idea that government should promote equal opportunity for all while granting special privilege for none;
an ethic of mutual responsibility that equally rejects the politics of entitlement and the politics of social abandonment;
and, a new approach to governing that empowers citizens to act for themselves.
The Third Way approach to economic opportunity and security stresses technological innovation, competitive enterprise, and education rather than top- down redistribution or laissez faire. On questions of values, it embraces “tolerant traditionalism,” honoring traditional moral and family values while resisting attempts to impose them on others. It favors an enabling rather than a bureaucratic government, expanding choices for citizens, using market means to achieve public ends and encouraging civic and community institutions to play a larger role in public life. The Third Way works to build inclusive, multiethnic societies based on common allegiance to democratic values.

<more>
<link> http://www.issues2000.org/Social/Dianne_Feinstein_Principles_+_Values.htm

[Zorra]

19. There it is: "using market means to achieve public ends "

The goal of the DLC and the republican party:

Privatization and ownership of government by big business.

More commonly known as fascism

[shance]

21. Yes, much like using one's office to make lots and lots of money.

n/t

[shance]

9. How many cities have outlawed the Patriot Act?

n/t

[woldnewton]

16. I think you mean resolutions...

the effect of which was only to show the governing body's sentiment, opposed to it, but carrying no actual binding law or consequences.

Only one locality, tiny Arcata, CA actually "outlawed" it, where the huge weight of the penalty on local officials (not on civilian citizens) who cooperate with the federal government's prosecution of anyone based on provisions of the Patriot Act is a very hefty...




































fine of under $100...

[madeline_con]

18. Patriot Act resistance

Published on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 by the Boston Globe
Resistance to Patriot Act Gaining Ground
Foes organizing in communities

by Thanassis Cambanis



excerpt:
The burgeoning nationwide movement has prompted three state governments, and 236 communities in 37 states, to pass resolutions against the Patriot Act. If the backlash continues to grow, opponents of the Patriot Act believe, their momentum will force Congress and the White House to address some of the law's unpopular elements.

"If anyone takes time to read the Patriot Act, there's no question that our First Amendment rights are being eroded," said James Geisler, treasurer of the Brewster Taxpayers Association, a 52-year-old group whose mission is to curtail government spending.

His family has been Republican "for a hundred years," Geisler said. But it was loyalty to the Constitution, not party politics, that drove the Taxpayers Association's board of directors to support the ultimately popular Brewster resolution.

Across the Commonwealth, Republicans, gun lobbyists, and libertarians have taken up the call against the Patriot Act. So have a cadre of previously apolitical people such as Jake Beal, 25, a self-described computer nerd who is now leading the drive for a resolution against the Patriot Act in Somerville.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0120-02.htm

[leesa]

20. Because she is a Neocon. Is this not obvious yet?

Just because she has a D by her name does not mean she is not a Neocon. She has supported BushCo's fascism almost every step of the way.

[zulchzulu]

22. Calling all Cali Grassrooters! Get Willie Brown to run against her!

Not that Willie Brown is an angel, but he would be a hell of lot more of a Democrat than she and would be wildly entertaining and popular to run against her.

DiFi has to go!

This site is a little dated, but...
http://www.zpub.com/sf/damayor/

[AntiCoup2K4]

23. Before I vote for Willie Brown, he would have to answer one question....

...."Who told you not to fly commercial airlines in the late summer of 2001?"

Naturally, I'm not Californian, so I don't get a vote, but if Willie wants in, we better make damn sure he's not on their team as well, or replacing Feinstein wouldn't make any sense.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

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

[zulchzulu]

32. I do vaguely remember an explanation

He did know Condi (Stanford is very close to SF, where he was mayor) and he was on his way to DC for some convention when he got a phone call near the time (morning of 9/11) he was about to leave and he was told not to fly...

His long record as a Democrat doing the good work is proof enough he's "on our side". Besides, he is quite an entertaining person as well.

He'd beat DiFI easily if he decided to run against her.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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

[genius]

26. Because she's a fascist pig - to put it nicely.

[nascarblue]

29. Another in Cali who agrees.. Neocon !!

Why isn't there more of a grassroots campaign against the patriot act? Is Move On on the job on this?

[Karmadillo]

30. Stop attacking Democrats.

I'm sure somewhere within her record there's support for something or other progressive so, therefore, we must embrace all her rightwing positions and pretend the Dems are united and effectively functioning as an opposition party capable of winning back the government and instituting progressive policies. Clap your hands, everyone! Clap! If you don't, the dream will die!

[shance]

31. This has nothing to do with Democrat or Republican. This is about abuse

of power and privilege in the name of "terrorism".

Lets get that straight. The Patriot Act is a direct assault on every single American's life and what makes is dangerous for all Americans, is there is no legal recourse to defend oneself, or to even prove you are being violated, even if you know you are.

That is why it is an illegal piece of legislation. There is essentially no way to prove you are being violated by many of the provisions, because the Patriot Act ensures secrecy for those utilizing it, and gives Americans no way to know if they are being violated and/or monitored. The Patriot Act essentially provides total immunity and secrecy for those in power and potentially strips ALL OF US, Republican or Democrat of all our legal rights and defenses as American citizens.

Again, this has NOTHING to do with being a Democrat or Republican. It is a bipartisan assault on Civil liberties. That is why there are many Republicans who are speaking out against it as well.