Why did the Dems just cave on the Patriot Act?

[latebloomer]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2142057#2142091

I am absolutely amazed and disgusted to see how many Senate Democrats just voted to approve the Patriot Act. Even Kennedy, Boxer, and our two liberal Dems from New Jersey voted for it. Clinton and Kerry I'm not surprised about.

Can anyone explain to me what this is all about, other than their being UTTERLY bought and sold? I thought we were making some progress here, but it sure doesn't look like it.

[European Socialist]

1. 34% Chimp approval. Don't want to mess with that.

[emulatorloo]

2. What Kennedy Said:

KENNEDY ON PATRIOT ACT
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON SUNUNU COMPROMISE (S. 2771) AND THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE RE-AUTHORIZATION OF THE PATRIOT ACT


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Laura Capps/Melissa Wagoner [phone]

For months, we have been ready to roll up our sleeves and get back to work on the PATRIOT Act, but the White House has continued to block bipartisan efforts to improve the original bill and accept oversight of its intrusive surveillance programs. Again, and again, the Administration has refused to join in serious negotiations with Republican and Democrats on matters of national security, including the National Security Agency's warrantless wiretaps and the FBI's use of National Security Letters. The latest proposal offers improvements, and deserves to pass; however, it is unacceptable and undemocratic that further amendments could not even be considered.

We need to implement these improvements quickly given the Administration's disregard of Congressional oversight. The proposed re-authorization bill requires public reports on the use of two of the most controversial provisions, Section 215 and National Security Letters. It also requires the Inspector General to audit their use, and it mandates a report on any data-mining activities by the Justice Department.

Americans deserve national security laws that protect both our security and our constitutional rights, and more changes are clearly needed. One of the most glaring omissions in the proposal is the failure to include a four-year sunset provision on National Security Letters, even though it would be consistent with the new reporting and auditing requirements that will take effect.

The latest changes provide some additional protection for libraries, but these safeguards should apply to all of the means used by the government to obtain sensitive information, including financial documents and library records. We also need a report on the government's use of computerized searches from all federal agencies and we will continue to seek such a requirement as part of efforts toward other reforms.

We have not yet achieved the 9/11 Commission's goal to maintain governmental powers that enhance our national security while ensuring adequate oversight over their use. With so much at stake, the Administration's refusal to work with Congress can only weaken our national security and further undermine the public's trust in their government. So this battle will go on, and I regret we could not accomplish more in this needed legislation.

ON EDIT: Link:

http://kennedy.senate.gov/~kennedy/statements/06/03/2006302A36.html

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. I thought Kennedy had more guts. What in the hell is he afraid of?

[emulatorloo]

12. Seems to be saying that they at least got some accountability for Bushco

and it aint over yet. Gonna take a dem majority to get a serious overhaul of this thing.

[IsItJustMe]

11. We have lost this battle but hopefully live to fight another day

[latebloomer]

17. Thanks for the link

but it leaves me unsatisfied.

[leftofthedial]

24. weaseling loser asshole fascist

screw him

if it needed more work, it did NOT deserve to be passed

fucking fascist shitstains

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Politics as usual. Gotta keep those campaign funds rolling in.

Don't want to look like their "soft" on security. Happily, one of my senators had the courage to vote against it. The other (Cantwell) did just as I expected and played "smart" politics to cover her sorry ass. So smart that she can kiss my already lost vote (her vote for the war did that) goodbye again.

[latebloomer]

15. Truly sickening

My two will be hearing from me as well.

[tnlefty]

21. Wonder how my 2, FrankenFRIST and Alexander voted. Don't think I even

need to check, as I'm laughing just to keep from crying!

[TomInTib]

5. Port Deal & Patriot Act = Rock & Hard Place.....

Talk about tough timing.

[debbierlus]

6. Because they are scared of being labeled 'weak on defense'

Not giving the Adminstration the proper tools to fight the war on 'terror'.

What can I say?

They are politically motivated. Election year for some. The bill would have passed with or without their votes. So, I believe many go along just so they aren't ostracized as those cowardly 'liberals'.

Kerry voted yes on the Iraq War resolution when he KNEW it was the wrong thing to do. I wrote a letter pleading with him to do the right thing and should real leadership by breaking with the crowd. (He is my senator from MA).

The democrats are a pretty disappointing group. Not all. But, most.

Many didn't filibuster Alito. And, some who did made a very politically calculated move to do so after they realized that their base was furious.

[tom_paine]

8. No, they are just scared. I haven't seen such a bunch of cowardly toadies

Since the German Social Democrats of 1933.

Sometimes I wish we could just magically transport ahead 25 years to the reign of Emperor George P. Bush, who will likely be our Caligula. HE'LL show those gutless toadies what FEAR really is.

[latebloomer]

16. Your namesake

is rolling over in his grave.

[tom_paine]

20. Him and all the Founding Dads

They were some of the most brilliant and caring human beings to ever achieve power in the history of humankind. An anomaly, actually, considering the long history of Tyranny who's latest manifestation is BushPutinism.

Were they perfect? Hell, no! They were as flawed as you or I. What made them different was that THEY KNEW IT.

Which is why they gave us the Constitutional System of Checks and Balances that is so swiftly dying in Bushmerika.

[Patchuli]

7. I'm mad too

but my spouse just told me that the Dems don't want the Repubs to get a distraction tool in the (sic) 'Patriotic Act' and distracting national attention away from the ports issue, the Katrina video scandal of our pResident being warned well ahead of time and failing to protect us and Iraq.
I can see his point...we will undo all the messes. Dems always clean up the $hit repubs leave!

[latebloomer]

13. I don't know

I just see one major issue after another rising into public view and then dying. The Democrats are either so bought and sold or so afraid that they don't make a battle out of anything.

Our civil liberties are going to hell in a handbasket-- I don't consider that a secondary issue!

[SongOfTheRayne]

9. This is the way the world ends, this is the way the world ends....

not with a bang, but a whimper...


THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
1. Executive- a president with puppetmasters Cheney, Rove, and Attorney General Mexican Hitler

2. Legislative- A pushover that doesn't do enough to check the power of the executive

3. Judicial- a branch not yet as f***ed up as the other two, with some remaining integrity but insufficient power

[The Gunslinger]

10. Who exactly is the political party to counter the Right?

I'm not sure anymore. The Dems used to be the left. Seems we only have a facist party and a right-wing party anymore.

[latebloomer]

14. Sounds about right to me!

[IsItJustMe]

19. A lot of truth to what you said. I read that and honestly sit hear and

thought about that with some sadness. But remember this my friend, as long as there is life there is hope and we never know what the morning brings.

[zonmoy]

29. on the infidels.org board

at least one person described the democratic party as a center right party. While I consider them far more to the right then that. looking at how the party that is supposedly the liberal one has turned out. I no longer think it is a bad idea to vote green from now on.

[JWS]

18. They're just being prudent, picking their battles!

and the dems are very, very, very, very prudent indeed!

[zonmoy]

30. at what point is the line between prudence

and cowardice crossed may I ask.

[JWS]

32. Just keep moving the line for cowardice of course! n/t

[Dr. Death]

22. Because we gotta keep that powder dry -

“They invade our space and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here. This far…no farther. And I will make them pay for what they’ve done.”



When will we stop falling back?

[mmonk]

23. I pretty much have given up

on protections for Americans from oppressive government. We may never be as free as we a few years ago. Once you give up (have taken)your rights, there is no guarantee you will get them back because you are now under new rules.

[Disturbed]

25. I am starting to suspect that the NSA has info.

about everyone in Congress that was handed over to Rove. He has let them all know what they better vote on. Is that too tinfoilish?

[mmonk]

26. No, not too tinfoilish.

There has to be some reason for surrender.

[ladjf]

27. Why do the Dems cave on everything?

[zonmoy]

28. that is precisely because they are bought and paid for

by the corporations that are pulling the strings of both parties.

[Broke In Jersey]

31. Why are they so afraid of being called 'weak' on defense.

Stand up and lead instead of following.

[Disturbed]

33. Remember why most of Congress voted yes to IWR?

Same reason most voted yes on PA.

[Telly Savalas]

34. A much smaller percentage voted for the IWR.

Less than half of the Democrats on Capitol Hill voted for the IWR.