Comments on: The Democratic Congress is Weak http://politicalcartel.org/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/ An International Online Editorial Magazine ■ Pittsburgh, PA, USA ■ Seoul, ROK Mon, 14 May 2012 20:12:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Globalizati http://politicalcartel.org/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-767 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:10:00 +0000 http://politicalcartel.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-767 david,
My understanding is that the reason “do nothing to change the status quo” wasn’t on the radar screen for either party was due to a recent judicial ruling that calls from one foreigner to another could not be intercepted without a warrant (even if no American was involved) if the communications were routed through the United States. So both parties wanted to close that “loophole” to continue to allow warrantless surveillance of non-Americans. The problem is that the Democrats didn’t come up with an alternative til too late in the process, so several of them ended up voting to approve the (overstepping though temporary) Bush/Republican measure to close the loophole.

]]> By: blackpearlxy http://politicalcartel.org/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-766 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:25:00 +0000 http://politicalcartel.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-766 Its the old play book I am afraid, only this dictator is the butt of the joke.

A tragic bombing; a convenient “bogey man”; that they can’t catch- unlike the first bombing in 93- for which those responsible have been imprisioned on life-time sentences; then trick the people to give up their civil liberties; then create the legislation to set the leader as a dictator – only in this case, this leader is to much of a want to be and the whole world would be laughing, if it weren’t so sickening. Be sure to go to: zeitgeist.com and America: Freedom to Fashism.

]]> By: David M Manes http://politicalcartel.org/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-765 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:19:00 +0000 http://politicalcartel.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-765 Maybe there is a compelling reason to update FISA and give this president even more legal power. I just haven’t heard it yet. All I’ve heard in favor of updating FISA comes from Bush in the form of rhetoric like “tools to fight terrorism” and “protect the American people.” I haven’t heard any good reason why he and his executive branch need more than 72 hours to begin judicial oversight after a wiretap has begun.

]]> By: David M Manes http://politicalcartel.org/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-764 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 02:12:00 +0000 http://politicalcartel.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-764 Actually, I kind of think that they don’t need 60 votes. I don’t think they need any. I don’t think that FISA needs to be updated. Why would they need more than 72 hours to notify the courts?

]]> By: Brett http://politicalcartel.org/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-763 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 02:08:00 +0000 http://politicalcartel.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-763 On one level you’re right–this Congress is relatively weak, but I think it’s a reflection of the composition of the body instead of the resolve of the Senators and Members. The bill is also temporary, which is key. The word around here is that there will be a showdown after the recess, because these provisions will run out in 6 months anyway. I think the Dems will end up caving in in the end (lacking the 60 votes they need to triumph unequivocably) but the final bill will be softened somewhat. It’s not really the Democrats in Congress who lack spine–I think most of them would oppose this bill if it were passable with Dems alone. What’s really lacking is Republicans with spine enough to stand up to a President from their own party. Aren’t the Republicans supposed to be afraid of Big Government??

]]> By: Kristen B. http://politicalcartel.org/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-762 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 03:55:00 +0000 http://politicalcartel.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/the-democratic-congress-is-weak/#comment-762 here here.

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