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In reply to the discussion: Al Gore calls Obama administration’s collection of phone records ‘obscenely outrageous’ [View all]rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)118. I am glad you asked. In 2008 he could have championed legislation that
would have modified the Patriot Act. And he could have refused to sign extensions without at least some modifications. But once we gave the president the power of the Patriot Act it's impossible to get back into the bottle.
He still has options. I dont buy the "Pres Obama is totally powerless to do anything" argument.
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Al Gore calls Obama administration’s collection of phone records ‘obscenely outrageous’ [View all]
cal04
Jun 2013
OP
What? You need someone to explain to you how this blanket surveillance is bad?
rhett o rick
Jun 2013
#4
Is there still room for all the Democrats and Liberals who are under that bus anymore?
sabrina 1
Jun 2013
#86
Can't fit him. He put one weight and I push Assange and Manning as far to that back of under
pam4water
Jun 2013
#95
"many Americans remain docile lemmings and guppies, bred to follow whatever and to be cheerleaders"
rhett o rick
Jun 2013
#70
You object to Republican Presidents violating more laws than Democratic Presidents
MNBrewer
Jun 2013
#56
"Until Congress decides otherwise?" Congress has already not decided otherwise.
George Gently
Jun 2013
#84
Yes, but dont make the decision any more complicated by bringing in those
rhett o rick
Jun 2013
#120
Would you agree to remove his power to conduct wars because he's a Democrat?
George Gently
Jun 2013
#121
So your logic is that a dictator is ok if he calls himself/herself a Democrat. It's all in the name?
rhett o rick
Jun 2013
#119
Most things he can't do by himself but that hasn't stopped him from doing them.
cui bono
Jun 2013
#31
The "rational explanation" is the corruption of our government, both parties,by corporate money. nt
woo me with science
Jun 2013
#132
Yep. Despicable practice, but legal. Bush & Co. didn't bother with the FISA court.
KeepItReal
Jun 2013
#62
Apparently not. When I first saw this I just started laughing at the image of the heads
Egalitarian Thug
Jun 2013
#37
There is no end of time and resources for the military and our many spy agencies.
progressoid
Jun 2013
#25
Al Gore, like many at DU, needs to chill and see what rationale and details emerge.
randome
Jun 2013
#54
Feinstein says it is renewed every 3 months and has been going on for 7 years.
Luminous Animal
Jun 2013
#88
All the affected language. 'Chill'? Really? My lord it is painful to see.
Bluenorthwest
Jun 2013
#128
One wonder how many American lives have been saved through this illicit snooping in relation to
indepat
Jun 2013
#89
This is interesting in light of Al Gore being an ardent defender of the "clipper" encryption chip...
cascadiance
Jun 2013
#109
I hope he does run. Even if he doesn't win, it can impact the debate and the issues.
limpyhobbler
Jun 2013
#131
I hear he had to walk that back today to just "grotesquely outrageous!"
kenny blankenship
Jun 2013
#146