Bush wants permanent warrantless wiretap law

[struggle4progress]

n a testimony before Congress on Thursday, J. Michael McConnell, director of national intelligence, said public discussion of wiretapping policies costs American lives.
By Tom A. Peter

from the September 22, 2007 edition

Politicians are once again debating the legality of the controversial "Protect America Act," which amended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to allow for warrantless wiretapping. The law's Feb. 1, 2008 expiration date is approaching. President George Bush and his supporters are pushing to make the law permanent. Meanwhile, opponents are raising familiar concerns about the protection of civil liberties. On Thursday, J. Michael McConnell, director of national intelligence, testified before Congress that not only was the law a necessity, but that public debate about it will cost American lives by exposing American surveillance methods to the nation's enemies. Opponents in Congress were critical of Mr. McConnell's remarks ...

In a press release, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) contended that many of the reasons being used to justify the need for the warrantless wiretapping law are mere myths. The ACLU attacked two key justifications, among others, for warrantless wiretapping: that American will not be affected by the law and that FISA needed to be expanded because of new technologies. The ACLU also challenged McConnell's contention that without the law, bureaucracy made the wiretapping process ineffectually slow ...

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0921/p99s01-duts.html

[aquart]

1. Name two, sir.

Tell us who died because Americans discussed their liberties.

[CoffeeCat]

2. Come Feb 1st, if the Dems don't...

...galvanize to ensure that the "Protect America Act" is heartily kicked to the curb--they
can kiss their asses good-bye. Voters will remember this vote. A deflated and defeated base
isn't going to be sprinting to the polls.

I swear, if the Dems don't get themselves straight, I will be so apathetic and depressed come November.
I'll assume that the energy I exert driving to the voting booth to vote for ineffectual, do-nothing
spine-challenged politicians---cannot be justified.

If the Dems can't muster the energy to stop this nonsense, than I just simply can't muster the energy to
get off the couch on voting day--and put down my Twinkies and bowl of melted Dove chocolates.

[liberal renegade]

3. Get comfortable, Sparkels.

[CoffeeCat]

4. You really think the Dems won't

stop this? You think they'll make this spying stuff permanent, and bow to Bushie once again?

I guess I'll buy the big bag of Dove chocolates in preparation for that day.

[liberal renegade]

5. I sure as hell hope not

but they sure as hell have let us down on numerous occasions....

[DrDan]

6. I am just thankful that junior is not "permanant" n/t

[kansasblue]

7. This is a big one for me....

So here's a big test for the Democratic Congress. The Republican can try to roadblock it with a filibuster but the advantage should be with the Democrats as stalemate in this case means the expanded powers then lapse. New legislation will be required. In other stalemates the Republican filibuster worked because it blocked action and lack of action then retain Bush's current policies. Such was the case with Senator Jim Webb's "dwell time" amendment or restoration of writ of habeas corpus.

And the Congress should now be aware that Bush will play rough. In the last round the administration was 'pretending' to work on bipartisan legislation and then at the last moment demanded complete capitulation as time ran out on congress. Congress gave in. The party faithful responded sending the Democratic Congress's approval rating through the floor.

So. Democratic Congress, let's get this one right.