Democrats blow it on FISA legislation. Will they ever start acting like the majority party?

[dajoki]

Democrats Suffer Defeat in House on US Foreign Intelligence Measure
By Dan Robinson
Washington
14 February 2008
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-14-voa4.cfm
Robinson report Listen - http://www.voanews.com/mediaassets/english/2008_02/Audio/Mp3/LCR%20Robinson%20Congress%20Intelligence%202345407%20021308%20vb.Mp3

In a blow to Democrats, the House of Representatives has voted to reject a measure that would have extended existing foreign intelligence surveillance legislation by three weeks. VOA's Dan Robinson reports, the development brings more uncertainty only days before current legislation is due to expire.

The vote was 229 to 191, a surprising blow to House Democratic leaders who pushed hard for another extension of the Protect America Act, itself a revision of a 1978 law called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance ACT (FISA).

In passing its version of intelligence surveillance legislation on Tuesday the U.S. Senate, voting 68 to 29, included a provision President Bush and Republicans have been seeking. It would provide immunity from prosecution to telecommunications companies that gave the U.S. government information without a court warrant after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

<<snip>>

After a series of procedural delaying tactics by Republicans, the House finally got down to debating the Democrat's bill to extend the existing law past its February 16 expiration date, which would have been the second extension approved for it.

<<snip>>

Earlier, President Bush challenged House Democrats to debate and approve the Senate-passed bill, saying the security of Americans is at stake. After a meeting with the president, House and Senate Republican leaders urged House Democrats to bring the Senate legislation to a vote. "The president is fully aware that there is a bipartisan majority in the House to pass the Senate bill.

<<snip>>

At the same time, Congressman Hoyer renewed allegations that Senate Republicans "slow walked" progress of the legislation in that chamber, to put the House in the position of having no alternative but to accept the unacceptable provisions.

[Terry_M]

1. When we get our asses together

and vote the bad half out of office.

[rpannier]

3. The bad don't piss me off half as much as the cowardly

I don't like Ben Nelson or Max Baucus, but I believe they "believe" in most of their votes.

It's the ones who seem to always be looking toward the next election that piss me off (Feinstein for one)

[madrchsod]

2. no

[dajoki]

4. kick

[VP505]

5. Simple Answer

NO, not in my lifetime!

[dajoki]

6. Simple Question...

Whatever happened to the Democratic Party? The answer may be a bit more complicated though. I remember growing up in a Democratic Family back in the '50s & '60s. I worked for our local party before I was even voting age, our county's chairman was a wonderful man and being a part of the Dem party really meant something.

Back then our county was overwhelmingly Democratic, today we are outnumbered by the repubs. I have tried on various occasions to contact the current county chairman and you get no response, not even an answering machine. Now get this one, the last time I called, about two months ago, THE PHONES WERE DISCONNECTED!!

What is a poor Dem supposed to do? Its no wonder that the pukes have taken over the county, because of the apathy, or down right crookedness of the local leadership. Well I got that off my chest, thanks for listening.

[VP505]

7. I am glad you feel better,

I really don't have an answer, but perhaps the one candidate we have that is drawing rock star sized crowds everywhere will inject some enthusiasm back into the process with his appeal to younger voters, at least I hope so.

[Selatius]

10. The Party has been taken over by more rightward leaning Democrats as well as opportunists

Those Dems who didn't answer your call? You think they did that because they honestly care about what ordinary people think? Or do you think they're just in it for the power and don't give a damn what you say?

You've got a whole crop of Dems in power now who have forgotten what people went through during the Great Depression and have forgotten the ideals behind the New Deal. They've forgotten either because they never experienced it and don't care to learn about it, or they've forgotten simply because the cash donations from corporate executives and managers who help them win office made them forget. To be sure, there are good Dems still around, fighting the good fight, but there are other Dems who do nothing to help but simply look out for their own hides.

[dajoki]

11. And that is the problem...

They weren't around then, but neither was I. But my Grandfather was, and he would always educate me on those times, also he couldn't have been prouder of FDR and what he did to bring the country back from the brink.

[blondeatlast]

8. I think they just now did... nt

[dajoki]

9. Ummm, OK n/t