Rand Paul Filibusters Patriot Act Renewal

[brooklynite]

Source: Time

Presidential candidate Rand Paul took to the Senate floor to protest the renewal of the Patriot Act, a Bush administration-era law that enables government surveillance.

The Kentucky Republican argued that the programs authorized by the 2001 law improperly constrict Americans’ rights and grant overly broad powers to the National Security Agency.

“There comes a time in the history of nations when fear and complacency allow power to accumulate and liberty and privacy to suffer,” he began. “That time is now, and I will not let the Patriot Act, the most unpatriotic of acts, go unchallenged.”

Shortly after the speech began, the Paul campaign emailed supporters to say that he would “not yield one inch in this fight so long as my legs can stand.”

Read more: http://time.com/3891074/rand-paul-filibuster-patriot-act/

[Hulk]

1. Get ready for some Dr. Suess...

Last edited Thu May 21, 2015, 12:42 AM - Edit history (1)

Maybe he's chose something else, equally as stupid. I can't say I disagree with this ass-hat, but I must say it looks an awful lot like "grand standing" by this empti-headed jerk off.

[brooklynite]

2. I was hoping for some BBQ recipes...

[Scootaloo]

101. He's from Kentucky, not North Carolina

[Renew Deal]

3. Where is Bernie Sanders?

[TheNutcracker]

11. Bernie is against the Patriot Act.

To his credit, Sanders voted against the original PATRIOT Act legislation and ...voted against the extension in 2011.

[Sherman A1]

4. While no fan of the Senator

I must agree with him on this topic.....

[Larry Engels]

14. +1.

Some people here would attack Rand Paul for helping old ladies across the street. But he's actually good on some issues. On other issues, not so much. For example, he wants to roll back all the gains of the US working class in the 20th Century.

[cosmicone]

22. +1 n/t

[Lagom]

52. Hillary Clinton Quote on Patriot Act

http://ivn.us/2015/04/13/5-hillary-clinton-quotes-executive-power-spying-privacy/

Like all U.S. senators except one, Hillary Clinton voted to authorize the Patriot Act in 2001. When campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, she tried to paint Sen. Obama, a critic of the 2001 act, as disingenuous when he, like Clinton, voted for re-authorization. She charged him, saying, “You said you would vote against the Patriot Act – you came to the Senate and voted for it.” Clinton’s case was ineffective in two ways. It was noted that Obama, who was not in Washington in 2001, worked and voted for a revised version of the Patriot Act. Additionally, as support for the Patriot Act was waning, Clinton argued that supporting and continuing the Patriot Act were winning political issues.

-----------------

Clinton voted Yes every time

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=1&vote=00313


http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00029


Bernie Sanders voted NO every time

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll398.xml


http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-votes-against-patriot-act-extension

[cosmicone]

56. ::::::::::: yawn ::::::::::::::::

Someone with 7 posts bashing Hillary ... I smell tea ...

[Lagom]

59. Not at all, I despise the Tea Party

I am new to this board, yes, but I simply posted that because I found it curious that someone who is (like me) deeply against the Patriot Act (enough to where you publicly admit to a "broken-clock being right twice a day" affirmation of the above poster), yet has a Hillary Clinton icon in their profile. She has voted for it, and supported it with (granted sometimes at carefully nuanced philosophical levels) multiple layers of its outcomes and consequences. Votes matter more than words.

[Lagom]

62. of the current candidates, definitely Bernie Sanders

I would also support Elizabeth Warren, but alas, she is not running.

cheers

[cosmicone]

64. mmmmm hmmmmm yeah right n/t

[Lagom]

65. Sanders, on the issues, is superb

http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Bernie_Sanders.htm


Bernie Sanders on Free Trade

Voted NO on promoting free trade with Peru. (Dec 2007)
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Jul 2004)
Voted NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile. (Jul 2003)
Voted YES on withdrawing from the WTO. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements. (Sep 1998)
Rated 33% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues. (Dec 2002)
Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)
Review free trade agreements biennially for rights violation. (Jun 2009)
No MFN for China; condition trade on human rights. (Nov 1999)

Bernie Sanders on Corporations

Voted NO on replacing illegal export tax breaks with $140B in new breaks. (Jun 2004)
Voted NO on Bankruptcy Overhaul requiring partial debt repayment. (Mar 2001)
Require Code of Conduct for US corporations abroad. (Aug 2001)
Rated 14% by the US COC, indicating an anti-business voting record. (Dec 2003)


Bernie Sanders on War & Peace

Voted YES on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months. (Dec 2007)
Voted NO on designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terrorists. (Sep 2007)
Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
Voted NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on approving removal of Saddam & valiant service of US troops. (Mar 2004)
Voted NO on authorizing military force in Iraq. (Oct 2002)
Voted YES on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo. (May 1999)
Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)
Require Congress' approval before military action in Iran. (Oct 2007)


--------------

My Vote Match Results (2016 Presidential Candidates)




the bottom

[truebluegreen]

74. Informative, and enlightening. Thank you.

Welcome to DU.

[calimary]

105. Welcome to DU, Lagom!

Glad you're here! Great resource here! Thanks for posting it. Dayum - I look down the list of GOP wannabes and my lip just immediately curls. It's a whole lotta ick-making, if you ask me.



I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The ABSOLUTE WORST Democrat on earth is LIGHTYEARS better than the "best" the GOP can come up with.

[sabrina 1]

72. I see some facts in the post. Where is the bashing? Did Bernie vote against the Patriot Act and did

Hillary vote for it, or not?

And people are not born the minute they arrive on DU. I certainly had opinions before I signed up here. At the time, I WAS AGAINST THE PATRIOT ACT and so were MOST DUERS.

And I was disappointed in the Dems who voted for it. Still am.

So it seems to me you owe this new member an apology for suggesting there is something nefarious about stating some facts.

[Scootaloo]

103. Well done getting yourself hidden, Cone.

Maybe chilling with the overt hostility will help?

[swilton]

38. thanks - same here

[sabrina 1]

67. I agree with him also, obviously, since I am a Democrat and we were the ones who always opposed

that attack on Democracy. I don't care who stands up against it, so long as it goes.

I hope others will join him in opposing any renewal of this anti-Constitutional excuse for undermining all of our laws. Airc we were told it was temporary which was why so many Dems voted for it.

Thanks to few who did not, who were few and far between.

[cstanleytech]

92. l don't agree with him.

Since I dont believe he is sincere about opposing the law and if the Democrats had the majority control over the House and Senate and just needed his sole vote and no other Republican to repeal it he would probably go a long with his party and vote against repealing it if that's what his party ordered him to do.

[RufusTFirefly]

5. Rand Paul is a kooky Libertarian. We are Democrats.

Therefore, we must ignore the Fourth Amendment and support the Patriot Act.
Otherwise, we are kooky Libertarians, too.

Like that awful Glenn Greenwald!

[cui bono]

25. That accusation was leveled at me here on DU when I agreed with Paul on drones.

Some people just stop thinking when they defend idols.

[RufusTFirefly]

27. Yup. I've had that risible accusation leveled against me also.

It would almost be amusing if it weren't so desperate, pathetic, and generally annoying.

[MosheFeingold]

43. Libertarians ARE kooky. They are also sometimes (albeit rarely) correct. n/t

[Javaman]

86. so are broken clocks. nt

[MosheFeingold]

87. Drones and Patriot Act 2X a day! n/t

[Javaman]

88. there have been dems also against the patriot act, yet we "rally around" dumbass

showboater ayn rand paul because he states the obvious?

we dems in the trenches should be a hell of a lot better than that.

while he is against the act, the rest of his record is deplorable.

so I don't give a flying fuck what he says.

[MosheFeingold]

93. "Rally Around" is a bit strong for saying he's like a stopped clock. n/t

[Javaman]

94. posting anything in a "positive light" about this halfwit...

is in my eyes rallying his cause.

fuck him.

[phleshdef]

98. Sometimes, people from different ideological places can agree on something really important.

True libertarians and liberals / progressives have mostly always been on the same page when it comes to hostile law enforcement, unnecessary wars, government domestic overreach and generally anything that is associated with police state style fascism.

[Javaman]

106. but given a choise, I will always side with the progressive liberal

fuck the libertarians.

[Blue_Tires]

95. *ahem*

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/44314_Glenn_Greenwald_Will_Speak_to_a_Koch-Funded_Event_Named_After_a_Pro-Lynching_Racist_Dixiecrat_Congressman

GG follows the $$$$$

[PSPS]

6. It's sad that Paul understands the 4th Amendment better than the "constitutional scholar."

[Township75]

7. Where do sanders, warren, and Clinton stand on this

?

[arcane1]

10. Sanders HATES the Patriot act:

http://time.com/3850839/bernie-sanders-usa-patriot-act/

[Larry Engels]

15. Hillary voted to reauthorize it in 2006.

http://www.ontheissues.org/hillary_clinton.htm

[arcane1]

18. I wish I was surprised. n/t

[Hekate]

80. That was 9 years ago. Anything more recent?

[arcane1]

91. She hasn't been a Senator during "recent" times.

Did she suddenly change her mind?

[Township75]

17. So I hope he gets his ass up there to filibuster to too

He spends 26 hours a day talking to the press so this shouldn't be asking much.

Not surprised Hillary supports it 😡

[sabrina 1]

68. I hope he does what he did before, he voted against it. I am certain he will do so again.

I agree with what Paul is doing to draw attention to this vile piece of anti-Constitutional paper that in this country should have thrown in the garbage the minute it surfaced.

Thanks to the few, Bernie Sanders, who had the guts to stand up and do the right thing when so many others caved.

Now, what were saying about him 'getting his butt' to do what is needed?

Hillary airc, when she had the chance to take a stand against it, voted to re-authorize it. Another big difference between these two candidates.

[truebluegreen]

75. Um, despite reports, this is not a filibuster

and has no actual effect on the process. Good publicity tho, so props for that.

[Blue_Tires]

8. He should have shown this much fight for the NSA reform bill...

[arcane1]

9. What is Obama's position on this. Anyone know?

[Larry Engels]

16. He signed a bill to reauthorize it in 2011.

[christx30]

90. He also signed the NDAA, which

contained provisions for indefinite detention without trial. He included a signing statement that said that he'd never use it, but... You know. <wink>
And he fought to have it reinstated when a court struck it down.
So we know that we don't have the president on our side when it comes to the patriot act.

[mountain grammy]

12. I wish he had some help on this..

put an end to this bad law.

[DonCoquixote]

13. the proverbial broken clock right twice a day

I do nto trust ran paul any foarther than I can throw him, but I wish to wish him well on this. The loudest noise in all of this will be the SILENCE of everyone else, Republican and sadly, many democrats.

[arcane1]

19. Agreed> I'm so old, I remember when opposition was the liberal position on this.

[MosheFeingold]

44. Me too n/t

[turbinetree]

20. Here is a oldie but goodie on what he thinks of other people

and it really says a lot about his character on all matters

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/rand-paul-maddow-fallout-begins

[cui bono]

28. So you think he's wrong about the Patriot Act?

[RufusTFirefly]

29. So, does that mean you support renewal of the Patriot Act?

In case you became momentarily disoriented, that's the issue here.

[Psephos]

21. at least someone's doing it

I was going to say it's surprising that no Democrat is also doing some heavy lifting to smash the Patriot Act, but...it's not.

[pocoloco]

24. It would really be surprising if there was!!

Very few Dems with either balls or a backbone!

[onehandle]

23. Nutcase does something random.

Film at 11.

[cui bono]

26. Random? How is this random?

[onehandle]

58. What? So one pandering action should make us forgive his 99% horribleness.

Fuck looneytarians.

[cui bono]

71. I didn't say that. I'm asking you how that is random. How is it random?

[Sunlei]

30. don't "empty challenge" let the "bush 9-11 patriot act" expire!

[cdogzilla]

31. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Rand Paul might not be right as often a broken clock, but this is one of the times.

[olddad56]

32. fuck the bush Crime family and their "Patriot Act".

[totodeinhere]

45. And fuck the Democrats who voted for it as well. n/t

[maindawg]

33. Paul is the worst kind of political hack

While Paul tries to appeal to the bigoted base of the Kentucky republican party by dog whistling his way around the issue of discrimination, the issue of basic human rights in a free society intersects the teabagger dont step on me idiots with the mainstream of the progressive idealists. There are more issues that intersect, trade issues come to mind.
The Patriot act is another horrible leftover from the worst president in world history. Its a blatant conflict with our constitution and our bill of rights. Its basically marshal law by a more friendly title. It needs to be killed.
Paul is an opportunist who would use any excuse to grandstand. He is an attention whore with a very dull wit.
He is a cheater, a lier a coward a little boy who never worked a day in his life. A fake doctor who should be sued by the AMA for fraud.
I dont believe one word he says and I dont think he has ever even read the Patriot act. I doubt he reads anything. People like him are an embarrassment to all Americans.

[RufusTFirefly]

34. Does this mean you don't support his efforts to fight the Patriot Act's renewal? n/t

[maindawg]

83. I dont trust that little punk ass weasle

Sharrod Brown is my Senator, he vote no on the Patriot act every time. He will vote for me.

[ZakCarter]

35. Love him or hate him...

It’s hard not to like this quote and what he’s doing today -

“There comes to a time in the history of nations when fear and complacency allow power to accumulate and liberty and privacy to suffer. That time is now. And I will not let the Patriot Act, the most un-patriotic of acts, go unchallenged.” Rand Paul

A link to watch live can also be found here -

http://truthinmedia.com/rand-paul-launches-filibuster-of-patriot-act-renewal/


Sounds like he’s going to be at it all day and night. Will any other Senators join him? Where are Sanders and Warren?

[CincyDem]

36. I could never vote for him of oh so many reasons, but...

...this I can support. And it's somewhat shameful that he's the only one up there taking a stand on it. I know Bernie's against it but can you imagine the theater of him standing up there for days at a time to stop this fiasco.

[RufusTFirefly]

37. I think your sentiments echo those of most of us

It's disappointing 1) that some are attempting to distract from the issue by pointing out Paul's all too obvious negatives and 2) that a Senator whose stances on most issues are truly terrible is the only one speaking out against a law that seems as though it belongs in 1930s Germany.

[CincyDem]

40. Yep - it's a shame he's so f'ed up in so many ways.

He's inebriated with that "I got mine now fuck all the rest of you" attitude that runs through libertarians. Combine that with his make believe medical license (among the many many other faults) and he's a real piece of work.

But - he scares me because more so than any others in the GOP clown car, he makes sense in the moment and he doesn't come across as a loony tunes star. With him, ya have to be willing to hear the whole story to know what a shit he is.

A Hillary/Rand or a Bernie/Rand debate would be priceless except for the fact that he can be such a straight faced pathological liar. That's always hard to manage in a debate unless the moderator really steps in. Even then, lying and sticking to it just might work for him because nobody's around to hear the retractions/corrections/condemnations the next morning.

God he's such a disaster waiting to happen.

[RufusTFirefly]

41. I think Bernie would eat him for lunch in a debate. n/t

[totodeinhere]

46. Although Bernie would agree with him about the Patriot Act. n/t

[RufusTFirefly]

49. Sure. Which is kind of the point of this thread.

People with divergent beliefs can -- and should -- find common ground when it comes to some issues.

That said, Bernie is a champion of social democracy, the antithesis of what Paul is advocating.

[Snow Leopard]

39. even a broken clock

as they say...

[NobodyHere]

42. It's shameful

That it isn't a Democrat doing this.

[Jesus Malverde]

60. Ron Wyden and five other Democrats supporting...nt

[F4lconF16]

63. Wyden's going to have a fun reelection campaign.

Edit: read that backwards. Still, TPP is going to bite him in the ass.

[MisterP]

47. so either the Patriot Act must be defended because it's being attacked by a Pub,

or everything Paul does is the criteria by which we define good Democrats

(just a thought experiment based on responses to the TPP)

[totodeinhere]

48. The difference between Paul and Sanders is this. Paul is right on this one issue, and good for him.

But he is dead wrong on so many other issues. On the other hand Bernie is right on this issue and other issues as well.

[shockedcanadian]

50. As a Canadian...

...who for my entire life has looked for a leader who believes in the individual, Americans should embrace someone who is looking to broadly defend, expand and protect your liberties. Abuses are so common in Canada, so grossly under represented by our media that Americans in particular would be beyond surprised if they had a full understanding of our system.

I don't know who will be the next president, but I pray they are an honest Libertarian; a term I have just started to understand and appreciate. Most certainly such a leader would impact how leadership is viewed here in Canada. At the moment we have ZERO representation for such leadership and quite frankly we are far worse off with our narrow landscape.

I have listened to some of Rand Paul's interviews and he seems honest, principled and committed to the Constitution. His father might be a little too much but Rand truly seems more of a Democrat socially than anyone in recent memory.

[Larry Engels]

53. I like his pro-privacy, anti-imperialist positions, too, but....

...his libertarian, "anti-coercion" ideology would destroy all government regulations that protect workers and consumers from exploitation by big business and the banks. When you buy Rand, you buy the whole package.

[shockedcanadian]

55. Well, how much is too much?

When you suggest "anti-coercion" ideology, what do you mean? Serious question, I'm fairly new to politics per se, and I am trying to wrap my mind around these candidates even though Im not an American nor can vote.

I listened to Bernie Sanders, and he appears Libertarian to me. He is a "pro individual" candidate, my cup of tea without looking at his other positions which I know nothing about. In 2008 I was rooting for Hillary because I respected her husbands leadership. As far as I can see, she has embraced Rand Paul to some extent, giving him credit for reaching across the aisle on important issues regarding justice, that in itself says a lot.

I won't lie, the NSA, FBI and CIA play a vital role in protecting America and hence Canada and I definitely support these institutions. However, I think it is counter intuitive to over reach and throw a net so broad, that as Rand Paul said that it is impossible to even find the need in the haystack because the haystack is so large. I am not sure how this Patriot Act falls in this continuum. Of course, if you have someone hell bent on harming the West they need to be monitored and their phone history and acquaintances looked at where needed, but if you go too far you lose your soul as a nation, the basis of your democracy.

Oh, I forgot to add, I tend to prefer America's "imperialist" thinking, better the USA than an enemy that doesn't even know what democracy is...

[Larry Engels]

70. Not so much.

I'll just try to answer your first question. By "anti-coercion" ideology, I mean the libertarian non-aggression principle, which says, "Don't initiate force." That is the basic foundation of their whole view. It looks good on first glance, because it prohibits aggressive war, invasion of privacy and many other socially harmful acts that we all deplore, like rape, robbery, murder, etc.

But the non-aggression principle would also prohibit the government from taxation to support public education, health and welfare, regulation of business to protect the environment, worker safety, etc., because such government activities are backed up by the threat of force (fines, jail, etc.).

That's why I oppose libertarianism, even though I agree with some of their specific positions on privacy and foreign intervention.

[sabrina 1]

69. There is a contingency of people on both sides of the aisle in this country who simply 'hate' anyone

who is not on their team and no matter how right they may be on an issue, will not give them credit, in fact some will even take the opposite pov simply because of the letter after a politician's name.

Paul, and his father, are good on Foreign Policies, but not good on domestic issues. His father eg, was the only Republican to vote against the Iraq War and to question our entire seven decades of FP.

We should, as a mature society, be able to agree with someone when they are right, disagree resepctfully when they are wrong.

Ironically though, that same contingency that will attack anyone who does give credit where it is due to someone who is not a Democrat, will remain remarkably silent when Democrats work with Republicans, or even appoint them to their cabinets should they make it to the WH.

Every voice is needed to get rid of this abominable anti-Constitutional Patriot Act. Sadly members of our own party are likely to vote to re-authorize.

Paul is right on this issue. I hope he gets enough support to rid us of that vile Bush/Cheney excuse to oppress anyone who dared to disagree with them and call them a 'terrorist'.

[tularetom]

51. I know I'm supposed to hate Paul and everything he does, supports or stands for

And I do agree that he has the second worst hair in politics today.

But I find it awfully difficult to oppose anybody who filibusters the godawful patriot act, probably the single worst piece of legislation in the last 50 years.

It might be nice if there was a Democrat who had the cojones to vocally oppose this piece of shit law, but until one shows up, I agree with Paul's position and I hope he is successful in putting it out of its misery.

[Bradical79]

54. Paul is pretty awful

But I'm glad he agrees with me on this

[marble falls]

57. I agree with him something like five times in the last six years. I agree this time.

[clg311]

66. Give em hell Rand! NT

[truebluegreen]

73. Not a filibuster, a fauxbuster.

Another stunt. Props for exposure tho.

[jamzrockz]

78. Chris Hayes

Called it a filibluster. Either way, I support the attention he is giving to the awful bill. The patriot act should not be renewed.

[truebluegreen]

84. I think he also pointed out

that, while it resembles a filibuster, it has no practical effect whatsoever. Business as usual is not stopped; Rand Paul can continue talking until the Senate comes back into session but then he has to stop.

So it is a stunt, but a good publicity stunt.

[WestSideStory]

76. Rand Paul will be the toughest Republican opponent in 2016

Make no mistake. Rand Paul is wrong on every economic issue. He is somewhat right on many non female oriented social issues. That being said, his positions on race and foreign policy and civil liberties are enough to make him competitive.

[Scootaloo]

104. Paul will not be the Republican nominee

He's their Kucinich, basically. If he looked like Rick Perry, he might stand a chance in their primary, but no.

No, out of the current contenders, Walker is their best bet. Bush is poison and the rest are sideshows.

What worries me is if Ryan decides to toss in as a late entry. You remember 2008? If not, here's a reminder:

[bobjacksonk2832]

77. Like they say, even a broken clock is right twice a day

Rand Paul is still a scumbag though.

[BootinUp]

79. A Posturing Repuke, how cute. nt

[riqster]

81. Stopped clocks and all that.

[Deadbeat Republicans]

82. I was hoping that Bernie's presents would pull our party to the left,

But never thought he'd pull the rightwing too. This dude's got talent.

[Gothmog]

85. This was not a true filibuster but a stunt

[Deadbeat Republicans]

89. I absolutely agree. I hope the stunt leaves the patriot act with a black eye?

[phleshdef]

96. Even if its just a stunt, its a good stunt.

Look man, I would never vote for Rand or Ron for anything, but we should respect when they have been on the right side of something. Considering Ron Paul's record on stuff like this (aka being against shit like the Patriot Act and NSA surveillance), it shouldn't be surprising that Rand has a similar view. I believe his opposition is authentic.

[Blue_Tires]

97. So Rand Paul hates surveillance so much, he's spent the past year blocking any meaningful reform

just so he could let one tiny part of it expire in the most overblown and media-whoring fashion imaginable?

Seems legit...

[phleshdef]

99. Did he block meaningful reform?

I'm asking because I'm honestly not familiar with what you are talking about. Look, I can't stand Rand Paul really. A lot of times just watching him speak makes me wish some random person would come up and free whatever animal that is he has enslaved on his head. I just appreciated what he did here though.

[Blue_Tires]

100. here's a start:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025837913

[phleshdef]

102. That seems fairly consistent with his current position.

That link indicates that he voted against it because of the data/phone record collection components of the NSA being upheld.

But seriously, I feel like a piece of shit defending Rand Paul. I don't like being in that position. Yet, in my opinion, he has been fairly consistent on this ONE issue.