Congressional Dems Ready As Always To Do What They Are Told-Deal In Works To Protect Telcom Co.s

[kpete]

It is inescapably clear that there are no limits on the willingness of Congressional Democrats to enable the President’s worst excesses.

Scorching Glenn Greenwald on (D) capitulations and betrayals today…

Are Democrats planning still worse FISA capitulations?

Wednesday September 19, 2007

Buried within an article in the New York Times this morning from James Risen is this passage, strongly suggesting that Congressional Democrats are ready, as always, to do what they are told:

Democratic Congressional aides say they believe that a deal is likely to provide protection for the companies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/washington/19nsa.html

Thus, the very idea that the Bush White House would be able to force enactment of FISA legislation once Democrats controlled the Congress would have seemed unfathomable, at least to many people. But after watching the Democrats meekly sit by and allow abolition of habeas corpus and then, when in control of Congress, grant the President vast new surveillance powers without receiving anything in exchange, it is inescapably clear that there are no limits on the willingness of Congressional Democrats to enable the President’s worst excesses. If this NYT story is accurate and they really do intend to provide this retroactive immunity, their joint responsibility for most of the excesses of the Bush administration will be virtually complete.

......................

Having the Senate and House vote to restore habeas corpus and thus vote to reverse the worst aspect of the many atrocious provisions of the MCA would be a welcome development. But the chance that habeas would actually be restored now is non-existent, since the President would veto the bill and they would not get 67 votes to override.

Having allowed enactment of the MCA back in October, it is nice that Senate Democrats are leading this effort, and some -- including Dodd and Leahy -- are undoubtedly passionate about it (though that passion failed to mount a real resistance effort last October when it would actually have protected habeas). But these efforts are more symbolic than anything else. "Terrorist suspects" detained indefinitely by the Bush administration will have no greater opportunity to contest the accusations against them even if they get the cloture votes.


http://www.salon.com/opinion/g…..index.html

[IDemo]

1. We should mail a copy of Greenwald's excellent book to our representatives

since they apparently don't understand their job, or don't care:

How Would a Patriot Act? Defending American Values from a President Run Amok

Greenwald's penetrating words should inspire a nation to defend the Constitution from a president who secretly bestowed upon himself the powers of a monarch. If we are to remain a constitutional republic, Greenwald writes, we cannot abide radical theories of executive power, which are transforming the very core of our national character, and moving us from democracy toward despotism. This is not hyperbole. This is the crisis all Americans - liberals and conservatives--now face. In the spirit of the colonists who once mustered the strength to denounce a king, Greenwald invites us to consider: How would a patriot act today?

[Kolesar]

2. Glen Greenwald is overwrought to point of being unreadable

I mean...what is he saying? It's a collection of disconnected and unreferenced subjects

[VP505]

3. I agree

and another facet to that problem is the Democratic rank and file that swallow hook line and sinker all the excuses that the elected offer for NOT doing their jobs.