I can't remain silent about FISA. I can't compromise about FISA.

It is the fourth of July, and I'm very heavy hearted that the provisions of the Constitution, and their amendments have been sold off to the highest bidders. I can't embrace the fact that our very own Presidential candidate is making concessions on this abuse of power. I have found myself almost numbed by the realization that many here are willing to overlook this concession. "you must give up your privacy and constitutional rights to us if you want us to keep you safe" -- and it is Obama's willingness to embrace that rancid framework, the defining mindset of the Bush years, that is most deserving of intense criticism here. http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/06/21/obama/

Mr. Obama this is not the change I can be proud of. It isn't really change, but more of the same abuse of power. When November comes and I vote for you, it will be with a heavy heart. Because I deserve a President that will serve and protect my rights, and not use fear to take them away.

Cowards.

but i would rather GEORGEE paid for his UNCONSTITUTIONALLY spying on AMERICA.
and NOT getting osam been forgotten. i am QUITE sure osama AIN'T IN AMERICA.

expect it, or are we just going to live with the same fear speaches?

I have been following this issue closely since the NY Times broke the story in 2005. I was outraged by our Government spying on its own citizens. I find it reprehensible! After all, weren't the alleged hijackers all foreigners? What is to gain from spying on innocent Americans? Further, according to numerous sources, our Government knew plenty about the hijackers and their plans. We already had intelligence, but due to incompetence or distraction or complicity, the Bush Administration failed to stop the attacks. We didn't need to revise FISA. FISA is just fine -- maybe we could insert a provision for electronic communications or other contemporary technology, but the part about needing a Warrant -- well, that's in the Constitution.

Anyway, coming back to my point and your post: the House leadership (if you can call it that) -- principally Nancy Pelosi claimed victory in the recent House bill because now FISA would be the exclusive law under which our Government must conduct surveillance. This apparent legal clause in the Bill was supposed to be some huge accomplishment. However, as most of us know, FISA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE EXCLUSIVE LAW UNDER WHICH OUR GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO CONDUCT SURVEILLANCE. The Bush Administration simply ignored the law. They circumvented the 4th Amendment. They used extra-constitutional powers endowed by White House/DOJ "lackey" lawyers who concocted bogus legal arguments. So, it is plain to see that Pelosi's "victory provision" amounts to absolutely nothing. Nada. Nicht. This is troubling that she and other top Dems would publicly issue these types of statement. I am disturbing/astounded at the complete lack of legal analysis and critical thinking.

More troubling still is the immunity provision. In March 2008 our Senate passed a bill revising FISA that gave the telecoms immunity. Yes, the Democratic controlled legislative body. The House, on the other hand, voted down the proposal. Now, 3 months later there is a total role reversal. The Senate, behind the prodding of Feingold is trying to remove the immunity provision.

About this "immunity provision" -- don't let anyone tell you different, it is complete civil immunity. All the telecoms must do is provide a Certification Document from the DOJ saying what the Government was asking them to do was legal. Remember, this is the same DOJ that somehow legalized torture; refused and refuses to cooperate with Congressional investigations; allowed political appointees to create some kind of GOP vetting process for new hires; and has basically been a rubber stamp for the neocon-led White House. It is worth mentioning that Qwest refused to assist the Government because their lawyers saw the lack of evidence and specificity in the Government's surveillance program. What is also worth mentioning: THE SPYING STARTED BEFORE 9/11.

SO, the House trumpets their achievement by saying: this still leaves the telecoms open to criminal prosecution. Well... under what charge? Who is going to prosecute them? In what Court? The problem with this rationale is: NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S DOMESTIC SPYING OPERATIONS! How can anyone sue? How can anyone prosecute? We also know from the Public Record that the CIA, FBI, NSA, DOD and other Government agencies participated in the domestic spy program. I mean, how far does the rabbit hole go???

In closing, I share your outrage and appreciate Greenwald's work on this issue. As a Constitutional Lawyer, Mr. Greenwald brings much needed legal analysis to the table. People like us who are writing about this issue, sending emails and making calls -- we are also doing our part. We've raised such a ruckus, the Senate called off their vote on the bill, AND OBAMA HAD TO WRITE AN OP-ED ON HUFF POST AND HIS WEBSITE EXPLAINING HIS REVERSAL OF POSITION. Speaking of Obama, it does not bode well for the Democratic Party if he continue to do 180's on key issues like this. It's bad enough that Democrats have done nothing they promised after taking control in 2006, now we are supposed to believe Obama is about changing the way Washington works, AND HE CANNOT EVEN VOTE AGAINST TELECOM IMMUNITY?! Obama is all about no lobbyists and down with Bush and this and that... yet it seems all of his moves since clinching the nomination have been through the lens of political expediency. No bueno.

This is all very depressing. Have you seen this image? It says it all...

http://anonymouspond.com/images/big-brother-is-watching-you/

Dear Sir/Madam,

Dare to raise your voice for the inevitable socio-political change in Pakistan, to empower Pakistani people, whom the country belongs to.

Since the creation of Pakistan the Pakistani people have been left at a distance from the corridors of power so that the ruling elite can do what they wanted to do in favour of their own interests, leaving the Pakistani people at the mercy of circumstances. As this policy is a denial of the right of Pakistani people to rule their own country according to their aspirations and desires - a country which can provide equal opportunity to all without any discrimination, leading to establishment of a welfare society. Only a society based on tolerance, equality and justice can be the real guarantee for a prosperous and strong Pakistan, therefore we must raise our voices and express our concerns at this crucial moment in Pakistan’s history – to do otherwise would lead to a disaster, a point of no return for our beloved country.

We have already lost the major part of Pakistan in 1971 simply to save the centralised sole power whose sole intention was to exploit this country for the ruling elite class. A nation was divided for the sole interest of very few. In the present circumstances we are once again slowly and painfully dragging our sovereignty at stake, only this time for the external interest. It is ironic that this is once again being done in the name of national interest. We must remind our leaders that the real national interest is the interest of Pakistani people at large.

Mr.Musharaf, is not a problem nor the restoration of chief justice can make a difference, rather it is the prevailing socio-political system which is destroying our national institutions and victimizing the patriotic people like Dr.Qadeer khan, who provided a strong sense of security, achievement and pride to the nation - we can no more tolerate the humiliation of patriotic Pakistanis for the pleasures of external interests.

The current system with centralize power at the centre which is in the hands of a few, wherein transparency and accountability can not be established, is responsible for all the mess we are currently in and requires a change for the prosperity of Pakistani people. Pakistani people have been deprived from their right to rule this country in all the 60 years of independence – this must stop, otherwise exploitation and injustice will continue to exist in one form or the other.

The only way out of these crucial circumstances is to empower the common Pakistani at a grass route level i.e. the change of system. This change is inevitable in order to achieve a prosperous Pakistan, which is able to provide basic guarantees for the creation of welfare state, where in public representatives and institutions are answerable and accountable to the masses.

Kindly see web site….www.idp.org.pk

Kindly acknowledge with your comments.


Ilyas khan Baloch
Organizer Islamic Democratic Party

IT IS SICKENING :puke:

obama's stance is WRONG WRONG WRONG

months how much has been lost. Obama stands for oppression of our rights.