Bill Would Allow Warrantless Spying - Email/Call every member of Congress!

[williesgirl]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/16/AR2006031601861.html

The Bush administration could continue its policy of spying on targeted Americans without obtaining warrants, but only if it justifies the action to a small group of lawmakers, under legislation introduced yesterday by key Republican senators.

snip

They are Mike DeWine (Ohio), Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.), Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Olympia J. Snowe (Maine).

snip

All but Graham are members of the sharply divided intelligence committee, whose Democratic members have unsuccessfully sought an investigation into the NSA program. Hagel and Snowe threatened last month to join the Democrats' request unless the administration and Congress agreed on a way to bring the wiretap program under the review of FISA's court and Congress.


You need to read the entire article, but I'm so incensed. They won't let a vote come up to find the President broke the law, but want to enact one to now make it legit.

I just sent the following email to my 2 VA Senators. I plan to send the same to every House and Senate member later tonight and urge every DUer to do the same:

I am furious to read tonight that 4 Republican Senators are proposing legislature to bring this illegal domestic spying under FISA and a select group of House and Senate members. You all made sure that there could be no voting on whether this President broke the law by what he's done. Now you want to continue to sweep this action under the rug by creating legislation to now make it legal.

Many in Congress were all up in air when another President lied under oath about illicit sex. Where is the outrage of something so much more important to our country and upholding our beloved Constitution?
Any Senator or House member who votes in favor of legislating before finding this President guity of breaking the laws of our country will be held accountable at the ballot box.

How can any of you not have respect for the oath you swore when taking your esteemed office? You swore to uphold our Constitution, not any political party or President. How can you even consider setting such a dangerous precedent? If this goes forward, any President of any party can break any law with no fear - as long as her or her party runs the House and Senate.

I expect you all to stand up tall and do what's right, what's legal and what's your sworn duty

(edited to add emails sent)

[Zenlitened]

1. This is worth shutting Congress down over if it looks like passing.

I know, I know... Democratic leaders in Washington standing up and making a powerful stand on preserving our nation's ideals, rallying the citizenry to see the dangers in letting our civil liberties slip away...

What's the emoticon for :pipe-dream: anyway?

:(

[dusty64]

15. I agree SHUT IT DOWN!

This bill if I'm not mistaken would allow the regime to decide who is a "terrorist" and reveal it only to a handpicked bunch of extremist asslickers, I'd bet Roberts (puke from Kansas) will be among them. This shit is beyond belief and reveals the reality that there are NO moderate rethugs.

[savemefromdumbya]

20. All branches need to be shut down and cleaned out

[adigal]

21. Phone and Fax Numbers:

Snowe:
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Hagel:
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Lindsay "I don't believe in Habeas Corpus" Graham:
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

DeWine:
Phone: [phone]
TTYD Number: 202-224-9921
Fax: [phone]

[EVDebs]

24. Constitutionality of a 'cover' law, when pres has violated Bill of Rights

is dubious at best. This all looks like simply a delaying tactic. It should, logically, be merged with Sen. Feingold's motion to censure President Bush. The fact that this proposed law being 'out there' is de facto admission of the President's flouting of the Bill of Rights !

[rodeodance]

29. it is 'face saving' measure-a gift to the Pres. from the Repugs

[magellan]

2. Making laws to break laws

That reminds me of something. No wait, I'll think of it...

OOoo, shiny boxy thing telling me it'll be sunny tomorrow! Yippeee!

...What was the question?

[NVMojo]

3. you know it's because they are afraid of us, just average US citizens

they are afraid if we think for ourselves

[HuffleClaw]

4. "fines of up to $1 million and prison terms of up to 15 years for those...

...who disclose "classified information related to the Terrorist Surveillance Program," the administration's name for the NSA operation. The penalties would not apply to journalists."

oh sure. what a disgrace.

[Daphne08]

5. I thought the USSR was dead! n/t

[Historic NY]

6. Okay now we make a law that approves the previously.......

known law that prevented it.

[deacon]

7. This is downright treasonous-this thread needs to be locked

at the top of the general discussion. Every member of congress must be written...........

[Mr_Spock]

36. I agree

You're breaking your title where you did caught my eye :D

[deacon]

8. Recommend this thread-it's just too important......... n/t

[booksenkatz]

9. kicking..........

........because I can't take it anymore.

[Swamp Rat]

10. I expect law-abiding members of Congress to stop this.

If they cannot or will not, then the Republic is dead. :(

[AzDar]

11. Kick (with loathing....)

:kick:

[Mithras61]

12. I don't understand why this is necessary...

After all, W_rong says that this whole program is completely legal and above board, so why is this necessary? I mean, either he's lying, and warrantless spying is completely illegal, and hence an impeachable offense, or he's telling the truth, in which case Congress is lying, and we are wasting tax dollars on redundant laws.

Which ios it? Is it the Congress or the President that is lying?


Personally, I think it's both... what he's doing is illegal, and this law is not going to make it legal and will waste millions of taxpayer dollars on indefensible lawsuits.


Edited to fix tags and bekas I kant spel

[The Stranger]

13. Even DU has become conditioned to this kind of crime.

[williesgirl]

14. Click on article - it's now buried in "Nation" under "National Security"

It was on the front page of washingtonpost.com early this morning. Now you can hardly find it when looking for it. By clicking on the article, you'll keep it in their "Most Viewed Articles" section.

[Judi Lynn]

16. Does anyone know who these four Republican Bush-slave Senators are?

The article seems to indicate DeWine is one, but I don't know how to find out the name of the others.

What a monstrosity. I hope and pray they will fail.

[williesgirl]

17. Mike DeWine (Ohio), Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.), Chuck Hagel (Neb.)

and Olympia Snowe (Maine)

[Judi Lynn]

18. Omigod! I had no idea Olympia Snowe would EVER do something

like this.

Thanks a lot, williesgirl. Welcome to D.U. :hi: :hi: :hi:

[EVDebs]

25. See post #24. Maybe she is doing an unwitting favor to Sen Feingold nt

[savemefromdumbya]

19. They just admitted the President BROKE the law by introducing it

this is impeachable

[Uncle Joe]

22. Traitorous bastards!

kicked with disgust.

:kick: :puke:

[pat_k]

23. Recall "Peeping Pat" Roberts!!

http://thedeanpeople.com/recall_sen_roberts.html

[rodeodance]

26. Feingold is on the Intell committee--This is why he did the Censure

resolution.

[november3rd]

27. Yeah, this is the one

It's the "Lay Down in the Mud and Let SnotNose Walk All Over Us" Bill.

[leQ]

28. it's as if emocrats don't exist..... i'm outraged!!

this is really the ultimate test folks. do we sit and let them run us over, or do we stand up and say enough is enough?

on edit: typo

[MissWaverly]

30. what would Franklin do

Quotes by Franklin Roosevelt
"I never forget that I live in a house owned by all the American people and that I have been given their trust."

"They who seed to establish systems of government based on the regimentation of all human
beings by a handful of individual rulers call this a new order...it is not new and it is not
order."

[Coexist]

31. Cafferty just ripped on this but good!

On CNN - The Situation Room.

I wish I had a quote for you, but he basically just said, "who elected these idiots."

[mahatmakanejeeves]

32. "I just sent the following email to my 2 VA Senators."

Yeah, and Allen will personally sign the orders to send you off to Gitmo. Warner might grumble a little, but for the good of the party, he'll acquiesce.

[understandinglife]

33. K&R.

Be The Bu$h Opposition - 24/7

[Clara T]

34. K&R

People keep asking when the police state will arrive in America.
Friendly fascism is knocking at your door and coming into your everyday life.

[JackORoses]

35. ask those Senators

why are they having to change the law if Bush hasn't already broken one??

[Maraya1969]

37. Why do they need to pass a bill when they are already asserting it is

legal? Doesn't the act of trying to pass a bill to allow warrant-less spying prove that they know it is illegal?