BEFORE YOU GET EXCITED ABOUT HEATHER WILSON:

[janx]

Read this:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/02/08/national/w091352S78.DTL

House Republican Calls for FISA Changes
Breaking with the White House, the House Republican who chairs a panel that oversees the National Security Agency wants Congress to change a 1978 foreign intelligence law following the disclosure of President Bush's eavesdropping program.

She is doing DAMAGE CONTROL and wants to change FISA.

This is not about holding the president accountable. It's about getting him off of the hook!

[Sadie5]

1. Figured as much

I was suspicious when this was posted yesterday. You can't trust the Repigs...period!

[janx]

4. She is also facing a very formidable opponent in November:

Patricia Madrid

http://www.madridforcongress.com/node/513

ALBUQUERQUE -- A recent poll by D.C.-based Lake Research Partners showed that Attorney General Patricia Madrid and Rep. Heather Wilson are in a statistical dead heat in the race to represent New Mexico’s First Congressional District, according to an internal memo released Tuesday.

Link to polling memo:

http://www.madridforcongress.com/files/pollnumbers.pdf

[AspenRose]

9. Go Patsy Go!

eom

[janx]

11. YEP.

I can't wait to see her win!

[AspenRose]

24. Even though poor Richard Romero tried twice and didn't make it

He was a DFA darling. Hope he stays involved in politics.

[janx]

26. So do I!

But I am excited about Madrid.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. If they have to change the law now, it is an acknowledgment that they

broke the law. It's a trap for them, not us.

That's why Cheney said they felt they were on the right side of the law and no changes need be made.

[janx]

7. She's trying to deflect.

Make no mistake.

[The Backlash Cometh]

19. If the Democrats stand together and interpret it as a sign of

guilt, then it will be seen as such. They need to stop letting the media frame everything in favor of the Administration.

[janx]

22. That's one reason I posted this.

You're absolutely right.

[FreedomAngel82]

12. Oh that's good

True true. So wouldn't this blow Cheney's argument out of the water? Oooo I hope he knows that she's doing this!

[rodeodance]

18. "the right side of the law:' and Cheney is same sentence gave me a chuckle

That's why Cheney said they felt they were on the right side of the law and no changes need be made.

[fasttense]

3. I didn't trust her anyway.

She will go back in her hidey-hole when the terrorists go boo.

[PA Democrat]

5. When I hear Heather Wilson's name I think of her crying and histrionics

over the HORROR!!! of Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction. I hope her intentions in this situations are more sincere than her manufactured outrage over Janet Jackson's breast.

[janx]

8. Don't bank on it.

;-)

[underpants]

6. Well yeah then there IS that

Since it was my thread I thought I would acknowledge that this story is being reported two ways.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=359913&mesg_id=359913

That being said-changing the law now doesn't cover what was done then does it?

I'm just saying.

[janx]

13. No, it doesn't, but it deflects. And it's meant to.

No doubt about it.

[janx]

15. There are numerous threads about Wilson.

So mine wasn't only a reaction to the one you posted recently. I just want people to be informed and a bit skeptical.

Even if this woman calls for congressional hearings (as opposed to a special prosecutor), we know what Congress is comprised of, yes? Congress is comprised of mostly Republicans, so we'll get the same partisan outcome, most likely.

[Pacifist Patriot]

29. Technically no. But it sure helps the spin doctors.

[janx]

31. Precisely.

Deflect, deflect, deflect. Make it about "changing the law" or anything else to take attention off of the fact that the president broke the law.

[FreedomAngel82]

10. Thanks for telling us that

Now warn the democrats there! Send to Conyers, Kuicinch, McDermott etc. Just anyone you can. Good catch!

[mattclearing]

14. She seems to be suggesting that it needs to be updated for

technological reasons. But there's no reason to trust her, or worse yet, the rest of her Republican brethren.

[janx]

17. Exactly! She hopes to keep this inside the Republican

confines of Congress.

[MrModerate]

16. Yeah, she wants to rewrite the laws that Bush broke . . .

So he can continue to do the same thing, but have it be legal now.

-- which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Data mining, IF PROPERLY OVERSEEN, is an appropriate tool in seeking to uncover terrorists. Many of us have been saying for a long time that the "war on terror" needs to be less of a war and more of an internationally coordinated law enforcement effort. Many reasonable people feel there is at least some place for military-type solutions, but the most effective tools are likely to be in traditional law enforcement approaches.

Even Americans who are outraged by domestic spying are mostly outraged because it appears to be illegal, not because some form of surveillance of terrorist suspects is wrong.

They just want the Pres to follow the laws; to not screw around with their private, non-terror-related business; and be overseen by some persons or mechanisms they can trust.

Bush will fight this tooth and nail, because any movement to review and modify FISA and any associated laws will highlight the illegality of his actions to date.

So Heather may be trying to generate a CYA smokescreen for the administrations crimes, but the winds could easily shift and choke 'em all.

[janx]

21. Good points, all.

But as long as this thing stays within the safe confines of Bush's Republican Congress, it's probably not going anywhere.

That's what I'm afraid of.

When are the current hearings supposed to resume, anyway--the Senate judiciary hearings?

[EVDebs]

20. Sibel Edmonds is better looking and has a better storyline......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=359913&mesg_id=360046

[janx]

27. Better looking than my dog?

Nooo...! ;-)

[EVDebs]

30. Sibel isn't bad, you may need glasses !

http://www.justacitizen.com/

BTW, the Stormie Janzen dustup (the Session's aide) is the latest T&A distraction for rightwingers.
http://www.wonkette.com/

I'm just saying maybe more leftwing flesh peddling, with attendent political 'redeeming social value' I belive is the legalese, will win points for our side. The rightwingnuts are apparently pulling out all the stops in this regard, despite their 'base'.

[janx]

34. I was just kidding.

;-)

[gimama]

23. thanks for info

Never again can we take ANY politician at their word..WE have to know their motivation..& You All nailed it.

I'm still calling on real conservatives AND real Statesmen in the House, to do their job, appoint special counsil, and IMPEACH BUSH&CHENEY.

There is NOTHING conservative about these rw radical regressives, & I'm appealing to those republicans who claim they love the LAW, & OUR Constitution. I am emphasizing they are themselves participating in their own demise as a branch of government,choosing to become irrelevant, obsolete. They ALL have a basic survival instinct(it's an animal thang)and they do realize the trouble they're in as incumbents.
THEY need to know their position & future depends on their STAND on these violations of Constitution & Bill of Rights. *dialing,again!*

[janx]

25. Her opponent, Patricia Madrid:

Responsible Action in Iraq

We must investigate the intelligence that led to the war in Iraq and press the Administration for straight, honest answers on the current state of our operations in Iraq. We must establish a definite timeline for troop withdrawal with clear benchmarks of progress.

http://www.madridforcongress.com/issues/iraq

Real National Security

The 9/11 Commission gave Congress a failing grade on protecting America from another terrorist attack. This is completely unacceptable. We absolutely must protect our borders, our ports, and our nuclear and chemical plants. We must protect both American lives and the American way of life, and again show other nations that we can promote our democratic ideals without betraying our principles. Together, we can reclaim America's leadership role in the world.

http://www.madridforcongress.com/issues/security

Rewarding Work

Tax cuts for corporations and the very wealthy at the expense of working people and the middle class do not benefit this country. The tax system must be changed to ease the burden on the middle class and small businesses and ensure that large corporations and the very wealthy pay their fair share.

http://www.madridforcongress.com/issues/rewardingwork

Prescription Drugs

Too many Americans do not have health insurance, and the recently passed Medicare Plan D drug plan benefits the pharmaceutical industry, rather than our senior citizens. The plan is a failure that does not adequately provide needed services for our seniors; it is completely incomprehensible and must be scrapped. Madrid will work to change the law so that it benefits those who need it most.

http://www.madridforcongress.com/issues/rxdrugs

Reforming Government

The Congress and the White House have created a culture of corporate corruption and cronyism -- at a real cost to the American taxpayer. Patricia Madrid will fight for real reform to loosen the grip of corporate lobbyists so that government can start tending to the business of the American people for a change.

http://www.madridforcongress.com/issues/reform

[gimama]

41. Excellent, thanks!

That would also be good to post in the NM State forum. Yea ;)

[Pacifist Patriot]

28. No need to fear for me. I trust any Republican about as far as

I can throw Rove. I hate that I've become that cynical and oppositional, but there you have it.

[ginnyinWI]

32. A political ploy

First word gets out about how anybody not backing up the WH spying claims won't get support for their re-elections.

Then she comes out, seemingly against said claims. Presto--she's able to run as separate from the WH which helps her politically to run against a lively challenger. But all parties involved know that nothing is really going to happen to curb presidential power.

[janx]

33. That's a pretty good summary.

The boy king's recent visit to NM didn't help her poll numbers.

Edited to add: Her numbers with independents, in particular, have slumped.

[ginnyinWI]

36. thanks--credit goes to Rachael Maddow from this a.m.

:)

[npincus]

35. it doesn't change the fact that Chimpy BROKE THE LAW

FISA should have been changed to prior to the illegal eavesdropping if it did not accomodate all the changing circumstances that the Chimp keeps blabbering about.

[centristo]

37. this part seems ok...

"Hannahs also said that Wilson believes the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act needs to be updated to "take into account new technology." The law governs the monitoring of calls inside the United States for national security reasons."

No matter what happens, FISA should probably be update to account for email, mobile phones, etc.

I was lurking in freepville and they are PISSED about her. She's a hard right-winger though. First US Woman veteran in Congress. They are desperately trying to swift boat her. It will be intersting to see if she resists or buckles. Given history and the article you posted I would say a "flip-flop" is due any day now.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1574035/posts?q=1&&page=1#1

[janx]

39. Probably so.

I look forward to November, that's all I know.

[Nothing Without Hope]

38. And never forget: The GOPs saw to it that GONZALES DID NOT TESTIFY UNDER

OATH. The whole thing is meaningless spin when he can lie without fear of perjury. That was a straight party-line vote, and it shows what is REALLY going on here.

Discussed here:
http://www.buzzflash.com/editorial/06/02/edi06015.html
2-7-06 BUZZFLASH Editorial:
Article title: “As Soon as the Republicans Voted to Prohibit Gonzales from Testifying Under Oath About Illegal Wiretapping, The Democrats on the Judiciary Committee Should Have Walked Out. Period.”

One of the earlier threads mostly praising Heather Wilson - which I agree is a sad mistake and a sign of how well their spin really works:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2092969
thread title (2-7-06 LBN): NYT: Republican Who Oversees N.S.A. Calls for Wiretap Inquiry
Comment/excerpt: Rep. Heather Wilson. But remember, the GOPs saw to it that Gonzales was NOT under oath – so it doesn’t mean anything this way.

[fooj]

40. I saw her on KO...

She won't get swiftboated. I can tell you that much...

Peace.

[radio4progressives]

42. bingo! (or "Have I said how much I hate these people yet"?)

k&r

:kick: :hi: :thumbsup: