Senate Votes for Expansion of Spy Powers (68-29 vote)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/us/13fisa.html?hp ^ | 02-13-08 | Eric Lichtblau

[mtntop3]

“FR Class of 1998” - In your dumping on this security measure for our nation, you employ a deceptive handle.

You, in fact, came on FR on 2008-01-03 and are thereby a NEWBY. You wouldn’t be a TROLL - would you, dear one???????????????????????????????????????????????????

[bamahead]

The blind support I see from so many for this program really makes me wonder if anyone really believes in free speech, federalism and limited government, or if they want that only when the opposition is in power.

It really amazes me that some here swear by the same blind allegience to Government on issues like this, while criticizing liberals for similar blind allegience on things like health care. Do you all simply assume that someone you trust will always be in control of who/what gets monitored? Have we forgotten how well meaning laws can get turned on their ears by some liberal activist judge with a hatred for conservative values...such as the words 'freedom' and 'liberty'?

I'm sure I will be criticized as a 'terrorist sympathizer' or something childish. Please bring it. I am pretty sure the framers are spinning in the grave over this nonsense.

There are other ways to legitimize the monitoring of terrorist communications over our networks than granting a huge behemoth like AT&T blanket immunity to do as they please. They will find ways to abuse it. And removing all accountability at the federal level is fairly absurd as well.

The fact that there was so little debate over removing the civil liberty protections is the most troubling part of all.

[bamahead]

I’m far from a troll, and I agree with his stance wholeheartedly.

Nice liberal tactic; Don’t try and debate his arguement on it’s merits vs. your opinion, just call him names and move along...

[doug from upland]

Hi, fake name newbie.

We are intercepting communications from a foreign target. I want it audited and monitored with critical oversight, but I want it done.

[jmc813]

Don't see any Govt stomping on anyone right now.

Ever hear of the BATFE?

Funny how the same people in hysterics about this did not mind when they were monitoring "militas" and "right wing hate groups".

Had you been a freeper prior to 2004, you would know better.

[bIlluminati]

Note that all three likely Presidents in 2012 abstained - Clinton, Obama, and Graham (RINO).

Although I wouldn’t be selling life insurance to Obama.

[FR Class of 1998]

Funny girl, you are. Now CLOSE YOUR TAGS!

[FR Class of 1998]

Hello again, Doug. So if Hillary put the term ‘Peter Paul’ on the monitoring list, you would be OK with that?

[mtntop3]

Thanks for the confirmation, trollop.

[wastedyears]

Thank you

Dodd voted against it, Lieberman voted for it.

[FR Class of 1998]

You don’t realize it, but you just outed yourself as the “newby” by not realizing the significance of closing your tags. So you hopped on the bandwagon in 2004, eh? How’d that work out for you?

[mtntop3]

THANKS FOR THE CONFIRMATION, TROLLOP.

[CougarGA7]

We go my 6 year old a pair of these for his birthday.

There is NO WAY anyone will know that he is covertly recording them as he walking around in these OBVIOUSLY ordinary sunglasses.

[MinnesotaLibertarian]

You are correct. If there’s truly a terrorist threat, there should be a no problem getting the proper warrants to spy. This bill allows the ability to spy on anyone for anything, with no judicial review. It’s a threat to the separation of powers and it’s just saddening seeing so many supposed conservatives on this board cheering the further erosion of liberty. If people really think it will be used only to combat terrorism, they’re terribly naive.

[AFPhys]

I’m very surprised by Byrd’s and Conrad’s No, as well as in Inouye’s Yes.

Mildly surprised about Rockefeller’s Yes and Harkin’s No.

Others about where I would expect.

As far as Hitlery and O’Dumbo’s “No vote”, well, that speaks volumes about their political courage, as well as their sense of responsibility to America and Americans. I hope the McCain makes this vote a centerpiece issue.

[AFPhys]

There have been years of debate about this. The Senators who voted on their constituents’ behalf listened to the arguments and have agreed with The President. To characterize this as being rushed through the halls of Congress is simply disingenuous. You may not agree with the result of the vote, but to say it has not been carefully considered in all aspects, including airing arguments such as, “what happens with future liberal judges...”, is clearly incorrect.

[B-Chan]

I’m not so sure. Let’s see how “good” it is when Obama or Hillary Clinton is listening in on our conversations.

[B-Chan]

When conservatism becomes conservatism again, and there are electric spokesmen for the cause able to get people excited about Constitutional values, we’ll get our chance again.

I agree. These are my feelings as well.

However, I doubt that the above-described situation will come again this side of chaos. It will take a complete, 1991-USSR-style collapse of the social-economic-political system in this country to break the hold of the Forces of Evil on the United States... a cure that in many ways would be worse than the disease.

Sorry to be so negative. I simply cannot see any painless or pleasant way out of the current situation. Until the Gods of the Copybook Headings limp up to explain it all again, my strategy is going to be to hunker down, pray, and keep my family and loved ones alive.

[CDB]

According to the US Senate’s roll call tally for this vote, no GOP’s voted “nay,” but one abstained: L. Graham (SC) of “Saddlesore Canyon” fame.

[End Times Crusader]

Does this vote bring you any closer to voting for McCain?