Posted on 07/15/2008 10:53:32 AM PDT by rdb3
I originally wrote this as a response to Pangaea's post. He quoted my original post concerning the FISA bill. I thought it deserved its own post to clear some things up, and clear up the air.
I wrote to Senator Obama and said it was "inexcusable" that he would vote for such a bill. I have had time to think, ruminate, read and research since then, and here I present my revised thoughts concerning this.
Do I believe it inexcusable for Obama to vote for the FISA bill with the retroactive immunity? Yes. It is.
My original post and letter to Obama was in the heat of the moment, and I was upset. It is understandable. After all, when I hear my beloved candidate endorsing a piece of legislation that is truly disgusting in its denial and blatant dismissal of Constitutional right to privacy, it irks me. More than a little, considering Obama is a Constitutional Law Scholar.
But I did a lot of thinking, and more research, and I came to a couple of conclusions.
a) There is a separate vote for the bill and for immunity. Obama can easily vote for the bill and against immunity. The issue with the bill is, after all, the immunity it grants, is it not?
b) Obama has pledged to get the immunity out of the bill. While it is doubtful that he will be able to accomplish such a thing, it cannot be ignored that he would do this.
c) If the bill is passed, then the laws that have been broken cannot be broken again. Such wiretapping that took place will not take place again, and that is an important step in my eyes.
d) Would I withhold the small amount of money I will donate to Obama because of this? No fucking way. That's counteractive and idiotic.
e) Do I still fully support Obama despite this? Of course. Obama is not an idiot. I have trusted him thus far and he has not led me astray. He is not perfect, but he is, in my opinion, brilliant. Despite this vote (if he happens to make it), I will not withdraw my support.
Obama has done other things I disagree with. He has made other votes I disagree with. He does not share all the values I share. He is not perfect.
Perhaps we should get off our high horses and stop believing in Obama as a messiah. He's not one. He's a human being. Is he probably wrong about this? Sure. But let's also give him the benefit of the doubt, see what he does, and go from there.
He is my candidate. He is our candidate. He is the best shot we have against the moral, ethical, liberal, progressive and rational destruction our country has faced the last eight years. If there are those out there that would truly abandon him for this, then I will truly be saddened, and truly disappointed. Shame on you.
I had to stop reading here. This is a little too close to "Dear Leader." Creepy. I'm a big fan of President Bush (yes, still), but never, in either election, did I think of him as "my beloved candidate."
Obama is welcome to his supporters.
i SUGGEST YOU STOP DRINKING THE COOL AID. The criteria for this bill is non-citizens overseas using our communication links to plan and attack us. Anyone in the united states is, have been and will always be protected under our Constitution. The FBI has the authority via the courts within our borders involving our citizens.
In case you never knew. NSA has been monitoring communications overseas for more than 50 years using special equipment for key words, phrases or specific sites.
Thanks to a Republican Senator revealed to the media how we knew where OBL was by using his cell phone. Of course he quickly changed his method of communicating afterwards.
What in hsalaw's post prompted that sort of response? Just curious.
Wouldn't you just love to see BO and Clarence Thomas in constitutional law debate?
You have mistakenly posted to me. Kindly re-direct your response to the proper post.
Greatest job off mental masturbation I have ever witnessed.
I hope he had a box of Kleenex with him when he wrote this.
He’s my Beloved President now. Until Jan ‘09, when he becomes just another American once more!
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