MyDD :: Tell Obama to be a leader BEFORE day 1!

Tell Obama to be a leader BEFORE day 1!

by Why Not, Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:10:29 PM EST

I know there have been other posts on this today, but it cannot fall by the wayside.

Obama needs to show his caliber of leadership today, and you need to help him.

Today the Congress is set to pass a worse version of FISA than the one which was passed by the senate. This bill not only shreds the 4th amendment, but it is an afront to the consitution itself.

This bill is no compromise. Telecomm immunity goes to the heart of what it means to have rights in America. But this "Compromise" goes further. It makes it possible for the government to spy on Americans in violation to the already weak FISA laws ( 2 denied in 10000 requests) with only the say so of the executive branch.

This law allows the executive branch (in a retroactive way) to make the courts dismiss a case against a telecom (or anyone else)with only the secret approval from an executive branch source. The damage this law does to the fourth amendment is staggering, but what is even worse they can violate the amendment with impunity and the court cannot even comment on who is dismissing the charges.

By agreeing to this law the Democrats in congress have capitulated.

They have given in on the central premise of the constitution that this nation is a nation of laws.

A better description of this Immunity is freedom from any and all prosecution with regards to something (that the telcos and others) may have done, did do, and will continue to do with impunity.

I find it hard to believe that the framers of the Constitution (yeah that old thing) would have intended for the fourth amendment to be violated in this way,

This fight is far to important to stand on the sidelines on. Right now the majority of this Democratically controlled House is prepared to vote this terrible piece of legislation in to law, and Bush is EAGER to sign it.

Now it is up to us to DO something about this.

"YES WE CAN" is not just a motto. There is a "WE" in there, as in:

"WE are the change we have been waiting for"

We've all heard this, but today is the day to act.

If you only make one call today contact Barack Obama (202) 224-2854. Tell him to oppose this sham compromise on FISA.

But Don't Stop there

If you make two calls today tell Hillary Clinton to use her clout to oppose this bill (212)688-6262 (NY) and (202)224-4451 (DC).

Tell Congress to oppose this bill . Send emails, make calls. The only way we can stop this travesty is by holding these people's feet to the fire.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home /

Poll

Votes: 4
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: FISA, 4th Amendment, The Constitution (all tags)

Permalink :: 9 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Tell Obama to be a leader BEFORE day 1! (none / 0)

patience is a virtue you know and just because Obama is actually thinking before he acts doesn't mean he should jump cause you say so

-7.33, -3.35 The song that best describes life

by drache on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:16:25 PM EST

Re: Tell Obama to be a leader BEFORE day 1! (2.00 / 0)

No he shouldn't jump because I say so. But he should act, and we should all let him know that this is too important an issue to allow fall by the wayside.

All I am saying is this. If ever there was a day to let your thoughts on this sham FISA bill be knows, today is the day. They rammed it through the house yesterday and are voting on it today. There isn't much time in this matter.

by Why Not on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:20:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tell Obama to be a leader BEFORE day 1! (none / 0)

And all I'm saying is this story broke yesterday for pete's sake

It won't even get to the senate till (at best) next week.

This is important true but it's not something that requires imediate action.

If it passes then yes I'll be umhappy, but I'm not going to blame just OBama I'm going to blame those that voted for it.

See the probelm is that guilt by assocation is rarely valid and often just ridiclous.

Let's say Obama did tell them to vote against it, now how is he going to enforce that?

He's not even offically the nominee at this point, he's the junior senator from IL and undoubtably some democrats are just trying to protect themselves in thier districts.

And frankly (while I think this bill is just horrible) if thier districts do support it are they not being good officals by voting for it?

You can't have it both ways, you can't say we want democracy and then complain and try to change the rules cause you don't like the result.

-7.33, -3.35 The song that best describes life

by drache on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:16:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tell Obama to be a leader BEFORE day 1! (1.00 / 0)

how much thinking do you need off him when he has already said he is against giving telcom industries any immunity or hint of immunity...

Rise / Repeat / But for god's sake don't spin!

by aliveandkickin on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:33:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

you've obviously never debated before (none / 0)

nor agrued for something

It's one thing to be against it, it's a completely different thing to be able to come up with reasons to convince others to be against it.

And that takes (guess what) time!

Like I've said in the other upteen dairies about this I'd rather Obama take some time and work out hte bill then just open his mouth reflexively.

Frankly the worse thing you can do is just act without thinking in a situation like this and that is what you are encouraging and demanding.

-7.33, -3.35 The song that best describes life

by drache on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 02:19:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: you've obviously never debated before (none / 0)

Did I say that he should open his mouth reflexively without thought?

I don't believe I did.

What I said is that people should send a crystal clear message that this law is unacceptable and that they should vote no.

I said that Obama will have to address this law (and I believe he will) but in order to drive the point home people have to communicate to him that this law is bad. He can figure out how to defeat it, he's smart, he's the one we've chosen to fight this fight, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with telling him that this law is not what is right by Americans, or the Constitution.

The worst thing you can do is sit idly by and not do anything, and not say anything, and just sit on the sidelines as certian elements of this government move forward with their plan to deprive us all of our consitutionally guaranteed rights.

Guess what, they voted on it, now there is almost no time left before this crap legislation lands on the desk of Bush and he signes it into law.

There aren't many remaining ways to stop this bill and people better wise up or this is going to be another case of you won't miss them (your rights) until they are gone.

by Why Not on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 03:31:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I added your numbers to my diary (2.00 / 1)

Hopefully we can get some calling out. I can't really call from work, but I can do that much.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

That One/Another Fella '08

by Dracomicron on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:21:00 PM EST

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