Rejection, Sweet Rejection
Frist has led his group of staunch Republican party-liners directly into potentially forcing the Patriot Act's rejection today. The Democratic-led filibuster of the vote to permanently extend the act has succeeded through this first cloture vote, meaning the Patriot Act may expire in several years. Thankfully.
Frist and the Republican ilk will chalk this one up to yet another "obstructionist tactic" by those politically conniving devious Democrats. Frist will be, of course, misrepresenting everything that's happened because it's in his political interest to do so- but he'll be missing the fact that he was eight votes short of ending the filibuster- meaning that the filibuster had substantial support from moderate Republicans. Also, Frist refused to even consider any negotiations, which is what this filibuster was really about- to allow the Act's extension but not permantly. He refused to even consider that compromise- his obstruction of the act of compromise is what has led to the Patriot Act's defeat.
Coupled with the very recent and frightening exposure that The Administraiton has been spying on Peace Activists since 9/11, it's clear that these powers and provisions have been misused. Many in the Peace Movement have "known" since they began that they were being watched, completely without merit or need - and as Atrios points out, the only purpose the government could really have for warrantless spying is intimidation.
But let's also not forget the resurgence in the Democrat's backbone. Keep it up.
And while you're at it, check out Sen. Russ Feingold's blog about this battle to remove the stain that is the PATRIOT ACT from the American legal annals.
Frist and the Republican ilk will chalk this one up to yet another "obstructionist tactic" by those politically conniving devious Democrats. Frist will be, of course, misrepresenting everything that's happened because it's in his political interest to do so- but he'll be missing the fact that he was eight votes short of ending the filibuster- meaning that the filibuster had substantial support from moderate Republicans. Also, Frist refused to even consider any negotiations, which is what this filibuster was really about- to allow the Act's extension but not permantly. He refused to even consider that compromise- his obstruction of the act of compromise is what has led to the Patriot Act's defeat.
Coupled with the very recent and frightening exposure that The Administraiton has been spying on Peace Activists since 9/11, it's clear that these powers and provisions have been misused. Many in the Peace Movement have "known" since they began that they were being watched, completely without merit or need - and as Atrios points out, the only purpose the government could really have for warrantless spying is intimidation.
But let's also not forget the resurgence in the Democrat's backbone. Keep it up.
And while you're at it, check out Sen. Russ Feingold's blog about this battle to remove the stain that is the PATRIOT ACT from the American legal annals.
posted by General Stan at 10:55 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home