Harry Reid to Senate: pass the spy-on-Americans law already, I have to catch a jet to Davos

Clockwerks sez, "Apparently the U.S. Senate is trying to rush through the bad FISA bill that includes immunity for telcos because they're in a hurry to catch their jets to Davos to hang out with rich people. What is standing in their way? Senator Chris Dodd and his threat to filibuster. He needs all the support he can get and people should be lighting up the phone lines of their senators in support of him."

We have to finish FISA this week. Everyone should be aware of that point. We have to finish it this week. I know there are important trips people want to take. We have the very important economic conference in Davos that Democrats and Republicans alike would like to go to.

Link (Thanks, Clockwerks!)

[#1 posted by Steaming Pile , January 23, 2008 2:12 PM]

What's really farked up is that Senate Republicans can veto all kinds of shit with 41 votes, but Democrats have to filibuster the old fashioned way. I hope Harry Reid gets a primary challenge who will remind Nevadans of this fact until they're tired of hearing it.

[#2 posted by NickD , January 23, 2008 2:34 PM]

We love you, Dodd!

[#3 posted by echolocator , January 23, 2008 3:39 PM]

Way to underscore the fact that there's no real difference between the majority of Dems & Republicans in high office, Reid, you self-serving waterboy.

I wish Dodd were still running. He was the only candidate who seemed to be willing to do his job.

[#4 posted by tylersweeney , January 23, 2008 4:49 PM]

its a sad day when celebrities get more media coverage than imporant issues. When Paris hilton gets paid $100,000 to show up at a party, and my oceanography prof. can't get $800 for a refurbished HD tv to show the class the BBC "Planet Earth" series. Some kids are uninterested (especially in community college, not a shot a community college students, I'm one too!) and could use something other than a text book to get into science. ugh.

dear government and industry. you guys are selfish dicks.

where are the candidates that are real people? where are the candidates that are geniuses and specialists? if these people are the best that we can manage, then we're fucking doomed.

thats not the approach i want. i just wish people could be people. honestly the fact that gays can't get married is, completely unacceptable. for the people by the people. then i guess you have to accept that some people are dicks.

unfortunate and exciting times.

[#5 posted by SaintCynr , January 23, 2008 4:52 PM]

Even the illusion that the government is "of, by, and for" us is gone now.

[#6 posted by noen , January 23, 2008 5:28 PM]

steaming pile:
"What's really farked up is that Senate Republicans can veto all kinds of shit with 41 votes, but Democrats have to filibuster the old fashioned way. I hope Harry Reid gets a primary challenge who will remind Nevadans of this fact until they're tired of hearing it."

The reason for this is that while the Dems did win the majority by one measly seat, there still exists a substantial majority (called "blue dog" Dems) who are very conservative and willing to vote with republicans on some issues. Add to that the very strong influence of K Street and you get the current situation.

echolocator
"Way to underscore the fact that there's no real difference between the majority of Dems & Republicans in high office, Reid, you self-serving waterboy."

While I understand the sentiment this kind of thinking is self defeating and who benefits from that? Not you or me. The problem is that if you are a politician these days who is it that helps you get elected? Corporate PACs do, so it should come as no surprise that they are responsive to those who put them in government in the first place. There are people working to change this, Blue America is one but there are many others.

If you want things to be different you will have to do more than complain about it.