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Originally Posted by sprocket
And on FISA I agree, that should be grounds enough to impeach bush, and all the congressmen who voted to retroactively give him and the telcos a get out of jail free card. Mrs. Clinton however, didnt bother to show up for that vote. And very few democrats in the senate took a stand against the bill as well.
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Obama did, though. Flew in special to vote against it. Here's his statement on it, which is one of the most statesmanlike things I've ever read:
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Originally Posted by Barack Obama
I strongly oppose retroactive immunity in the FISA bill.
Ever since 9/11, this Administration has put forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand.
The FISA court works. The separation of power works. We can trace, track down and take out terrorists while ensuring that our actions are subject to vigorous oversight, and do not undermine the very laws and freedom that we are fighting to defend.
No one should get a free pass to violate the basic civil liberties of the American people - not the President of the United States, and not the telecommunications companies that fell in line with his warrantless surveillance program. We have to make clear the lines that cannot be crossed.
That is why I am co-sponsoring Senator Dodd's amendment to remove the immunity provision. Secrecy must not trump accountability. We must show our citizens – and set an example to the world – that laws cannot be ignored when it is inconvenient.
A grassroots movement of Americans has pushed this issue to the forefront. You have come together across this country. You have called upon our leaders to adhere to the Constitution. You have sent a message to the halls of power that the American people will not permit the abuse of power – and demanded that we reclaim our core values by restoring the rule of law.
It's time for Washington to hear your voices, and to act. I share your commitment to this cause, and will stand with you in the fights to come. And when I am President, the American people will once again be able to trust that their government will stand for justice, and will defend the liberties that we hold so dear as vigorously as we defend our security.
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Anyone who thinks Barack Obama is an "empty suite", to borrow Ustwo's quaint spelling (already got a job, Doc, don't want to be your secretary) should read this:
http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsid...-actually.html
Bottom line is, he's a really good guy. Smart, principled, disciplined, and oriented around cooperative approaches. The excellent campaign he's running is all the evidence I need of his capability as an executive. I just get more and more convinced that he's the right person to put in the White House.