"House leadership won't let the Senate bill reach the floor today, however, for fears that it might pass by a slim majority. "

Kind of tells the whole story- does anyone see a problem with the fact that the only reason something isn't being presented to the congress, who represent the people , for a vote- because it would likely pass? Who are they representing exactly?

Heartburn....Maybe you can explain to me why the telecommunication companies would need protection. I have listened to the right tell Americans.."if you don't have anything to hide, what's the problem". What's the difference?

Hearburn, the House leadership represents the trial lawyers and the haters of America (the loony lefters and terrorists). Peloozi, Hoyer, the Little Failed Ballet Dancer Emanuel do not represent the American people or the interests of America.

"House leadership won't let the Senate bill reach the floor today, however, for fears that it might pass by a slim majority."

Just like the Republicans always blocked the troop withdrawal bills from reaching the floor. They can dish it out, just can't take it.

While one of each member of Congress' jobs is to represent the People, their main job is reflected in the Oath each takes:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."

Since the Senate's FISA "fix" is blatantly unconstitutional, and Congress' main aim to protect and uphold the Constitution, there is no reason to bring it up for a vote, regardless of how many cowering in fear Congressmen and women we have representing US who are willing to violate their respective oath and sanction systematic violations of the Constitution.

We are all impressed by the president's resolute determination to protect the telecoms that helped him violate the law. It's comforting to know that his loyalty to his accomplices cannot be put aside even if, as he claims, the lack of a revised FISA law endangers Americans.

Also, I cannot help but admire President Bush's foresight. According to court documents, the Bush administration's NSA made these illegal spying requests six months BEFORE September 11th, 2001. It is must be comforting for Bush supporters to know that he was willing to break the law to protect us even before we were attacked.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=abIV0cO64zJE&refer

The bill Bush and Cheney want is another free pass, with absolutely no hope in the world that Congress would ever be able to exercise any meaningful oversight over the biggest, widest-ranging domestic spying power ever granted. And this is supposed to be handed over to an "administration" that just a few weeks ago told the House to its face that they don't have to and never will honor their subpoenas or oversight authority.

400 hundred cars outside with there engines running? With the current gas prices?

Talk about the terrorists rejoicing!!!

Hearburn, the House leadership represents the trial lawyers and the haters of America (the loony lefters and terrorists). Peloozi, Hoyer, the Little Failed Ballet Dancer Emanuel do not represent the American people or the interests of America.

Posted by: John D | March 14, 2008 12:09 PM

Lil Johnny Clownshow,

So now we're protecting America from the "trail lawyers"? HAHAHAHAHA!!

Try again, little Johnny, those evil trail lawyers are working Pro-bono..

Heartburn....Maybe you can explain to me why the telecommunication companies would need protection. I have listened to the right tell Americans.."if you don't have anything to hide, what's the problem". What's the difference?

Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | March 14, 2008 12:06 PM

That they do or don't have something to hide isn't the issue-

We are talking about civil liability here.. not criminal. With civil liability you can be made responsible for partial damages. EVEN if the act itself wasn't illegal.

Why should the telecoms be open to this risk- when they were acting in good faith and legally.

If it was illegal- charge them with a crime and then let the courts decide if they operated outside of the law.. don't throw them to the civil courts dogs..

My initial question was meant to be rhetorical- the bottom line here is that the only thing motivating the DEM leaders in congress to prevent a vote, is that they do not want to be on record voting against this reasonble law.

Posted by: John D | March 14, 2008 12:09 PM

You're making parodies of elected officials' names. You deserve to be brought up on charges of treason.

With all due respect, you are an imbecile. If the terrorists hate us for our freedoms, I guess Georgie Boy is giving the terrorists what they want for us. Less freedom!

My initial question was meant to be rhetorical- the bottom line here is that the only thing motivating the DEM leaders in congress to prevent a vote, is that they do not want to be on record voting against this reasonble law.

Posted by: heartburn | March 14, 2008 1:00 PM

This "reasonable law" ?!?!

BwaHAHAHAHA!

Everytime this pathetic Rethug administration says "boo" you have all of the reichwingers (see above) who start browning their pants and raising their hands and volunteering to give up more of their constitutional rights.

Quit being so scared, Wingnuts!

The "trial lawyers"? Do you have an example where the "trial lawyers" have taken some action?

I have seen the ACLU and other organizations suing the government and the telecoms. They are trying to protect the rights of Americans.

If you have examples, I'm sure we'd all love to see it.

Hearburn, the House leadership represents the trial lawyers and the haters of America (the loony lefters and terrorists). Peloozi, Hoyer, the Little Failed Ballet Dancer Emanuel do not represent the American people or the interests of America.

Posted by: John D | March 14, 2008 12:09 PM

Right, John D. Because the telecoms don't have "lawyers". Their just your average, freindly neighbors who would never abuse the system.

Why do you hate the most important freedom America fought for in the first place? Individual Liberty!!

Your cowering behind Bush's big gov't that is as close as we've ever been to Orwelle's "1984", just proves what an idiot you are. And that you and people like you are truly the ones who hate America.

Re: the bottom line here is that the only thing motivating the DEM leaders in congress to prevent a vote, is that they do not want to be on record voting against this reasonble law."

More likely they (i) don't like the law being proposed by the Unitary Executive, (ii) believe that the existing law already spells out the outcome for what was done, (iii) believe you shouldn't reward lawless behavior and (iv) have decided that the terrorists don't need to be responsible for further eroding the rights provided Americans in the US Constitution. If you didn't live your life in fear of some remote possibility, you'd realize that what is being proposed is blatantly unreasonable and the Unitary Executive's action have gone a long way to making this nation and its citizens extremely less safe. But then you go on blaming the trial lawyers (hopefully, you'll never need to sue anyone for a wrong done to you).

Chimpymcwhatever, Brilliant! I never thought of it that way, but I think you're on to something here. The president says the terrists hate us for our freedoms. By taking away our freedoms, Bush hits the terrrists where it hurts. They won't be ABLE to hate us anymore and there is no way for them to fight back. What are they going to do? Join the Libertarian Party? Maybe our president isn't really as dumb as he looks...

Well heck heartburn, let's just give corporations a blanket immunity for everything. Let's eliminate all risk for corporations. What do we need the civil courts for at all? While we're at it, lets send all the evil treasonous "trial" lawyers to Gitmo. The corporate lawyers (who never go to trial apparently) will all be given the Presidential Medal of Freedom for making sure that our corporate rulers are never pestered by those pesky american citizens again!

Government of the Corporation, by the Corporation, for the Corporation.

The "trial lawyers"? Do you have an example where the "trial lawyers" have taken some action?

I have seen the ACLU and other organizations suing the government and the telecoms. They are trying to protect the rights of Americans.

If you have examples, I'm sure we'd all love to see it.

Posted by: dogjudge | March 14, 2008 1:41 PM

Your kidding right?

EFF

don't lawsuits - presented by ACLU or other organizations - get resolved in a TRIAL?

And aren't the people presenting the lawsuit LAWYERS?

When you put those two concepts together - you get "TRIAL LAWYERS"

IF the telecoms have to pay the damages asserted in Hepting v. AT&T alone that would put the company put of business- the suit being presented by EFF ( not the ACLU) is one of dozens being presented ( mostly in California). The amount that is being requested in this suit alone exposes the whole "ask for the moon" see what sticks strategy typically used in the ambulance chasers process.

Not normally one for links but her is an interestng readout on how expensive this "pro bono" ( john E's words) will be..

Not sure how putting ATT out of business makes sense for either our economy or for national security...

http://www.examiner.com/a-1249694~Quin_Hillyer__FISA_lawsuits_come_from_Twilight_Zone.html

The reality is that if the wingnuts had principles -- ha! -- they'd admire trial lawyers rather than treat them as monsters.

Trial lawyers are true entrepreneurial capitalists. They invest their own money and labor in cases with no guarantee of a rerturn, essentially betting that they'll get a return on an investment. Investment bankers expect high returns for high risks and so do trial lawyers.

It also bears noting that the Telecoms have lawyers too. And they get paid, handsomely and by the hour, win or lose.

Right on heartburn! Get rid of the Trial lawyers! The Corporations never have lawyers represent them in court, why should private citizens?

No more lawsuits! No more courts! Corporate unaccountability!

Vote Republican!

dogjudge,

Just keep stringing heartburn along, it's almost to easy!

The goofball always comes on here and makes some foolish pro-GOP statement and then he gets called out on it so he has to start moving the goalposts on what he originally said.

dogjudge,

Just keep stringing heartburn along, it's almost to easy!

The goofball always comes on here and makes some foolish pro-GOP statement and then he gets called out on it so he has to start moving the goalposts on what he originally said.

Posted by: John Hussein E | March 14, 2008 3:40 PM

what goalpost and where was it moved to - puppy dog?

Right on heartburn! Get rid of the Trial lawyers! The Corporations never have lawyers represent them in court, why should private citizens?

No more lawsuits! No more courts! Corporate unaccountability!

Vote Republican!

Posted by: Republican 08 | March 14, 2008 3:30 PM

Where did I say get rid of the trial lawyers?

Right on heartburn! Get rid of the Trial lawyers! The Corporations never have lawyers represent them in court, why should private citizens?
No more lawsuits! No more courts! Corporate unaccountability!
Vote Republican!

Posted by: Republican 08 | March 14, 2008 3:30 PM

Where did I say get rid of the trial lawyers?

Posted by: heartburn | March 14, 2008 4:11 PM
--------------

Now the goal posts have moved to a whole new stadium, this is HILARIOUS.

Thanks for the laughs, Chief!

This is going no where. The Republicans are protecting the rich and have no regard for our civil liberties. The Democrats are doing the right thing for the American people, but don't have the majority to override the Republican Administration.

Bush wants immunity, for himself, not the Telecommunications companies. This is about self-preservation.

The Republicans are trying to preserve their party and this is why they are supporting the President.

Down with politics! We are losing our freedom, more and more each year.

Support the House Amendment . Send letters, e-mails, and make calls to your Republican representatives and beg them to protect the Constitution and truly represent the people (Not the Corporations or the Party).