How are these for headlines?
Senate OKs bill to extend eavesdropping
Intelligence Bill: New carte blanche
Senate Approves Telco Amnesty, Legalizes Bush's Secret Spy Program
Senate bows to White House on FISA bill
The results of Jello Jay Rockefeller and his band of merry, weak-hearted cohorts caving to Mr. 24%'s fearmongering. Speaking of which, here's my personal favorite: Bush: Terrorists plan attacks that make 9/11 'pale'
"At this moment, somewhere in the world terrorists are planning attacks on our country,’’ President Bush said in a brief, televised statement from the Oval Office this morning. "Their goal is to bring destruction to our shores that will make Sept. 11 pale by comparison.
"The lives of countless Americans depend on our ability to monitor these communications,’’ said the president, insisting that intelligence agencies must know "who these terrorists are talking to, what they are saying and what they are planning.’’
...
"I congratulate the senators,’’ Bush said. "Unfortunately, the House has failed to pass a good bill, and now House leaders say they want more time..... Congress has had over six months to discuss and deliberate. Time for debate is over. I will not accept any temporary extension.... If Republicans and Democrats in the Seante can come together on a good piece of legislation, there is no reason why... the House cannot pass the Senate bill immediately.
"Without this law, our ability to uncover new terrorist plots will be weakened,’’ Bush said. "We cannot allow this to happen.’’
He's right back at it, trying to terrify the House into passing a bad FISA bill by telling baldfaced lies. This law does not need to pass for our intelligence services to do their job. Existing law exists, it will not lapse, and there is absolutely no need to rush the Senate's bad bill through the House.
That fight is playing out on the floor now, as they are trying to pass a 21 day extension of the Protect America Act.
Call Speaker Pelosi [(202) 225-4965] and Majority Leader Hoyer [(202) 225-4131] and tell them to not bow to pressure. Pass the 21 day extension and keep the RESTORE Act and fight for it in conference. While you're at it, use the FDL has petition to House members, demanding that they reject the Senate version of the bill and defend their version, the RESTORE Act on the House floor and in conference. Sign the petition and write or call your representative.