FISA is such a hot topic as of late and for good reason. The idea of our government giving immunity to the telecommunication companies is disturbing and I'm not going to be one to try and make any excuses over this one. Nor will I sugar coat Obama's decision to support such a precedent. But instead of frying the democratic nominee maybe we need to remember this week of bad legislation, remember there is still a lot of work needed to right this ship regarding FISA and restoring such policies back to pre-9/11 levels it will take WE the people.
This week reminds us that for all the good stuff the Democratic party stands for there is still a lot of work to be done. But it won't be us leaving it to the party leaders and officials to do; it will take each of us to build coalitions and build blocs to make our voices heard. Knowing Obama is leading (for now) in the polls I would feel better to have him in the White House than McCain. At least in an Obama administration he'd at least listen enough to give our voices a chance.
But we are the change, not Washington or their insiders.
There have been post already that support my stance regarding this horrible FISA bill and I concur with what they are bringing to the table.
Here:
And I love what Steam Punk said too: http://www.dailykos.com/...
So here is what I'm saying along with these two good post: If you don't like this week's vote, do something about it. YOU are the change we need.
I don't agree with every position Sen. Obama supports (i.e. his health care needs lots of work) but I still support him because the few faults I have with him does not dictate the kind of leadership I know is needed in times like these and the kind of administration we can look forward to. All these folks ready to jump the bus and not vote let me ask you this: IF NOT OBAMA, THEN WHO? He's the best we got--warts and all! I don't want Grampy McCain in there and he'd be worse than Obama. Geez, he'd be hard of hearing if it came to a public outcry over being spied upon by our government.
One thing that Obama said regarding the FISA vote gave me hope. He is willing to suspend the total immunity on the telecommunication companies which is a good thing. However, the FISA legislation needs lots of work. I don't know if he is biding his time till he gets in office and scrap the whole thing for a new, workable FISA policy or if this is truly what he believes. Right now if I want this policy changed like the rest of you than I know in the next two years we got a Congress to change so we can put in folks who uphold the Constitution and share our values regarding the intrusion of my fellow American citizens.
It will take me(you) to talk to my neighbors about it.
It will take me (you) to form committees and groups locally.
It will take me(you) to open dialog with other counties about FISA.
It will take me (you) to talk to state officials about their stance.
It will take me (you) to contact others who share my views in other states.
It will take all of us to make our voices heard in Washington D.C. so the Congress can hear it.
It will take all of us to let the presumptive democratic nominee to know we are not pleased with this and prepared to fight him as long as he will continue his campaign and his possible election to be President of the United States.
His support will dog him and I don't expect him to get any easy breaks when he has town hall meetings or dinner with his supporters. That's how democracy is run and I have no doubt he will be willing to listen to us. But to say I'm not going to vote for him because of one thing we all disagree with him, please. After eight years of crap in office I'll still take Obama with all the good I can support and fight the battles for the things we disagree with any day of the week.
UPDATE: This I found on Democratic Underground by poster grantcart who gave a very good reason why the support by the Dems was made. I want to see how many of you think about it:
But that is not the reason I believe that they compromised. Nor do I believe the more outlandish suggestions that there are tie ins to Democratic leaders that have to be protected.
"The reason is much simpler. Should there be another terrorist incident between now and November and this bill was not passed then the Republicans would very likely be able to completely change the existing public sentiment and effect the results of the General Election. This, I believe, is why the Democratic Leadership decided it was better to take the issue off the table now and address it again after the election."
This may be a bitter pill to swallow for the moment (and trust me I am not making any excuses for anyone who thinks this is a great bill) but the point is a very good one. God forbid anything happens between now and Election Day, but why give the GOP any ammo to use on us if something should happen. It's one of those "damned if you do, damned if you don't" moments in politics no one will be happy with.
Read more of the posting here: