AK-Sen: Begich on Protecting Our Rights

While this is a message intended for Alaskans, it makes sense for the entire West, not to mention the country.

The Begich plan includes:

• Standing Up Against Government Interference - including warrantless wiretapping, the assault on habeas corpus, the pursuit of Real ID cards, and retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that illegally helped the federal government spy on Americans.
• No Surveillance on Law-Abiding Americans – Begich opposes efforts since 9/11 to take advantage of public fears, bypassing the courts and Congress to eavesdrop on Americans.
• Repeal the Patriot Act – Begich believes national security resources should be built on human intelligence and Special Forces that will identify and respond to real threats of terrorism, not monitoring what books Americans read.
• Restore Habeas Corpus – Begich called the Military Commissions Act, passed in 2006, the lowest point in our country’s response to the threat of terrorism. The Act suspends habeas corpus for millions of Americans, and that right needs to be restored.

That Begich is implementing civil liberties as a core element of his campaign shows how important these issues are to Western voters. It's a message that resonates particularly well out here in the Western part of the country. That's why Jon Tester wasn't hurt but was helped when he said that he didn't want to see the PATRIOT Act weakened, he wanted to see it repealed. It's why Gov. Brian Schweitzer has been able to lead a successful revolt among governors against the the Real ID act. It's why Gary Trauner is standing so strong against FISA in his red state of Wyoming.

If Democrats are really serious about turning the purple mountains majesty blue, particularly in this election, they should be paying attention to the messages successful Democratic candidates out here are sending: privacy matters, civil liberties matter to Western voters.

Hopefully, Mark Begich will be able to join his fellow Western Senator Tester on the floor next year, leading the charge to repeal the PATRIOT Act, restore habeas, and maybe even try to undo some of the damage the Senate is set to do on FISA next week.

•  Now THAT is leadership

  Go Begich! Go Trauner! Yes - more of this, please.

  I do not want my government spying on me. I will support everyone taking that stand.

  by The Raven on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:08:21 PM PDT

  •  Shhh....

    I do not want my government spying on me.

    They probably have programs looking for people saying stuff like this. You're on the list now.

    by markhaverty on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:14:04 PM PDT

    •  Too late.

      Everyone who posts on dKos (incl. you) is on the list.  200K is nothing for a few NSA Cray Supers.

      by maxschell on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:16:42 PM PDT

      •  No Biggie

        I've done plenty to get on the list.

        Oops - I've already said too much.

        by markhaverty on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:18:20 PM PDT

        •  :o) n/t

          by maxschell on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:33:37 PM PDT

        •  Oh Noes!!

          

          Tehy is spyinz on meh!

          by MaskedKat on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 06:08:38 PM PDT

  •  Senator for the NRA?

    Great.  

    I'm so glad he's kicking off his campaign to protect the "most important" Constitutional right, which is, of course, to shoot guns at local firing ranges.  It's really what this country is all about.  

    And why I'm finally actually thinking about moving to a more civilized nation.

    by recontext on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 09:26:34 AM PDT

•  Begich

  Imagine civil liberties even needing to be debated in this country.  I can't wait for Begich to join Tester in Washington.

  GO BEGICH!

  by hilltopper on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:09:50 PM PDT

•  That is Leadership.

  One suggestion -  I would correct the first bullet point to say

  Standing Up Against Government Interference - including opposing warrantless wiretapping

  Not a biggie, but it makes it stronger.

  And I will be of course sending my check to Mr. Begich for his courage.

  Thank you again McJoan for continuing to champion these issues.  You are the best!!

  by maxschell on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:11:20 PM PDT

  •  Got your back

    And I will be of course sending my check to Mr. Begich for his courage.

    Me too. And a phone call to his office. We need to let these patriots know that when they do the right thing, the feedback is immediate and positive. Word will get around.

    by The Raven on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:16:40 PM PDT

    •  Not me

      He's on my Act Blue page.  

      by hilltopper on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:18:01 PM PDT

  •  We need true patrios in Congress!

    Civil rights used to be a given, but now it appears to be a Democratic issue (well maybe not at the Presidential level?); I guess the real conservatives left the GOP and government years ago.  We really need to get legislators who understand the importance of the Bill of Rights—and the rest of the Constitution for that matter.  Just like the bills they pass but don't read, they swear to uphold the Constitution but haven't read or understood it.

    by KingBolete on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:02:42 PM PDT

    •  Yes, where are the patriots?

      I know there are people in Congress on both left and right who fought against the FISA bill and routinely vote on the side of the Constitution (our side).  But they need reinforcements.  NOW!

      by maxschell on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 04:38:05 PM PDT

•  "...the lowest point in our country’s resp

  ...to the threat of terrorism."

  Who IS this guy?

  by ezdidit on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:15:40 PM PDT

  •  I don't know

    but bottle him and send it to every elected official with a D after his name.

    by Dave925 on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:46:14 PM PDT

  •  He's GREAT. Met him couple weeks ago.

    Really bright, tuned-in, knows what Alaskans need, right now, and into the future.

    by Blue Waters Run Deep on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 07:54:47 PM PDT

  •  The future?

    Maybe it'll be Begich for President in '12 or '16?  At least if he doesn't get poisoned by DC toxicity.

    by KingBolete on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:04:16 PM PDT

•  The good fight

  gets my good money.

  by TNThorpe on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:20:15 PM PDT

•  Definetly speaks well under fire.

  This is the first speech I've heard from a live firing range.  Sounds like some large bore stuff once in awhile too.

  by LarryO on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:21:44 PM PDT

  •  No place for popguns!

    Alaska, the land of the .44 Magnum side-arm; the bears are already well armed.  

    They just had a serious but nonfatal grizzly mauling in an Anchorage city park (see story). In '94 there was a fatal moose mauling in the middle of the U Alaska Anchorage campus (the video is on youtube somewhere, but it's not for the faint of heart).  Alaska is a different place: beautiful but very wild and unforgiving.

    by KingBolete on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:10:41 PM PDT

    •  Wow, I can't believe they let the race go

      through that area!  

      I found the video (couldn't resist) and it wasn't so bad until I found out the poor guy died.  Kids on the campus had been pelting the moose with snowballs and this poor guy came out a side door and walked right into the middle of an angry cow with a calf.  He didn't have a chance.  

      by LarryO on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 09:13:29 PM PDT

•  there is no room for reasonable disagreement

  ted stevens should vote for begich; by the way, when is stevens going to be indicted?

  by timbuck on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:26:49 PM PDT

  •  With this "Justice" Dept?

    The indictment will come down when he's comatose and they're pulling the plug on his aged and decrepit body.

    by Dave925 on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:45:00 PM PDT

    •  Actually surprised it has gone this far

      I'm surprised to see any legal problems for any Republican lawmaker at any time.

      by ColoTim on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:02:29 AM PDT

•  Great Message.

  I think that's the way we outflank the GOP within the next decade: embracing constitutional rights as a whole. Unfortunately he needs to break out of that monotone in order for anyone to hear that great message of his.

  by faster democrat kill kill on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:27:26 PM PDT

•  Hear! Hear!

  Atta way West Coast. U liberals.

  by ghett on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:28:35 PM PDT

  •  I wrote a diary on this before but it bears

    repeating.  Alaskans have a state constitutional right of privacy to grow pot for personal consumption.  How much is personal consumption? 25 plants.  No joke.  25 plants -- it's hard precedent.  I say with a little jealously that those frontiers-men (and women) don't like "the government" sniffing around in their lives.  

    by such sweet thunder on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 09:58:44 PM PDT

•  Begich "gets it".

  That is how you turn Western/Rocky Mountain states Blue. It really is that simple... protect privacy and defend the Constitution.

  Wow! What a leader.

  by Spoonfulofsugar on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:29:41 PM PDT

  •  Let freedom sing.

    The Far West is more afraid of the government than an army of terrorists.  That's why they're usually leery of social programs but having the Feds able to disappear anyone they like by declaring them an "enemy combatant" is pretty threatening!  The GOPers have handed us this issue on a silver platter: time to run with it!  Are you listening Barack?

    by KingBolete on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:15:02 PM PDT

    •  Using Barack's advertisement currently running

      in Colorado as a guideline, Barack has the "leery of social programs" part down (unfortunately) but apparently he doesn't quite grasp the "keep government out of my life" part (also unfortunate).

      by Spoonfulofsugar on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:24:14 PM PDT

      •  Barack dosen't get it ;-(

        That's strange since being for the BoR is a very strong position and one that McCain and most of the GOP currently are extremely vulnerable: as soon as they assert it, someone just throws their votes back in their faces!  Obama's position is that we shouldn't worry as he'll make sure those unconstitutional powers are used appropriately—I think the Shrub also made similar statements?

        by KingBolete on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:35:17 PM PDT

•  Well!

  Your not going have ol' Ted Stevens to kick around anymore!

  :)

  Yay for SANITY

  by Krush on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:32:45 PM PDT

•  Begich Sounds Like a Democrat

  I know and love.

  Wise people of Alaska, please vote for this man and do yourselves, the party, and America proud.

  by Limelite on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:39:40 PM PDT

  •  back when democrats were democrats n/t

    by timbuck on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:45:12 PM PDT

    •  Exactly: a Candidate from the

      Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.

      by Limelite on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 06:16:34 PM PDT

    •  And men were men!

      by KingBolete on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:15:57 PM PDT

•  Thanks for bringing this to us, mcjoan.

  Why don't others "get it," that the West will be won by a candidate who protects individual rights, and votes in the interests of his/her constituents, not potential donors or the elusive "independent" voter. Note that they are called independent for a reason. They mistrust leaders who infringe on their rights, whether from the political left or the right. And, how ironic is it, that we progressives are the ones who demand adherence to the Constitution! What a change from John Birch Society years.

  by mcmom on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:39:42 PM PDT

  •  Well said

    You crystallized what I was thinking:

    And, how ironic is it, that we progressives are the ones who demand adherence to the Constitution!

    Remember when it was right wingers who were afraid of the government and that was one of the reasons they wanted their guns?

    Now, it's almost like it's a 180. Right-wingers run a government that I fear. And even though, because I live in a big urban area, I have a problem with gun ownership for issues having to do with urban problems, I think that I actually now understand for the first time in my life why rural people want guns.

    I'm still going to have to work on it but I'll just say an epiphany is threatening to erupt in my head :)

    by BentLiberal on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 07:44:26 PM PDT

    •  The cars will get you.

      You're more likely to get killed by a car than a gun, though (43K auto-related deaths/year, versus 15K nonsuicide gun deaths per year).  

      by KingBolete on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:27:41 PM PDT

      •  Oh Yeah?

        That may be, but the NRA just filed a suit against the city claiming it's prohibition of gun ownership in city owned public housing projecdts is unconstitutional. The NRA is filing suits like this all over in light of the recent SCOTUS decision.

        The result will be more and easier guns for all, including the gangs (which was the rational for the rule)

        This is an ubran gun issue which I don't expect rural gun owners to necesarily understand but yet it's a real problem.

        by BentLiberal on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 09:04:39 PM PDT

        •  This argument no longer holds water.

          Given that we now know that the Constitution protects an individual human right to keep and bear arms, the "urban / rural" argument is a dead letter.

          Your rights do not change based on where you live.

          So long as the nature of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms was unclear, you could make this case. The argument would not be convincing to me, but it could be made. This is no longer true.

          We now live, for good or ill, in a world where we really do have a right to possess the means of deadly force.

          Post Heller, San Francisco's ban on all firearms in public housing is on the same level with a ban on Bibles (or Qu'rans, for that matter.)

          --Shannon

          by Leftie Gunner on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:16:02 AM PDT

          •  The issue is still the same

            The need for guns and the issues surrounding gun use differ in rural and urban areas. This is undeniable. Quoting the recent decision back, which we're all aware of, doesn't change the issues.  Yes, we know of the decision, as we've here talking about it.

            by BentLiberal on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:02:15 PM PDT

        •  gangs have no problem getting guns

          Gangs have no problem getting guns, whether they're legal or not.

          Chicago and DC both have (had) outright handgun bans. Did it stop gang members from shooting people? Of course not. DC had the distinction of the highest murder rate per capita for many years.

          The real problem is the drug war, which enriches these gangs and allows them to purchase weapons. It happened in the 20's, and it's still happening today.

          by oaktownadam on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:59:40 AM PDT

          •  The conflicting opinions in my Denver newspaper

            guest columns, not the News' opinion pages, had two points of view - one, that having guns will make everyone more vulnerable because of easier violence, and the other, who praised the decision, highlighted some incidences where she wished she had her legally owned gun (legal where she kept it, in the second house in the countryside rather than in the rowhouse where she lived in town).  Her point was that people were violent without guns on some attacks she witnessed and she wanted the gun to protect herself.  She didn't, iirc, detail someone threatening her with a gun.  I wonder how she'll feel now she'll be trading bullets with gun-toting criminals now that it will be much easier for them to have guns.  I can kinda see her point - she can't stand up to a 2x4 or a physically stronger attacker, but she's not faced down someone with a gun either.  Wonder how she'll feel then, and if she'll live to change her mind.

            by ColoTim on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:10:22 AM PDT

            •  For clarification, she lives in Washington

              not in Denver.

              by ColoTim on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:10:48 AM PDT

              •  gun ban didn't help brian beutler

                http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpoi...

                Shot 3 times just this Wednesday by a mugger in DC.

                I know the NRA has beaten it into the ground, but it really is true -- if guns are outlawed, then only outlaws will have guns.

                by oaktownadam on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:40:40 AM PDT

•  Send this to Obama

  Somewhere he missed the message that standing up for the liberty Americans by the hundreds of thousands have died for is not "weakness".

  Indeed, it is essential to what real Americans believe.

  To fold before the wingnut noise machine that never saw a police state it didn't like is a sure ticket to defeat, a defeat this country can not afford.

  No one said it would be easy to do the right thing. But nevertheless, just DO IT.

  by Dave925 on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:43:22 PM PDT

•  This is so heartening

  I still cannot believe the blue wash that is gradually permeating many parts of the country.

  I guess what ole' Abe said was true.

  "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time."

  by rini6 on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 05:51:01 PM PDT

•  What an amazing speech

  I'm almost lost on how to react, as in speechless.

  First I thought, "oh the gun stuff is going to bother me," but then, as I listened to the speech I was impressed by all the fantastic things he was demanding and running on.

  And then I realized, "and all those gun owners are with him on it."  It reminded me that the gun issue is often a rural/urban issue and I left it at that.

  Wow, I'm so encouraged from that speech.

  He sure talks that talk and if he talks the talk then he is the definition of better Democrat in our quest for more and better Democrats.

  by BentLiberal on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 07:37:46 PM PDT

•  Strange omission?

  Any special reason that the Begich's first point wasn't put into the bullet list?  Going against the 2nd amendment outside of the coastal strip is political suicide in the West.

  by KingBolete on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 07:57:07 PM PDT

  •  I noticed that too

    by BentLiberal on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:02:08 PM PDT

    •  Apropos?

      Seems like it should have been, given it was a bullet list ;-)

      by KingBolete on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:17:43 PM PDT

      •  heh good one

        maybe she left the safety on

        by BentLiberal on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 09:05:43 PM PDT

  •  It should be...

    political suicide everywhere.

    A police state has a hard time gaining a foothold in a country with an armed citizenry.

    by cdembrey on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:18:01 PM PDT

•  The question is...

  why are they a Western issue? Sounds to me like these should be national issues.

  WTF is wrong with the Democrats???

  by cdembrey on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:26:19 PM PDT

  •  Maybe the rest of you'all are spineless? - n/t

    by KingBolete on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:29:38 PM PDT

•  Typo note to author:

  ...Race Tracker wiki should refer to AK-Sen, not AL-Sen.

  by AKguy on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:29:06 PM PDT

•  Nice to see some down-ticket

  Dems still respect the Constitution.  Too bad their Presidential nominee doesn't.

  by jazzmaniac on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 08:50:05 PM PDT

  •  Not mine

    Senator Salazar is hiding from the public this 4th of July and I'll bet part of it is he doesn't want to be confronted on FISA.

    by ColoTim on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:12:54 AM PDT

•  Obama Take Head

  Obama should take a look at this and follow by example. These aren't liberal positions--they are patriotic, AMERICAN positions, long advanced and fought for by true Americans. This is where the American center is, not in compromises on FISA, supporting faith-based programs, or fudging on Iraq. This is where we expect Obama to lead us.

  by remason on Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 10:28:59 PM PDT

•  Great guy

  I wish he were my Senator.
   The Orwellian named "Patriot" Act is a much greater danger to American Freedom than any Foreign entity.
     The definition of terrorist as used in the "Patriot" Act is so fuzzy that a kid shooting a BB gun at a stop sign is legally a terrorist and can be rendered,tortured etc without anyone knowing it.
   The so called "Patriot " Act MUST be repealed or the USA in in danger of becoming a tyrannical dictatorship.

  by drblack on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:02:36 PM PDT