Several days ago I wrote my Senator, Dianne Feinstein, urging her to join Senator Feingaold in calling for censure over the NSA Spying scandal. Today I got a response.
It seems DiFi agrees that what Bush did is both illegal and unconstitutional, but is just not ready to do anything about it. So on the one hand she decries the administration's actions, but on the other refuses to commit to any actions of her own to hold them to account, The letter is really a dodge, a prevarication dressed up as a stand and beating around the bush presented as a bold position.
I am disappointed, but not surprised. Follows is her letter, and my response.
First, Senator Feinstein's letter to me:
Dear Mr. S:
Thank you for writing to me about recent
revelations that the United States Government has
engaged in domestic electronic eavesdropping without
appropriate legal authority. I welcome the opportunity to
respond.
On February 6th, the Senate Judiciary Committee
held the first of a series of hearings into this matter, at
which Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testified about
the legality of the program. He provided none of the
documents the Committee required for proper oversight,
and his assurances alone did not allay my concerns.
Instead, he propounded a radical legal theory of
presidential power largely unrestrained by either
Congress or the courts.
I have carefully reviewed the Constitution and the
laws relating to this domestic intelligence activity, along
with the President's statements and those of the Attorney
General and other Administration officials. I believe that
the electronic surveillance program was not conducted in
accordance with U.S. law. The program, as described,
violates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which
requires a court order for surveillance of Americans.
Congress has updated FISA many times since 9/11 in
order to provide our nation with all the necessary tools to
fight terrorism. The Administration has never asked for
the authority to conduct this program.
I believe the Administration also violated the
National Security Act, which requires all members of the
Intelligence Committee to be fully and currently
informed of all significant intelligence activities other
than covert actions. I am a member of the Intelligence
Committee, and yet I was not told about this program
until it was made public.
There will be further hearings in the Senate
Judiciary and Intelligence Committees. Once the facts
are clear, we can decide on appropriate corrective action.
Again, thank you for writing. I hope that you will
continue to write to me on issues of importance to you.
Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
My reply:
Dear Senator Feinstein,
I recently wrote you concerning the President's illegal wiretap program and the call for censure. Thank you for your reply. One thing concerns me, however.
You wrote "I believe that the electronic surveillance program was not conducted in accordance with U.S. law. The program, as described,
violates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act" I agree.
Given that, why will you not support Senator Feingold's call for censure? Yes, we need further investigation, but in view of this Republican Congress's stalling and obfuscations during any investigation, waiting for the results of such investigation to condemn what you yourself clearly state is obviously wrong serves no purpose. The facts are already clear.
There may be other "appropriate corrective actions," but when a President breaks the law, and what else could "violates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act" and "violated the National Security Act" mean, censure, which carries no penalties beyond the official declaration of disapproval, seems to be both required, and the minimum you should do.
Your own words make it clear you must support censure.
I look forward to your response.
Thank you,
Can we hope that someday DiFI, along with other shilly-shallying, pussyfooting so-called Dems will actually stand up for our country? Our only chance is if many more of us let them know just how we feel.
Everyone here has a Senator or two. Some are even Dems.
Let's get busy..