Comments on: Mark Udall helps hold the Constitution down while Bush and his corporate buddies drive the bus over it

By: Scholars and Rogues » We’ve been compromised

Scholars and Rogues » We’ve been compromised — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:55:32 +0000

[...] security, politics, privacy, terrorism [ Comments: none ] Those of us who sounded off on Mark Udall’s capitulation on the FISA bill apparently all got the same nice form letter in response to our concerns. He’s happy to hear [...]

By: vladimir_dt

vladimir_dt — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:48:12 +0000

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Since the 06 Election, what real changes have there been to the policies of the US government? Since the Democrats were elected, have we seen any policies that could not be blocked by the Republicans? Oh, the Farm Bill, that reinforced the fat cat agribusiness tax breaks, and closed the Enron Loophole for oil speculation? (Someone will need to tell Candidate Obama about that, I think he is under the impression that it is still open) I can’t think of anything constructive that has been done by the current crop. I’d love to hear of some though. Seems to me that all the politicians are about the status quo for them and not about doing the jobs that they swore an oath to do. Just my .02 cents worth.

By: Workin' Joe

Workin' Joe — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:45:28 +0000

I find it laughable that our Russ Feingold would be labeled a flaming liberal by the Right, but Russ has been the sole senator consistently fighting for our constitutional rights. He was the sole vote against the “Patriot” Act, calling for more time to address the unconstitutional aspects of that bill. Feingold needs to replace the milquetoast Harry Reid as Senate Majority leader.

By: Kate Stone

Kate Stone — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:46:15 +0000

At least there is one principled Udall in that family — Tom of New Mexico. He voted no on the bill because he believes in preserving the Constitution. Tom is leaving his seat in the House to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici. Send your money to Tom Udall.

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:11:53 +0000

if only there were more parties.. like someone mentioned in the comments, most people do not care. Torture, EXCELLENT example.. people should by out en masse demonstrating but not in this country..ladieda life goes on..
so those are the voters that will pick either candidate and are easily (easier?) manipulated.. I think it’s a catch-22.. even when politicians would like to vote according to their conscious , they can’t risk losing an election and have ‘the other’ party take over. This system is pretty bad and pathetic for a democracy.. I know someone in another commentary section commented on my call for multiparty system as something that would never fly. Well, that most likely is so.. but until then.. you will have disappointments such as these as I consider those unavoidable in this ping pong (dem/rep) political play..
no offense, as much as this is not considered a good bill, like torture, the people have to be a whole lot more active and take responsibility for equally failing this system..
so no sympathy from me..
Ingrid

By: www.buzzflash.net

www.buzzflash.net — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:48:02 +0000

Mark Udall helps hold the Constitution down while Bush and his corporate buddies drive the bus over it…

Yesterday we here in Colorado learned a little more about our Democratic candidate for Senate, Congressman Mark Udall. And what we learned wasnâ€™t pretty. Udall, along with 104 other collaborationist Dems, voted in favor of Bushâ€™s latest Constitutio…

By: Dr. Denny

Dr. Denny — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:32:34 +0000

My congressman, Rep. John R. "Randy" Kuhl, R-NY, voted "yea" on the FISA bil. In a press release on his Web site he said:

â€œOver the last 30 years changes in communication technology have occurred that have made the FISA of 1978 obsolete. This legislation passed today will provide the Intelligence Community with the tools it needs to collect the foreign intelligence necessary to protect our homeland.â€

Not a single word in his press release mentions the Fourth Amendment or contraventions of it allowed under this bill. Not a word, either, on the intercepting communications of American citizens. His entire press release focuses solely acquiring "intelligence" (note how he capitalized "Intelligence Community") and protecting the telecoms. He cares not a whit about the erosion of the rights of citizens under the Bush administration and its congressional fellow travelers (many of whom, as Sam writers, are Democrats). There's a whole bunch of Congress critters voters need to dump, and Rep. Kuhl leads my list.

By: Brian Angliss

Brian Angliss — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:35:51 +0000

He got my comments. I was probably more temperate than you were, though:

Representative Udall,

It was recently brought to my attention that you and over a hundred of my fellow Democrats in the House have voted to give President Bush the retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that he’s been demanding for months. Retroactive immunity legalizes one of the most egregious assaults on our civil rights and the 4th Amendment in the history of the United States. Rep. Udall, your oath of office demands that you uphold the U.S. Constitution, and as far as I’m concerned, your vote in this matter means you are in breach of that oath and no longer worthy of being my Representative or my Senator.

I understand that political expediency sometimes requires uncomfortable choices in the pursuit of an election victory. But abrogating your oath of office is well beyond political expediency in the pursuit of the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Allard.

Unless you change your mind and renege your vote, I will find an independent candidate to vote for instead of either you or Schaffer.

By: Russ Wellen

Russ Wellen — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:22:57 +0000

Defending yourself against accusations that youâ€™re a pansy by acting like a pansy.

Yes, exactly. Good luck on your campaign to derail his candidacy.

an issue that a few of us registered voters do, in fact, still care about

That’s the problem — a few, very few. As with torture, much of the public has no problem with wireless surveillance. Nor do they even know what we’re talking about when we say “telecom immunity.”

Oh, and fantastic title for your post, Dr. S.

By: Super Jesus

Super Jesus — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:20:36 +0000

Good for you. I was pleased that my Rep. Betty Sutton was on the right side of this vote but I feel your fury over the others who caved.