Isn't it great to have a senator that does the right thing? Wouldn't it be even better to have two Oregon senators do the right thing?

If the provision in the FISA bill that would let companies off the hook for following illegal orders from the government passes, it will continue the dangerous de facto precedent that the law is only the law when the executive decides to enforce it and that, in short, whatever the president does or asks for is legal simply because he approves it. That's not how the Constitution is written, at least not in this country. It's a disgrace that any senator of any party would vote for a retroactive get out of jail free card for the violations of the U.S. Constitution that we've seen.

I am extremely glad to see Wyden stand up to this bill, which will do a lot to enshrine the reality of an all-powerful executive if it passes.

It would be even more gladdening to see all members from the recent pack of Democratic presidential hopefuls join this filibuster to show their support for the rule of law in the face of executive branch excesses.

Go Ron Go!!!

I'm very happy to see Senator Wyden continue to step up to the plate to support these types of filibusters. He's made it very clear to his fellow legislators and to Oregonians where he stands on this issue..and I'm really proud of him.

And of course, Smith will vote exactly the opposite, once again trying to cancel out what Wyden is doing.

And of course, Smith will vote exactly the opposite, once again trying to cancel out what Wyden is doing

Of course you're right, Carla. But I think the civil liberties trampling by so-called "Conservative" law-makers has been viewed with concern by many centrist and even truly conservative voters. I don't mean those who vote R because they culturally, aesthetically, or racially find the Rs appealing; but instead those who have in the past truly believed that America's right-wing party was one more likely to look out for constitutional protections, those who really do fear big government as the first step to totalitarianism. There are a lot of these people, and Merkley and Obama can win their votes if they pursue them in a sensitive manner. Bush has overstepped all reasonable boundaries, and Smith right along next to him. I hope it hurts them in November, because I like to believe I live in a country where it would.

"Call me any name you want, but it seems to me that anything which can elect a Democratic President, more than 51 Senators, and a larger House Democratic caucus is good news."

OK, how about "sucker?" How many times do you need to be fooled?

Posted by: Jamais Vu | Jun 24, 2008 12:56:52 PM

Well said.

I frequently dispair at the fundamental lack of understanding among many progressives about what their ideological opposites actually believe. It's heartening to know that not everyone operates off of the cartoon version of what has traditionally motivated paleoconservatives to be paleoconservatives in the first place.

Thanks for nudging the balance ever so slightly back to reality.

I just went online to Wyden's website and sent him a message of commendation about this.

He needs to hear from all of us how much we support him.

<center> Seems to me there have been people here at BO who thought Wyden was to "centrist" or some such because you didn't like one or another of his votes. </center>

Well, if you're thinking about me, LT, my criticism hasn't been about Wyden's votes.

It's been about Wyden milking lots of press for ineffectual stands (like his hold on the CIA general counsel who's still the acting general counsel), his unwillingness to consider impeachment (Feingold says he thinks the president has committed impeachable offenses but supports a contempt resolution instead), his failure to speak out publicly about the false premises for the Iraq war before 2006, his lackluster "flat" tax bill, and a health care bill which is supported almost entirely by Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats.

I did stick up for him on the other thread when people were blaming him for voting to confirm Scalia -- a vote which happened a decade before Wyden became a Senator.

If he and Feingold manage to get the telecom immunity provision out of the bill, all power to them.

I meant to blockquote that sentence from LT.

I just Phone Sen Wyden's office and expressed my gratitude for Ron's courage and good judgement. Then I called Mr. Smith's office in Portland (503.326.3386) and asked how Smith plans to vote on FISA? The very polite (!) staffer told me he has not yet made his decision public but is interested in constituents views on this issue. I told him I was against any bill that would grant telecoms immunity, no wiretapping without court order, etc etc, and I would be proud of Sen Smith if he would support a filibuster of the vote - and if it came to a vote, Smith should vote against it. The staffer assured me that they would pass my comments along to the good Senator. Problem solved, right?

But I think the civil liberties trampling by so-called "Conservative" law-makers has been viewed with concern by many centrist and even truly conservative voters........ There are a lot of these people, and Merkley and Obama can win their votes if they pursue them in a sensitive manner.

Ayup Jamais Vu, this is exactly to core point. I have several neighbors that fit this profile, may not have voted for a Dem in their lives, but are absolutely horrified by the behavior of the current administration.

<hr/>

To LT I say, a lot of your comments sound like you didn't actually read anyoneone else prior to getting up on your Long Form Hobby Horse. Your characterization of me seems to show you to be arrogant enough to form opinions without internalizing my actual arguments, or that you lack basic reading comprehension skills.

<hr/>

Regarding passing kudos to Wyden, do't give it a second thought, he has staffers following Blue Oregon posts and comments every day.

When I went to DC in November to lobby the delegation, all staffers and reps were respectful and polite, but only Wyden actually knew who I was, and that was based on Blue Oregon.

Bearing that in mind, thanks Senator Wyden for again getting out front on this thing.....

I'm glad to hear Wyden is going to support a filibuster of the FISA bill. As an expat living over in Korea, I've pretty much assumed any time I call home my conversation is being taped (and you wonder why I like to throw in a few colorful metaphores about Bush during the calls). I hope Obama comes out against the bill and Reid grows a spine and rallies the Democrats to kill this bill.

Feel free to send a note to Reid's office as well: http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Here's an update from Sam Sten on Huffpost:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced this evening that he will vote against the compromise FISA legislation and work with likeminded colleagues to strip immunity for telecom firms from that bill.

It is a position that puts the Democratic Senate leader at odds with his own party's presumptive presidential nominee, Barack Obama, who also has pledged to fight for the removal of immunity but will vote yes on the final package.

Hard to keep up.........