Thank Steny Hoyer, Nancy Pelosi, Their (So-Called) “New Democratic Congress, And Of COURSE, The Republicans For Expanding The Powers Of The Executive Branch And The Exponential Growth Of Our Oligarchical Police State In General
Wiretapping by your phone company is just A-Okay. That is, as long as their huge teams of lawers agree to do so just because the illegal order to comply comes on a piece of paper with a huge “Love, Dubya” is displayed prominently at the bottom of it. At least, that’s what the gutless, so-called, “New Democratic Congress”, led by the latest “Johnny Come Lately” of the “Maverick Liberal” crowd, House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer says.
“Hey, we can’t blame these helpless, clueless telecoms!”, said our so-called “representatives”. “They, and their huge teams of lawyers didn’t realize they were breaking the law by just trying to hook Brutha Bush and Shotgun Cheney UP when they sent a note telling them they thought it might be possible your Aunt Lizzy and Uncle Billy-Bob were them terr’ist-types, so let ‘em off’n the hook!”, screamed Steny Hoyer and co-hort, Nancy Pelosi, then BANG — the deal was DONE. Completely unconstitutional, of course — but DONE…
First, let’s look at the right-wing Politico recap — some “snips”:
How Hoyer got the deal done
By JOHN BRESNAHAN & PATRICK O’CONNOR
The Maryland Democrat shepherded a set of FISA amendments through the House last week — winning praise from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and even some in his party to who opposed the deal — but now finds himself subjected to a barrage of criticism from his party’s left. …”
(Snip!)
“… In an interview with Politico on Monday, Hoyer called the FISA legislation a “significant victory” for the Democratic Party…”
(Snip!)
“… While the Senate bill provided retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that participated in President Bush’s warrantless surveillance program, Hoyer noted that the House version mandates judicial review of the companies’ actions. Legal experts and congressional opponents argue that such review will ultimately be meaningless. …”
(Snip!)
“… Hoyer said he discussed the issue several times with Bush himself, most recently at a White House reception… “
(Snip!)
… “You can take a position and be a purist and sort of sit around yelling at each [other] across the [political] divide and nothing gets done,” Hoyer said. “The American people, they want us to get this done. That’s the whole thing to me.” …
(Snip!)
“… Despite those efforts, liberal activists were furious at what they view as a sellout by House Democrats on FISA, particularly on the retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies. …”
(Snip!)
“… Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) called the FISA compromise a “very terrible bill.” Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio) said the bill would allow “large corporations and big government” to “work together to violate the United States Constitution” and “use massive databases to spy, to wiretap, to invade the privacy of the American people.” …
Dennis Kucinich said it all in that last quoted paragraph. Welcome to the United Police States Of America, thanks in kind to the Republicans AND the so-called “New Democratic Congress”…
Darwinesque behavior. There is no other way to describe some of these recent decisions by our highest so-called “leaders” in both of those other once “equal but separate Branches”, the Judicial (SCOTUS) and the Legislative. I just don’t understand it, they, as per our Founders, are PAID to assert and retain their powers, yet, they seem to be content to just stand by idly as the president KING claims to share their powers while his cohort, Dick “Shotgun” Cheney claims to be in a “Superbranch” of his own.
Folks, we have a HUGE, HUGE problem on our hands when a couple of guys and/or gals can claim to be the cop, the judge and the jury simply because “these are dangerous times”. In fact, there was a time, well — about a WEEK ago — where I was convinced the Democrats wanted to impose a “Nanny State” form of illegal, “Big Brother” government upon us while the Republicans wished to impose a “Police State” form of illegal, “Big Brother” government. It is now becoming glaringly obvious to THIS blogger that BOTH of these parties CARTELS wish to impose a “Police Nanny Oligarchical Monarchy” upon us. And, they just DID, my friends.
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Other blogger reactions well-worth reading (H/T to MemeOrandum again…):







Welcome to the New World Order….
I am highly daunted by the actions of congress as well
I don’t see how they get anything accomplished. There are way too many people in government pretending they are working for the greater good. its completely out of control!
Haw, haw! Dick Cheney is going to listen in on your phone calls now, and there’s not a THING your terrorist lovin’ trial lawyers can do to stop it!
This is just rich. Phone companies don’t go to jail for cooperating w/ authorities means we’re all just a phone call away from the concentration camps. Bit of a stretch, if you ask me.