Bush, Democrats in showdown over anti-terror bill

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19265030.htm

Bush, Democrats in showdown over anti-terror bill


WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday it was inexcusable for senators to block the anti-terrorism USA Patriot Act, and Democrats fired back by accusing him of playing political "chicken."

Key provisions of the act, a centerpiece of Bush's war on terrorism, are set to expire on Dec. 31 unless the U.S. Congress enacts legislation to renew them.

The House of Representatives passed such a measure last week, but it has been blocked in the Republican-led Senate amid a dispute pitting civil liberties against national security.

Democrats have proposed a temporary three-month extension to provide time to resolve the differences. So far the White House and congressional Republican leaders have refused, though one Republican, Jon Kyl of Arizona, asked Democrats if they would agree to a temporary, one-year extension. Democrats said that would be too long.

[Changenow]

1. Isn't a bipartisan group who are against the

Patriot Act?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. yep

and I'm hoping more Republicans will wake up and join the group after what Bush said today.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Bush, Democrats in showdown over anti-terror bill

Bush, Democrats in showdown over anti-terror bill
19 Dec 2005 20:08:38 GMT

Source: Reuters
By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday it was inexcusable for senators to block the anti-terrorism USA Patriot Act, and Democrats fired back by accusing him of playing political "chicken."

Key provisions of the act, a centerpiece of Bush's war on terrorism, are set to expire on Dec. 31 unless the U.S. Congress enacts legislation to renew them.

The House of Representatives passed such a measure last week, but it has been blocked in the Republican-led Senate amid a dispute pitting civil liberties against national security.

Democrats have proposed a temporary three-month extension to provide time to resolve the differences. So far the White House and congressional Republican leaders have refused, though one Republican, Jon Kyl of Arizona, asked Democrats if they would agree to a temporary, one-year extension. Democrats said that would be too long.
(snip/...)

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19265030.htm

[BenDavid]

4. This is what the Dems need to

say whenever they are in front of the screen....We are not blocking anything. The president says we need this anti-terrorism bill, but we the dems and several republicans thought we could make better those provisions concerning civil liberties. We offered a 3 month extension but the president and the senate majority leader said no...If the president is so concerned about not having an anti-terrorism bill, then allow for the 3 month extension so that once we get back from break we all can sit down and make those concerns known and work to resolve this issue so all in the senate can support...and all Americans can understand and support as well.....

[dapper]

5. Email Kyle

I emailed him to let him know a 1 year extension was unacceptable.

Dap

[Voltaire99]

6. "Resolve differences"? Hold your ground, goddamn it!

We've had quite enough of your cowardice in caving in to Bushism over the past half decade.

Hold the line on the Patriot Act--if you want any hope of holding power again in this generation.

[meganmonkey]

7. Seriously shitty headline

"Anti-terror bill" ??

Why not call it an "Anti-Civil Rights bill" ??

Seems more accurate to me :shrug: