GOP blocks surveillance extension

[sabra]

Source: The Hill

Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic attempt to revive a controversial wiretapping law for 30 days on Monday night, leading to a mini-squabble on the chamber floor over the Bush administration’s program.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had asked for unanimous consent for the month-long extension to allow more time for House-Senate negotiations.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) objected, saying the temporary fix was inadequate. The objection essentially blocks Reid’s extension request.

The legislation updating the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/gop-blocks-surveillance-extension-2008-04-07.html

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Good. I think the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will do just fine.

[MidwestTransplant]

2. OMG THE REPUBLICANS ARE PUTTING ALL OUR LIVES IN JEAPRODY

[gratuitous]

3. Republicans fail the lie detector test

If you've ever watched a baseball game and seen a runner overslide home plate while the catcher tries to apply a tag, the lie detector as to whether the runner touched the plate and scored a run is if he jumps up and accepts the congratulations of his teammates or dashes back to try to touch the plate. Or if the catcher scrambles after the runner to try to tag him. The players know if the runner touched the plate or if the catcher tagged him. It's instinctual, and there's no argument, really. A catcher who tags a guy trying to get back to the plate will surely record the out, as the umpire will believe that the runner didn't touch the plate. The runner himself doesn't think he touched the plate.

Likewise, the Republicans have been trying to sell the idea that this legislation is vital to our national security and must be enacted at all costs. Yet, when an agreement can't be reached, they'll scuttle the law in favor of making a political point to try to gull a public that's gotten a little too wise to their tricks. By letting the extension fail, they've clearly signalled that this legislation does nothing for national security.

Let this unconstitutional legislation die, Sen. Reid. This charade has gone on for far too long.

[EnemyOfTheocracy]

4. if it ain't broke don't fix it

let the GOP eat crowe.
they are going to lose so many seats this election this legislation will never be brought up again hopefully.

[old guy]

5. Question: When can the lawsuits against the telecoms go forward?

[Supersedeas]

6. imagine if the show were on the other foot -- the media establishment would be on fire