Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act........my response from my Senator

[a kennedy]

Got this e-mail back from Amy Klobuchar, my Senator:

Thank you for contacting me concerning the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

You should first know that the FISA bill which passed both the House and Senate a few weeks ago is a temporary measure -- an interim fix extending for the next six months. I would have preferred the version offered by Senator Carl Levin, which I voted for. Unfortunately, that version did not pass, and I voted for the extension on a temporary basis only, because I couldn't allow there to be a gap in our intelligence gathering activity - our safety depends on our ability to continue tracking terrorist networks.

Please know that I will actively work during this temporary six month extension to ensure any permanent FISA extension strikes the right balance between protecting our safety and protecting our civil rights.

The resignation of Attorney General Gonzales is the first step in achieving that balance, and I hope that his departure lifts the cloud that has lingered over the Justice Department. He leaves a legacy of justice tarnished. I was among the first to call for his resignation, and I am hopeful that a new Attorney General will be a more independent voice for the people and uphold the principles of law and justice in this country.

Thank you again for your input, and please don’t hesitate to contact me again regarding this or any other issue.

Sincerely,

Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator

[Bitwit1234]

1. You are lucky...I didn't even get an answer AND

I was very very respectful. The only congress people I ever got an answer from were Jim Oberstar, who always answers, and even tho he didn't agree with my email, he answered, Norm Coleman. And Keith Ellison, who I called about a nation issue was respectful.

But I am so disappointed that Amy did not answer either of my emails. This area of Minnesota is DFL but she better start answering emails and letters from voters or she is going to be up a tree. I guess Jim Oberstar has been around long enough to know that he has to keep his voters informed.

[Mojorabbit]

2. Here is mine from Nelson in Fl

Dear Ms. xxxxxx xxxxxx:

Thank you for contacting me about the recent temporary changes made to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Most everyone agrees our government must have the ability to monitor the communications of foreign-based terrorists. However, I believe this can be done in a manner that protects the constitutional rights of American citizens.

In the FISA debates before the August recess, I voted for a temporary, six-month fix to give Congress more time to craft a comprehensive measure that protects Americans? civil liberties. Once Congress takes the issue up again, I?ll work with my colleagues with an eye toward strengthening Americans? rights to privacy.

I appreciate your taking the time to inform me of your views, and don?t hesitate to contact me again in the future.


(Voted for a six month fix, that's rich.
Mojorabbit)

[rucky]

3. Sorry Senator, Civil Rights is non-negotiable. n/t

[madokie]

4. if it comes from my senator, dr tom coburn

I put the dr there cause thats what he really wants to do not be burdened with being our senator and all. I will only get the same email as I get all the time from his office. I think he is the product of an illegal optical scanning vote counting machines but thats just me

[warren pease]

5. What utter drivel...

"...because I couldn't allow there to be a gap in our intelligence gathering activity - our safety depends on our ability to continue tracking terrorist networks."

Our safety depends on immediately removing the thieves and felons now occupying the executive branch. How about this as a yardstick to contrast the danger of death by terrorist attack vs. the danger of engaging in an everyday activity? About 3,000 Americans were killed by an alleged terrorist attack on 9/11. We're told that none have been killed on US soil since, thanks to the administration's diligent efforts to protect us by eliminating our freedoms.

By comparison, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that 42,642 Americans died in traffic accidents in 2006. Where's the War on Traffic? Where's the War on inadequate vehicle safety standards?

I'm so sick of the loyal opposition leading with BushCo scripted lines like, "well of course we need to use every means available to fight the terrorists." What horseshit. What we need to do is get rid of BushCo immediately, stop acting like the Roman Empire, leave the Iraqis and Iranians alone, replace bombs with diplomacy, abandon militarism and imperialism as core policies, and generally tread very lightly on the earth during our long period of atonement which will begin as soon as BushCo's worst offenders are in jail.

What we DON'T need is another democrat buying into the BushCo thesis of dictatorial government and expanding already illegal and unconstitutional domestic spying programs to mess with even more citizens. We need resistance at every single step of the way down BushCo's path to a national security state. We don't need any more accommodation, excuses, agreement, enabling or collaboration.


wp