Here's MoveOn.org (aka NothingToSeeHereFolks.org):
Dear MoveOn member,What, do you think, are the odds of Obama doing bupkis about this bill?On Friday, House Democrats caved to the Bush administration and passed a bill giving a get-out-of-jail-free card to phone companies that helped Bush illegally spy on innocent Americans....
Last year, after phone calls from MoveOn members and others, Obama [vowed] to "support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies." We need him to honor that promise.
Can you call Senator Obama today and tell him you're counting on him to keep his word? Ask him to block any compromise that includes immunity for phone companies that helped Bush break the law.
Obama's presidential campaign: (866) 675-2008
Comments (10)
The odds are good he'll do nothing at all. But its a good sale.
Posted by Son of Uncle Sam | June 22, 2008 5:51 PM
Posted on June 22, 2008 17:51
Statement of Senator Barack Obama on FISA Compromise
"That is why last year I opposed the so-called Protect America Act, which expanded the surveillance powers of the government without sufficient independent oversight to protect the privacy and civil liberties of innocent Americans. I have also opposed the granting of retroactive immunity to those who were allegedly complicit in acts of illegal spying in the past."
Translation: I'll say whatever it takes to win the allegiance of progressives.
"It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses."
Translation: Once this passes the Senate I'm off the hook! There's no way this provision will be removed in conference if it is contained in both the House and Senate versions of the bill. And the Pwogs ain't got nowhere else to go!
"So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as President, I will carefully monitor the program"
Translation: I give a firm pledge that as President, I will use the program as I see fit.
Posted by Nicholas Hart | June 22, 2008 6:03 PM
Posted on June 22, 2008 18:03
Whaddaya think the odds are that the progs'll do bupkis about Obama not doing bupkis about this bill?
Posted by IOZ | June 23, 2008 11:06 AM
Posted on June 23, 2008 11:06
My guess is he'll miss the vote completely because he's busy campaigning, but will issue a strong statement against the measure, not because he's against it in principle, but because he thinks the way they're granting retroactive immunity is sloppy and they could have done it better...
And yeah, I'm dying to see how it gets treated, if at all, on dailykos et al.
Posted by ktm | June 23, 2008 11:21 AM
Posted on June 23, 2008 11:21
So I just looked at dailykos and they have a recommended diary about why you're a poseur for not having Barack's back.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/22/13830/4343/811/540243
I only skimmed (I've been sick and didn't want to push myself over the edge), but there are some choice quotes.
The upshot is that you're not allowed to say shit if you haven't made sacrifices... or a donation this week:
"So bring it on. But before you do – you tell me what qualifies you to even open your mouth. Give me your name rank and serial number in this war and show me the battles you’ve fought, the scars you’ve earned, tell me the names of your dead, your wounded, those friends and family you have in prison – and just maybe I will listen to you. Or just simply state that you sent a check this week to Barack Obama, and are reporting for duty."
Posted by ktm | June 23, 2008 11:41 AM
Posted on June 23, 2008 11:41
We don't have to show them no stinkin' badges.
Posted by Michael Hureaux | June 23, 2008 2:06 PM
Posted on June 23, 2008 14:06
I'd like to see the Kossacks respond to that challenge. As far as I can tell, the vast majority of them haven't done shit except whine on their blogs. Blogging != activism.
Posted by Nicholas Hart | June 23, 2008 2:44 PM
Posted on June 23, 2008 14:44
Seen. That's why they confuse their typing skills with a political movement. Howard Dean-ing of the greening, as it were.
Posted by Michael Hureaux | June 24, 2008 1:24 PM
Posted on June 24, 2008 13:24
The pwogs are spinning themselves silly on this one. Hi-larious!
Posted by AlanSmithee | June 25, 2008 6:20 AM
Posted on June 25, 2008 06:20
Let be known that Barack Obama is a man of charity:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/25/usa
Posted by tim d | June 25, 2008 9:35 AM
Posted on June 25, 2008 09:35