My apologies for not keeping you as up to date as could be expected by you on the political happenings but it is so tense right now in DC that it has been impossible to cut loose from watching the current happenings. I will make this as short as possible and still try to give you some sense of what is going on.
Sputnik
At the order of Senator Bill Frist the Senate took up reauthorization of the Patriot Act with him knowing there were not enough votes for passage. A total waste of time except we were able to hear some fantastic testimony from both sides of the aisle.
Senator Russ Feingold, the only senator to vote against the original Patriot Act led the charge to stop reauthorization. He stated that reauthorization of the committee report would be shameful and it would be far better to allow it to expire. Senator Robert Byrd, D. West Virginia, gave an impassioned speech stating that this compromise was a sick perversion to our constitution.
On the other side Senator Arlen Specter, offered a Cloture Motion and stated that voting against the Cloture Motion was the same as voting against the Patriot Act. (A Cloture Motion limits debate on a Bill and then requires an up or down vote.) This in effect takes away any opportunity for a Filibuster. Senator Jon Kyl, R Arizona, advised his colleagues “The Bill is what it is now and must be passed. No more time, no middle ground.”
Back to the opponents again Senator Leahy expounded on the necessity of checks and balances and asked the piercing question “What is happening to our country?” Mr. Frist then in effect said “trust me.”
The vote on Cloture then began and as we tallied the votes it became apparent we might just win. The final vote 53-47 killed the motion as only 41 votes are needed to kill this type motion. Senator Frist then changed his vote and asked for a motion to recommit and have another vote on the motion. That motion went nowhere.
You must understand at this point that the Minority leader, had offered a Bill to extend the Patriot Act, as is, for three months while the senate works to make necessary changes to protect our liberty. The majority leader let it be known the President had said he would not sign such a Bill. This offer was made four more times on the Floor and refused each time.
Sput
On Monday while they were supposed to be discussing the Department of Defense Budget they once again returned to discussion of the Patriot Act. Each side blamed the other for holding up the vote. Senator Byrd again gave a very dramatic speech.
“Who supports the Crown” quoted Mr. Byrd “Those who do not speak their mind” was the answer. The following is paraphrased but as nearly replicated as possible.
He again laid out the constitution as our guide for government. He said we now learn that President Bush circumvented the congress and the rule of law to spy on American citizens. He says he has the power to do this because we are at war. What is this President thinking? Where does the constitution or FISA allow you to sneak into men’s lives and spy on them? We must not allow such groundless claims to go unchallenged. FISA does not give this or any president the power reserved by Kings or Potentates. The President in a speech yesterday praised the election in Iraq as a landmark in their history. Yet he has acted against Rules of Law and circumvented protections against unreasonable search and seizure. This is our own landmark, destruction of liberty and rights.
The great American Thomas Paine once said “These are the times that try men’s souls” and that is exactly what these irresponsible actions have done. Judicial action may be in order. “Where is the authority for spying on Americans?”
“Who is responsible for this action?”
I wish we had been set up to record this speech. It could possibly rekindle the desire for liberty in the hearts of those who have fallen by the wayside.
Sputnik
