Vote for Me or McCain Will Shoot This Dog
I can't help but notice the parellism between the geral tactics of the Republican neo-con base and the defenders of Sen. Obama's FISA surrender.
The Republicans want the voters to ignore their civil liberties and shove aside the Democrats so that the Republicans can save us from 'tehe terrorists'
The Obama apologists want us to ignore our 4th amendment rights and give a blank check to Sen. Obama on any position he takes so that Obama can save us from the terrors of a McCain administration.
Both tactics are calculated to speak to our fears instead of our principles, to ignore the reality of specific issues in favor of the safety from the bogeyman, be he Bin-Laden or McCain.
The Republicans want the voters to ignore their civil liberties and shove aside the Democrats so that the Republicans can save us from 'tehe terrorists'
The Obama apologists want us to ignore our 4th amendment rights and give a blank check to Sen. Obama on any position he takes so that Obama can save us from the terrors of a McCain administration.
Both tactics are calculated to speak to our fears instead of our principles, to ignore the reality of specific issues in favor of the safety from the bogeyman, be he Bin-Laden or McCain.
Advertisement
However, Bush *did* shoot the dog.
June 24, 2008 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has my vote. For the first time in my life (careful now) my vote for the Democratic candidate is not simply a default position. Like many of Barack's supporters I truly, madly, deeply yearn for real change in the country and in our electoral system toward a democracy that serves the many rather than the few. I have believed, still believe, that Obama is our best hope.
I also believe that he will win the election and have a presidency that is supported by a Democratic Congress. I forsee vital progress toward the more perfect Union Barack has inspired us to hope for.
I assume that the majority of Americans oppose the notion that that the government has the right to spy on its citizens and that telecommunication providers have a right to facilitate that spying. Such spying is in fact against the law in the absence of a warrent.
Since I believe that Obama is an agent for justice I am baffled by his willingness to compromise on an unconstitutional invasion of privacy. I cannot help but conjure up the image of Barack's gesture -- brushing dust from the shoulder of his famously well-fitted suit.
It is my HOPE that Obama will serve as a defender of freedom and the spying issue is very clear. If he will not draw the line here, then where?
June 24, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
And McCain will actually shoot the next dog. It's name is Iran and it will probably try to bite back while McCain is loading the gun.
Here's the thing: you're right. We should not forgive Obama for FISA on the grounds that McCain will be a terrible president.
But, we still have to make sure that McCain never becomes president.
And, heck, Obama still has the chance to be a great president. Let's push him from the margins, shall we?
June 24, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Totally agree, but can wait until he is actually president first?
June 24, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gaaaaar!
June 24, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was capable of being profoundly disappointed in Hillary Clinton's AUMF vote, despite her floor speech explaining it. I was capable of understanding that the junior senator of New York, my senator, would not have voted any other way on AUMF. I was capable of being disappointed, and of understanding the larger issues, and of voting for her on Super Tuesday. I was capable of accepting the strategies she used in the name of competing for the highest office in the land during the primaries, and I was also capable of supporting her to the end.
FISA should be protested against. Now. Because if it passes, there won't be any changes to it until 2012. It can't wait. Kill it.
June 24, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent comment, and excellent new Avatar.
Matthews just called Obama Osama. Arrrgghh!!
June 24, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Push him from the margins is the plan then. I'm in.
June 27, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink