Rotophonic

“Alaskans deserve transparency and accountability from their leaders. It’s a philosophy
I will promote as Governor.”
-Sarah Palin

Hmm… She has now refused be deposed in the independent investigation (approved by 6 Republicans and 6 Democrats) looking into the unethical pressure she put on members of Alaska’s Department of Public Safety to fire Mike Wooten, her ex-brother-in-law in the middle of a custody dispute. And she filed an ethics complaint against herself in an effort to avoid the investigation. Clearly “Ms. Smith Goes To Washington” won’t be the title of the movie script written about her. Scoffing at the rule of law seem just like someone we all know: the Worst. President. Ever. - George W. Bush. She’s tested the corrupt Republican waters, and they feel just fine.

Remember, on July 29th, 2008, Palin’s spokesperson said:

“The governor has said all along that she will fully cooperate with an investigation and her staff will cooperate as well,” Leighow said.

Not anymore. More of the same.

Today, the United States Senate voted 69-28 in favor of HR6304 and capitulated to the White House, eviscerated the Fourth Amendment, weakened the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court’s ability to review surveillance of Americans, removed restraints on the uses of information vacuumed up in the process and gave an entire cadre of lawbreaking telecommunications companies a free pass on their activities. Beyond that, Congress decided that they were better equipped to decide Federal lawsuits than the courts (even though about 70 Senators have no idea what the programs being immunized even did).

“We’re considering granting immunity when roughly 70 members of the Senate still have not been briefed on the president’s wiretapping program,” he said. “The vast majority of this body still does not even know what we’re being asked to grant immunity for.” - Senator Russ Feingold 7/8/2008

[Read more]

This morning, the House and Democrat Steny Hoyer, with the acquiescence of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, brought forth and have now are in the process of getting passed just passed one of the most shameful pieces of legislation in the history of the United States. The supposed “compromise” gives the White House everything they wanted and Republicans are now gloating over their complete victory over the Democrats.

The most egregious element of the FISA legislation offers Telecommunications companies almost automatic immunity from prosecution for violating the law. With the mere certification from the Attorney General (both of those in the past few years of the administration have shown themselves to have more allegiance to the President than the Constitution that they are charged with defending), the court MUST toss out the cases.

It should be obvious when Republicans are gloating over their victory, AT&T and Verizon are popping champagne, and the House allows only a single hour for debate, that this bill is a scam.

Finally, where the hell is Barack Obama on this issue? What the hell is going on?
[Read more]