The Senate's pre-9/11 mindset

The Washington Times ^ | 12-17-05 | Editorial

[smoothsailing]

The Senate's pre-9/11 mindset

Published December 17, 2005

"God forbid that there be a terrorist attack that could have been prevented by the Patriot Act after it has expired," Sen. Jon Kyl said yesterday after the Senate failed to overcome a filibuster of legislation that would have reauthorized the Patriot Act. "If that happens, those who have supported the filibuster will have to answer for it, and the American people will have a very hard time understanding what their objections were."    

 Got that, Sens. Larry Craig, Chuck Hagel, Lisa Murkowski and John Sununu? As the four Republicans who voted to continue the filibuster, they now bear the unenviable task of defending their vote. Conveniently, none of them is up for re-election in 2006. Democrats predictably voted en masse in favor of the filibuster, with the exception of Sens. Tim Johnson and Ben Nelson, who we applaud for bucking their party's unfounded Patriot Act paranoia. So, unless Majority Leader Bill Frist -- who had to vote for the filibuster as a matter of Senate procedure -- can pull a Christmas miracle, valuable provisions in the Patriot Act will expire Dec. 31.    

 Along with the Feckless Four, we also have to throw in the New York Times, which ran a front-page article yesterday -- conveniently in time for the filibuster vote -- blaring the headline, "Bush Lets U.S. Spy on Callers Without Court Orders." Sen. Charles Schumer explained that the article "greatly" influenced his vote in favor of the filibuster. "[T]oday's revelation that the government listened in on thousands of phone conversations without getting a warrant is shocking," he said.    

 What that headline doesn't say -- and what Mr. Schumer obviously didn't read or care to mention -- is that the National Security Agency's program, started after September 11, monitors...

[roses of sharon]

Why should Senators care? They have 24/7 security for themselves, their place of work, their transportation, and their homes, as do their family members.

Unlike us normal people, we are expendable I guess.

Anything for a good write-up in the NYT.

[Mr_Moonlight]

Sen. Charles Schumer explained that the article "greatly" influenced his vote in favor of the filibuster

So Senator Schmuckie gets his marching orders from the New York Times now ???

[Names Ash Housewares]

They have forgotten that everday citizens saved the capitol building from destruction on 9-11.


YOU DONT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN DURING A WAR!

[Mr_Moonlight]

They have 24/7 security for themselves, their place of work .....

Dunno about that .... I seem to recall the plane which went down in Shanksville PA as headed for either The Capitol or The White House ... either way, it was headed for their "place of work" as it were

[roses of sharon]

Not anymore. Their airspace is now protected.

They play politics with lives, all to relieve their discomfort with a negative NYT editorial.

[chudogg]

"God forbid that there be a terrorist attack that could have been prevented by the Patriot Act after it has expired," Sen. Jon Kyl said yesterday after the Senate failed to overcome a filibuster of legislation that would have reauthorized the Patriot Act. "If that happens, those who have supported the filibuster will have to answer for it, and the American people will have a very hard time understanding what their objections were."

No, they will just blame Bush, and the media will be more than happy to oblige.

[smoothsailing]

The one that baffles me most is Larry Craig. Another freeper told me earlier tonight that he sits on the NRA board, and that the NRA has made no public statement for or against renewal.

I've always seen Craig s a pretty solid conservative and not just a run of the mill R, so his vote is puzzling.

As for the dems, they're all to predictable. They'll undermine President Bush even at our expense as a nation. Nothing new there.

[Cboldt]

There is an option. Three month extension. Given the choice between the extension and lapse, which is better?

[Cboldt]

The one that baffles me most is Larry Craig.

He's made his position and justification clear - have you availed yourself of his expression?

[smoothsailing]

An extension of three months just kicks the can down the road.Besides,it's not the only option.

[smoothsailing]

No, I havn't. What's his explanation?

[smoothsailing]

So Senator Schmuckie gets hi marching orders from the New York Times now???

More likely from SWCBN. The Times is a sideshow.

[Cboldt]

An extension of three months just kicks the can down the road.Besides,it's not the only option.

An extension of 4 years just kicks the can down the road too. Agreed it is not the only option, an extension buys time to negotiate details.

Meanwhile, the lapse of the Patriot Act is not a dire event, IMO.

[roses of sharon]

I will be awaiting Mr. Craig's explanation of how he will handle another hit, a big hit, a nuke hit, kids blown up in a mall, a club, a church?

What will he do about the panic?
What will he do about the financial chaos and collapse?
What will he do enormous medical devastation with a WMD?
How will he pay for the cleanup?
About retaliation towards Muslims in the streets?
Will he want Marshall Law?
Checkpoints everywhere?
Will there be looting?
Will there be gun restrictions?
And then hold hearings to find out why the President did not connect the dots?

[Cboldt]

What's his explanation?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1513207/posts?page=1216#1216

[jess35]

Meanwhile, the lapse of the Patriot Act is not a dire event, IMO.

No kidding, it's not like we've been attacked in the last 4 years. Obviously, we've won the war on terrorism and legislation like the Patriot Act is just a needless infringement of your rights and had nothing to do with the lack of direct attacks on the USA, correct? [/sarcasm

[smoothsailing]

Thanks for the link.

[smoothsailing]

The House has already renewed the Act and is set to recess for Christmas. So if the Senate doesn't act quickly, the Act will definitely expire.

[Cboldt]

it's not like we've been attacked in the last 4 years. Obviously, we've won the war on terrorism and legislation like the Patriot Act is just a needless infringement of your rights and had nothing to do with the lack of direct attacks on the USA, correct?

Actually, I was reflecting on the substantive difference in investigative powers with and without the Patriot Act.