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Byrd Regrets Vote for USA Patriot Act
ap ^ | 2/28/06 | LAURIE KELLMAN

Posted on 02/28/2006 6:13:17 AM PST by mathprof

Sen. Robert Byrd, the dean of the Senate and its resident constitutional expert, counts only a few regrets in his 48-year Senate career: filibustering the 1964 Civil Rights Act, voting to expand the Vietnam War, deregulating airlines.

Add to the list a new one from this century: supporting the anti-terror USA Patriot Act after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"The original Patriot Act is a case study in the perils of speed, herd instinct and lack of vigilance when it comes to legislating in times of crisis," the West Virginia Democrat said Monday on the eve of the Senate's final votes on its renewal. "The Congress was stampeded, and the values of freedom, justice and equality received a trampling in the headlong rush."

This week as he embarks on a re-election campaign for a record ninth term, Byrd, 88, will vote "no" on renewing 16 major provisions of the act due to expire March 10. He argues that even with new privacy protections added this year by the Bush administration and its allies, the law has given the government too much power to pry.

"This new proposal would erase too many of our freedoms guaranteed to the American people," Byrd added in a statement to The Associated Press. "In essence, this legislation says that the Bill of Rights is right no more."

[snip]

As for changing sides, Byrd's got a favorite phrase, from the poet James Russell Lowell:

"The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinions."

(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: West Virginia; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: byrd; patriotact; sheets
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To: mathprof

I regret that Robert Byrd was elected and remains a US Senator.

We're even.


21 posted on 02/28/2006 7:28:15 AM PST by prairiebreeze (Casey Sheehan, thank you for your service. I'm proud of you. Even if your own mother isn't.)
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To: sgtbono2002

I am inclined to think sheets is having a hard time finding diapers that fit.I am in perpetual amazement that people still vote him in year after year.He will probably have to be carried out on a stretcher!


22 posted on 02/28/2006 7:34:40 AM PST by xarmydog
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To: prairiebreeze
Unfortunately Byrd will be reelected to his WV senate seat.
He will probably drop dead on the senate floor.
The GOP in WV is weak but starting to show some signs of life. Shelly Moore Caputo is a hopeful sign. However there probably isn't a GOP'er capable of winning a state-wide election.(If such a person exists he needs to run for Governor first!) My prediction is when Byrd goes to that great Klan rally in the sky, Manchin (the Demo Guv) will probably appoint himself to the seat. Manchin who governs as a moderate to conservative democrat will then move hard to the left in order to have any sort of influence in the senate.
23 posted on 02/28/2006 7:37:43 AM PST by Reily
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To: mathprof

Woulda coulda shoulda, sheet boy.


24 posted on 02/28/2006 7:39:35 AM PST by VictoryGal (Never give up, never surrender!)
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To: xarmydog

Yes he is way past his prime, but as long as the Pork keeps rolling in they will send him back, I keep waiting for Kennedy's Liver to crap out too , but so far it hasnt happened.


25 posted on 02/28/2006 8:26:49 AM PST by sgtbono2002
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To: mathprof

He voted for it before he regretted it. Ha,ha,heh.heh


26 posted on 02/28/2006 8:27:25 AM PST by cubreporter (I trust Rush. He has done more for this country than any of us will ever know. Go Rush!)
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To: cubreporter
Plenty of demagoging to go arouond on the patriot act, precious few facts as to why we would lose freedoms.

I don't mind that this is being revisited. However, it's just another mechanism for Dhimmicrats to undermine national security and to get some press time and spread some lies about Bush.

27 posted on 02/28/2006 8:37:01 AM PST by ottersnot ( You can't spell Liberal without L, I, E. There is no middle ground between right and wrong)
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To: mathprof
Sen. Robert Byrd, the dean of the Senate and its self-appointed resident constitutional expert,....

The more arrogant and pompous one is the more influence he has as a Democrat. Look at their leaders. All arrogant, pompous, self-important wretches.

28 posted on 02/28/2006 9:03:41 AM PST by Mind-numbed Robot (Not all that needs to be done, needs to be done by the government.)
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To: mathprof
I wonder what Byrd regrets most?:

-maybe it's removing the legal barriers (the Gorelick wall?) that prevented various members of the intel community and law enforcement from collaborating on terror investigations.

-maybe it's allowing law enforcement to request a judge to allow:
-roving wiretaps on terror suspects
-seizing business records of terror suspects

Or maybe it's making it illegal to harbor terror suspects?

Who friggin knows. This pompous windbag doesn't show any signs of what he knows or opposes in the Patriot Act.

It's probably as foreign to him as pre-war intelligence on Iraq that Democrats reportedly felt no need to examine.

For once I'd just like some details on why these traitors are opposing something...besides their obvious efforts to take down Bush no matter the cost.

29 posted on 02/28/2006 9:03:51 AM PST by ottersnot ( You can't spell Liberal without L, I, E. There is no middle ground between right and wrong)
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To: ottersnot

Yeah he regrets his vote... he also probably goes home and stares at his lilly white bedsheets and reminisces...
/evil grin.


30 posted on 02/28/2006 9:05:46 AM PST by CygnusXI (Where's that dang Meteor already?)
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To: ottersnot

Agree. However, a lot more people know they are lies than ever before. It's OK...


31 posted on 02/28/2006 9:16:03 AM PST by cubreporter (I trust Rush. He has done more for this country than any of us will ever know. Go Rush!)
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To: ErnBatavia

How very true. I hope the voters of WVA wake up and dump this old man for a real American.


32 posted on 02/28/2006 9:51:41 AM PST by conservative blonde (Conservative Blonde)
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To: mathprof

Flip-flopping seems to be becoming the democrat national trend.

Maybe a 'Dem Flip-Floppin' flag could be designed just for them?

As a special award, perhaps, presented to the best Dem flip-flopper of the week?

Byrd today - next week, the possibilities are endless!


33 posted on 02/28/2006 10:00:02 AM PST by SusaninOhio
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To: mathprof

I regret Byrd ran for senate.


34 posted on 02/28/2006 10:55:55 AM PST by cjmae
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To: mathprof

I regret that "Sheets" Byrd is in the United States Senate!!


35 posted on 02/28/2006 11:12:44 AM PST by GeorgeW23225 ("Grow your own dope. Plant a liberal.")
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