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 ...
I regret that Robert Byrd was elected and remains a US Senator.
We're even.
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!
Woulda coulda shoulda, sheet boy.
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.
He voted for it before he regretted it. Ha,ha,heh.heh
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.
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.
-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.
Yeah he regrets his vote... he also probably goes home and stares at his lilly white bedsheets and reminisces...
/evil grin.
Agree. However, a lot more people know they are lies than ever before. It's OK...
How very true. I hope the voters of WVA wake up and dump this old man for a real American.
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!
I regret Byrd ran for senate.
I regret that "Sheets" Byrd is in the United States Senate!!
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