Posted on 02/09/2011 3:09:10 AM PST by broken_arrow1
It was the Congressional version of never count your chickens before they're hatched.
And when you do on Capitol Hill, you can sometimes lose a vote.
The newly-minted House Republican leadership botched a vote Tuesday night when it presumed it had the necessary support to reauthorize the Patriot Act, the anti-terrorism law imposed after September 11th.
The GOP expected little trouble with the bill. So Republicans brought the Patriot Act to the floor under a special procedure that requires a two-thirds vote for passage. It's a maneuver that's typically reserved for non-controversial legislation or bills that carry wide support.
Renewing that Patriot Act had certainly had wide support. 277 members voted in favor of the measure compared to just 148 nays.
But that's short of the two-thirds supermajority. Which means the House defeated the bill.
With 425 members voting, 284 yea votes were necessary to cross the two-thirds threshold for passage. 26 Republicans voted against renewing the law.
Democrats opposed to the Patriot Act were gleeful at the GOP miscalculation.
"Look at the ‘Don't Tread on Me flag.' It doesn't say don't tread on me, but it's okay if you spy," said Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), one of the most ardent opponents of the Patriot Act. "What the Republican leadership didn't count on is that they have some new members who are freshmen who are conservative, libertarian, who really do believe in civil liberties."
Eight Republicans whom the GOP regards as freshmen voted against the reauthorization. That's precisely the number of yea votes Republicans needed to pass the bill.
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) used to set the schedule when Democrats were in the majority and is familiar with floor meltdowns like the one Tuesday night.
But despite the misstep, Republicans blamed Democrats for the defeat.
(Excerpt) Read more at politics.blogs.foxnews.com ...
Many Freepers are all for govt intrusion when it comes to drug testing...
So, are you saying that you think it is ok for people using illegal drugs to come feed at the public trough?
Thanks for illustrating my point...
As far as the point on drug testing for unemployment...
Point...the USSC has ruled twice...the legislators in LA and NC cannot be drug tested as it is a voilation of the 4th amendment rights...
Thus....they are not subject to the same law they MAKE...
Do you need to read up on “the Rule of Law”?
Here:
Rule of Law: The Great Foundation of Our Constitution
http://www.firstprinciplesjournal.com/articles.aspx?article=1434&loc=r
Quote:
A principle that itself is quite old and long predates the United States, the rule of law is the general concept that government as well as the governed are subject to the law and that all are to be equally protected by the law.
The Black robes have decreed that the law makers...are not subject to the law they make.
It’s already been tried with welfare too and been shot down several times by the federal courts...
Drug testing is just for the production class....the “proles”...
Those on top and bottom are exempt.
Why this sits well with many freepers is beyond me...
In the war on drugs I side with William F Buckley.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_-dtU_esJ8
So here’s the thread if you want to take it up:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2670350/posts
I’ve already taken this thread off topic enough.
I do find the it ironic that people who are almost militant about their E-mail , will pee in a cup on command.
*shakes head*
Know what?...
This is as pointless as trying to argue with a 9/11 truther...
I concede....you are correct...
The Patriot act hasnt stopped anything...it’s usless and an invasion of privacy.
The libtards and Jihadists are not hanging from the rafters celebration...
The sky is truely green.
I will take solace in the fact that I do not live in a major population center.
We can all ...or at least most of us...can revist this thread when the time comes...
The time will come.
His faith in the ruling class to be just in their application of such extreme power over us simply enables the framework of a police state to be established because of the fear that something might happen. “Greater good” and all that...
Thanks for not answering my simple question.
The time will come sooner if they continue to focus on the wrong people.
Just how many of your rights will you give up to be ‘safe’?
Who's “we”?
I live as far from the mexican border as I can get with out going to Canada for a damn reason.
And...so what?
So screw it?
It saddens me to see that 9/11 wasnt enough....it really is going to take a mass casualty to really put people on war footing... Few people squawked about the Govt opening mail when we were fighting the Nazi's and the Imperial Japanese.
The time will come sooner if they continue to focus on the wrong people.
Just how many of your rights will you give up to be ‘safe’?
Perhaps you can start by listing the rights I supposedly already gave up...
Lets go with your premis...
List the rights please.
I think our best bet is to stop screwing with other countries, quit this American Imperium BS and engage in commerce. It’s the fed gov’s job to protect our borders and our rights, not to use the terrorist booga booga to rape and pillage our liberty and our treasure for the benefit of their wall street buddies.
Yep...so much for supporting the troops...now they are Obama’s troops...
They are now all magicallty Oh-dumba’s faithful foot soldiers...
Spare me the tinfoil FEMA camp stuff Ok?
What do you think they are going to do with 80 million gun owners?
Round us up?
“Perhaps you can start by listing the rights I supposedly already gave up...”
How about I start with the one you listed; to be free from unreasonable searches.
You like playing that game don’t you. The USG KNEW Osama was targeting the US and they knew one of the methods he was considering was the use of civilian airliners. The USG even had a list of possible targets.
What the govt failed to do was act on the intelligence they had in their hands.
I prefer not to live in a police state. The FBI has already proven they cannot be trusted on a myriad of occasions.
Now why don’t you provide a single example of how searching my emails to my mom will help to stop an attack on the United States. Just one please.
Gee...they are saying the same exact thing over on DU...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4726183
Might want to re-think that one...
Communists love a police state.
******************************
kroll
Since Jul 23, 2009
It’s a simple question for most people....they are all to willing to forgo the rule of law when it suits their agenda.
It SHOULD be self evident in light of USSC rulings...
A case where many conservtives will gladly trade liberty for a little job security...
The 4th Amendment applies to us all equally...some are just a little more equal...
When the people are subject to laws that the politcial class create ,there is tyrrany.
So now I’m a !@#$ communist?
Because I want the Govt to have every tool necessary to stop another 9/11?
That’s your retort?
Seriously?
How many "terrorists" have we captured in Afganistan and Iraq only to let them go from Gitmo, and then have them resurface fighting jihad against America once again? A number of about 25% comes to mind.
Here’s what you said:
QUOTE:
His faith (meaning me) in the ruling class to be just in their application of such extreme power over us simply enables the framework of a police state to be established because of the fear that something might happen. “Greater good” and all that...
Like I said...tinfoil CRAP.
Your position reminds me of the gun control argument “if it saves only 1 life it will be worth it” but at what cost in terms of Liberty?
I CARRY dumbass...I’’m also a certified pistol instructor...
I dont leave my house unamred...
The statists in D.C. have more power of us than any 7th century throwbacks plotting in a cave and yet for some reason you have no problem giving the ruling elite more authority over us thinking they’ll only exercise in our best interest.
The muslim brotherhood isnt hiding in a cave.
They are operating right here out in the open...
Gee...you think we should survail them?
Nah...
They’ll never abuse their powers with the Patriot Act like they never abused their powers with RICO or anything else. Yeah, right.
Police states may be secure but they sure as hell ain’t free.
What kind of “police state” allows 80 million of it’s citizens to legally own some 200 million weapons and carry them around on the streets??
Winning
The
Future
Sheesh...when you start describing America as a police state your off into la la land...
Hell..half the time they dont even show up WHEN YOU CALL THEM.
And when they do...they shoot your dog.
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