I'm sorry I'm late getting this up, but I had to be away for part of the afternoon. Here's Rockefeller's press release. Please come back here tomorrow for a post-mortem and next steps; the Roots Project bloggers (Glenn Greenwald, Jane Hamsher, John Amato, and others) and I already are at work on a response (including local action to make Snowe and Hagel pay some price for their abrogation of their oath to the Constitution). We're not done -- not by a long shot -- so please keep coming back. (You also can subscribe to email updates via the link to the right.)
OK, Rockefeller's press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2006
VICE CHAIRMAN ROCKEFELLER'S REACTION TO SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE ACTION TODAY
Washington, DC - Today, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence rejected the Vice Chairman's proposal to conduct a thorough review of the NSA warrantless spying program. The Vice Chairman, Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, has argued for months that the full committee must provide sufficient oversight in order to ensure that the program is constitutional, legal and effective.
The following is Senator Rockefeller's remarks:
"Today was an important day. There was a lot at stake for our country and all Americans, but my Republican colleagues would prefer to operate in the dark.
"Without knowing all the facts, I fear that any proposed legislation could have the unintended effect of jeopardizing the potential effectiveness of the program, while at the same time granting the President unfettered authority.
"Make no mistake about it, this program has the potential to be a valuable tool in the war on terror. But, it has to be done within the law, it has to have proper congressional oversight and it has to withstand judicial scrutiny.
"Last week, I spent six and half hours at the NSA going over the answers to 450 legal and operational questions I submitted. It was important for me to gain a more complete knowledge of the program and it was important for me to share with my colleagues the relevant questions we should be answering.
"As one of the few members of Congress who have been briefed on this program, I can honestly say the worst mistake we could make at this juncture is to legislate or attempt to amend FISA without having all the facts."
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4 comments:
This is not the end, I hope, rather the oversight pannel will quickly see that:
A> The american people won't stand for this.
B> That Bushco did commit multiple thousands acts of illegal crimes
The tunnel around novemeber of this year is drawing close. Then well see. Either that, or some sort of god forbid Terriorist Attack that will see us into a Dictatorship.
No, this isn't the end; we're not summer soldiers. We gave Rove and Frist a MUCH closer shave than they expected, and they are going to pay a political price that, absent our efforts, they wouldn't have had to pay. And we built our network; every one of these battles makes us stronger. Seriously.
I'm not at all pessimistic; we're up against a tough team and I never thought winning would be easy.
That being said, I'm going to go get a beer now. I hope to see all of you here tomorrow, fresh, rested and ready to kick some ass.
agreed
br3n
Hi guys.. - FYI - http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2006/03/07/124354-support-builds-for-spy-program-proposal
repub already off AP, timed 7.32EST
heads down, keep doing, and on with the good work
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