Sen. Amy Stands Firm On FISA

Sen. Klobuchar took a lot of heat for her position to extend the old FISA law while the FISA Amendments Act of 2007 was being drafted.

She continued; "I believe it was what we needed to do at the time. We take these votes that won't make everyone happy, but people have to understand my main focus here is to balance the need for getting the information and civil liberties. And I do think there is a much better way to do that."

She did make it clear that the permanent legislation WILL have to go through the Senate Judiciary committee, unlike the temporary extension. She also stated she will not vote for an additional extension, placing the pressure on Congress and the administration to get a permanent piece of legislation in place.

Over the past week or so, that permanent legislation was being formulated and tweaked. The various issues with FISA are confusing, and only the wonkiest of wonks could follow it with any sense of understanding. Sen. Amy consistently sided with the Democratic Senators concerned about the direction the FISA rewrite was going, in an attempt to clean up and fix the version. And in the end, when those attempt were not successful, there was no choice but to vote against the bill.

The Final Vote lists those senators who had the courage to stand up to the gutting of our freedoms, and those that cowered under the scare tactics of this administration.

Soon we will have competence in the White House, and the 8 year of adolescence will be replaced with grown-ups who will have the citizens in mind, not their own personal special interests. Int he meant time, it is comforting to know Senators like Amy Klobuchar will stand and be heard.

Thank you, Senator!! It is sincerely appreciated.

Flash

UPDATE: I want to be clear, the fight is not over. The Senate version not travels to the House, where cooler minds and clearer heads may just fix this thing yet. But there is only one way to make that happen. Contact your Congress Members and let them know you re not ready to give up your privacy right to corporate conglomerates and unchecked administrations. Ollie has the details:

Firedoglake is also offering an opportunity to remind him of that discussion; the group blog has posted a petition Tell House Members to Stand Firm Behind the RESTORE Act!

Oh, in case you are wondering why this is so important. FDL has the answer:

The US Constitution and the principle that no one is above the law suffered a numbing setback, Tuesday, when every Republican Senator, Independent Joe Lieberman and 18 faux Democrats voted to gut the Constitution's Fourth Amendment, one of the most important bulwarks again tyrannical government since 1789. The Senate voted 68 - 29 to ratify the President's massive illegal spying program and provide immunity for the telecoms who invaded the privacy of millions of innocent Americans.

The Fourth Amendment has been handed down to us unchanged for over two centuries:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Almost none of that is left if today's bill stands.