"If Obama was a leftist/Marxist/neo-communist, he would ask for repeal of the Patriot Act.This just proves he's a centrist weasel."
Funny, and pretty good. I was going to say to the DR righties that this should help lay to rest the myth that Obama is a far left kinda guy. The far left in America wants the PATRIOT Act GONE.
My friend who has read the act in detail (sounds like the opening to an urban legend), is a constitutional scholar, and who is both to the left of me (at heart) and more pragmatic (in reality) suggests that there are good and bad things in the Act. He says that much of it is valuable security stuff that doesn't interfere with civil liberties (I believe he means there are checks, like FISA has checks). I haven't read all of it, and I trust this friend. So I think I have to wait and see. If the Obama admin is really going to take a serious look and explore issues with Congress, well, good. It's not that the whole thing needs to go, but stuff like the library records issue make me _very_ uncomfortable. It's a slippery slope. We don't have search-and-seizure rules because we don't want drug dealers caught; we have them because we don't want those in power to be able to do whatever they want (founding fathers, totalitarian monarchy, etc.) to us whenever they want. If probable cause is built in and enforced, I have little difficulty with records checks.
Oh, and btw, my understanding of the FISA controversy is that it's not wiretapping that people take issue with; it's _warrantless_ wiretapping. That Bush didn't follow the provisions and protocols. Clinton was good at blowing it off, then sending lawyers down to argue it the next day? A nuance, right, but a good point. If you can use the system, game it a little, and get what you need but within the law, that's different from saying "Fuck you" to the whole process and to accountability. Isn't it? (I dunno for sure. Just kickin' the idea around.)
And of course, rightwingers, you were warned. This doesn't make abuses by this leader acceptable, if there are abuses, but Jesus, there was this common argument: If you let Bush and this rightwing administration do it, when the power shifts, as it will, the new president will be unlikely to give up that power... And now look.
Of course, if I go all the way with that, I get more pissed at the guy I voted for. But as I say, now I get to watch. (Damn, but I wish I had more time to read and follow this stuff! Maybe I need to live down at the liberry.)
