In case you somehow missed it, the Democrats in the Senate caved yesterday to a president that less than 1 in 4 citizens actually likes. I've written so much about this over the past few months that I rally don't know what else there is to say. And no matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll be able to say it much better than this:
Or this from Hilzoy:
I hate, hate, hate the FISA bill. I hate, hate, hate that Obama voted for it and its cloture motion. The fact that he voted for the three amendments (1, 2, 3) is some consolation, but not nearly enough.
(McCain didn't even show up. The last time he voted in the Senate was on April 8.)I've been trying to think of something more interesting to say about this, but I seem to be out of words. Though in case anyone is interested in my take on the 'punish him?' question, I will do whatever I can to help him get elected. Heck, I maxed out for Kerry, and he was a much worse candidate. I will also devote some energy to electing better Congresspeople, and keep trying to convince people that this matters. In the long run, a citizenry who care enough about the Bill of Rights that this vote would have been a political disaster is the best guarantee I can think of that this will not happen again. Madison did not count on the virtues of politicians, and neither do I.
One day the truth will come out about all this, and when it does, it will all come as no surprise. The NSA and FBI will continue spying on Americans. A program that began in the name of "national security" will gradually expand to investigate all manner of activity, both legal and illegal. Eventually someone will get caught, and everyone will act all appalled. Legal reforms will be passed, and for a few years they will be followed, but eventually another President will decide that new threats and new problems require that the constitution and the law be ignored. And why not? With the precedent set yesterday, there's no reason whatsoever to fear accountability.
One small prediction: conservatives will come to rue this day far sooner than liberals. Assuming that I am right about a coming Democratic realignment, when these powers are abused it will be the left using them to suppress the right. I take no pleasure in making this promise - my loyalty is to the constitution and the rights it was designed to protect, and not to any group or political party.
And that leads to one final point: This fight isn't over. The constitution is the supreme law of the land, one that no act of congress can amend. Yesterday's actions are in direct violation of the Fourth Amendment. This fight is not over.
UPDATE: Must read from Jack Balkan
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