Powet Struggle
(yes, I know it says "Powet")
The Senate rejected the proposal to make the PATRIOT Act permanent.
Before anyone gets all up in arms, the provisions don't expire until Dec. 31st of this year, which means there's still time to get a compromise through. I reiterate that those opposed (a bi-partisan group, by the way) only oppose it in its current form and simply want more time to come to a better compromise. The White House already gave up on the torture bill, so maybe this is gonna be the tit-for-tat? They'll be unlikely to back down from their position, despite a new report that shows the provisions have already been abused by the President (It's worth noting here that the priniciple argument for permanent authorization was that the admittedly far-reaching provisions would NEVER be used inappropriately. I feel justified not trusting that bit of politicking).
So what's the big problem? Bill Frist, who is opposed to another temporary extension, actually voted WITH the opposition. Why would he do that? So he can force a vote again any time between now and the end of the year. Maybe he feels he has a mandate since the House passed it so overwhelmingly. Maybe he feels it's worth sacrificing some freedoms for "security" to ensure those freedoms. Maybe he's not aware of the definition of "irony".
According to White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, they are perfectly happy to allow the provisions to expire if they're going to be able to stick it to the Democrats (and only the Democrats) in the 2006 elections. Never mind it's a bi-partisan oppposition. Never mind that NO ONE in the senate is interested in throwing out this legislation (although they obviously would rather it expire than be permanently passed in this form). Never mind that the reticence of the large majority is what's REALLY going to cause the provisions to expire. And those same people are going to blame someone else for their own political gain. That's called "spin", my friends, and even with an approval rating in the low 30s, I do believe that far too many people will believe it.
Looks like the Senate's in for a long December.
~Away!!
The Senate rejected the proposal to make the PATRIOT Act permanent.
Before anyone gets all up in arms, the provisions don't expire until Dec. 31st of this year, which means there's still time to get a compromise through. I reiterate that those opposed (a bi-partisan group, by the way) only oppose it in its current form and simply want more time to come to a better compromise. The White House already gave up on the torture bill, so maybe this is gonna be the tit-for-tat? They'll be unlikely to back down from their position, despite a new report that shows the provisions have already been abused by the President (It's worth noting here that the priniciple argument for permanent authorization was that the admittedly far-reaching provisions would NEVER be used inappropriately. I feel justified not trusting that bit of politicking).
So what's the big problem? Bill Frist, who is opposed to another temporary extension, actually voted WITH the opposition. Why would he do that? So he can force a vote again any time between now and the end of the year. Maybe he feels he has a mandate since the House passed it so overwhelmingly. Maybe he feels it's worth sacrificing some freedoms for "security" to ensure those freedoms. Maybe he's not aware of the definition of "irony".
According to White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, they are perfectly happy to allow the provisions to expire if they're going to be able to stick it to the Democrats (and only the Democrats) in the 2006 elections. Never mind it's a bi-partisan oppposition. Never mind that NO ONE in the senate is interested in throwing out this legislation (although they obviously would rather it expire than be permanently passed in this form). Never mind that the reticence of the large majority is what's REALLY going to cause the provisions to expire. And those same people are going to blame someone else for their own political gain. That's called "spin", my friends, and even with an approval rating in the low 30s, I do believe that far too many people will believe it.
Looks like the Senate's in for a long December.
~Away!!