Barack Obama: My Position On FISA
- added July 4, 2008
- 45 responses
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- krag2112
- added this
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Senator Obama explains why he is supporting the FISA compromise.
"...I also believe that the compromise bill is far better than the Protect America Act that I voted against last year. The exclusivity provision makes it clear to any president or telecommunications company that no law supersedes the authority of the FISA court. In a dangerous world, government must have the authority to collect the intelligence we need to protect the American people. But in a free society, that authority cannot be unlimited."
"Democracy cannot exist without strong differences. And going forward, some of you may decide that my FISA position is a deal breaker. That's ok. But I think it is worth pointing out that our agreement on the vast majority of issues that matter outweighs the differences we may have. After all, the choice in this election could not be clearer. Whether it is the economy, foreign policy, or the Supreme Court, my opponent has embraced the failed course of the last eight years, while I want to take this country in a new direction. Make no mistake: if John McCain is elected, the fundamental direction of this country that we love will not change."
Link above for the whole article.
"...I also believe that the compromise bill is far better than the Protect America Act that I voted against last year. The exclusivity provision makes it clear to any president or telecommunications company that no law supersedes the authority of the FISA court. In a dangerous world, government must have the authority to collect the intelligence we need to protect the American people. But in a free society, that authority cannot be unlimited."
"Democracy cannot exist without strong differences. And going forward, some of you may decide that my FISA position is a deal breaker. That's ok. But I think it is worth pointing out that our agreement on the vast majority of issues that matter outweighs the differences we may have. After all, the choice in this election could not be clearer. Whether it is the economy, foreign policy, or the Supreme Court, my opponent has embraced the failed course of the last eight years, while I want to take this country in a new direction. Make no mistake: if John McCain is elected, the fundamental direction of this country that we love will not change."
Link above for the whole article.
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I disagree with Obama's position on the FISA bill. But I have to say, it's very refreshing to read his explanation of why he is supporting it. He owns the decision and treats us, the voters, like adults. When is the last time that happened?
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hes pandering to moderate and independent conservatives like myself{see right through it}
he got you guys vote in his pocket no way you would vote for anybody else........right -
Or he actually believes what he said in the article. I know that it's hard for conservatives to believe that a politician can actually say what he means.
It's July, we'll see who gets my vote for in November. Nobody has my vote in their pocket. I'm old enough to know that I won't find I candidate that I agree with 100%. But when you assume that I wouldn't vote for McCain, you're right. Given the state of the country I can't imagine what McStatus Quo could do to get my vote. -
I agree with you Krag, I disagree with his support of the bill but I also understand that there is no candidate that I will agree with all of the time, it's just unrealistic and to a point unfair to expect a candidate to have the same policies/positions that I have.
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Well then the issue is who does agree him? Do any of more his traditional base support this decision? Or instead is his a real belief of his or an attempt to grab moderate voters? ( Is that really what moderates want?)
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That's what's most annoying. This will be my third time being able to vote for a President, though I've been following politics since before I could vote. There's no way you could be all things to everyone...(even though they call him the messiah. He's not mine.) The critics will always be around just waiting for a slip up and the supporters will keep supporting, as long as the candidate of their choice don't betray their trust. Honesty is all I care about. If the Bush administration had that, we wouldn't be in this mess today.
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watch this comment being used hereIt is interesting how the Barack opposition are trying to pigeon-hole him into a niche demographic. They say, 'wait, democrats don't normally approve/support this, he must be flip-flopping. He's just like any other politician' Don't think so. His support for issues that at first seem 'polarizing' (support faith-based initiatives then shortly thereafter disapprove of the same-sex marriage ban) show that he is willing to work with all segments of the American polity.
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- bishopobispo
- 3 months ago
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For those who missed Keith Olbermann's special comment on this issue I recommend a watch.
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Keith Olbermann is the greatest..!!! I couldn't have said it better myself...
I wonder, however, if Obama isn't just playing his cards close to his chest, in order to subdue the present administration riff-raff's objectionable nature...he's certainly not giving them much to cry about...very wise it seems... -
How fitting that this story was posted on the Independence Day. I wonder how many people are going out tonight to celebrate their political party or candidate instead of the country and the ideals in which it was founded. This reminds me of Pelosi and how she objected to an impeachment of the president because she wanted to strengthen the Democratic Party.
A lot of people said that she was just being smart and that when she became speaker of the house she would turn around and do something. So what has a democratic majority in both houses of congress really given us? Is anyone- Republican or Democrat- upholding the constitution? -
Once again our Constitution is trampled upon, but this time it's being done by our own countrymen.
Now I understand why he keeps hyping "change"
This way once he "changes" no on will question it..
Tell a big enough lie long enough and people will believe it...
A sad time in our country's history
Welcome to the United Corporations Of America
Good luck my fellow "workers"
TRIC -
"...As I've said many times, an independent monitor must watch the watchers to prevent abuses and to protect the civil liberties of the American people. This compromise law assures that the FISA court has that responsibility.
The Inspectors General report also provides a real mechanism for accountability and should not be discounted. It will allow a close look at past misconduct without hurdles that would exist in federal court because of classification issues."
"Given the choice between voting for an improved yet imperfect bill, and losing important surveillance tools, I've chosen to support the current compromise. I do so with the firm intention -- once I'm sworn in as president -- to have my Attorney General conduct a comprehensive review of all our surveillance programs, and to make further recommendations on any steps needed to preserve civil liberties and to prevent executive branch abuse in the future..." -
This is a pretty shocking position. FISA needs to be stopped and I figured if anyone was up for the job, it would have been Obama. Why is he sounding more conservative everyday?
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- oneofthree
- 3 months ago
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I first cast a vote for president in 1972 and have voted in every election since. Once in my life I would like to vote for a candidate I can believe in instead of the lesser of two evils. I thought for a minute of two that this might be the election and Obama the candidate.
Guess not! -
Let us not forget that IBM built a big computer for Germany (Hitler) to help them with their Agenda. We should think about that and remember how that turned out. IMMUNITY NO, NEVER.
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- Marilynn_Murray
- 3 months ago
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He kind of walked around the question and he gave him self a little wiggleing room. You could see it as responsible or maybe he just wont answer the question.
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Sigh.... I can't tell you how wonderful it is to read a cogent, logical, simple, clear explanation of why a leader has had to make a difficult decision that won't please everybody. I so can't wait to be proud of my president again... I don't expect to agree with Obama (or anyone) on everything, and I understand that ultimate success is simply a series of compromises that eventually lead us in the right direction. So even though I wish that the telecommunications giants would be held accountable for their unconscionable actions, at least we're closing some of the gaps in the effectiveness of the FISA court.
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If you have principles you vote NO and you don't make excuses. But I'm sure when he states in a nice way that he voted to reinstate the Patriot Act (another oxymoron) for the same BS reasons and then to continue the unitary executive as well because sometimes people disagree, his followers will excuse that too. He is trampling on the Constitution along with the Republicans. He gets no points for delivery of that excuse from me. Making excuses for him only emboldens more abuses. I have had enough sugary sweet excuses from the current band of traitors. I won't tolerate anymore from anyone else. This is why Bush and his minions should have been impeached, because anyone who follows him will think they can do the same and not see accountability for their own actions. And it is sad when this is the best Current can do to put on tv today.
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- JanforGore
- 3 months ago
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Turn back the hands of time to the original FISA bill..? Nooooo, that would just not do...Hold the telecoms accountable..? Noooo, not that either...
When are we going to see accountability..? Obviously, not during this administration...
However, it is important for us to digest a lot of info in a short period of time and make decisions in a split second, these days...let us not fall short of holding our elected officials' feet to the fire...always...to demand accountability...beyond that, I don't care what anybody says, I'll never vote for McSame...I can't possibly take four more years of torture...-
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- PlatoTacius
- 3 months ago
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Typical politician.
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- ctrl_alt_del
- 3 months ago
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I like him less every day.
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- Dmitri_Molotov
- 3 months ago
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At least he's honest, we may not all agree on his voting decision, but at least he's not lying to all of us. I personally feel that we are electing a man that really wants to make the world better for all of us. I'd rather have an honest man I agree with 95% of the time in office than a liar I agree with 30% of the time.
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Obama is playing this perfectly, he and his staff are wily politicians.
FISA was enacted in 1978 in response to “Nixon’s usage of federal resources to spy on political and activist groups, which violates the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.” – see link above
“The Act was amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, primarily to include terrorism on behalf of groups that are not specifically backed by a foreign government.” – see link above
“An overhaul of the bill, the Protect America Act of 2007 was signed into law on August 5, 2007. It expired on February 17, 2008. The FISA Amendments Act of 2008 is currently pending in Congress.” – see link above
“The act was created to provide Judicial and congressional oversight of the government's covert surveillance activities of foreign entities and individuals in the United States, while maintaining the secrecy needed to protect national security. It allowed warrantless surveillance within the United States for up to one year unless the "surveillance will acquire the contents of any communication to which a United States person is a party". If a United States person is involved, judicial authorization was required within 72 hours after surveillance begins.” –see link above
The key to the proposed legislation is that it dismisses any and all civil suits filed, BUT does not dismiss any criminal charges for the companies that cooperated.
Bottomline: as Keith explains, if the current bill passes, Bush can sign the bill and expose the companies that cooperated to legal criminal prosecution, expose himself and his administration to legal criminal prosecution by pardoning the exec of the companies, if prosecuted, thus admitting he broke the law or veto the bill and in his own words “side with the terrorists”. Trapped like a rat in a trap…
Brilliant Machiavellian move Mr. Obama!!
“The Prince” or at least the cliff notes, should help explain more. -
I agree 100%, Argon and Pwdrskir. Thanks for the clarifications...ye with little faith are yet faltering...be strong people...the right-wing will be throwing some humdingers at you to discredit Obama...where do you want to be in '09, with McSames four more years of torture..? They'll do anything to get you there...including telling lies about Obama that will seem real...
Think about what you're thinking...-
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- PlatoTacius
- 3 months ago
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This should have been titled "My position on FISA...for the moment".
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it seems to me that senator obama will do anything to get people on his side. since he has the liberal vote its obvious that he is after the conservative vote and is doing anything to sway them to his side.
i have ignored his passed issues that has flip-flopped on and took conservative views on. i for one am no longer on the obama band wagon. he is so selling his soul. enough is enough.i guess mccain will do just fine since he only wants four years. besides how bad could mccain be if we had bush for 8 years.
MCCAIN '08!!!!-
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- earthluv4u
- 3 months ago
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Do we need FISA? I believe yes. Do I agree with the granting of imunity? No. Where does that leave us when there is a real emergency? If the only way to get this man to sign the legistation was to let him protect his conspiritors, then let him enjoy his moment. I do think we are slowly changing the direction of the disasterous course he has set us on. But will history forgive us for this compromise?
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- bluestranger
- 3 months ago
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