Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Obama weighs in...
Here's what the man himself had to say today on the topic that broke the Pickle record for comments in Beamon-esque fashion last week. Just in time, because I'm starting to get confused and emotional about it...
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Barack Obama, July 8:
“Look, let me talk about the broader issue, this whole notion that I am shifting to the center,” he said. “The people who say this apparently haven’t been listening to me.”
Really?
Barack Obama, Feb. 26, accepting the endorsement of Chris Dodd:
"I've been proud to stand with Senator Dodd in his fight against retroactive immunity for the telecommunications industry. Secrecy and special interests must not trump accountability. We must show our citizens -- and set an example to the world -- that laws cannot be ignored when it is inconvenient. Because in America –- no one is above the law."
Barack Obama, January (unaware of exact date):
"Ever since 9/11, this Administration has put forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand.
The FISA court works. The separation of power works. We can trace, track down and take out terrorists while ensuring that our actions are subject to vigorous oversight, and do not undermine the very laws and freedom that we are fighting to defend.
No one should get a free pass to violate the basic civil liberties of the American people -- not the President of the United States, and not the telecommunications companies that fell in line with his warrantless surveillance program. We have to make clear the lines that cannot be crossed. . . . "
Bill Burton, spokesman for Barack Obama, October 24, 2007:
"To be clear: Barack will support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies."
Barack Obama, June 2008:
"The ability to monitor and track individuals who want to attack the United States is a vital counter-terrorism tool, and I'm persuaded that it is necessary to keep the American people safe -- particularly since certain electronic surveillance orders will begin to expire later this summer. Given the choice between voting for an improved yet imperfect bill, and losing important surveillance tools, I've chosen to support the current compromise."
Mr. Obama, we have been listening.
His final statement is full of the same inaccuracies and fear-mongering used by the administration since day one to get this legislation passed: the implication (false) that without this law we won't be able to listen into conversations between terrorists; and the notion (again false) that some key element of FISA is going to expire (its parts of the atrocious Protect American Act that are thankfully set to expire - which OBAMA VOTED AGAINST DURING THE LEAD UP TO THE PRIMARY).
Let me be clear: I will vote for Barack Obama. He is far preferable to McCain on this and other issues. But there is no question: he has completely changed his position on FISA, and he is now including misleading statements in his argumentation. Be confused, Dan. Be afraid. This is NOT the candidate you supported in the primary.
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