Comments on: More FISA Debate

By: emptywheel

emptywheel — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:56:24 +0000

Yup, that’s part of what i’ve meant all along–Al Qaeda is living in Pakistan, and somehow, Zawahiri can stil send out videotapes from there. Cut off its cables, and Zawahiri loses that ability.

By: Hmmm

Hmmm — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:17:17 +0000

OT - In re. the cable cuts, I notice Mike McConnell testified Tuesday that “Radical elements are now a threat to the survival of Pakistan“. Recall that Pakistan was one of the countries affected by the cut, and that regional internet backbone providers were tending to allocate the limited available service only to commercial accounts, leaving most individuals without connectivity. That might tend to isolate whatever individuals and small groups that might exist inside Pakistan and are being remotely directed via the net, whether from inside Pakistan or outside it.

By: MadDog

MadDog — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:30:12 +0000

Are they able to do it on a really large scale? And do you think they do?

I doubt it, but just in case, let’s make sure we talk a lot and write really, really long emails. *g*

By: alibe50

alibe50 — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:09:09 +0000

I have a question. Does the Government have the capability to record and store all conversations….or almost all? And when they want, they can call up your numbers and listen to you conversations. So when they are out to get someone…for political purposes, they listen to them, or select, conversations to get the dirt on anyone they want. And then they do the same with email. The govt has super computers with the ability to compress and store alot of info. Are they able to do it on a really large scale? And do you think they do?

By: cboldt

cboldt — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:20:01 +0000

but we’re getting the worst of the “move things along towards passage” and the “let’s delay” actions.

Coupled with the “it’s beyond my control” act. Situation normal.

By: selise

selise — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:11:30 +0000

and that is exactly the worry i had last night.

it would be one thing if reid had been delaying fisa in order to prevent passage of a bad bill - but thursday’s UC showed us that is not the case.

it would also be acceptable if reid were hurrying things along in order to give the house time to fix the bill (especially if he and pelosi had agreed to this plan).

but we’re getting the worst of the “move things along towards passage” and the “let’s delay” actions.

i do not have a good feeling about this. been punked too many times already to trust any of the players.

By: cboldt

cboldt — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:06:54 +0000

What happened when cloture was invoked on the motion to proceed to HR 4150? The GOP insisted on staying with that subject for the 30 hours of post-cloture debate.

What might one expect if cloture is invoked to limit debate on final passage of HR 4150 (technically, to limit debate on the substitute amendment)? The Senate will move back to FISA? No way, Jose. This week is economic stimulus week.

FISA gets 6 hours of debate. 10:30 to 4:30 tommorow, then back to economic stimulus.

By: cboldt

cboldt — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:57:07 +0000

so long as the delay is not going to be used by the house leadership as the rational to defang the progressive caucus (being lead on this issue, i think, by rush holt) and pass the senate version

That’s where it seems to be headed from the Senate side. The Senate can stick to HR 4150 until it’s disposed of. All that FISA gets tomorrow is debate from 10:30 to 4:30, no votes. There is no limit on time for debate on final passage - the GOP or Dodd could object to voting on final passage - that’s the cloture motion that I have been looking for.

I will be unsurprised if FISA passage is delayed until next week Tuesday.

By: selise

selise — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:52:31 +0000

well, that’s ok then – so long as the delay is not going to be used by the house leadership as the rational to defang the progressive caucus (being lead on this issue, i think, by rush holt) and pass the senate version – for a repeat of august.

By: cboldt

cboldt — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:48:32 +0000

WRT the absence of a cloture motion on final passage of FISA, I think Reid is setting the stage for faux disappointment, accusations of obstruction, etc. if/when the GOP objects to voting on FISA-related material. He says he hopes that there will be roll call votes on the FISA amendments tomorrow. He has no agreement to vote, just assurance to permit debate. He only expressed HOPE of having votes.