NationStates Jolt Archive

Is he turning around at this late date, or is he just trying to help the Republicans look good for the election.

Bush may allow wiretapping review: Specter

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&u=/nm/20060625/pl_nm/security_eavesdropping_dc_3

Is this progress or a political ploy?

Interesting. Veeeery interesting.

Ploy. Justification for revealing the NSA, who need the secrecy..."Digital Fortress."

bump

Desperate times, hmm?

I'd consider this a major step forward, even if this just is a political ploy.

I don't like your republican party because it has warped religious ideas and interpretations and that they will not budge on aany decision that they make even though most of them are stupid and big-headed.

I love the first sentence:
The White House appears to be leaning toward allowing a secret federal court to look at its controversial warrantless wiretaps, a reversal of previous policy, a top Republican senator said on Sunday.

Regardless of what it means, it made me laugh a little.

I think it's a political ploy, especially given the "secret court" part.

Then again, he did recently sanction that massive environmental sanctuary in the oceans off Hawaii, so maybe he is turning around...but I think we can probably just chalk that one up the the laws of probability. (A thousand President Bushes on typewriters will eventually do something worthwhile).

I don't like your republican party because it has warped religious ideas and interpretations and that they will not budge on aany decision that they make even though most of them are stupid and big-headed.

It is not my Republican party. I am an Independant. :rolleyes:

I think it's a political ploy, especially given the "secret court" part.

Then again, he did recently sanction that massive environmental sanctuary in the oceans off Hawaii, so maybe he is turning around...but I think we can probably just chalk that one up the the laws of probability. (A thousand President Bushes on typewriters will eventually do something worthwhile).

I'd rather chalk it up to the upcoming elections. Bush isn't known for basing policy on public opinion or making policy that earns him kudos, but this recent stuff seems to be a bit of pandering. If he had taken these steps at any other time than now, I'd give him credit. But, his party is on shaky footing and their candidates need Bush policies that they can claim to have supported, and suddenly the President reverses his stance on the FISA court and might be leaning (note how non-commital those three words are) towards using it in wiretapping. I smell election-year policy, and it smells worse than a skunk flattened on the road by a garbage truck.

Is he turning around at this late date, or is he just trying to help the Republicans look good for the election.

Bush may allow wiretapping review: Specter

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&u=/nm/20060625/pl_nm/security_eavesdropping_dc_3

Is this progress or a political ploy?My question is this: under what authority can Bush allow the review? FISA has review power under the law, and the executive has been breaking the law by hiding it from them.

So for that reason, this is just a political ploy. By coming out and saying that he may allow for a review, he's usurping the authority of the FISA court, and if Congress doesn't challenge that authority, then he can rescind it at any time, and since this Congress is Bush's bitch...

I'd rather chalk it up to the upcoming elections. Bush isn't known for basing policy on public opinion or making policy that earns him kudos, but this recent stuff seems to be a bit of pandering. If he had taken these steps at any other time than now, I'd give him credit. But, his party is on shaky footing and their candidates need Bush policies that they can claim to have supported, and suddenly the President reverses his stance on the FISA court and might be leaning (note how non-commital those three words are) towards using it in wiretapping. I smell election-year policy, and it smells worse than a skunk flattened on the road by a garbage truck.

And usually I would chalk something like this up to the elections too, but Americans as a whole don't focus a ton on environmental issues, and I have a feeling Bush and the Republicans won't be pointing to their environmental record as a reason for re-election, even a little.

It is just a political ploy, just like everything else the goverment does.

It is not my Republican party. I am an Independant. :rolleyes:
Independent Independent or Rush Limbaugh Independent?

Independent Independent or Rush Limbaugh Independent?

The former. I gave up on Rush a long time ago.

The former. I gave up on Rush a long time ago.
Methinks you do not understand my question.

And usually I would chalk something like this up to the elections too, but Americans as a whole don't focus a ton on environmental issues, and I have a feeling Bush and the Republicans won't be pointing to their environmental record as a reason for re-election, even a little.

That's why I focused on the FISA court. The oceanic reserve is something I'm not quite up on, but previously Bush has only shown interest in dealing with enviromentalists when they oppose something he's planning, like drilling in the Alaskan Reserve. To set aside a reserve like that is a surprising move, especially since, as you said, Americans don't pay much attention to enviromental issues. I don't recall any campaign or lead up to the reserve, meaning this probably sat on the docket for approval until the Pesident got around to it, and his timing in signing the bill is what makes me suspect a ploy.

Methinks you do not understand my question.
About a month or two ago, Celtlund went the "a pox on both your houses" route when it comes to the major parties, and he's been hunting around for a new home. My guess is he'll wind up in either the Libertarian or Constitution or Natural Law parties, if he doesn't go back to the Republicans.

About a month or two ago, Celtlund went the "a pox on both your houses" route when it comes to the major parties, and he's been hunting around for a new home. My guess is he'll wind up in either the Libertarian or Constitution or Natural Law parties, if he doesn't go back to the Republicans.
I was aware of that. I'm just saying that he doesn't understand what a "Rush Limbaugh Independent" is.

About a month or two ago, Celtlund went the "a pox on both your houses" route when it comes to the major parties, and he's been hunting around for a new home. My guess is he'll wind up in either the Libertarian or Constitution or Natural Law parties, if he doesn't go back to the Republicans.

Keep your eye on me, the elections are coming up. I'll let you know how it comes out, but I very serously doubt I'll go with the Green Party. Never heard of the Natural Law or Constitution parties. Thanks, I'll google them up and check them out.

they probably realised they can wiretap without federal courts even realising it, so they can "clean up" before the next election and continue to do the same thing... he's broken the law once and got away without much noise. he'll probably break it again if he feels that he can get away with it.

or they can start getting permissions with a "secret federal court" and public opinion won't even know about it, while believing their rights are protected... who chooses the federal judge anyway? isn't it the president? if it's secret, how would you know the wiretapping is legitimate and fair?

be wise... don't let him throw more sand into your eyes....

i love the way justice and politics are becoming ever more shrouded in secrecy in the US these days...

if the republican party wins the next elections, i'm starting my own terrorist group; the Pie Throwing Army :D

I was aware of that. I'm just saying that he doesn't understand what a "Rush Limbaugh Independent" is.

No I do not. I just figured it was someone who was to the right of the Republicans. :p

This isn't a political ploy for elections. This is a political ploy to avoid impeachment.

No I do not. I just figured it was someone who was to the right of the Republicans. :p
It's someone who claims to be an Independent, but is actually registered in another political party.

I don't like your republican party because it has warped religious ideas and interpretations and that they will not budge on aany decision that they make even though most of them are stupid and big-headed.
Thats true, a person in real life who doesn't change their views no matter what happened would be called an idiot, in republican politics he would be a strong leader.

Well, it's both progress and shameless political toolage. This brings the total to.... three, I believe, on the Stuff-Bush-Did-That-Is-Actually-Good-O-Meter, the other two being the other 'bush does something good' thread, and the National Do-Not-Call list.