The Difference Between Sane and Insane

Hey folks,

I was going to post this a couple of days ago, but got sidetracked with the Tony Snow Press conference. I still love the way he handled the questions. Anyway, I still want to put this out there, so maybe, finally, you can see what I mean about not all Dems are LWL, and not all are nuts. Unfortunately the leadership is.

A couple of days ago, we observed the sixth anniversary of 9-11. The following are some comments about that, and what SOME are doing to ensure that it does not happen again. Through all this, I actually met a Democrat, that I would like to learn more about. More on that in a second. Here you go. First up? Screaming Howard Dean.

"On the sixth anniversary of September 11, we honor those who were killed in those tragic attacks, the family and friends who still grieve their loss, and the survivors who continue to suffer. On that day, our country and our world changed forever. Today, Democrats also renew our commitment to fighting the real war on terror. Six years after the attacks, we are not as safe as we should be. We remain committed to fighting al Qaeda where they are and implementing policies that make our country safer and more secure."

Well, that’s GREAT. They are in Iraq. We are, to quote the President, “Kicking their ass.” so STOP trying to force surrender.

Then you have this genius. Traitor and LWL member Pelosi on September 10.

"Tomorrow, New Yorkers, Americans, and people around the world will look to New York City and to this hallowed ground as they pause and remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001

Six years ago, terrorists attacked New York City because this city embodies the hopes and dreams of America. It is a place that pulsates with economic vitality and international culture. It is a community that values diversity and tolerance. And it is a city of progress and of the future.

I have been here before privately and publicly many times, and what I have seen here today with my own eyes is dazzling. The goal of terrorism is to instill fear, and with this rebuilding, the message New York is sending is that the terrorists have failed.

Progress, diversity, enterprise. These are the values that our attackers despise but that Americans embrace. And these are the strengths that will at long last defeat the radical philosophy inspired by al Qaeda and bring a measure of peace to the world.

Today, I can report that we have made progress in better protecting America from another attack. Under this new Congress, we passed legislation to finally implement the bipartisan 9/11 Commission recommendations to strengthen homeland security and ensure that funding is directed to cities that face the greatest threat, such as New York. The 9/11 Commission recommendations are now law and America will be safer because of it.

I want to thank the families of 9/11 victims who put their grief into action, and we will continue to deliver for the victims for 9/11. By passing the 9/11 Commission recommendations, the New Direction Congress did in six months what previous Congresses failed to do for almost six years. With this new law, we honored our solemn responsibility to protect and defend the American people. The enactment of the 9/11 Commission recommendations fundamentally alters the way America confronts terrorism and homeland security -- making our response more unified and effective. The new law closes loopholes and weaknesses that terrorist seek to exploit and that have left Americans vulnerable. And thanks to this legislation, federal funding for homeland security will now be focused on areas at greatest risk for attack -- such as New York City.

And as we remember the victims, we must also rededicate ourselves to caring for the rescue, recovery, and rebuilding workers from all across this country who sacrificed their own personal safety and health. Following a briefing with Mayor Bloomberg earlier today, I pledged to the Mayor that I will work with him and Members of the New York congressional delegation on legislation to do justice for all Americans who were victims of the World Trade Center attacks.

To those who risked their lives, I say, 'Thank you, we owe you more than you have received. You have challenged our conscience we are prepared to meet that challenge.' We want to document what these needs are and present a sustainable, positive proposal for how we go forward.

Again, I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg and the New York Congressional delegation for their outstanding leadership. Just as we worked hard this year in Congress to finally put the 9/11 Commission's work to use, we will work to see that New York City and those who responded in the city's time of need receive the assistance that they deserve."

Ain’t that sweet? Really. You would never know that she is also attempting to cause the defeat of our military fighting the terrorists. You would never know that she is trying to strip the President of his Commander and Chief Constitutionally provided role. You would not know that she called the leader of this battle a liar and puppet. {Sigh} But we DO KNOW.

Now for the more sane. Here is someone I need to get to know better. I’ll admit, I never heard of her before. Not with any consistency. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) released this statement in observance of the sixth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"September 11, 2001 was a moment in history that forever changed the lives of our citizens and our country. After six years of anger, grief, loss, and vulnerability we continue to press on by rebuilding our communities and renewing our spirits. The greatest way we can honor the memories of the 3,000 who died on that tragic day is to ensure the safety our Nation today. That is why I am proud to have been a co-sponsor of H.R.1, the new security bill signed into law by President Bush on August 3, 2007, which finally enacts the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

This legislation provides a myriad of measures which will strengthen the safety of our Nation and keep our country's families safe, including accelerating the installation of advanced (in-line) electronic explosive screening systems for checked baggage at airports throughout the United States, improving explosive detection at passenger screening checkpoints at airports, and provides that homeland security grants be allocated primarily on the basis of risk. This legislation takes aggressive steps to better prevent terrorist travel authorizing more than $4 billion over the next four years to improve the security of mass transit, rail, and buses. Additionally, it promises to improve the security of our critical infrastructure -- such as our dams, our bridges, our power grids, and our telecommunications systems, and strengthens intelligence and information sharing with local law enforcement, including strengthening state and local intelligence fusion centers.

I am proud to have supported the passage the 9/11 bill which is one of the most paramount pieces of legislation enacted by the 110th Congress. We must ensure the safety of our Nation's citizens and make certain that the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001 are never repeated. May we continue to remember those families who lost loved ones during this heartbreaking event at this time six years ago and pray that they find comfort and strength."

Here is what I found out about her. Currently in her fifth term in office, the Congresswoman, a strong advocate for many issues, has championed wealth building and economic development, access and delivery of health care, and quality education for all. The Congresswoman chairs the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics). Additionally, she serves on the powerful Ways and Means Committee and is an active member of numerous Congressional Caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus.

Now I haven’t had time to look into her voting record, ETC, but just from this statement, I’m now curious. Of course, if you know no better, Pelosi sounded good here also. So I’m interested in learning more about Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH).

Then of course, one of my favorites, House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.)

"September 11th is a day to honor and celebrate the lives of those who were lost, and reflect on the depraved and cowardly way in which they were taken from us. It's a day to be grateful for our freedoms, thankful for our security, and respectful of the personal sacrifices that have been made to defend them both.

Generations will remember the 11th of September by recalling where they were that morning, and with whom they sat as our history was being violently reshaped before their very eyes. Six years removed from that day -- a morning of shock, despair, and peerless heroism -- we must also remember the lessons that were learned and the determination that we had to make sure these events never happened again. As Americans, we must never let the passage of time erode our respect for this day, and as a Congress, we must never lose sight of our commitment to keep Americans safe."

Absolutely!

Now talking about HR1. I was asked what I thought of this. I think it is a good bill. Overall that is. But I did have some questions. I sent my feelings onto Senator Martinez who send me this reply.

Dear Mr. Carlock:

Thank you for contacting me regarding foreign intelligence surveillance. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978 provided the U.S. intelligence community with a framework to regulate the collection of electronic surveillance on foreign intelligence targets, while protecting the Constitutional civil liberties of U.S. citizens. FISA was written to distinguish between the collection of information on a physical wire versus collection of signals broadcast in the open air. In 1978, almost all U.S. domestic calls were on a wire and almost all international communications were transmitted via satellites through the air. Therefore, FISA required all U.S. intelligence agencies to obtain a court order to intercept a wire-to-wire communication or any communication transmitted domestically. FISA, however, did not require court orders to intercept and collect wireless communications outside the United States.

Since the passage of FISA in 1978, there have been many advancements in communication technology, such as the internet, email, and cell phones, which has led to complex global communication systems. Due to these technological advancements, a foreign intelligence target's communications can be routed through the U.S., even though the target and all parties in the communication are located outside of the U.S. Under the 1978 law, intelligence agencies must obtain a court order to intercept these forms of communication because at one point or another, it has "entered" the U.S. Such technological advancements illustrate why FISA as passed in 1978 has become out-dated to meet the needs of the intelligence community.

The Protect America Act of 2007 (S. 1927) updates FISA to make its provisions more technologically-neutral, so that as communication technology develops, the legal framework governing foreign intelligence surveillance does not become obsolete. While S. 1927 changes certain provisions in relation to communication surveillance, this law does not remove the requirements for U.S. intelligence agencies to obtain judicial approval in order to collect communications of persons located in the U.S. On August 3, 2007, I joined my Senate colleagues in voting for S. 1927, which passed by a vote of 60 to 28. This bill was subsequently passed by the House of Representatives, and was signed into law by the President on August 5, 2007.

We must remember we are at war with a ruthless enemy that has no regard for human life and exploits the openness of our society to harm us at home and abroad. I believe S. 1927 is a necessary update to FISA in order for us to continue to protect ourselves from these threats. However, having experienced life under a totalitarian regime, I value our Constitutional civil liberties, and I will continue to protect these rights as your Senator.

Thank you very much for sharing your concerns. Do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or comments you may have. For more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at my website.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

Like I said, it is overall a good bill, now law. But there still has to be some protections in it to make sure that ANY President, at any time, can abuse it. Looks like that is in there.

So you see folks, working in a Bipartisan way CAN get things done. Novel concept.

Well, there you have it folks. The difference in looniness and sanity. You really can be a Democrat and be sane. It really is possible. As long as you are not infected with BDS.

Quick reminder, I will NOT be here tomorrow, Saturday September 15,2007, or any Saturday after that. See you Sunday, have a great weekend.
Peter

Sources:
DNC
Office of the Speaker of the House
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Senator Mel Martinez