The New York Times reports today that congressional Democrats are ready
to expand the government’s legal wiretap program.
"Although willing to oppose the White House on the Iraq war, they remain
nervous that they will be called soft on terrorism if they insist on
strict curbs on gathering intelligence." A Democratic bill to be
proposed on Tuesday in the House would maintain for several years the
type of broad, blanket authority for N.S.A. eavesdropping that the
administration secured in August for six months," reported Eric
Lichtblau and Carl Hulse in Tuesday’s NYT.
Experts cite the fact that Democrats are fearful they may be perceived
as weak on terrorism, as the motivation for their willingness to toss
basic citizens rights.
Many rank and file voters in the Midwest are asking, "If the Republicans
stand for greed, heartlessness, and their very own brand of chickenhawk
hypocrisy, then what exactly do the Democrats stand for?" Apparently
they stand for submission, empty threats, and a certain
conscience-bothering dicklessness that seems to appeal to people who
speak in talking points.
The dynamism of American politics remains both puzzling and nauseating.