As an Obama supporter, I have to say the Senator massively disappointed me today with his craven capitulation on warrantless surveillance and amnesty for law-breaking telecoms.
His vote was a betrayal of numerous campaign promises.
I had thought more of him and feel naive now for having believed him earlier.
If you value the Fourth Amendment more than Senator Obama seems to, here's a link to Strange Bedfellows, a new organization dedicated to preventing unchecked government power and preserving the Fourth Amendment. I've already signed up.
All you Obama supporters: Is this enough of a slap in your face to wake you up?
Contrast your candidate with Ralph Nader:
Telecom Immunity
Here's a transcript:
Good morning.
This is Ralph Nader.
Today is Wednesday July 9, 2008.
And I'm listening now to the debate on the Senate floor over legislation that will give President Bush new warrantless eavesdropping powers.
The bill will also grant immunity to telecom companies for cooperating with Mr. Bush in his illegal warrantless wiretapping on Americans--on any one of you.
We were taught as young children that in our democracy, under our system of justice, nobody is above the law--nobody.
But this bill puts the President and the telecom companies above the law.
It also conveniently assures a coverup of Mr. Bush's past crimes in this area--of wiretapping and surveillance.
On the Senate floor, Senator Feingold has just warned his colleagues that the Senate "will regret that we passed this legislation."
As my home state Senator, Christopher Dodd, said:
"If we pass this legislation, the Senate will ratify a domestic spying regime that has already concentrated far too much unaccountable power in the President's hands and will place the telecommunications companies above the law."
What does it say that Senators Dodd, Feingold, Harry Reid, and Patrick Leahy have led the valiant fight against this bill, but Senator Obama has said he will vote for it?
Again, this bill gives the President vast new warrantless eavesdropping powers and allows the government--for the first time ever--to tap into America's telecommunications networks with no judicial warrant requirement.
President Bush and the Democrats who support him argue that the telecommunications companies were only doing what they were told by the President and were acting as "patriotic corporate citizens."
This is pure hogwash.
First of all, corporations aren't citizens.
Second, the President can't order anyone--citizens or corporations--to break the law.
This legislation, which the Senate is debating right now, sets up a double standard of justice.
Break the law as a citizen, go to jail.
Break the law as a corporation, go to Washington and get immunity.
Remember, there were telecom companies, such as Qwest, that refused to follow President Bush's illegal wiretap orders and chose instead to obey the laws of the land.
The Senate is now posed to bury the rule of law.
What to do?
Join Nader/Gonzalez--the candidacy that will shift the power from the corporations back into the hands of the people.
We strongly oppose the wiretap surveillance legislation that Obama and McCain support.
We stand strongly with the American people and for the Constitution.
The Nader/Gonzalez campaign is now at six percent in the most recent CNN poll.
We're in the middle of a fundraising drive right now to put Nader/Gonzalez on the ballot in 45 states by September 20.
Help us get there now.
Go to votenader.org.
Donate to your heart's content.
For the Constitution.
For liberty.
For freedom.
For justice.
For shifting the power from the corporations, back into the hands of the American people.
"We the people" are the first words of the Constitution--we should always remember.
Thank you.
To Barry and the rest of you:
I won't gloat. I won't stick out my tongue.
But I will ask: Why did you possibly expect anything else?
I don't think any of you are stupid. But I do think you've allowed your hopes to cloud your better judgment.
Has Obama stated he will go after a criminal prosecution of Bush and Cheney?
Then where are Obama's true principles?
We have had close to eight years of crimes committed at the highest level of government.
We have two men in office who make Richard Nixon look good by comparison.
And you would vote for a candidate who will shrug his shoulders and let them off the hook?
Is your commitment to this nation and to justice -- or to a man?
I've said from the start there is only one man running for office who has shown a true commitment to this country. He has been consistent in his positions. He has never, ever sold out. Expediency doesn't ever tempt him.
That's Ralph Nader.
Take your disappointment in Obama and pull the lever in November for Ralph Nader.
Cleanse your souls. Recommit to America.
Vote Nader 2008 website
Vote Pact
Previously here:
Mumia Abu Jamal Comments On Ralph Nader
The Disgusting Truth In One Image
Ralph Nader On ABC's "This Week"
Ralph Nader On ABC's "This Week" Sunday
Twelve Thousand Dollars An Hour
Obama-Nader 2008? Never, I Say!
Ralph Nader In NYC Tonight, June 18, 2008
Ralph Nader On Democracy Now!
Chronicles Of Depression 2.0: #126
The People Have The Power
John McCain: Fascist For President
He's Not Spoiled. Our Political System Is.
Jive-Ass Turkey
And People Are Going To Vote For This Eejit?
The Final President Of The United States
There's Only One Choice For President
Meet, Support Ralph Nader For President!
The Deserved Fall Of General Motors
Chronicles Of Depression 2.0: #112
Ralph Nader: Activist Presidential Candidate
Why Democrats Lose
Ralph Nader Now Has A Merch Store
Wordless
East Coast Corporate Liberal
A Civics Quiz
Vote For Ralph Nader To Take Back America!
Ralph Nader: The President We Need
Chronicles Of Depression 2.0: #017
Another Reason To Vote For Ralph Nader
Lincoln, FDR, Nader
Ralph Nader Tomorrow, March 9 2008, In PA
Just Say Yes: To Ralph Nader!
Ralph Nader On The Daily Show Tonight
Nazicrats
Weasels, Part Three
Weasels, Part Two
Ralph Nader’s Big Birthday
Exxon Can’t Hide
Happy Birthday, Ralph Nader
To Name Three: McCain, Hillary, Obama
Now I Can Vote This Year: Nader Is IN!
The Presidential Candidate You Laughed At
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