I watched meet the press all the time.

he was a real standup dude, and a good journalist. i was actually really shocked when i heard he had died! he was only 58 I believe, damn.

Haha, shit is really hitting the fan in the blogosphere over Obama's support of the FISA compromise! Here's his official statement:

Given the grave threats that we face, our national security agencies must have the capability to gather intelligence and track down terrorists before they strike, while respecting the rule of law and the privacy and civil liberties of the American people. There is also little doubt that the Bush Administration, with the cooperation of major telecommunications companies, has abused that authority and undermined the Constitution by intercepting the communications of innocent Americans without their knowledge or the required court orders.

That is why last year I opposed the so-called Protect America Act, which expanded the surveillance powers of the government without sufficient independent oversight to protect the privacy and civil liberties of innocent Americans. I have also opposed the granting of retroactive immunity to those who were allegedly complicit in acts of illegal spying in the past.

After months of negotiation, the House today passed a compromise that, while far from perfect, is a marked improvement over last year's Protect America Act.

Under this compromise legislation, an important tool in the fight against terrorism will continue, but the President's illegal program of warrantless surveillance will be over. It restores FISA and existing criminal wiretap statutes as the exclusive means to conduct surveillance – making it clear that the President cannot circumvent the law and disregard the civil liberties of the American people. It also firmly re-establishes basic judicial oversight over all domestic surveillance in the future. It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses. But this compromise guarantees a thorough review by the Inspectors General of our national security agencies to determine what took place in the past, and ensures that there will be accountability going forward. By demanding oversight and accountability, a grassroots movement of Americans has helped yield a bill that is far better than the Protect America Act.

It is not all that I would want. But given the legitimate threats we face, providing effective intelligence collection tools with appropriate safeguards is too important to delay. So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as President, I will carefully monitor the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives – and the liberty – of the American people.

For some of the reactions so far, take a look at what's on the front page of the Huffington Post and reddit (usual hotbeds of Obama support) or even messages on his campaign's own site.

Haha, shit is really hitting the fan in the blogosphere over Obama's support of the FISA compromise! Here's his official statement:

For some of the reactions so far, take a look at what's on the front page of the Huffington Post and reddit (usual hotbeds of Obama support) or even messages on his campaign's own site.

def. not as big of an issue as these people are making it out to be, but it's the ~blogosphere~ what can you expect they're all dramatic idiots

Mike says  ::  June 20th, 2008 @ 5:53 pm EST

I think I know what depression feels like after today. I lost all respect for Obama, and will now do what's right and choose to write in Ron Paul.

How can someone go on & on & on & on about change, then just bend the 4th amendment over and fuck it in the ass.

Signed.

Thoroughly depressed American.

def. not as big of an issue as these people are making it out to be, but it's the ~blogosphere~ what can you expect they're all dramatic idiots

uh it definately is a huge issue and sort of makes me sick about this.

i'll still vote for him but i'll never believe again that he is some sort of change candidate who won't be like the rest of washington

did you actually read through it, what's your issue, what do you think he should have done, etc

I don't get how anyone could pay attention and still be like I FEEL PHYSICALLY ILL I'm gonna through up.....
like I can only imagine it you're like that paultard I quoted and just THAT out of it, runnin entirely on campaign slogans and a handful of ideals. otherwise I don't see how you could be incredibly surprised and upset I don't get it

uh it definately is a huge issue and sort of makes me sick about this.

i'll still vote for him but i'll never believe again that he is some sort of change candidate who won't be like the rest of washington

Yeah, I'm very confused about what you just said, he is against the spying of American civilians and protecting companies that allowed the government to use them in their program...whats so bad about that?

^ xeno, he allowed a compromise to slip by, in that even though this LIMITS the president's spying capacity by quite a bit, it

"also firmly re-establishes basic judicial oversight over all domestic surveillance in the future. It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses."

people are saying HE DIDN'T MAKE CHANGE I AM DISILLUSIONED but this was the best choice imo as he said that he's going to continue to fight it in senate. maybe some people think the WIRETAPPING itself is a huge problem but if you want a candidate who's entirely against that then good luck with ron paul lmao

going to make a new megathread a few days before the democratic convention, for now i'm just gonna lock this and you guys can make new topics if anything big occurs.