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Change is Coming to America
I watched and recorded Barack's speech on CNN.com, in Fairfax, VA last Thursday, and at the end, he took a few questions from the audience. One of the attendees asked about his FISA vote and he answered giving clarity about the new bill and why he voted for it. Here’s the transcript of the exchange as I typed it out (my formatting accents and emphasis included). I recorded the program, but haven’t figured out how to cut and embed a downloaded section of the video, or the whole thing for that matter – LOL. The most important part is in the last paragraph…
Attendee: I'm an attorney who represents federal whistle blowers, and I was very disappointed when I learned that you supported the bill that lets phone companies off the hook when they've helped the federal government without warrant, wire-tap phones.
Obama: So you want me to respond
Attendee: Yes
Obama: Let me first of all say this; I actually used to be a plaintiff’s attorney that represented whistle blowers, and in fact, I wrote the brief for the law - the federal whistle blowers law to make sure that it applied in more situations and it went all the way to the Supreme Court and we won. So I know a little bit about whistle blowing and making sure that those folks get protection. That was not the issue in this situation.
The issue here had to do with, we've got a surveillance program that tracks people who can potentially do us harm. It was supposed to run through FISA. FISA is the law that ensures that you have a court overseeing what the Federal government does in its various surveillance activities. There is little doubt that the Bush administration decided to ignore FISA in setting up this surveillance program, went around the courts, went to the phone companies, and said to the phone companies, the telecoms you know what, we have made a determination that this is legal, and so turn over all these records and cooperate with this surveillance program; and the phone companies and the telecoms for the most part complied.
The reason that we didn't want to originally give these phone companies and telecoms immunity, was not simply because we wanted to punish the phone companies, it was that unless you had these issues in open court we might not know how the program had been abused by the Bush administration. That in addition we might not have any leverage to ensure that going forward the program wasn't violating the basic privacies and civil liberties of the American people.
And so I voted against the original version of the bill that would have given the administration as well as the phone companies a clean bill of health. The bill that we just voted on, which is not a perfect bill and not one that I would have drafted myself, did do two important things: number one - it said explicitly that you can't run any surveillance program except through the FISA courts to make sure that George Bush or any president or Barack Obama can't unilaterally go snooping on people without somebody checking to make sure that they were doing it legally. And the second thing that the bill did was to institute an Inspector General to investigate any past abuses by the Bush administration in how this program was managed.
Now, I recognize that some people feel like yeah well, the phone companies still were complicit in this, they should be held accountable still. I understand that argument, but the problem was the surveillance program is actually one that I believe is necessary for our national security, and so I had to balance or weigh voting against a program that I think we need, and that had been created so that your privacies were protected, or create a situation in which we didn't have that program in place, and we would continue to argue about this for months to come.
I made the decision it was better to go ahead and support the program as currently constituted knowing that I will be sworn in with your help on January 20th, and then I can go make sure that the program is working exactly the way it should be - alright?"
Attendee: I'm an attorney who represents federal whistle blowers, and I was very disappointed when I learned that you supported the bill that lets phone companies off the hook when they've helped the federal government without warrant, wire-tap phones.
Obama: So you want me to respond
Attendee: Yes
Obama: Let me first of all say this; I actually used to be a plaintiff’s attorney that represented whistle blowers, and in fact, I wrote the brief for the law - the federal whistle blowers law to make sure that it applied in more situations and it went all the way to the Supreme Court and we won. So I know a little bit about whistle blowing and making sure that those folks get protection. That was not the issue in this situation.
The issue here had to do with, we've got a surveillance program that tracks people who can potentially do us harm. It was supposed to run through FISA. FISA is the law that ensures that you have a court overseeing what the Federal government does in its various surveillance activities. There is little doubt that the Bush administration decided to ignore FISA in setting up this surveillance program, went around the courts, went to the phone companies, and said to the phone companies, the telecoms you know what, we have made a determination that this is legal, and so turn over all these records and cooperate with this surveillance program; and the phone companies and the telecoms for the most part complied.
The reason that we didn't want to originally give these phone companies and telecoms immunity, was not simply because we wanted to punish the phone companies, it was that unless you had these issues in open court we might not know how the program had been abused by the Bush administration. That in addition we might not have any leverage to ensure that going forward the program wasn't violating the basic privacies and civil liberties of the American people.
And so I voted against the original version of the bill that would have given the administration as well as the phone companies a clean bill of health. The bill that we just voted on, which is not a perfect bill and not one that I would have drafted myself, did do two important things: number one - it said explicitly that you can't run any surveillance program except through the FISA courts to make sure that George Bush or any president or Barack Obama can't unilaterally go snooping on people without somebody checking to make sure that they were doing it legally. And the second thing that the bill did was to institute an Inspector General to investigate any past abuses by the Bush administration in how this program was managed.
Now, I recognize that some people feel like yeah well, the phone companies still were complicit in this, they should be held accountable still. I understand that argument, but the problem was the surveillance program is actually one that I believe is necessary for our national security, and so I had to balance or weigh voting against a program that I think we need, and that had been created so that your privacies were protected, or create a situation in which we didn't have that program in place, and we would continue to argue about this for months to come.
I made the decision it was better to go ahead and support the program as currently constituted knowing that I will be sworn in with your help on January 20th, and then I can go make sure that the program is working exactly the way it should be - alright?"
There seems to be a lot of folks who choose to mock, tear down, and ridicule Obama rather than work to hold his feet to the fire and improve our party and country.
Although Barack is in my opinion (no kool-aid drinking) the best choice we have now, I'm aware that he is not perfect. He is also not connected to the past mistakes and follies that frame others in this party, and does not have a lot of experience in national politics, so he is therefore doomed to make some mistakes. But when I put all of the candidates name's across a columned paper, and list their pros and cons, Obama has the least cons and although his list of pros are shorter, they say a lot about the type of leader he will be. I challenge the nay-sayers to do the same research that I have done instead of listening to the MSM pundits. Some of the other candidates have been in politics for years and have done little or NOTHING to change anything in Washington.
America - the best thing about being an American is our right to disagree and make choices according to our personal likes and dislikes. Our constitution does not say that we can or that we should only choose representation that agrees with our philosophy 100% of the time. Thus, those who are jumping ship or not willing to even take a ride due to one or a few disagreements with Barack, you are welcome to do so. I caution you to think wisely through your decisions.
There must come a time when the people of the United States realize that we all need each other to survive the threats and madness that our nation is facing from other countries. We cannot afford to continue to stand apart. Our nation is facing a mountain of financial debt, chaos from racism, many broken medical programs, an indifferent and uncaring government, environmental disasters, hunger, poverty, energy crisis, and a whole generation of kids that you can't honestly call educated and ready for a global future.
ASK yourselves - with all of the wrong things happening, why would anyone choose to stay divided and fight amongst themselves instead of trying to find leaders and groups of people who are TRULY trying to improve the way we live now, and improve the future of our children? It won't be perfect but with we the people standing watch, it can be better than now.
Although Barack is in my opinion (no kool-aid drinking) the best choice we have now, I'm aware that he is not perfect. He is also not connected to the past mistakes and follies that frame others in this party, and does not have a lot of experience in national politics, so he is therefore doomed to make some mistakes. But when I put all of the candidates name's across a columned paper, and list their pros and cons, Obama has the least cons and although his list of pros are shorter, they say a lot about the type of leader he will be. I challenge the nay-sayers to do the same research that I have done instead of listening to the MSM pundits. Some of the other candidates have been in politics for years and have done little or NOTHING to change anything in Washington.
America - the best thing about being an American is our right to disagree and make choices according to our personal likes and dislikes. Our constitution does not say that we can or that we should only choose representation that agrees with our philosophy 100% of the time. Thus, those who are jumping ship or not willing to even take a ride due to one or a few disagreements with Barack, you are welcome to do so. I caution you to think wisely through your decisions.
There must come a time when the people of the United States realize that we all need each other to survive the threats and madness that our nation is facing from other countries. We cannot afford to continue to stand apart. Our nation is facing a mountain of financial debt, chaos from racism, many broken medical programs, an indifferent and uncaring government, environmental disasters, hunger, poverty, energy crisis, and a whole generation of kids that you can't honestly call educated and ready for a global future.
ASK yourselves - with all of the wrong things happening, why would anyone choose to stay divided and fight amongst themselves instead of trying to find leaders and groups of people who are TRULY trying to improve the way we live now, and improve the future of our children? It won't be perfect but with we the people standing watch, it can be better than now.
It seems to me that some of our members and visitors are falling into the Main Stream Media's (MSM) trap of trying to destroy the hope we have in Barack Obama and the hope and belief that we have in our campaign. Barack has stated many times that he is not a perfect man, and will not be a perfect president. He has also stated that we the people will disagree with some of his actions and positions. Barack also said that it's ok to amicably disagree as you work towards compromise and consensus.
Before turning against Barack for some of his policies or for what the MSM is reporting as a change, I ask that you stop and think about three things:
-The big picture of where our nation may head if McCain becomes our president;
-The future of our children and grandchildren with promises of war and fear mongering;
-The continuation of a divided and disrespected nation.
Barack Obama has already made many significant changes to our nation:
*The electoral process has been forever changed by creating a campaign for and by the people instead of lobbyists, big business and special interests groups;
*Turning the so-called red or blue states into purple states with a 50-state strategy;
*Noticibly different energy policies that care for the long-range health and well being of the human race and it's people;
*Guiding we the people to come together to make a difference in our own worlds by taking control, care, and responsibility for our selves, families, communities, states, and this campaign.
Ultimately, this campaign is not about Barack Obama, it's about WE THE PEOPLE. Do you really believe that you would have the opportunity to change our world through the politics and policies of any other candidate???
Before turning against Barack for some of his policies or for what the MSM is reporting as a change, I ask that you stop and think about three things:
-The big picture of where our nation may head if McCain becomes our president;
-The future of our children and grandchildren with promises of war and fear mongering;
-The continuation of a divided and disrespected nation.
Barack Obama has already made many significant changes to our nation:
*The electoral process has been forever changed by creating a campaign for and by the people instead of lobbyists, big business and special interests groups;
*Turning the so-called red or blue states into purple states with a 50-state strategy;
*Noticibly different energy policies that care for the long-range health and well being of the human race and it's people;
*Guiding we the people to come together to make a difference in our own worlds by taking control, care, and responsibility for our selves, families, communities, states, and this campaign.
Ultimately, this campaign is not about Barack Obama, it's about WE THE PEOPLE. Do you really believe that you would have the opportunity to change our world through the politics and policies of any other candidate???
Yay, Yes, Yep, Yeah, and Heck Yea!!! I admired Barack after listening to him in 2004, but I originally thought I was going to vote for John Edwards. After reading his words and speeches, I quickly changed my mind and became an Obama supporter. Not because he is the lesser of anyone, but because his truth spoke to my hopes and dreams of a much better future for my family, grandchildren, and the nation.
I believe Barack is the only candidate that has a deep concern about we the people and our country overall. He wants to HELP US TO HELP OURSELVES by leading all of our citizens to knowledge through awareness in an open and transparent government. The fact that Barack has already made great changes in the lives of millions of Americans is evident by the attitudes of many who are willing to work together and change our nation. Neighbors who used to pass each other on the street without even speaking to each other are now working together to hold Unity parties, and clean up their neighborhoods. Millions are donating money, paying attention to policies that will effect them, and registering to vote for the first time in their lives, because of Barack Obama's message of unity and policies to make America a better country.
How can anyone turn their back on such a leader. I do now, and will always believe in Barack & Michelle Obama. He told us that he is not and will never be perfect, but he is about as close as it gets when it comes to politicians. I may not always agree with all of his positions, but that's ok, because I want a president who is thinking of my family and the nation, while he shoulders the responsibility of making hard decisions and compromises for change in this country!
I believe Barack is the only candidate that has a deep concern about we the people and our country overall. He wants to HELP US TO HELP OURSELVES by leading all of our citizens to knowledge through awareness in an open and transparent government. The fact that Barack has already made great changes in the lives of millions of Americans is evident by the attitudes of many who are willing to work together and change our nation. Neighbors who used to pass each other on the street without even speaking to each other are now working together to hold Unity parties, and clean up their neighborhoods. Millions are donating money, paying attention to policies that will effect them, and registering to vote for the first time in their lives, because of Barack Obama's message of unity and policies to make America a better country.
How can anyone turn their back on such a leader. I do now, and will always believe in Barack & Michelle Obama. He told us that he is not and will never be perfect, but he is about as close as it gets when it comes to politicians. I may not always agree with all of his positions, but that's ok, because I want a president who is thinking of my family and the nation, while he shoulders the responsibility of making hard decisions and compromises for change in this country!
I have been reading the blogs, watching TV, and listening to all of the pundits. It seems that some are beginning to believe the hype that they are feeding We the People, but I refuse to bite. I think it is time for us, the Democrats and Obama Campaign Family, to act like the winners that we are and get back in the saddle and ride this win to the finish line!
Let's help the nay-sayers make decisions to endorse Barack by showing the world that we mean what we say, that we are serious about bringing change to our politics, that we are owning up to our responsibility to make change happen, and that we believe in this message of change because "we are the ones we've been waiting for."
Our campaign has already created many positive changes:
Grass roots participation bringing in millions of new voters;
People of all ages, races, genders, and political affiliations are freely volunteering to efficiently and effectively work together to bring about positive change to ourselves and our government;
We have forever changed the face of politics and the way that campaigns are run and financed;
We have been inspired and challenged to step outside of our singularly focused worlds, to act in a positive manner by helping each other and our communities, to perform numerous acts of kindness, to get to know our neighbors, to create conversations with strangers;
We the people have collectively chosen to create a better future for ourselves and our children by refusing to follow the path of the past. We are running towards the future with grace, humility, class, and a winning spirit that will not be denied.
Barack has shown us how to win by being our guide and road map. Now is the time for us to pay it forward and to give him the presidency he so deserves.
Let's get busy - now is our time, this is our race to win or loose and we should choose to win!
Obama Fever - Catch It!
Let's help the nay-sayers make decisions to endorse Barack by showing the world that we mean what we say, that we are serious about bringing change to our politics, that we are owning up to our responsibility to make change happen, and that we believe in this message of change because "we are the ones we've been waiting for."
Our campaign has already created many positive changes:
Grass roots participation bringing in millions of new voters;
People of all ages, races, genders, and political affiliations are freely volunteering to efficiently and effectively work together to bring about positive change to ourselves and our government;
We have forever changed the face of politics and the way that campaigns are run and financed;
We have been inspired and challenged to step outside of our singularly focused worlds, to act in a positive manner by helping each other and our communities, to perform numerous acts of kindness, to get to know our neighbors, to create conversations with strangers;
We the people have collectively chosen to create a better future for ourselves and our children by refusing to follow the path of the past. We are running towards the future with grace, humility, class, and a winning spirit that will not be denied.
Barack has shown us how to win by being our guide and road map. Now is the time for us to pay it forward and to give him the presidency he so deserves.
Let's get busy - now is our time, this is our race to win or loose and we should choose to win!
Obama Fever - Catch It!
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