The behind-the-doors deals between Senate Intelligence pushovers and Dick Cheney appear to be getting what they need - a thrust into the daylight.
The American people are capable of trading liberties for security, but it cannot be done behind closed doors by a ruling elite, without becoming immediately problematic, especially in the hands of an Administration with a track-record of lying about National Security issues in order to advance policy or cover themselves politically against "disaster".
The notion that every Security Program is justified has to be challenged, weighed, and measured. A quick look at Operation Able Danger, for instance, shows that secret programs are often ineffective, not indispensable.
I cannot remember the last time a vigorous Senate debate actually changed the minds of some Senators who were willing to have their views tested and refined, rather than captured and displayed.
But if this recent "hold" from Chris Dodd doesn't cause the adrenaline to flow over what is possible in American democracy, I don't know what does.
ONE SENATOR RE-CLAIMS THE GREAT DELIBERATIVE TRADITION OF THE SENATEBut if this recent "hold" from Chris Dodd doesn't cause the adrenaline to flow over what is possible in American democracy, I don't know what does.
Who knows where the debate will come out - it may end up the same place, even; but credit Senator Chris Dodd, recently overlooked by actor Joe Lieberman, with being at the ready to force the Senate to actually knock heads a bit, to be deliberative, to use that tension to come up with, (a), a full, adversarial vetting of the issues, (b) a likely better solution for all, and (c) a thoroughgoing education/leadership for the electorate.
I cannot remember the last time a vigorous Senate debate actually changed the minds of some Senators who were willing to have their views tested and refined, rather than captured and displayed. But if this recent "hold" from Chris Dodd doesn't cause the adrenaline to flow over what is possible in American democracy, I don't know what does.
Chris Dodd submits youTube for Republican youTube debate. All the Ron Paul without all the Ron Paul:
As good as Bill and more family values than most Republicans, Chris Dodd, Senator, is the man with one of the key post New Deal pieces of legislation, the one even Newt couldn't unwind, the Family Medical Leave Act (although they are trying, via the courts ...):
