Lindsey Graham rolling his eyes as Rand praises the “momentous debate” over PATRIOT pic.twitter.com/c4llfoFjdV
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) May 23, 2015
As the NYTimes sees it:
After vigorous debate and intense last-minute pressure by Republican leaders, the Senate on Saturday rejected legislation that would curb the federal government’s bulk collection of phone records.
With the death of that measure — passed overwhelmingly in the House this month — senators scrambled but failed to pass a short-term measure to keep the program from going dark when it expires June 1. The disarray in Congress appeared to significantly increase the chances that the government will lose systematic access to newly created calling records by Americans, at least temporarily, after June 1…
A senior administration official said Saturday that the “wind-down process has begun” on the surveillance program, and that the administration did not file an application with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court on Friday to continue collecting the data. The White House has long said that the administration would not seek to continue the program if the legal authorities expired. Aspects of the program could be reactivated as allowed under new legislation if Congress acts before the deadline…
The Washington Post, as the company paper for the town whose monopoly business is national politics, is more interested in procedure:
… In an after-midnight vote, the Senate turned back a House-passed bill that would end the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of private telephone records, the only legislation that offered a smooth transition ahead of a June 1 deadline.
A small cadre of senators, led by Rand Paul (R-Ky.), then rejected a variety of short-term extensions to the current authority in a dramatic floor exchange. That led Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to recall senators to the Capitol a day earlier than planned, on May 31, for a rare Sunday session hours ahead of the deadline…
It is unclear what difference a week will make. The positions of national security hawks like McConnell and civil libertarians like Paul have barely softened, while the House-passed, White House-supported compromise measure was unable to gain the 60 votes necessary to proceed. A procedural vote on the bill failed 57-42…
Frustration with Paul — especially from fellow Republicans — became increasingly obvious as the long night wore on. Paul held the Senate floor for nearly 11 hours Wednesday to decry any extension of current law, and many had hoped that “performance,” as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called it, would suffice…
“There’s a new breed in the Senate, and we have seen the manifestation of it,” McCain said.” One or two or three are willing to stand up against the will of the majority. Some time ago, the Senate people would sit down and try to work things out. And obviously these individuals don’t believe in that. But I’m sure it’s a great revenue raiser.”…
The House, now on an extended recess of its own, passed the White House-backed bill replacing the existing program with one that would keep the phone records in private hands except under limited circumstances. But McConnell and most fellow Senate Republicans fiercely opposed that legislation, calling it untested and potentially harmful to national security…
Of course, I would greatly prefer that the NSA have its wings severely clipped on this (& so many other!) issues, while remaining aware that Big Gov is gonna Big Gov, no matter the party label on this year’s NSA enablers. But as a devout Cynic, I take my entertainment where I can find it, and watching the media spotlight REPUBS IN DISARRAY!!!! for a change is plenty entertainment for a slow Saturday night…
For further cynical entertainment, check out the WaPo‘s “Quiz: Just how Kafkaesque is the court that oversees NSA spying?” (I only scored 8 out of 11, because I foolishly forgot that Kafka was not as mindlessly overbearing as the NSA bureaucracy!)
.@SenTomCotton : "The point of order is sustained and the amendment falls"
Someone who sounds a lot like @SenJohnMcCain, quietly: "booo"
— Derek Wallbank (@dwallbank) May 22, 2015
We don’t think this guy should be reading your emails. RT if you agree and #StandWithRand pic.twitter.com/9N0nmervcY
— America's LibertyPAC (@LibertyPAC) May 20, 2015
Chris Christie trolls Rand Paul over PATRIOT delay pic.twitter.com/2lYz8fPbuY
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) May 23, 2015
My realistic depiction of Rand Paul filibustering. pic.twitter.com/KjIWoytgHB
— Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) May 20, 2015
Whatever one thinks of @RandPaul's #surveillance #filibuster, remember that he helped to kill the (much better) Leahy bill last November…
— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) May 21, 2015
different-church-lady
Maybe if we did let Cruz read America’s e-mail, he’d start to understand how much we think he sucks.
Jeffro
Love the Christie trolling: wow, both ‘dangerous’ AND ‘severe’ consequences, Gov. Christie? You sure you really want to go all in vs. Rand Paul – those are not one but two strong words there…
What’s Christie’s ‘real world experience’ fighting terrorism, again?
Valdivia
that picture of Ted Cruz is creeping me out.
Ruckus
Right now, I don’t think it matters a whole hell of a lot what we want the NSA to do or what we want done to it. They whole mess seems to be out of control, laws allowing it or not. The national security business is huge, it has many parts and much of it’s funding seems to be done in secret, black opps if you will. I hold close to zero hope that I’ll be alive to see this along with the DOD change from money vacuums, with little regards for real needs into anything less.
mike with a mic
Speaking as someone who does private IT style intelligence work… NSA is so 90’s. Facebook, google, linkedin, give much more detailed information, far more accurate, and basic smartphones are vastly better tracking devices than official bugs. Plus payments to them can be handwaved away as liberal social advocacy if anybody pushes.
You want social media for real information, on the level enough to hunt a target or gain control of their children from a public school. Or even to spoof someone or create a fake identity, hit facebook and social advocacy. It’s the biggest treasure trove ever.
ThresherK
@Valdivia: Looks like the one Muppet which would scare children.
rikyrah
eh……
stand with Rand?
no…I don’t think so.
But, it is funny watching the Turtle flail around
Keith P.
Do you really want Lindsey Graham reading your (adultfriendfinder) emails?
Major Major Major Major
Die in a fire, USA PATRIOT Act. Who wrote that acronym anyway?
Unrelated: Part 12 of my Fish story is up.
Valdivia
@ThresherK:
he manages to look doughy and evil at once.
David Koch
Isn’t wasn’t McCain. C-SPAN video shows it was Senator Cartman. who was boooing.
Corner Stone
@mike with a mic:
Private eyes, they’re watching you. They see your every move, oh baby.
Corner Stone
Watching ZDT because it’s much more realistic than the fucking bullshit Rockets playoff game.
David Koch
@rikyrah: republicans can’t govern. never have, never will.
Amir Khalid
@Valdivia:
I have not seen a picture of Ted Cruz that didn’t creep me out.
David Koch
@Major Major Major Major: it was Bob Terwilliger who wrote that.
yodecat
Anne,
I hate to hear that you consider yourself a cynic. I’m a reformed cynic, I’m a determined optimist, having recovered. I hope that you can recover as well. Pain, after all, is part of the ‘game’, no?
Valdivia
@Amir Khalid:
yes I don’t think it’s a bad angle thing, he really is that creepy.
ThresherK
@Valdivia: The photo or the line drawing? I have no love for the foto but meant the pen portrait.
David Koch
This fiasco is the Turtle’s Katrina.
America’s LibertyPAC is Baby Doc’s very own pac. I guess “freedom” pac was already taken.
Valdivia
@ThresherK: I meant the photo, the drawing does not creep me out as much though you are right that he looks like an evil muppet.
SiubhanDuinne
@Valdivia:
I came to the comments specifically to say exactly this! He really is the creepiest-looking
Senatorhumanoid individual I’ve ever seen. Something about those whites under his irises, and the knowing eyebrow-lift, and the smirking mouth — ugh, ugh, ugh!Corner Stone
@efgoldman: The best action today was when my son’s basketball team (first place) played the third best team in their league in playoffs and he told the kid he was guarding that he (the opponent) would not be touching the ball today.
Valdivia
@SiubhanDuinne:
once again we are on the same page. I get this creepy feeling every time I see a picture of him, but this one is extra special for all the elements you mentioned.
David Koch
President Bartlet: Sam, would you like to play a game of chess?
Sam Seaborn: But Mr President, aren’t you a Grand Master?
President Bartlet: No, I’m just grand.
Sam Seaborn
srv
I, for one, know what those people felt like 50 years ago when the fire hose of gov’t oppressed them.
Tonight, my meta is safe from the fire hose of the NSA.
Corner Stone
@efgoldman: If he did it was only on an in-bounds pass, dishing to some other player.
The three he guarded during the game had no shots on goal, and no free throws.
It’s hard to describe but basically he’s JJ Watt on the court.
GHayduke (formerly lojasmo)
Turtle was rolling his eyes because Paul is totally full of shit.
mai naem mobile
Totally off.topic. HBO has been showing Little Miss Sunshine recently. I love that movie!. I think Greg Kinneat is an underappreciated actor of our times. Everybody gives terrific performances in the movie. I just noticed this last.time I saw it that the cop in the last scene at the beauty pageant is an actor in Getting On.
Ken
In a just universe, his tongue would have leaped out of his mouth and strangled him. Needing 60 votes to get anything through the Senate as just fine with him between 2010 and 2014.
Tree With Water
@Corner Stone: Circa 1980 I an watched a California Golden Gloves tournament from a ringside seat. I recall one kid in particular, who wore bright red trunks and red robe, and when he was introduced he bounced around the ring like he was Muhammed Ali in his prime. It was fantastic. Sorry to say he only lasted maybe 2 minutes into the first round. It was the only time I’ve ever seen a boxer’s face morph, from a look of malicious concentration to looking absolutely slack at the moment the KO punch landed..
Shakezula
“There’s a new breed in the Senate, and we have seen the manifestation of it,” McCain said.” One or two or three are willing to stand up against the will of the majority. Some time ago, the Senate people would sit down and try to work things out. And obviously these individuals don’t believe in that. But I’m sure it’s a great revenue raiser.”…
Qouth Laird Johnny Ejectomatic, the Mavericky Maverick of Maverickdom.
#WeLearnedItFromYouDad
Corner Stone
@Tree With Water: Do you have something specific to say, or just random mumbles.
Tree With Water
@Corner Stone: Well excuse the hell out of me? Is it my breath?
Mnemosyne (tablet)
We saw “Tomorrowland” today. It definitely deserves the mixed reviews it’s getting. Some parts are great, but it never really gels.
Corner Stone
@Tree With Water: It may be. I’m not sure how your comment fits on to anything I have said in this thread.
Please to help.
JCJ
Blackhawks score in the second OT! Tough angle!
gratuitous
What is Congress babbling on about? I thought the wholesale driftnetting of phone traffic had been ruled unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction? They’re basically trying to re-authorize an illegal program. Next week: Bringing back slavery!
fuckwit
Since this is an open thread I want to assert again that “the invisible hand of the market is jerking me off” is one of my favorite sentences.
danielx
Night before the race, 64 degrees and low humidity, bright moon….if our fair state had this kind of weather 365 days a year they’d be charging admission at the borders. Since such is not the case, we have to fall back on the true state slogan: “Indiana: Luv it or git the fuck out.”
Tree With Water
@Corner Stone: Geez and again, sorry to have disturbed you.
Hal
http://fanufactured.tumblr.com/post/119691384829/mhmm
Jay C
BTW, Anyone heard anything from Soonergrunt? I’ve read on the ‘Net that OKC has had some truly godawful weather in the past couple of days – bad rainstorms. flooding and a tornado…
Also: any Juicers from Texas still alive/dry to report? Seems to be a flood zone throughout most of the central part of the state.
lamh36
@Mnemosyne (tablet): I”m going to see Pitch Perfect 2 on Monday!
Mnemosyne (tablet)
@lamh36:
I have to confess, I haven’t seen the first one yet. It’s hilarious that the sequel beat out “Mad Max” after all of the bitching by MRAs. :-)
It looks like “Pitch Perfect” managed to pull off the same success as “Austin Powers” — first one did so-so in the theaters but became a huge success on cable and home video, so the sequel does way better than the original. You just can’t plan that.
We just re-watched “Inside Man” on cable and I forgot that Chiwetel Ejiofor played Denzel’s partner. Lots of people I had forgotten about were in it, like Willem Dafoe.
balconesfault
@Ken: Beat me to it … But self-reflection is not a Republican virtue …
balconesfault
@Jay C:
Here in Austin, you’d be doing well not to drive through any low water crossings, and news was showing pictures of U-Hauls blown over in their parking lots, and I’m betting that there will be a lot of roof damage detected over the next couple weeks. Down in Wimberly the Blanco is definitely flooding some people out of their homes.
OTOH, Lake Travis is rising, a foot a day or so. Lake business owners are bummed about losing the holiday weekend, but looking forward to there being enough water in the lake this summer for the recreational $$’s to keep flowing.
balconesfault
@Mnemosyne (tablet): Was considering going to see that in 3-D IMAX. Worth it for the visual spectacle?
Tissue Thin Pseudonym
@gratuitous: No. It was not found unconstitutional. An appeals court ruled that the program in question operated more broadly than the scope of the law allowed. They explicitly said that Congress could allow the program if it passed a law that did so clearly:
wasabi gasp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUe7dMi2uLA
Aleta
http://youtu.be/KW1jliOJ1dA
different-church-lady
I don’t know about you, but I feel entirely better that soon the NSA won’t be able to legally read our conversation about playoff sports.
GHayduke (formerly lojasmo)
@Tree With Water:
He’s a malicious drunk. Pay no mind.
NobodySpecial
@GHayduke (formerly lojasmo): So was John Cole, just sayin’. ;)
samiam
Cue two time Bush voter wr0ng way Cole using those razor sharp instincts of his to say that Rand Paul has some good ideas. Can’t see past the fact that Rand is just pandering to the left while giving a wink and a nod to the right.
elm
Rand Paul acted out his fake filibuster during TPP fast track debate time. After he drew attention off the TPP, the Senate did vote to allow it fast track process.
Monkeyfister
McConnell’s actions in this are truly boggling. If I were a betting man, I would bet that he is HEAVILY invested in one or more of the companies involved in the pillage of our privacy, can’t dump stocks because of Insider Trading rules, and is trying his best to simply save his own wallet.
Either that, or he really hates the 4th Amendment. Perhaps both, but I think I know McConnell enough to suss this one out.
Patricia Kayden
@Hal: Plus Wayne Dumond and his dog-torturing son. He should be too ashamed even to run.