The MacDeskBlog

Senator Feinstein:

It is time for you to retire. Your continued support of the expansion of Executive powers at the expense of our Civil Liberties is a clear indication that you no longer have the best interests of your constituents at heart. I have supported you despite concerns about your propagation of the culture of fear since 9/11. However, my support has just come to an end.

Please announce that this will be your last term in the Senate and move aside for a more progressive respresentative to take your place.

Formerly yours,

Ryan Walker

This was the last straw. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear about this bill until after the Senate voted on it. I fired off messages to both of my Senators and Representatives (I included Pelosi though I’m not actually in her district) over the weekend. Alas, the House caved too, though at least my Representatives voted against, unlike Ms. Milquetoast Feinstein.

The New York Times captured my feelings on the bill pretty well:

While serving little purpose, the new law has real dangers. It would allow the government to intercept, without a warrant, every communication into or out of any country, including the United States. Instead of explaining all this to American voters — the minimal benefits and the enormous risks — the Democrats have allowed Mr. Bush and his fear-mongering to dominate all discussions on terrorism and national security.

Mr. Bush claims that he has kept America safe since 9/11. But that claim ignores the country’s very real and present vulnerabilities. Six years after the 9/11 attacks the administration has still failed to secure American ports, railroads and airports from terrorist attack, and has put the profits of the chemical and nuclear-power industries ahead of safeguarding their plants.

It is hard to break up after so long. But, to be honest, this has been several years in the making. Feinstein has pretty consistently supported The Administration on the War on Terror Civil Liberties. Her tepid opposition to the war, when she has managed any at all, is typically quick to crumble. Over the past few years, she has staked out ground barely half a step to the left of Joe Lieberman. She has become a DINO and it’s time for her to retire.