McConnell: The House NSA Bill Could Make Us Go Dark

The Fourth Amendment:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

That seems pretty straightforward. It means that the Constitution protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. What gave rise to the Fourth Amendment in colonial times was Britain issuing writs of assistance. This was a form of a general or blanket search warrant, giving officials the right to search anywhere and anytime for smuggler's goods. And the writs were in effect open-ended, because who was going to ensure they were used only for smuggler's goods? They led to tremendous abuse, of course, because people are rotten.

The geniuses who framed the Constitution put a stop to all that and restrained governmental overreach as set out above in the Fourth Amendment. Authorities could still search, but they needed probable cause and a search warrant.

The House NSA bill seeks to end warrantless data collection. But according to Senator McConnell, the House NSA bill could make us go dark. Isn't that a little silly? We were not "dark" before the digital age, and those who would like to see bulk data collection eliminated are not talking about eliminating lawful searches or shutting down the NSA. We only recently gained the power to keep tabs on just about everyone. The digital age made that exceedingly easy. It is this new power law enforcement and statists like McConnell want to keep. But they're not interested in abiding by the Constitution and obtaining search warrants; they want to keep the power to search anyone's "papers and effects" as if the Fourth Amendment doesn't exist.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says House-passed legislation effectively could cause the country to "go dark" when it comes to collecting Americans' phone records.

(Emphasis added.) It's a little shocking he would say that with such ease. "Collecting American's phone records." He assumes people are fine having their private data collected. McConnell and his supporters also seem unaware section 215 of the Patriot Act does not and never did authorize bulk data collection. Or they don't care. They seem happy with errant FISA star chamber rulings that have driven section 215 past its original intent, allowing the mass data collection. They appear not to care the bulk data collected is routinely shared with other agencies for purely domestic purposes.

I get it; some of these senators know better than the Founding Fathers and are happy with warrantless bulk data collection, but the Constitution does not allow that. We have the right to be secure in our papers and effects, and this de facto NSA writ of assistance is precisely why the Fourth Amendment was created.

McConnell also says, "But we're talking about the security of the country here. This is no small matter." I would suggest the security of the country rests more upon a strong Fourth Amendment than it does concerns about terrorism* (keeping in mind Patriot Act "terrorism" apparently includes warrantless searches of Americans on purely domestic matters). As we've seen time and again, government and law enforcement are filled with people who are merely human. They do not shed their human foibles when they swear the oath. There are too many rotten apples in government for us to water down the protections afforded by the Fourth Amendment. The Founding Fathers were aware of that. And even if these people are wonderful professionals today, that does not mean the NSA and the agencies it works with will be wonderful and professional ten years from now.

Ostensibly, the Patriot Act was created to expand government’s counterintelligence capabilities because of terrorism. Terrorism, the threat from abroad. Remember? Terrorism is what sold it. The reality is the scare of terrorism was used to create a law that enabled all investigative agencies to use information gleaned without a search warrant for domestic purposes as well. Yes, they look for terrorists, but their track record of using bulk data collection to stop terrorists hasn't been that great.

*In a free country we accept a certain degree of risk. Yes, terrorism will strike again in the United States. We cannot protect against all of it, and we must do what we reasonably can to stop it, but we cannot change our way of life and erode Constitutional protections in the process. We must learn to keep the threat of terrorism in perspective. About a thousand people die every week in car wrecks, for example. We live with that risk, because the number is low when compared to the population, the risk to any one of us is low, and we need cars. We must learn to keep the threat of terrorism in similar perspective. The threat is exceedingly low--too low to fiddle with the Constitution and change our way of life.

Remember: Patrick Henry didn't say "Give me security..."; he said, "Give me liberty or give me death!" Security is an excellent goal, but we cannot overdo it. We cannot let an unreasonable fear of terrorism reduce our freedom and enhance the scope and power of government.

Update: According to the Washington Examiner, McConnell may be changing his mind because of the looming deadline. Key parts of the law, including section 215 expire on June 1.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced Tuesday he will allow a vote on the USA Freedom Act, despite his opposition to the legislation.

Posted by: rdbrewer at 09:35 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Is it too much to ask for the government to leave me the f**k alone?

Posted by: Citizen Cake at May 20, 2015 09:35 AM (ppaKI)

2 What 4th Amendment?

Posted by: golfman at May 20, 2015 09:35 AM (fQAkR)

3 Lots of room on this thread *stretches out on the sofa*

Posted by: Citizen Cake at May 20, 2015 09:36 AM (ppaKI)

4 McConnell is NOT better than Harry Reid. He's the same.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at May 20, 2015 09:37 AM (eHioo)

5 All this is hoop-la.

They'll just go to the cell phones companies and MAKE THEM comply.

Then in order to get service, you'll have to make agreements with the third party.

Posted by: golfman at May 20, 2015 09:38 AM (fQAkR)

6 Why, what a quaint idea. The Constitution? Never heard of it.

Posted by: Bitch McConnell at May 20, 2015 09:39 AM (laMCB)

7 Remember when the guy waved a rifle at the CPAC crowed and promised them to fight?

Posted by: Harley Quinn at May 20, 2015 09:39 AM (CpiLj)

8 You people obviously don't understand that being lied to and spied upon is good for you.

Posted by: Michael Hayden at May 20, 2015 09:40 AM (laMCB)

9 Do police work. Establish probable cause. Get a warrant. That is how you do it. Anything else is nu-constitutional. If I didn't have serious misgivings about Rand Paul's foreign policy he would be my first choice for Pres, especially after reading articles like this about our Republican "leaders".

Posted by: Shtetl G at May 20, 2015 09:41 AM (SopIT)

10
Fcuk off, Turtle Boy. Just fcuk off.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at May 20, 2015 09:41 AM (VLTL9)

11 It's like these guys get into congress and someone starts blackmailing them for banging underage boys or something.

Posted by: Dang at May 20, 2015 09:41 AM (XWo4d)

12 The GOP must die.

Posted by: Hurricane LaFawnduh at May 20, 2015 09:41 AM (laMCB)

13 the establishment republicans are a threat to our nation.

Posted by: Mr Wizard at May 20, 2015 09:43 AM (eOpVe)

14 We are protected by the 28 amendment, right?

Posted by: colin at May 20, 2015 09:43 AM (rOQws)

15

McConnell = Harry Reid minus the pedophilia.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:43 AM (St6BJ)

16 See here is the problem: freedom requires Americans be prepared to see to their own security. But, modern Americans have become convinced the gubbmint should do that instead. Basic divergence.

Posted by: MTF at May 20, 2015 09:44 AM (LISuA)

17
And having Alison Lundergan Grimes in that seat in the Senate would be different, how exactly?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:44 AM (St6BJ)

18 the amendments matter

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 20, 2015 09:45 AM (0O7c5)

19 McConnell = Harry Reid minus the known pedophilia.

fixed

Posted by: Mr Wizard at May 20, 2015 09:45 AM (eOpVe)

20 I'm really starting to hate when media orgs use such a chopped quote. You can make a person say anything with a chopped quote. The media went nuts accusing a guy of saying that rape was "beautiful" when he said no such thing. But see how the word "beautiful" is in quotes? You can take just that one quoted word and now it's a quote! Totes legit!

This is happening more and more.

Posted by: JohnJ at May 20, 2015 09:45 AM (TF/YA)

21 Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:43 AM (St6BJ)

Hairy would not allow good bills to come to the floor. Bitch is pushing bad ones through one after another.

Posted by: Hurricane LaFawnduh at May 20, 2015 09:45 AM (laMCB)

22 McConnell = Harry Reid minus the pedophilia.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:43 AM (St6BJ)

laughing so hard i can't breath.......omg

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 20, 2015 09:46 AM (0O7c5)

23 Hey they didn't have computers in 1792 so the fourth amendment doesn't apply to them. You shouldn't have a computer in the first place because it gives you power, and power corrupts, so we have the right to seize your computer and ~~plant whatever we want on it~~ use its contents against you in a court of law, and never give it back to you even if you are found innocent. At least that's how I see the fourth amendment.

Posted by: Mitch the Snapping Turtle McConnell at May 20, 2015 09:47 AM (q+uCt)

24 17 And having Alison Lundergan Grimes in that seat in the Senate would be different, how exactly?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:44 AM (St6BJ)

Ah, yes, the false choice dilemma. At least with Grimes, Mike Lee or Jeff Sessions would be one slot closer to leadership.

Posted by: Hurricane LaFawnduh at May 20, 2015 09:47 AM (laMCB)

25 It has become all too obvious to me that a peculiar disease affects every single person who gets into national politics. Has nothing to do with party affiliation, but is an insane belief that each politician knows what's best for everyone. Except for him/herself and other D.C. politicians, that is.

Teh Bitch is no better -- and, sadly, no worse -- than any other trough-slurping, self-obsessed lunatic who sees his election as a mandate to do whatever the hell he wants. He joins such august company as Nanzi Pelosi, Hairy Reid and the Witches of California in showing a total lack of sense, law and plain old decency. I can't think of one who should not be thrown out of office (and into a nice, uncomfortable jail cell somewhere) for criminal malfeasance.

Of course Choom Boy heads the list, for now.

Until some sort of concrete action is taken -- and I'm not gonna say what action, since my approved plan would be considered extreme, even by HQ standards -- we can expect for the insanity to continue unabated.

Whining by Konservative Keyboard Kommandos isn't going to accomplish a thing. The only solution is to drive the Power Elite out of politics, and keep them out.

Posted by: MrScribbler at May 20, 2015 09:47 AM (P8YHq)

26 We used to work for a living. This fascist crap makes me want to puke!

Posted by: John Spartan at May 20, 2015 09:48 AM (2Ojst)

27 McConnell = Harry Reid minus the pedophilia and a chin/i]

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:43 AM (St6BJ)

FIFY

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 20, 2015 09:48 AM (Zu3d9)

28 Miss me yet?

Posted by: Harry Reid, Accused Pederast at May 20, 2015 09:48 AM (TV9BR)

29 #21 Hairy would not allow good bills to come to the floor. Bitch is pushing bad ones through one after another.

Glad I read the comments first. You beat me to it.

Posted by: Citizen X at May 20, 2015 09:48 AM (7ObY1)

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 20, 2015 09:48 AM (Zu3d9)

31 Hoovering up every damn thing is unconstitutional. Period.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at May 20, 2015 09:48 AM (659DL)

32 Every election day, I get a sad knowing I have no representation.

Yesterday's Philly primaries were especially disheartening.

The only reason I could see ever registering (R) again is if someone primaries Toomey from the right. People with even an inkling of what liberty means really don't have a party anymore.

Posted by: Chupacabras at May 20, 2015 09:49 AM (RQDhf)

33
Actually, McConnell felates Obama, so technically that is child abuse.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:49 AM (St6BJ)

34 31 Hoovering up every damn thing is unconstitutional. Period.
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at May 20, 2015 09:48 AM (659DL)

It really sucks, too.

Posted by: Insomniac at May 20, 2015 09:49 AM (2Ojst)

35
Hey ..... you know what else would prevent a lot of crime and terrorism???

Profiling.

Posted by: fixerupper at May 20, 2015 09:49 AM (8XRCm)

36 Barack Obama is a SCOAMT.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Quietly Seething at May 20, 2015 09:49 AM (kff5f)

37 Burn it down.
Scatter the stones.
Salt the earth where it stood.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - Quietly Seething at May 20, 2015 09:49 AM (kff5f)

38 #25 Whining by Konservative Keyboard Kommandos isn't going to accomplish a thing.

How much lack of self-awareness does it take to type these words immediately after 3+ paragraphs of doing exactly that?

Posted by: Citizen X at May 20, 2015 09:50 AM (7ObY1)

39
WAIT -

Did Matt Bevin with the KY gubernatorial election yesterday?

That would piss off McConnell, so I'm hoping.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:50 AM (St6BJ)

40 You first, Allen. Still can't find those matches?

Posted by: LincolnTf at May 20, 2015 09:50 AM (2cS/G)

41
39 with = win

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:50 AM (St6BJ)

42 The Constitution allows the government to do whatever it needs to do.

Read it sometime.

Posted by: Chris "Constitutional Scholar" Cuomo at May 20, 2015 09:50 AM (TV9BR)

43 Dear CIA and NSA, go play voyeur in Tehran's mailbox. Stop doing it in mine. Thank you.

-The peeved citizens of these so far United States.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 09:51 AM (B0IEg)

44 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced Tuesday he will allow a vote on the USA Freedom Act, despite his opposition to the legislation.

Normally, one would need to visit a sanitarium to find people who hold two opposite views simultaneously.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 09:51 AM (0HooB)

45
If only the leftists in DC and elsewhere would consider my e-mails the same as the bedroom or uterus.

Penumbras and emanations, etc.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:52 AM (St6BJ)

46 I see Variety reports that Bruce "Tom Joad" Springsteen is selling his rarely-used house in Los Angeles. He's asking $70 million for it, on behalf of the working class.

Posted by: MTF at May 20, 2015 09:52 AM (LISuA)

47
Is it too much to ask for the government to leave me the f**k alone?

Posted by: Citizen Cake at May 20, 2015 09:35 AM (ppaKI)

As a matter of fact, yes it is.

Posted by: Senator Terrapin at May 20, 2015 09:52 AM (lpeQC)

48 McConnell is NOT better than Harry Reid. He's the same.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at May 20, 2015 09:37 AM (eHioo)
McConnell is worse. Harry Reid tells you he's gonna screw you. McConnell lets you think he's the good guy.Eff em both.

Posted by: golfman at May 20, 2015 09:52 AM (fQAkR)

49 "And the writs were in effect open-ended, because who was going to ensure they were used only for smuggler's goods? They led to tremendous abuse, of course, because people are rotten."

Instead of the airy sentiments that are carved on marble lintels all over the Imperial Capitol in D.C., I'd instead like to have them say things like "PEOPLE ARE ROTTEN".

Pithy. To the point. Underscores the fundamental nature of the governmental enterprise in many ways.

Posted by: torquewrench at May 20, 2015 09:52 AM (noWW6)

50 I wish my boy hadn't a gotten in to my paste cabinet so much when he was young.

Posted by: Joe Biden at May 20, 2015 09:53 AM (TV9BR)

51 44 Normally, one would need to visit a sanitarium to find people who hold two opposite views simultaneously.
Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 09:51 AM (0HooB)

Or a Hollywood studio exec's office. SPLUNGE for me too!

I love it, but I hate it and I'm not being indecisive.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:53 AM (St6BJ)

52 Hi. I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

Or take over the show.

My call...

Posted by: anon a mouse at May 20, 2015 09:53 AM (C9pBZ)

53 >>>>And having Alison Lundergan Grimes in that seat in the Senate would be different, how exactly?
.
.
That election was totally hers to lose, and she did. She had it in the bag until she started being stupid and thinking she was smarter than everyone about her past voting history.

Posted by: The Great White Scotsman at May 20, 2015 09:53 AM (iONHu)

54 46 I see Variety reports that Bruce "Tom Joad" Springsteen is selling his rarely-used house in Los Angeles. He's asking $70 million for it, on behalf of the working class.
Posted by: MTF at May 20, 2015 09:52 AM (LISuA)

Will the representative of the Earth Liberation Front kindly pick up the red courtesy jerry can . . .

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:53 AM (St6BJ)

55 any chance we can primary Mitch the Bitch out of office?

Posted by: redc1c4 at May 20, 2015 09:54 AM (RiMtm)

56 Dear CIA and NSA, go play voyeur in Tehran's mailbox. Stop doing it in mine. Thank you.

-The peeved citizens of these so far United States.

Those emails are private, they have nothing to do with my duties as Secretary of State. ~Hillary!

Posted by: Flyguy at May 20, 2015 09:54 AM (3sOO0)

57 GOP is Whigging out again.

Fvck 'em. They're toast.

Posted by: 1bulwetweft at May 20, 2015 09:55 AM (nqiq9)

58 Eh, both bills suck. Let them all expire.

They have the right to get a warrant today without any new laws? Why do they need a special new law? Because the special new law probably says we hereby grant the NSA to gather whatever they want so long as they ask, and they can ask to do it for everyone, and we will approve it for everyone.

I don't know, I haven't read it. But if its called the Freedom Act, they i know i will be less free after they pass it. I think the new law must mean Freedom from court challenges for the NSA.

And BTW they never got explicit permission in a law to do what they are doing today. So why would changing laws make any difference to law makers who are law breakers?

It's all effing Kabuki.

Big no to Rand on a coherent foreign policy, but a big yes on getting this whole government snooping droning thing.

Posted by: PrincetonAl at May 20, 2015 09:55 AM (mZAAH)

59 any chance we can primary Mitch the Bitch out of office?
Posted by: redc1c4 at May 20, 2015 09:54 AM (RiMtm)

-----

I dont think that will work at all.

Posted by: Eric Cantor at May 20, 2015 09:55 AM (8XRCm)

60 Shit like this is why I am a former republican.

Poor bastard from the RNC that called yesterday for donations.

Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at May 20, 2015 09:56 AM (TV9BR)

61
The only way out of this fucking mess in the near electoral term is to put in more people like Cruz, Lee, Sessions and Tom Cotton so that everyone covers each other's backs and a few sell-outs won't mess it up.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:56 AM (St6BJ)

62 Hey, did you know Eden has a smokin hot cigar (heh) section on the terrace in Georgetown? GOP party time 2nite!

Signed, your betters

Posted by: anon a mouse at May 20, 2015 09:56 AM (C9pBZ)

63 I agree that we need to protect our 4th amendment rights and make sure that NSA or any other government entity doesn't overstep but overstepping was something that was done regularly by the FBI and other agencies back in the 'old days'.

We just know about it these days because of instant communication. Just like police abuses seem more prevalent today even though it's just the opposite.

Posted by: Cruzinator at May 20, 2015 09:56 AM (8cSVB)

64
Gotta jump. BBL

Keep on keeping it IS-real.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:56 AM (St6BJ)

65 any chance we can primary Mitch the Bitch out of office?

Posted by: redc1c4 at May 20, 2015 09:54 AM (RiMtm)

Yeah - in frigging 2020.

Posted by: golfman at May 20, 2015 09:57 AM (fQAkR)

66 My wife Susan and I are lifelong conservatives, and we'd like to thank Sen. McConnell for standing up to the extremists.

Posted by: Prescott Roger Ian Cuthbertson-Klein at May 20, 2015 09:57 AM (Ks4nX)

67 Prescott, you forgot the Brattleboro part

Posted by: anon a mouse at May 20, 2015 09:58 AM (C9pBZ)

68 Fourth Amendment? Never heard of him.

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at May 20, 2015 09:58 AM (2L77z)

69 Every time I watch "The Voice" (OK, OK, it's my guilty pleasure) I'm struck by how outstanding Pharrell Williams is at communicating whatever inspirational message he is at that moment trying to get across to one of his team. All politicians, but especially Scott Walker (who needs to develop his inspirational side) should study Williams genius in communication style.

Posted by: MTF at May 20, 2015 09:59 AM (LISuA)

70 So....has Congress written in an exemption for themselves, so that *their* data cannot be collected w/out a warrant?

I seem to recall such pro-security senators as Diane Feinstein getting a bit pissed upon discovering the CIA has been monitoring them.

Posted by: Lizzy at May 20, 2015 09:59 AM (9+3PX)

71 *goes back to writing gun pr0n*

"I hope it is." Alice pulls out of a concealed pocket of the larger than normal apron her own weapon, a Beretta Pico in .380 caliber. Keeping with training she aims it down range before pressing the release and dropping the magazine into her other hand. Then she carefully places the stainless steel magazine on the counter of lane two and with a quick snap pulls the slide back to ensure no round is in the chamber. The Pico is next laid next to its magazine with slide locked back as Alice reaches for some ear plugs.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 09:59 AM (B0IEg)

72 If McConnell is worried about "the security of the country" I'd suggest that he read that Iran is not going to allow inspections on its military bases. Since they are going to get a nuke, because Obama wants them to, McConnell might think that could affect our security.

But he won't. The GOP is rapidly becoming less than useless. They're just as much an active danger as the Democrats.

Posted by: Null at May 20, 2015 10:00 AM (xjpRj)

73 Asset forfeiture - Writs of Attainder.

Warrantless data collection - Writs of Assistance.

Vaguely familiar? What's next? Gunpowder incident?

Posted by: Cicero Kaboom! Kid at May 20, 2015 10:00 AM (01ktV)

74 I would sure like to hear the other side of the argument. Why are these warrantless searches so necessary? What are you people doing with the information you gather, and how is it keeping us safe?

Be specific.

You are public servants. We are your bosses. You need to explain to us how and why the things you want to do are good for us. If you can't/won't do that, then the answer is not no. The answer is f*ck off. And if you won't f*ck off, we have plenty of ropes and trees with sturdy, high branches.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 20, 2015 10:00 AM (TOk1P)

75 amendments matter

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 20, 2015 10:01 AM (0O7c5)

76 Geraldo speculated the Fourth Amendment was in Al Capone's Vault but it was only an empty Valu-Rite whiskey bottle

Posted by: Mr Wizard at May 20, 2015 10:01 AM (eOpVe)

77 "But we're talking about the security of the country here. This is no small matter."

In addition to the rest of his flaming idiocy, I see McConnell has no familiarity with the sayings of Benjamin Franklin.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 20, 2015 10:01 AM (zF6Iw)

78 Remember when the Left was all butthurt over the possibility that the feds might want a peek at their library history?

Yeah, good times!

Posted by: Lizzy at May 20, 2015 10:01 AM (9+3PX)

79 Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 09:59 AM (B0IEg)

Fap-tastic.

Posted by: 1bulwetweft at May 20, 2015 10:02 AM (nqiq9)

80 Seems to me the issue with having to collect everyone's phone data is directly related to the fact that we don't know who is residing in this country or from whence they came.

Posted by: bkeyser at May 20, 2015 10:03 AM (1FUBC)

81 Go dark, hmm?

So just shut off all the phones then. If you can't have it, nobody will. Amirite?

Posted by: Bigby's Punch Bug Blue at May 20, 2015 10:03 AM (3ZtZW)

82 "next laid next"??

Ack, fixed that.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 10:05 AM (B0IEg)

83 McConnell says House-passed legislation effectively could cause the country to "go dark".

----

Thats.Racist.

Posted by: fixerupper at May 20, 2015 10:06 AM (8XRCm)

84 15
McConnell = Harry Reid minus the pedophilia.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:43 AM (St6BJ)

Objection. Assumes facts not in evidence.

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at May 20, 2015 10:06 AM (2L77z)

85 Whatever bill leaves the Congress, it should include an explicit provision that ALL records pertaining to HRC's private email service be read into the Congressional record within 15days or ALL NSA managers above GS15 Do Not Get Paid.

Posted by: Jean at May 20, 2015 10:06 AM (ztOda)

86 Progs are seemingly incapable of understanding the concept of only punishing wrongdoers. They know who the bad actors are and where they are (terrorists are muzzies who worship in mosques), but are intent upon punishing everyone lest they be accused of profiling.

Never mind that profiling is pretty much the basis for all police work. If a robber is described as a 6' tall, 250lb white male, cops don't start looking for 5' 2" white-haired grandmothers.

Unless you're a congresscritter. Then it all makes sense.

Somehow.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 10:07 AM (0HooB)

87 What happened in Ky elections last night?

Posted by: Jean at May 20, 2015 10:08 AM (ztOda)

88 McConnell = Harry Reid minus the pedophilia.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:43 AM (St6BJ)

Objection. Assumes facts not in evidence.

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at May 20, 2015 10:06 AM (2L77z)

Exactly. One of my basic axioms regarding celebs and politicians: All forms of greed and avarice, left unchecked long enough, will eventually lead to pedophilia.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 20, 2015 10:08 AM (TOk1P)

89
Hoovering up every damn thing is unconstitutional. Period.

We got a warrant. It says "to search everyone in all of their things, tangible and intangible, because we're fairly certain that some of you are up to no good".

So it's all legal-like.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 20, 2015 10:09 AM (JtwS4)

90 As always, the problem is too useful, so they don't want the solution. The problem gives them power, power they have no business having in the first place.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12 at May 20, 2015 10:09 AM (DT3rQ)

91 " Isn't that a little silly?"
---
No, it's beyond silly, and McConnell is useless, and needs to be eliminated.

Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at May 20, 2015 10:09 AM (MbrzC)

92 I think what distresses people like Senator McConnell is that:

1. There are so many people who see through his transparent bull shit.
2. Are able to publicly say something about it.

In the pre-computer era the elect of the world our betters controlled the means of mass communications - there might be freedom of the press, but to have it you first had to own a printing press. Today anyone with a computer owns a printing press and enjoys the privileges the elite thought were reserved only for them. Similarly radios and TV transmitters could only be owned by the elite - but once again - computers and the Internet give anyone access to similar facilities.

Computers allow you to self publish books, and effectively do all the things that the power elite believe belong only to them. Now you understand McConnell's bitching a bit more completely.

Posted by: An Observation at May 20, 2015 10:10 AM (q+uCt)

93 We've already seen this approach of assuming all people should be preemptively monitored in action: the TSA.
And they have not stopped a single terrorist since their inception.
Stop wasting time a resources treating granny and lil' Timmy 1st grader like terror suspects.

Posted by: Lizzy at May 20, 2015 10:10 AM (9+3PX)

94 As too the larger topic.

Let
It
Expire

Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at May 20, 2015 10:10 AM (MbrzC)

95 Whatever bill leaves the Congress, it should include
an explicit provision that ALL records pertaining to HRC's private
email service be read into the Congressional record within 15days or ALL
NSA managers above GS15 Do Not Get Paid.

Posted by: Jean at May 20, 2015 10:06 AM (ztOda)

Whew! Missed it by that much.

Posted by: GS 13/14 NSA Clerks and Secretaries at May 20, 2015 10:10 AM (TOk1P)

96 Let the Bastards show the data collecting worth by producing Shillary's e-mail from her private account. If they can send that bitch (no offense meant to bitches) to prison for treason or hanged; after a fair trial of course, then we can talk.

Posted by: OTB at May 20, 2015 10:10 AM (ShdUd)

97 "Never mind that profiling is pretty much the basis for all police work. If a robber is described as a 6' tall, 250lb white male, cops don't start looking for 5' 2" white-haired grandmothers."

Here's how it works in policing in today's Commiefornia when a criminal suspect is at large:

"Calling all cars. Calling all cars. Be on the lookout for a person. That is all."

Posted by: torquewrench at May 20, 2015 10:11 AM (noWW6)

98 Never mind that profiling is pretty much the basis for all police work. If a robber is described as a 6' tall, 250lb white male, cops don't start looking for 5' 2" white-haired grandmothers.

Although they do occasionally fire a hundred rounds at a couple of hispanic women delivering newspapers from a blue light pickup when looking for a large black man driving a charcoal grey oversize truck.

Posted by: Insomniac at May 20, 2015 10:12 AM (2Ojst)

99 Just thirty years late. I think I was pretty good guessing 1984 when I wrote it in 1949.

Posted by: Zombie George Orwell at May 20, 2015 10:12 AM (0FSuD)

100 Gack! Off phoney media sock.

Posted by: chiefjaybob at May 20, 2015 10:13 AM (2L77z)

101 Mitch: You first.
Pony up all of your data, make it public to show that transparency really is the best thing for our nation's security.
If not, then why should we allow it for our personal data?

Posted by: Lizzy at May 20, 2015 10:13 AM (9+3PX)

102 I would like to see the "Eff This, cat" video edited so that he is pushing RINOs off the desk instead of inanimate objects.

Eff the Turtle in particular.

Posted by: Drill_Thrawl at May 20, 2015 10:13 AM (JOG+K)

103 "Calling all cars. Calling all cars. Be on the lookout for a person. That is all."

"Hey, there's one."

-Officer McGillicuddy, his mouth full of doughnut.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 10:13 AM (0HooB)

104 Hey, if you got nothing to hide.......

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at May 20, 2015 10:14 AM (TV9BR)

105 88
McConnell = Harry Reid minus the pedophilia.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 20, 2015 09:43 AM (St6BJ)

Yeah, he goes for Asian chicks.

Posted by: Harry Reid, Pederast at May 20, 2015 10:14 AM (0FSuD)

106 Now you understand McConnell's bitching a bit more completely.

Posted by: An Observation at May 20, 2015 10:10 AM (q+uCt)

Not really. He's always been a whiny little bitch. He just needs a mattress to carry around.

Posted by: Drill_Thrawl at May 20, 2015 10:14 AM (JOG+K)

107 Here's the bottom line: I barely trusted Bush with the Patriot Act. I mean by a micron. Since we are now dealing with people who are demonstrably untrustworthy with this kind of power, it's time to stop.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at May 20, 2015 10:14 AM (659DL)

108 When you go for Asian chicks you are just one step from little boys. Or so a friend tells me.

Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at May 20, 2015 10:15 AM (TV9BR)

109 Arguing that McConnell is as bad or worse than Harry Reid betrays a deep ignorance of what Democrats have done to the Courts. Statistical facts may be at odds with your preferred Narrative, but that doesn't make those facts any less true.

Posted by: JohnJ at May 20, 2015 10:17 AM (TF/YA)

110 Hey hands off my Asian chicks.

Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at May 20, 2015 10:17 AM (MbrzC)

111 Stand aside, pal. We're tryin' to run a government here.

Posted by: jwpaine at May 20, 2015 10:18 AM (0bXhD)

112 Here's the bottom line: I barely trusted Bush with the Patriot Act. I mean by a micron. Since we are now dealing with people who are demonstrably untrustworthy with this kind of power, it's time to stop.

It appears as though we are incapable of stopping or even slowing it down.

We are destined to go the way of all other great societies. Destroyed from within by domestic enemies who psychotically crave power for themselves.

Notice the absence of any mention of the Constitution by any congresscritter. They know exactly what they're doing.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 10:19 AM (0HooB)

113 I know we're not going to have a game of thrones thread, but this was funny:

http://www.wired.com/2013/11/game-of-thrones-deaths/

Posted by: Lea at May 20, 2015 10:19 AM (lIU4e)

114 Jean, KY primary too close to call bevin has 83 vote lead over james comer

Posted by: FCF at May 20, 2015 10:19 AM (kejii)

115 109 Arguing that McConnell is as bad or worse than Harry Reid betrays a deep ignorance of what Democrats have done to the Courts. Statistical facts may be at odds with your preferred Narrative, but that doesn't make those facts any less true.

Mitch would do the same. He was there for all of it and doesn't care.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at May 20, 2015 10:19 AM (eHioo)

116 Posted by: GS 13/14 NSA Clerks and Secretaries

Utterly as an aside, given GS13 is about the equivalent of a Lt. Col., I seriously doubt it's clerks and secretaries at that level. Maybe big-S Secretaries, but not small-s.

Unless the grades have changed radically in the 20 years since my dad retired, of course.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12 at May 20, 2015 10:19 AM (DT3rQ)

117 Statistical facts may be at odds with your preferred Narrative, but that doesn't make those facts any less true.

Cherrypicking your stats indicates a narrow world view that is based on wishful thinking. Tell me one thing that would have been different with Harry Reid at the controls of the Senate so far. Just one.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at May 20, 2015 10:19 AM (659DL)

118 I know we're not going to have a game of thrones thread,

Rapey Tuesday was yesterday. This is Wishful Thinking Wednesday.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12 at May 20, 2015 10:20 AM (DT3rQ)

119 McConnell have any thoughts on the fact that Muslim immigration has more than doubled since 9/11?

Posted by: Paul at May 20, 2015 10:20 AM (VC56G)

120 McConnell ran in 2014 by attacking his Democrat opponent as a rubber-stamp for Obama.

Under his leadership, the Republican majority has rubber-stamped Obamacare, Executive Amnesty, Loretta Lynch, Fast Track Trade Authority, and now Domestic Spying.

And the GOP-e wonders why we despise them.

Posted by: Gregory of Yardale at May 20, 2015 10:20 AM (O7MnT)

121 This was never intended to stop a terror attack. This is intended to help you on your way to the camps after your thought crime trial.

Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at May 20, 2015 10:20 AM (TV9BR)

122 Tell me one thing that would have been different with Harry Reid at the controls of the Senate so far. Just one.

Democrats would have appointed more federal judges. Maybe I should have been more clear about that.

Posted by: JohnJ at May 20, 2015 10:21 AM (TF/YA)

123 Did someone say "KY erections"?

Posted by: Bawney Fwank at May 20, 2015 10:21 AM (X5+jU)

124 I give Harry Reid credit, he didn't spend every day as majority leader kicking his base in the nads.

Posted by: Gregory of Yardale at May 20, 2015 10:21 AM (O7MnT)

125 "Tell me one thing that would have been different with Harry Reid at the controls of the Senate so far. Just one."

--------------

Harry has a smaller office?

Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at May 20, 2015 10:21 AM (TV9BR)

126 any chance we can primary Mitch the Bitch out of office?
Posted by: redc1c4 at May 20, 2015 09:54 AM (RiMtm)

Ask the Mississippi voters and Thad McCochran.

Posted by: DangerGirl at May 20, 2015 10:22 AM (kca06)

127 FCF, which one is McConnell's boy?

Posted by: Jean at May 20, 2015 10:22 AM (ztOda)

128 Looks like the new commie mayor is trying to out do Dinkins. Read Drudges links to all the Black race baiting of whites.

http://tinyurl.com/kcvf7px

Posted by: Nip Sip at May 20, 2015 10:23 AM (0FSuD)

129 "Tell me one thing that would have been different with Harry Reid at the controls of the Senate so far. Just one."

Stopping Obama's illegal amnesty diktat?
Stopping a sexist and racist AG?
No more omnibus spending bills?

Exactly what judges that have been offered up under Obama haven't been approved?

Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at May 20, 2015 10:24 AM (TV9BR)

130 Sources and methods.

Posted by: Gerry Sitwell at May 20, 2015 10:25 AM (cQTYI)

131 Democrats would have appointed more federal judges. Maybe I should have been more clear about that.

Posted by: JohnJ at May 20, 2015 10:21 AM (TF/YA)

Serious question.Have the repubs blocked any nominees

Posted by: Velvet Ambition at May 20, 2015 10:25 AM (R8hU8)

132 *SMFH*

Posted by: Rand "What the hey, I'll endorse him" Paul at May 20, 2015 10:26 AM (vgIRn)

133 Bevin is a businessman, Comer is Ag Commissioner, there was another but noone knew anything about him. Grimes is holding her own running sec of state.

Posted by: FCF at May 20, 2015 10:27 AM (kejii)

134 In Kentucky it looks like Bevin beat Comer by only 83 votes. No word yet on McConnell's next move.

Posted by: MTF at May 20, 2015 10:27 AM (LISuA)

135 Infowars links? Oy!

Posted by: Bawney Fwank at May 20, 2015 10:28 AM (X5+jU)

136 This will seem a little crazy, but have we considered what technology wants?

In the book "What Technology Wants" the author argues for a sort of anthropomorphic inclination of technology to gain greater access to information and control. It sounds bug nuts but by the final chapter you can't totally disregard what he is saying.

The machines don't need AI to begin to chart their own path and exert their own agenda. They just need to be useful.

Posted by: dude guy at May 20, 2015 10:29 AM (QCc6B)

137 Posted by: Velvet Ambition at May 20, 2015 10:25 AM (R8hU

You can just google 'Republicans block judicial nominees' . It's more of a delay though.

Posted by: Cruzinator at May 20, 2015 10:29 AM (8cSVB)

138 -Officer McGillicuddy, his mouth full of doughnut.

Car 54 where are you?

Posted by: wrg500 at May 20, 2015 10:30 AM (S+el1)

139 Meh. It's not going to change anyone's mind. Carry on.

Posted by: JohnJ at May 20, 2015 10:31 AM (TF/YA)

140 119 McConnell have any thoughts on the fact that Muslim immigration has more than doubled since 9/11?
Posted by: Paul at May 20, 2015 10:20 AM (VC56G)
_________________________

This.

If the federal government was really interested in protecting us from Islamic terrorists, they'd stop importing them!

Posted by: TrivialPursuer at May 20, 2015 10:31 AM (lmdHn)

141 Not the first to say it, but McConnell and his ilk are really making me rethink my distrust of Rand Paul.

Posted by: JPS at May 20, 2015 10:31 AM (0k/27)

142 "Tell me one thing that would have been different with Harry Reid at the controls of the Senate so far. Just one."

---------------------------------------------------------------
More people would still believe we actually have a two party system.

Posted by: OTB at May 20, 2015 10:32 AM (ShdUd)

143
Rapey Tuesday was yesterday. This is Wishful Thinking Wednesday.

I didn't get enough Rape yesterday. Is there any left over?

Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 20, 2015 10:33 AM (JtwS4)

144 I didn't get enough Rape yesterday. Is there any left over?

Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 20, 2015 10:33 AM (JtwS4)
========================

Sorry, we put it to bed

Posted by: Emma Sulkowicx at May 20, 2015 10:35 AM (LISuA)

145 Rapey Tuesday was yesterday. This is Wishful Thinking Wednesday.

I wish it was Friday. Does that count?

BTW, testing out the not html that somebody pointed out yesterday. Fingers crossed it works!

Posted by: Lea at May 20, 2015 10:35 AM (lIU4e)

146 140 "If the federal government was really interested in protecting us from Islamic terrorists, they'd stop importing them!"

------------------------------------------------------------

Excellent point of fact!

Posted by: OTB at May 20, 2015 10:36 AM (ShdUd)

147 92,
That's the basis for the progressives disdain of the constitution at the beginnings of radio and television. The "we gotta control technology for the good of all" was one hundred percent bovine scatology...

Of course, no one could imagine the FCC taking over the internet

Posted by: anon a mouse at May 20, 2015 10:36 AM (C9pBZ)

148 Hey remember when during the lead up to the 2014 election all the establishment shills were going "the House has passed tons of good bills its just that Harry Reid keeps sitting on them and refuses to let them come up for a vote in the Senate. So shut up and vote Republican so we can actually force Obama to be the one to veto stuff."

Yeah that's really happening isn't it.

Posted by: buzzion at May 20, 2015 10:36 AM (zt+N6)

149 Turtle may be getter than Reid.

So what?

He's still bad.

Posted by: eman at May 20, 2015 10:37 AM (MQEz6)

150 I didn't get enough Rape yesterday. Is there any left over?

Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 20, 2015 10:33 AM (JtwS4)

Only anal.

Posted by: The Bitch carrying a whore mattress at Columbia at May 20, 2015 10:37 AM (0FSuD)

151
Sorry, we put it to bed

*snort*

Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 20, 2015 10:38 AM (JtwS4)

152 Republican or Democrat they are all members of the same Politburo.

Posted by: OTB at May 20, 2015 10:38 AM (ShdUd)

153 "Tell me one thing that would have been different with Harry Reid at the controls of the Senate so far. Just one."

-----------------

Mitch McConnell would be opposing Obama's agenda.

Posted by: Gregory of Yardale at May 20, 2015 10:38 AM (O7MnT)

154 Morning all. As usual McTurtle sucks.... Did You see they released some of Bin Ladens "notes." Odd timing it is... Coincidence? I think not...

Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at May 20, 2015 10:39 AM (Bn6aD)

155 OT: Aides scrutinized, sometimes blocked release of documents requested under public-records law

Clinton organized crime family

http://tinyurl.com/mgowwfy

Posted by: wrg500 at May 20, 2015 10:39 AM (S+el1)

156 Number six dance tonight?

Posted by: anon a mouse at May 20, 2015 10:39 AM (C9pBZ)

157
Number six dance tonight?

Is that the one with the happy ending?

Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 20, 2015 10:40 AM (JtwS4)

158 Twizzle, Twazzle, Twozzle, Twome, time for this one to come home...

Posted by: Mr. Wizard at May 20, 2015 10:41 AM (sH832)

159 If Bitch is for it, I'm likely against it. I hate that rino sob.

http://goo.gl/iAclfH

Posted by: maddogg at May 20, 2015 10:41 AM (xWW96)

160 The machines don't need AI to begin to chart their own path and exert their own agenda. They just need to be useful.
Posted by: dude guy at May 20, 2015 10:29 AM (QCc6B)

I'll have whatever he's having.

Posted by: jwpaine at May 20, 2015 10:43 AM (0bXhD)

161 156 Number six dance tonight?
======================

In Thailand I think they say "Nummah sithz dance to night?"

Posted by: Baron Jean Jacques Kerrey de Foggy Bottom at May 20, 2015 10:43 AM (LISuA)

162 i'm horrified by the concept of the bachelor bacherlorette.....but i watch.....but the new twist with the two girls that the guys choose one to stay was really terrible.....but i'll watch because i like bad tv........

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 20, 2015 10:44 AM (0O7c5)

163 In an effort to deflect from Oblahblah's failings in foreign policy, and in the middle east in particular, they released documents seized in the bin Dead raid. Apparently the U.S. faced dire consequences if Oblahblah didn't act when he did and bravely order the SEAL team hit in Pahkeesthan.

Posted by: Hank at May 20, 2015 10:45 AM (mb+j8)

164 Look, an ant hill doesn't have consciousness.

Niether does technology...

Posted by: dude guy at May 20, 2015 10:46 AM (QCc6B)

165 HotAir has an opinion.

I think I'm going to chop weeds, but maybe a mid morning nap first.

Posted by: Gerry Sitwell at May 20, 2015 10:46 AM (cQTYI)

166 Number six? Mattress to firm for anal.

Posted by: The Bitch carrying a whore mattress at Columbia at May 20, 2015 10:46 AM (0FSuD)

167 I think I'm going to chop weeds, but maybe a mid morning nap first.

Posted by: Gerry Sitwell at May 20, 2015 10:46 AM (cQTYI)

I'll second that nap motion.

Posted by: Nip Sip at May 20, 2015 10:47 AM (0FSuD)

168 BTW, testing out the not html that somebody pointed out yesterday. Fingers crossed it works!
Posted by: Lea at May 20, 2015 10:35 AM

*chuckles evilly*

I'll just be over here waiting....

Posted by: The Barrel at May 20, 2015 10:49 AM (h4vJk)

169 Palmyra is about to fall.

Damn these setbacks.

Posted by: RWC - Team BOHICA at May 20, 2015 10:49 AM (fWAjv)

170 BTW, I'm the only one to laugh at the clearly racist "go dark" comment?
It's like I don't know this place...

Posted by: anon a mouse at May 20, 2015 10:50 AM (C9pBZ)

171 Palmyra is about to fall.

Damn these setbacks.

It's that consarned BOOOOOOOSH!!!!11!!!!

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 10:50 AM (0HooB)

172 In summary: Fuck this clown.

Posted by: FDR's TV at May 20, 2015 10:51 AM (ne2fm)

173 Posted by: anon a mouse at May 20, 2015 10:50 AM

Sorry. Race Card's all maxed out.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 20, 2015 10:51 AM (h4vJk)

174 I see the feds are highly concerned with the 187 million skimmed off the Cancer charity. They seem much less concerned with the much greater amount the Clintons skimmed from their personal charity scam.

Posted by: maddogg at May 20, 2015 10:51 AM (xWW96)

175 "Palmyra is about to fall. "

Overall a success.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:51 AM (LA7Cm)

176 171
Palmyra is about to fall.

Damn these setbacks.

It's that consarned BOOOOOOOSH!!!!11!!!!

So lets cover up our screw ups with some Bin Laden "documents" drop....

Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at May 20, 2015 10:51 AM (Bn6aD)

177 WWHRD? After consulting with Oblahblah, Reid would have buried the House bill without a vote.

Posted by: Hank at May 20, 2015 10:52 AM (mb+j8)

178 Al-Shabaab jihadists have called on southeast Asia's Muslims to come to the aid of Burmese migrants persecuted "at the hands of the savage Buddhists".

Hello pot meet kettle.

Posted by: wrg500 at May 20, 2015 10:53 AM (S+el1)

179 Eff the Turtle in particular.

Posted by: Drill_Thrawl

Yeah!

Posted by: the chicken at May 20, 2015 10:53 AM (VAsIq)

180 Palmyra: I think it is time to resurrect Zenobia the Warrior Queen!

Posted by: FCF at May 20, 2015 10:53 AM (kejii)

181 It's almost 200, so premature O/T:
Win a chance to "blow shit up" with Ahhnuuld:

http://goo.gl/719Vtb

My favorite part is after he uses a rocket launcher to wipe out his neighbor's Cadillac:

"Hey! I just washed that!"

"Consider it waxed."

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 20, 2015 10:54 AM (zF6Iw)

182 Arguing that McConnell is as bad or worse than Harry Reid betrays a deep ignorance of what Democrats have done to the Courts. Statistical facts may be at odds with your preferred Narrative, but that doesn't make those facts any less true.

-
Yeah, Bitch stood like a rock against the Lynch AG nomination. That's why I call him Stonewall Bitch.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at May 20, 2015 10:54 AM (XUKZU)

183 So lets cover up our screw ups with some Bin Laden "documents" drop....

Flashback to yesterday:

"Mrs. Clinton, what was your reaction to the 9/11 attacks when you remembered that your husband could've taken Bin Laden into custody when he was offered up by Pakistan, yet didn't?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 10:55 AM (0HooB)

184 "savage Buddhists"

Talk about two words you don't really see together.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:55 AM (LA7Cm)

185 Posted by: the chicken at May 20, 2015 10:53 AM (VAsIq)

Don't get too uppity, there's plenty to go around.

Posted by: wrg500 at May 20, 2015 10:56 AM (S+el1)

186 Can't be maxed out. Evar.

Now where's the five mill for the younger Sharpton?

Heh

Posted by: anon a mouse at May 20, 2015 10:56 AM (7amCf)

187 182 Arguing that McConnell is as bad or worse than Harry Reid betrays a deep ignorance of what Democrats have done to the Courts. Statistical facts may be at odds with your preferred Narrative, but that doesn't make those facts any less true.

-
Yeah, Bitch stood like a rock against the Lynch AG nomination. That's why I call him Stonewall Bitch.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at May 20, 2015 10:54 AM (XUKZU)

___________

And he also voted for the wise Latina, did he not?

Posted by: HUCK / AKIN 2016 at May 20, 2015 10:56 AM (0LHZx)

188 "savage Buddhists"

Talk about two words you don't really see together.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill

In fairness, I find their peaceful serenity pretty aggressive and insulting.

Posted by: Turd Ferguson at May 20, 2015 10:57 AM (VAsIq)

189 Something that's bothered me ever since law school way back in the last century, and that I'm reminded of when boarding a plane: there's a Supreme Court case upholding drunk driver checkpoints, basically because everybody is in the same boat. But I've never understood how the violation of your rights is any better if the gov't is violating everybody else's too.

Posted by: Bud Norton at May 20, 2015 10:57 AM (6cOMd)

190 In full disclosure, I supported the Patriot Act when it was first implemented. However, I don't think I can still support it. That said, I think squelching the Patriot Act will give jihadis a better advantage. But it's always liberty vs. security and I think liberty has taken enough of a beating.

Posted by: Sphynx at May 20, 2015 10:57 AM (OZmbA)

191
184 "savage Buddhists"

Talk about two words you don't really see together.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 10:55 AM (LA7Cm)

I fear a Buddhist-Lutheran alliance.

Incense and lime jello.

Posted by: eman at May 20, 2015 10:57 AM (MQEz6)

192 Can't be maxed out. Evar.

Now where's the five mill for the younger Sharpton?

Heh

The Race Card: don't leave home without it.

-Rev. Al-Sharpton

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 10:58 AM (0HooB)

193 178 "savage Buddhists"?

Wow.

There's a couple of terms you don't see together very often. Except for Richard Gere...

And of course, the phrase was used by muzzies.

Posted by: 1bulwetweft at May 20, 2015 10:58 AM (nqiq9)

194 >>"Mrs. Clinton, what was your reaction to the 9/11 attacks when you remembered that your husband could've taken Bin Laden into custody when he was offered up by Pakistan, yet didn't?

I recall that Hills was suspiciously absent from NYC immediately following the 9/11 attacks - I had fully expected her to be mugging for the national media's cameras as hard as Schumer.

And then when she did appear she looked - refreshed, so I assumed it was ill-timed plastic surgery.

Posted by: Lizzy at May 20, 2015 10:59 AM (YM6UJ)

195 "savage Buddhists"?

I don't know, Buddhist Monks have a tendency to burst into flames...

Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at May 20, 2015 10:59 AM (Bn6aD)

196 Dang.
Sorry RK, etal.

Man, you gotta be quick around here.

Posted by: 1bulwetweft at May 20, 2015 10:59 AM (nqiq9)

197 >>193
178 "savage Buddhists"?

Wow.

There's a couple of terms you don't see together very often. Except for Richard Gere...
<<

You're telling me!

Posted by: The Gerbil at May 20, 2015 10:59 AM (OZmbA)

198 And then when she did appear she looked - refreshed, so I assumed it was ill-timed plastic surgery.

Posted by: Lizzy

Her old body unexpectedly fell apart, so they had to assemble a new human shell to put her in.

Posted by: Turd Ferguson at May 20, 2015 11:00 AM (VAsIq)

199 "savage Buddhists"

Well they do have these guarding a temple in Thailand

http://tinyurl.com/mea8lgj

Posted by: wrg500 at May 20, 2015 11:00 AM (S+el1)

200 198
And then when she did appear she looked - refreshed, so I assumed it was ill-timed plastic surgery.

Posted by: Lizzy

Her old body unexpectedly fell apart, so they had to assemble a new human shell to put her in.
She should get a refund...

Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at May 20, 2015 11:01 AM (Bn6aD)

201 Savage Buddhist = OOOHMMMM, bitch.

Posted by: anon a mouse at May 20, 2015 11:01 AM (7amCf)

202 >>Palmyra is about to fall.

What's that smell - is the WH staff's hair on fire?

Oh right, it's their pants on fire from telling us not to worry about minor setbacks, all is going swimmingly!!

Posted by: Lizzy at May 20, 2015 11:01 AM (YM6UJ)

203 It is my understanding that the Patriot Act does not enable the wide data collection they do. No doubt it is something of a smokescreen for it in effect, since they can just say "but Patriot Act . . . " and blame Bush. But technically it isn't part of the Act.

Posted by: DonS at May 20, 2015 11:02 AM (lJ2J+)

204 Ok, watch me get willow'd, but I'm curious if anyone knows any good 1. Financial podcasts (besides YNAB's) and 2. Russian history books. I'm looking at summer reading options. Thanks!

Also, I'm about to read an Atlantic article about everything wrong with 401ks. I'm predicting it will say we should make them all government run or alternately a tax program just like SS. Because that is obviously working out well.

Posted by: Lea at May 20, 2015 11:02 AM (lIU4e)

205 I recall that Hills was suspiciously absent from NYC immediately following the 9/11 attacks - I had fully expected her to be mugging for the national media's cameras as hard as Schumer.

Remember when she showed up for the memorial concert and nearly had her scankled ass booed off stage? That got conveeeeeniently erased on the DVD of the event.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 20, 2015 11:02 AM (zF6Iw)

206 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced Tuesday he will allow a vote on the USA Freedom Act, despite his opposition to the legislation.

Apologies in advance for the blasphemy.

Jesus Fucking Christ Almighty how very fucking nice of you to follow the motherfucking legislative process you pathetic crapweasel and I apologize to crapweasels for the comparison.

You are a motherfucking Senator, you vile twatlet, not God Almighty who gets to decide, unilaterally, what matters will come up for a vote based on whether or not you like it. No, you do not have that authoritah and I do not have to respect it. Didn't we just get done shrieking about how the Searchlight Strangler didn't let anything come up for a vote? If you're doing something that Harry Reid did, you need to reconsider the entirety of your life choices.

Get this, you amoeba brained flashcard reminder on how to breathe user, the entire MOTHERFUCKING POINT of the legislative process is to allow people to either vote yes or no. That means, and I'll type slowly so you can comprehend this, that sometimes bills will come to the floor and you won't like what's in them IF YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT'S IN THEM OMFG ARRRGGHH but you still have to let the people's representatives vote.

*breaks out the puppets*

Jackhole, can I call you Jackhole, I'm going to call you Jackhole, this is how the process works. Bills are drafted. The bills go to committee. Then the bills come to the floor for amendments. Then the bills and amendments are voted on. BECAUSE WE ARE NOT A FUCKING TYRANNY NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WOULD LIKE THAT AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU DISLIKE RESPONSIBILITY AND NO I AM NOT OVERUSING THE CAPS SHUT UP BC.

*deep calming breath*

Go home, Mitch, you're an asshat.

Posted by: alexthechick - Oh please intervene SMOD at May 20, 2015 11:02 AM (mf5HN)

207 "http://tinyurl.com/mea8lgj"

What is that?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:03 AM (LA7Cm)

208 Nice accompanying sidebar thingy about this post, rdbrewer.

An overwhelming majority of Americans across party lines want this beast changed.

Which, of course, means it'll never happen. Government power is all that matters to these congresscritters.

#WASTF

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 11:03 AM (0HooB)

209 What's that smell - is the WH staff's hair on fire?

Oh right, it's their pants on fire from telling us not to worry about minor setbacks, all is going swimmingly!!

What gets me is the picture of the long convoy of ISIS going down a road in broad daylight and plain sight.... So why didn't We drop bombs on them?

Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at May 20, 2015 11:03 AM (Bn6aD)

210 190 Never support anything that takes away your liberty for whatever reason. No matter what promises are made you will never get them back.

Posted by: OTB at May 20, 2015 11:03 AM (ShdUd)

211 202 >>Palmyra is about to fall.

Yeah. They're soaking in it....

Posted by: 1bulwetweft at May 20, 2015 11:04 AM (nqiq9)

212 Somebody just woke up.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:04 AM (LA7Cm)

213 The Constitution is the highest law in the land.

When Government and elected officials no longer follow the law... why will the People?

We see and hear of it every day... from Hillary and emails and Benghazi... to running guns to Syria... to the EPA over reach... to immigration...

And this.... which is flouting the highest law of the land...

They don't care... and are LEADING us down to a very dark place.

Posted by: BB Wolf at May 20, 2015 11:04 AM (qh617)

214
*deep calming breath*

Yeah. I need a cigarette.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 20, 2015 11:04 AM (JtwS4)

215 Posted by: alexthechick - Oh please intervene SMOD at May 20, 2015 11:02 AM

Brb....bunk.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 20, 2015 11:05 AM (h4vJk)

216 I saw "Savage Buddhists" open for Motorhead in Cincinnati back in 1993.

Posted by: This Joke Is Way Past is Expiration Date at May 20, 2015 11:05 AM (O7MnT)

217 This is a country of soft targets, we will be hit again.
Some folks would be happy to trade freedom of others for perceived security.
FBI had Russian intel on Tsarnev bros and didn't act on it.
Boston was under Martial Law, and people cheered when it was over.
Sharing of data between fed, state, and local LEO is common and won't stop. A majority of your countrymen are happy to have the meth dealer down the road shut down at the expense of some light chains.
Even if a bill limits feds ability to do things, they still will. That big NSA facility out west ain't shutting down. What are you going to do about it? Bitch online, which of course will be duly noted by NSA BOB (who also wears khaki's).
Freedoms given up are never GIVEN back.

Just a few data points about where we actually are. My ideas of what to do about remain mine.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at May 20, 2015 11:05 AM (XmOA9)

218 Posted by: alexthechick - Oh please intervene SMOD at May 20, 2015 11:02 AM (mf5HN)

This is why I pledge my undyling loyalty to Her Imperial Malevolence.

Would that someone could tie McConnell to a chair and jam every word of this down his throat.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at May 20, 2015 11:05 AM (zF6Iw)

219 What gets me is the picture of the long convoy of ISIS going down a road in broad daylight and plain sight.... So why didn't We drop bombs on them?

Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at May 20, 2015 11:03 AM (Bn6aD)

Geeee.... wonder why.....

Posted by: A10s sitting on the runway, waiting for orders from the WHITE HOUSE at May 20, 2015 11:06 AM (qh617)

220 Posted by: Bud Norton at May 20, 2015 10:57 AM (6cOMd

I thought it was based more on the public domain and control of roads by the government that they used to support the check points.

Posted by: Cruzinator at May 20, 2015 11:06 AM (8cSVB)

221 At this point I would rather have ol' Puffy Face in the senate, at least we could get some entertainment out of it rather than being stabbed repeatedly in the back.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at May 20, 2015 11:06 AM (ODxAs)

222 Maybe we can drop a bunch of mattresses on Palmyra

Then people will pay attention

Posted by: Bigby's Punch Bug Blue at May 20, 2015 11:06 AM (3ZtZW)

223 What is that?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:03 AM (LA7Cm)

Temple viper. One of the Buddhist temples in Thailand has 100's of them. One of the most poison snakes in the world. Pit viper that lives on birds that fly into the temple.

Posted by: wrg500 at May 20, 2015 11:06 AM (S+el1)

224 Well, there was this one shy, bald savage Buddhist who planned a mass murder after hitting his balls on the bicycle crossbar.

No, wait, that was Morrissey.

Posted by: Gregory of Yardale at May 20, 2015 11:06 AM (O7MnT)

225 What is wrong with McConnell, anyway? Has he lost his mind?

Posted by: Count de Monet at May 20, 2015 11:07 AM (JO9+V)

226 *sigh*
I'm on your side. I wish you understood. It's just that I see information from our Intelligence community on a daily basis that would make your chin recede! It's important to keep this dragnet in place, so we know where the bad guys are watching the best, dirtiest, most degrading pron imaginable.

Posted by: Mitchell "Mitch" McConnell at May 20, 2015 11:07 AM (VAsIq)

227 Why do I smell sulfur?

Posted by: jwpaine at May 20, 2015 11:07 AM (0bXhD)

228 AtC. In excellent form.

*opens popcorn and rereads comment*

Nice.

Posted by: 1bulwetweft at May 20, 2015 11:08 AM (nqiq9)

229
AtC. In excellent form.

Someone send Her some brownies...

Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at May 20, 2015 11:08 AM (Bn6aD)

230 " Has he lost his mind?"

Maybe. But he's definitely lost his moral and core political convictions to $$$$ and cocktail parties.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:08 AM (LA7Cm)

231 Art thread up.

Posted by: HH at May 20, 2015 11:09 AM (Ce4DF)

232 *inhales deeply*

MMM-MMM! Smells like a high-quality rant as always!

I'd rather be governed by 534 AtC's than the crowd of f*cktards currently in Congress...

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12 at May 20, 2015 11:09 AM (DT3rQ)

233 Let God sort them out. And the line before that one.

Posted by: jwpaine at May 20, 2015 11:09 AM (0bXhD)

234
225 What is wrong with McConnell, anyway? Has he lost his mind?

Posted by: Count de Monet at May 20, 2015 11:07 AM (JO9+V)

No, he is a product of his years in Washington...

Anyone who can read a basic spreadsheet knows that Republicans make government bigger at just about the same rate, as democrats do....

The largest expansion of the US Government.... DHS, EPA????? DONE UNDER REPUBLICANS.

He is a Statist... its just now he has the power to SHOW us who he really is.

Posted by: BB Wolf at May 20, 2015 11:10 AM (qh617)

235 "Pit viper that lives on birds that fly into the temple. "

Interesting. Temple of the Azure Cloud.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at May 20, 2015 11:10 AM (LA7Cm)

236 Great post, rdbrewer.

Personally, I never saw what the big deal was when it comes to the collection of metadata - but you make some excellent points.

Posted by: FireHorse at May 20, 2015 11:10 AM (64tBw)

237 Your Malevolence, that was pure political poetry.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 11:11 AM (0HooB)

238 Someone did ask above rhetorically whats the difference between Reid and McConnell . I believe AtC unintentionally answered that in her excellent rant. In fact it was the trigger for the rant.

Posted by: Cruzinator at May 20, 2015 11:12 AM (8cSVB)

239 I wish more conservatives understood the Constitution when it said that you should be secure in your papers.

What this means is that the government has no right to know your personal business. If you want to do commercial transactions across state lines, then the government has a legitimate reason to impose fees or taxes to support operations, but they don't inherently have the right to run a scope up your ass and know everything about what you do for a living and how much you make.

Time to get away from the income tax and to the
Fair Tax.

Posted by: jwest at May 20, 2015 11:13 AM (9ZZd+)

240 I'd rather be governed by 534 AtC's than the crowd of f*cktards currently in Congress...

We need but one.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 11:14 AM (0HooB)

241
"Palmyra is about to fall. "

Mikey Palmyra trips near the creek trying to flee and then Christopher and Paulie whack him. Whack him good.

Posted by: Count de Monet at May 20, 2015 11:15 AM (JO9+V)

242 Bulletproof Monk?

Posted by: Lizzy at May 20, 2015 11:17 AM (YM6UJ)

243 So it goes.

Posted by: Hank at May 20, 2015 11:17 AM (mb+j8)

244 AtC - epic rant!!

Ever consider recording or youtubng your rants?

Posted by: Lizzy at May 20, 2015 11:18 AM (YM6UJ)

245 AtC - epic rant!!

Ever consider recording or youtubng your rants?

Posted by: Lizzy at May 20, 2015 11:18 AM (YM6UJ)

246 The Washington Post has discovered who is responsible for that biker shootout. Hint: It's She Who Must Not Be Named.

http://tinyurl.com/m4n8cy8

Posted by: The Great White Snark at May 20, 2015 11:18 AM (XUKZU)

247 I wish more conservatives understood the Constitution when it said that you should be secure in your papers.

We do. It's the imbeciles in DC who don't.

The Constitution isn't difficult to comprehend. It's written in plain English and outlines the restrictions placed on government. The principles that undergird it are clear to anyone with two functioning brain cells to rub together.

Therein lies the rub.

Precious few of them even discuss it when it should be the first thing they consider when crafting legislation. It's beyond clear that the very last thing they ask themselves is, "Does this bill adhere to the letter and principles of the Constitution?" if they bother to ask it at all.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this sh1t at May 20, 2015 11:20 AM (0HooB)

248 AtC - epic rant!!

Ever consider recording or youtubng your rants?
Posted by: Lizzy at May 20, 2015 11:18 AM (YM6UJ)

Thank you.

You know, the podcast is me kinda ranting about all kinds of things.

Hint hint hint.

Posted by: alexthechick - Oh please intervene SMOD at May 20, 2015 11:20 AM (mf5HN)

249 Bud Norton @ 189: "Something that's bothered me ever since law school way back in the last century, and that I'm reminded of when boarding a plane: there's a Supreme Court case upholding drunk driver checkpoints, basically because everybody is in the same boat. But I've never understood how the violation of your rights is any better if the gov't is violating everybody else's too."
________

Good point. I offer as a counterpoint -

I forget exactly when (ten years ago?) there was this guy making bomb threats outside of Boston. He sent the threats via email from a public library. When the cops or agents asked the librarians who used such-and-such computer at a particular time, they refused to say, citing the guy's rights, etc. First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, whichever. The thing of it was that this was a current, credible threat.

It's easy to side with the librarians in retrospect, but at that moment it would seem that cooperation with the authorities is most appropriate.

I don't know. I guess this is why we have law schools and stuff.

Posted by: FireHorse at May 20, 2015 11:24 AM (64tBw)

250
You know, the podcast is me kinda ranting about all kinds of things.

And showing your Benevolence by letting some guy mumble every 15 minutes or so.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 20, 2015 11:25 AM (JtwS4)

251 re:249
I'll gladly take the bomb threats continuing in such a case.

Posted by: ThisBeingMilt at May 20, 2015 11:46 AM (MbrzC)

252 Well, I think #72 and #206 summed up everything I had to say! I just wanted to add a Fuck Yeah! to their comments.

Posted by: Rob in Katy at May 20, 2015 11:56 AM (gdGJ1)

253 Fuck you McConnell. G. Washington would be crossing the Delaware looking just for you.

Posted by: dogfish at May 20, 2015 11:57 AM (jWtyG)

254 Who ever thought OLD Mitches was a Constitutionalists?
Does that ass hat look like he ever did anything besides void, defaecate and fart stain his BVD's?

Posted by: mitches Mean Cousin at May 20, 2015 12:09 PM (/WmRg)

255 but, but... muh securitah!

Posted by: Shoey at May 20, 2015 12:10 PM (vA94g)

256 The only solution is to drive the Power Elite out of politics, and keep them out.

Yea, there's the rub....

Posted by: Paladin at May 20, 2015 12:18 PM (YNPwP)

257 They knowingly import Muslim terrorists like the Tsarnaevs and allow them to freely operate like the Garland shooters, so that they can use the presence of terrorists as a pretense to spy on all law-abiding Americans 100% of the time. Preventing terrorism in the US could be done easily and cheaply. Simply ban Muslim immigration, deport all Muslims on expired visas, and use the NSA to spy on mosques and their members. Did you pussy RINOs know that the NSA's internal protocols forbid spying on mosques, the places where terrorists are trained? A vote for republicans in the midterms was a vote for government-sponsored Muslim terrorism.

Posted by: Muslims Smell Like Piss at May 20, 2015 12:19 PM (FPoPi)

258 "McConnell: The House NSA Bill Could Make Us Go Dark"

Racist!!!!

Posted by: Brian in New Orleans at May 20, 2015 12:21 PM (UBzPO)

259
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at May 20, 2015 09:59 AM (B0IEg)

You are such a dirty girl... oh, yes, you are!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars(TM) at May 20, 2015 12:21 PM (VLTL9)

260 Follow the money.

Posted by: MikeD at May 20, 2015 12:32 PM (uKJIC)

261 "Did Matt Bevin with the KY gubernatorial election yesterday?

That would piss off McConnell, so I'm hoping."

Why? Bevin was clearly McConnell's phony challenger.

Posted by: Shoot Me at May 20, 2015 12:32 PM (EQcfE)

262 I don't care how bad the Democrat running against Mitch McConnell is next time around, they've got my support.

Posted by: McAdams at May 20, 2015 01:20 PM (sg1zh)

263 Why is it the NSA seems to have everybody's emails and phone records... except for Hillary's?

Posted by: Keith Arnold at May 20, 2015 01:20 PM (iIzG7)

264 Ostensibly, the Patriot Act was created to expand government's counterintelligence capabilities because of terrorism. Terrorism, the threat from abroad. Remember? Terrorism is what sold it.

They did not lie, it's just that our overlords in DC think of everything outside of the beltway as "abroad" and everyone "abroad" as potential terrorists, particularly those Teahadis...er...Jipartyists...er...Tea Baggers.

Posted by: Ken in NH at May 20, 2015 02:31 PM (MqjGP)

265 Pack of lies.

The feds would prefer the phone companies keep the data, which government could request on a case by case basis. But they won't. They dump it after the records are past the deadline for disputing bills. So if the feds don't collect and store it, it won't be there when needed, warrant or none.

BTW, warrants have never been required for Line User Detail - calls made to and from a given number. Look at old cop shows pre-9/11 and see how they always say "dump the LUDs" on a victim or suspect. Third party records have no expectation of privacy and never did, Zippy.

We now return to your previously schedule ignorant hissy-fits.

Posted by: Adjoran at May 20, 2015 02:43 PM (QIQ6j)

266 4th amendment? sounds like a bunch of luapian trolls.

Posted by: X at May 20, 2015 03:06 PM (n5fTN)

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