Patriot Act:, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee shuts down DEMS

[OKthatsIT]

Rep. Sensenbrenner Gets Angry, Abruptly Ends Hearing
By Mark Williams
Posted on Fri Jun 10th, 2005 at 06:29:43 AM EST


This morning Rep. Sensenbrenner, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee was leading a committee hearing looking into the renewal of Patriot Act.

Mr. Sensenbrenner decided that he didn't like the tone of the meeting and simply got up and left but not before he criticized the witnesses who came and gave their testimony to the committee.

After he left the microphones were switched on and off while the Democratic members of the committee continued to discuss the renewal of the Patriot Act.

VIDEO: http://dembloggers.com/ thanks to DemBlogger

[NewJeffCT]

1. another crybaby conservative

WAAAH, somebody didn't bow down & praise the Patriot Act... WAAAH

[wtmusic]

2. Waah.

At least he didn't lay down and pound his fists on the floor...

[tabasco]

3. I wish all the repugs would just get up and leave ...

and let the democrats get started rebuiding the country.

[leftchick]

4. I saw that, it was disgusting

anyone who thinks there is one iota of Democracy left in this country is full of shit.

[sandnsea]

57. I don't get it

Was the hearing scheduled to continue or something? I watched the clip and I couldn't figure out why the meeting wasn't supposed to be adjourned.

[hlthe2b]

5. I missed how the House Majority Leader was involved (i.e., Hastert)

:shrug:


This is something that needs wide media attention... Average Joes need to see their fascist government in action...

[maryallen]

71. Delay is House Majority Leader ...

[SnoopDog]

6. Sensenbrenner is the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, not...

House Majority Leader

Just fyi.

[Hand]

9. He just looks a lot like Hastert...

Another lard-assed fool. :grr:

[leftchick]

12. yep, fat, white and repuke

and probably a "christian" too.

[fujiyama]

36. Reminds me of a "Family Guy"

episode.

Peter (the father), is riding an elephant and yells out, "Hey Louis - here are the two symbols of the republican party - an elephant and a big fat white man that fears change!"

[OKthatsIT]

10. OH..Im sorry...I wasnt thinking...too emotional

TYPO...thanks for correcting me!

[Zan_of_Texas]

15. OK - please change the headline since it's inaccurate.

You still have time to edit.

[OKthatsIT]

24. better now?

?

[SnoopDog]

18. I hear ya...

I am so fucking tired of these repuks thinking that they are ALL KINGS of our Country.

When do we push the 'reset government' button?

[Rainscents]

7. Poor baby, he is not getting his way....

I hope this shit don't pass! I hear, it's real bad!
I called my Reps and Senates yesterday, not to support this bill!

[OKthatsIT]

14. The shit is, FBI gets unlimited access to your personal life

anytime, anyplace, anybody....no Judge involved.

They could maipulate the records once theyre inside your accts, if they wanted too.

[Spectral]

28. That's the terrifying core of the problem

It's about a police state

[Ms. Clio]

8. What petty and vulgar tyrants these people are

They aren't even attempting to hide it anymore.

[AnneD]

16. and they won't

the election gave them a 'man-date'.

[bridgit]

11. it's long since past time for regime change...

in wash, dc :thumbsdown: update surveillance technology thats fine & dandy, but the 'patriot act' is little more that a boondoggle to republican friends & political donors and has to go

[dbt]

13. They are beginning to crack.

Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxcellent.

:popcorn:

[ticapnews]

17. Was that the committee hearing or footage from a local daycare?

I can't hear you! *nyah nyah nyah nyah* I can't hear you!

I don't like you people, so I'm going to take my gavel and go home.

edit: No offense to kids in day care intended. :)

[AspenRose]

19. I say we start sending them pacifiers

In sealed plastic cases, of course, so no one would suspect anthrax poisoning or anything like that.

Just a simple, rubber binky to get the point across.

Waaah.

[glitch]

43. Oh what a good idea - maybe there is a mail order baby supply we can use

dang - now where is that animated gif of the crying baby?

[ls317]

20. Punk -Asses

What did you expect since they where in lockstep with the grand plan.

Bunch of assclowns

[leftofthedial]

21. I don't like what you are saying

and I don't have a script on these points from Karl Rove yet

so I'm taking my ball and going home!

and these hearings are adjourned.

[WillyT]

22. Why Mr. Chairman... I Didn't Realize You Were So........ Sensitive !!!

Zogby had it correct. Is THIS an example of the democracy we want to export around the world???

The Republican Party is the party of 'Small Man's Complex'.

AND I AIN'T TALKIN HEIGHT HERE, YOU CORRUPT MOTHER-FUCKERS!!!

:mad::nuke::mad:

[truth_is_extreme]

23. “This is how Liberty dies."

Padmé knew.

[Logician]

25. Sound Bite Needed for the MSM

We need to develop a sound bite to be exported in the blogosphere and within the MSM that captures the tyranny of our government by the right wing extremist Republicans-- the ones actually in power these days in Congress.

Here is yet another example of Rethugs, when not being able to sensibly argue their side, use their power to end discussion.

Similarly, the WH has intimidated the MSM into not asking the hard questions-- that if they were to do so, their access to the WH and press conferences would be terminated.

We need a sound bite to rip its way through much of American, that remains asleep at the wheel, accepting the Conservative Right's baseless propaganda. This phrase needs to be picked up by the MSM. But how?

[Strawman]

44. right on...excellent parallel

"Similarly, the WH has intimidated the MSM into not asking the hard questions-- that if they were to do so, their access to the WH and press conferences would be terminated."

[DoYouEverWonder]

26. More proof that rudeness

is a Republican value.

What a friggin' jerk.

[Supersedeas]

33. and or cowardess -- conservative chickenhawk unite in the break room

[mourningdove92]

27. I saw it. It was really

disgusting. Rep Jackson has coined a new phrase that I think we should beging using more and more.

She made reference several times to the "TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY".

think that is what pissed him off? He made a direct criticism of one of her comments, then refused to yield to let her speak.

[bridgit]

31. i say use the phrase: "TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY"

it is time to call a spade: a spade imo

republicans have proved yet again, they do not have it in them, it is not part of their 'talking points', they are not able to govern with any sense of common decency & they must be voted out, this time apathy will be no excuse.

[AlGore-08.com]

38. "Tyranny of the majority" is not a new phrase

Alex de Tocqueville: "If ever the free institutions of America are destroyed, that event will arise from the unlimited tyranny of the majority."

John Stuart Mill: "Like other tyrannies, the tyranny of the majority was at first, and is still vulgarly, held in dread, chiefly as operating through the acts of the public authorities."

William Inge: "Of all tyrannies a country can suffer, the worst is the tyranny of the majority."

Lord Acton: "The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections."

Ray Bradbury: "But remember that the Captain belongs to the most dangerous enemy to truth and freedom, the solid unmoving cattle of the majority. Oh God, the terrible tyranny of the majority."

Laurence Tribe: " designed to protect individuals and minorities against the tyranny of the majority, but it's also designed to protect the people against bureaucracy, against the government."

Just a taste...

[meow2u3]

74. OCHLOCRACY: tyranny of the majority

och·loc·ra·cy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (k-lkr-s)
n. pl. och·loc·ra·cies
Government by the masses; mob rule.


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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ochlo·crat (kl-krt) n.
ochlo·cratic or ochlo·crati·cal adj.
ochlo·crati·cal·ly adv.


Main Entry: mob rule
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: control or government by a gang, often of violent criminals; also called ochlocracy

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=ochlocracy

Senselessbrenner and DeLay are ochlocrats.

[mopinko]

29. i need to make a new button

of a crybaby elephant. jesus these people.

[beam me up scottie]

30. GOOD FOR NADLER !!!

Did you hear the applause?

And how about what James Zogby said ?

Outstanding way to show what crybabies the pubs are.

[LifeDuringWartime]

51. Nadler's contact info

Rep. Jerrold Nadler
2334 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Tel. [phone]

there is no email link on his site, so it looks like telephone is the best option. i'm thinking about calling but i'm not sure what i would say

[beam me up scottie]

56. Sorry, just noticed your

very helpful response. Thank you. I should contact him.

Here is part of the WaPo article in Saturday's online edition:

*****
As Sensenbrenner left, Nadler continued talking and was applauded after saying that "part of the problem is that we have not had the opportunity to have hearings on all these other administration policies that have led to abuses."

"The other thing that I wanted to say -- and that I will say at this point, even though the chairman is not going to listen," Nadler said.

Then his voice faded out. "I notice that my mike was turned off," Nadler said, speaking up, "but I can be heard anyway."

One of the witnesses then began giving impromptu testimony. James J. Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, said he thought the turn of events was "totally inappropriate -- no mike on, and no record being kept."

"But I think as we are lecturing foreign governments about the conduct of their behavior with regard to opposition," Zogby said, "I'm really troubled about what kind of message this is going to teach to other countries in the world about how they ought to conduct an open society that allows for an opposition with rights.
*****
link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/10/AR2005061002110.html
*****

I did some digging and found a way to e-mail him.
You can reach him by message here:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=411

Click on the second blue box under his picture that reads
"Send Message". It's free as long as you choose the "Compose your own letter" option.

I'm e-mailing him now:

"I want to thank you for the dignified and responsible way in which you handled the disgusting public show put on by the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee on Friday.
Chairman Sensenbrenner's actions were a disgrace and an insult to the witnesses, to the other members of Congress and to the citizens of this country who pay their salaries.
I think it's time they remembered just who it is they work for."

Feel free to use it if you like, shoddy as it is.


edited to correct email info

[progressoid]

32. Oh, so this is the latest strategy from the party in power?

Jesus, that's pathetic.

[Iowa]

34. Does anybody know why this thread was moved from LBN?

This seems to be occurring a lot lately, and if this isn't LBN I don't know what is. I get almost all of my news via LBN, and this is one I definitely wouldn't want to miss. I'm unclear about what belongs here and what belongs in LBN. I haven't been around long and may be missing something. Thanks.

[phoebe]

39. Abso -bloody - lutely!! Why the he*l has this been moved from LBN?

This should be at the TOP of the Board in RED capital letters, 3 inches high, with flaming arrows around it..

No offense mods, but moving this is ridiculous!

[Strawman]

46. I agree, why was this moved?

I could give a flying fuck about reading flame war posts 500-1000 on what choice of words Dean or Charlie Rangel used in the media or that teens in FL are going to be pulled over now for good driving. This is the most important political news of the day unless there's something I missed.

I was shocked by this video. I shouldn't have been, but I was. I was expecting the witness to be some far lefty that the Repugs would have an easy time labeling an extremist and ignoring, then after Nadler's speech I saw it was Zogby. WTF? This is a very mainstream political pollster and the President of the Arab American Institute. Sensenbrenner's conduct was outrageous.

What's the proper forum for dissent if not the halls of Congress? The media is off limits, academia is being targeted. Fucking fascists. That's exactly what they are. Yeah, Sensenbrenner. Take your gavel and go home you big fucking asshole baby.

[Iowa]

47. Thanks Phoebe and Strawman...

So it appears I'm not missing something, or if I am, at least I'm not alone. After seeing this being moved, I truly don't know what belongs in LBN and what doesn't. I realize the mods can't read every post but hopefully they'll see this and respond.

[Strawman]

52. Back in LBN now that it is on Yahoo News

FYI

[zorro349]

35. PA

Don't get me wrong...the attacks made on the U.S. were terrible. And yes, the individuals who both implemented and supported these attacks should pay the consequences. But did anyone ever question why almost four years have passed, and the main perpetrator of the attacks has not been found? What kind of action is being done to prevent bin Laden and his posse from not taking their cause further? Ask yourself why it's alright for the government to spend countless hours searching library records of some 7,000 Joe Schmos who, to our knowledge, have no accounted connection to terrorist activity. Hell, the average Mr. Schmo isn't even told why he's being investigated. Are we really living in world where our children are afraid to research for a school paper on Muslims or where we can't write an e-mail to our friend discussing disagreement on the government's course of action without fear of being investigated? This is not freedom, my friends. This is bondage to conformity.

[BagEnd]

37. For those too young to remember

this is the kind of childishness that lost US the House in the first place.

It's always interesting to see "what goes around..."

[beam me up scottie]

40. .

[rodeodance]

also see this DU thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3826497&mesg_id=3828697

[Spectral]

41. Examples?

Power always leads to abuse, I guess

[BagEnd]

42. You hit the nail on the head I'd say...

After decades in the majority, there were a lot of such "abuses" of power. Committee staffing was dramatically unbalanced (making it next to impossible for minority congressmen to even keep up with what was going on... let alone write legislation).

The one I remember that was closest to this was the power of committee chairman to carry "proxy" cards for everyone else in the party (on that committee). He would show up to a hearing by himself and just vote down any Republican desires.

Some times I miss it. :-) But I have to admit it's similar to what we see here (or the times Democrats have had to hold unofficial "hearings" because the majority won't let a fair hearing go through.)

[salin]

75. I disagree

spent a lot of time in the eighties on the Hill. Never saw antics like those going on now and NOTHING like this.

It was abuse of privileges ... the check kiting scandal, and franking (use of public $ for postage for constituent mailings) - and a few other things - small beans compared to these dudes... but it wasn't about ridiculous antics to prevent the House and its committees from functioning.

If you care to share some examples, that I am perhaps forgetting, I am willing to be wrong.

There was complacency and some abuse of privilege - but not abject abuse of power. There was a sense of entitlement and belief that their domination in Congress would remain for a long time without having to work hard at it. And in that last point there was some real arrogance. But still - nothing like todays leadership.

[iwantmycountryback]

45. Jerry Nadler was awesome!

Way to kick that right wing ass!

[reprehensor]

48. Excellent Buzzflash analysis.

GOP House Judiciary Chair Uses Pinochet Tactics to Abruptly and Unilaterally Shut Down Hearing Into Abuses of the (Un)Patriot Act, Because He Was Afraid the Truth Would Come Out. America: "IT" is Happening Here. Democracy is Being Dismantled by GOP Thugs.

This morning, House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI) unilaterally and arbitrarily shut down committee hearings on the reauthorization of the Patriot Act without comment or issuing a statement. Sensenbrenner gaveled the committee hearings in the middle of witnesses testifying about human and civil rights abuses at Guantanamo Bay, racial profiling of individuals of Middle Eastern descent, prolonged detentions of Americans after September 11th and other abuses.

The suppression of free speech and testimony in the congressional committee in charge of protecting our civil liberties shows the Republican’s power grab has no limits and no decency. The irony was not lost on anyone.

The witnesses appearing before the House Judiciary Committee included, Chip Pitts, Chair of the Board of Amnesty International USA; Dr. James J. Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute; Deborah Pearlstein, Director of the U.S. Law and Security Program “Human Rights First”; and Carlina Tapia Ruano of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

The witnesses were called by the indomitable Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) who continues to stand up to the right-wing’s attempt to eviscerate American Constitutional liberties.

more@link

[G_j]

49. is Sensenbrenner the guy who wants to make everyone snitches?

or am I thinking of somebody else?

[geniph]

50. "We don't want actual witnesses

giving actual TESTIMONY! WAAAAH! They said we were mean! I'm sticking my fingers in my ears and going LA LA LA LA LA until they stop!"

That is the most childish thing I've ever frigging heard. What a pissant. If you don't like the heat, get the fuck out of the kitchen.

[ginnyinWI]

53. he's my Rep.

Looong past time for him to retire! We certainly want to throw the bum out in 06. He's a fat cat in every sense of the word. Lots of corporate connections, special interests, etc. Some are speculating that he isn't going to run for reelection--hope it's true.

[paineinthearse]

54. Take back the house - Conyers would chair HJC

See Conyers plans for next week - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1845768

[Douglas Carpenter]

55. Here is Sensenbrenner's contact info

:bounce:

[email protected].

Brookfield Office
To get help with problems with federal agencies, federal grants, or information on speaking engagements, contact:
120 Bishops Way, Room 154
Brookfield, WI 53005-6294
Telephone: [phone]

Outside the Milwaukee Metro calling area, call my toll-free HOTLINE number: 1-800-242-1119.

Washington, D.C. Office
To write about issues pending in Congress, internships, flags, or tours, contact:
2449 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4905
Telephone: [phone]

My e-mail address is [email protected].
If you contact me through e-mail, please include your postal mailing address and phone number.
:bounce:

[burrowowl]

58. Wow!

A hissy fit on C-Span2!
Will it hit the MSM

[Emit]

59. Can someone answer a question about this for me?

I missed the whole thing except the last few minutes...tried to get it from Randi Rhodes but can't get her link it to play...will find it, but, someone just tried to explain it this way:

"SO basically, Sensenbrenner cut off those members of the committee who wanted to continue to interview these witnesses because Sensenbrenner thought that the topic of their testimony had nothing to do with the purposee of the hearing? Is that it in a nutshell?"

Is that correct? He said those witnesses weren't addressing the 16 parts of the Patriot Act that are due to sunset and he just cut them off?

Thanks in advance for any insight into this. I'm outraged and just want to know what's going on. Emit

[Carla in Ca]

61. Emit, I'm a little confused as well

but from what I saw on the videos, Sens wants to glorify the Pat Act but others, and rightly so, want to talk about the problems of it. He didn't want to hear anything about Gitmo or innocent people being charged but not allowed to answer those charges.

Typical RW tactics. If you don't like what you are saying, leave.

[Emit]

62. Here's my concern...

They're gonna play this tactic off as a "procedural argument," that the Dems weren't sticking to the topic, following the guidelines of the hearings, etc., so it was within the "rules" for him to do what he did. Convenient, eh? They probably planned it that way ahead of time--I haven't been following this particular issue in detail, so I don't exactly know how this hearing came about (other than it was requested by the Dems, right?), and whether we didn't have enough time to prepare, or had other limits put on us by Sensenbrenner prior to this hearing, or what not.

Anyway, what I'm trying to figure out,too , and I guess I won't truly understand until I actually compare notes of the testimony given to the portions of the PatAct, (and that could take some time), is whether in fact any of the testimony (other than the librarian stuff he mentions-caught that part) DOES relate to the portions that are to sunset.

Regardless, his actions were repugnant, and frankly, had me boiling mad.

[Carla in Ca]

63. Per this AP article

it was the Dems who asked for this meeting, the 11th one, because the prior meeting's witness testimony was slanted. The R's think they are swell to have obliged the Dems but, truth be told, I think they knew they would have to do something like this so the meeting would not go forward. They don't want any negative discussion of their 'baby'.

I think they planned the disruption. I do.

<http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=838557&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312>

[Emit]

66. I think so too..argh n/t

[McCamy Taylor]

60. Here's my email. The GOP is taking aim at both feet once again.

Rep. Sensenbrenner:

I do not know whether to laugh of cry. Your temper tantrum during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on the renewal of the Patriot Act has played right into the hands of those who believe that the current administration is restricting civil liberties and violating the laws of the land.

I do know that if Barry Goldwater is watching, he is not amused,. Perhaps you ought to consider whether or not you are cut out for committee leadership.

[SoCalifer]

64. Robert's Rules of Order

Total and BLATANT violation of parliamentary order.

The motion to adjourn

"Before putting the motion to adjourn, the chair, in most organizations, should be sure that no important matters have been overlooked. If there are announcements to be made they should be attended to before taking the vote, or at least, before announcing it. If there is something requiring action before adjournment, the fact should be stated and the mover requested to withdraw his motion to adjourn. The fact that the motion to adjourn is undebatable does not prevent the assembly's being informed of business requiring attention before adjournment. Members should not leave their seats until the chair has declared the assembly adjourned."

http://www.robertsrules.org/

To you lurking freepers, take a good look at the video OKthatsIT posted. What you are seeing is classic conduct by despots. That's what your party has become. You are not the party of "integrity". You are not the party of "small government". You are not the party of "State's rights". You are the party of anti-American, anti-Constitution, anti-Human Decency. You are the party of organized criminal thugs, or complete idiots who can't tell when somebody's fucking them.

[Emit]

67. Thanks for pointing that out

about the Robert's rules of order. In finally being able to watch the entire thing, my SO, who is a grad student now and RRofO was required reading/reference, blurted out, "Robert's Rule of Order!" when Sensenbrenner pulled that crap in the end.

To the second part of your response, I hope you weren't assuming I was a freeper just because I was questioning what was going on. :shrug:

[SoCalifer]

69. My apologies Emit

To the second part of your response, I hope you weren't assuming I was a freeper just because I was questioning what was going on.

I am sorry Emit if I gave you that impression.. :pals:

No that second part is only directed at actual freepers who do lurk our forum. I bet Hannity reads the DU, so it would be directed at him too. :)

[Emit]

70. No big--it's cool, thanks n/t

[Pepperbelly]

68. The House doesn't use Robert's Rules ...

they have their own...

http://www.conginst.org/floor/109th_floor_manual.pdf

[orpupilofnature57]

65. When were they ever fare?kkkarl's Theocracy, why, because they can.

[globalvillage]

72. There are no words. Or are there?

The Federalist Papers : No. 51

Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit. In a society under the forms of which the stronger faction can readily unite and oppress the weaker, anarchy may as truly be said to reign...

They're talking to you, Mr Sensenbrenner.

[ProudDad]

73. I sent this letter to mr. s

Dear Mr. Sensenbrenner:

Your antics this afternoon have proved that your ignorance of the consequences of your actions in undermining the Constitution of the United States is only exceeded by your obvious lack of respect for the democratic process.

You are a blot on the record of the Congress of the United States.

Unfortunately though, you are an apt successor to another "legislator" from Wisconsin -- named McCarthy. McCarthy was a lier and self-agrandizer who had little grasp of facts and even less of the intentions of the Framers. You fit well into his mold.

"Let the witch hunts continue", say the Sensenbrenner's of the world!

Sincerely;

<<Me>>
A real patriot


In case you've conveniently forgotten who Joe McCarthy was:

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAmccarthy.htm