WaPo-May '95-Senate Rejects Clinton Proposal To Allow Terrorist Wiretaps

[kpete]

February 17, 2006
Here’s a Washington Post item from May 27, 1995, that should be of profound interest to those also interested in keeping score on partisan hypocrisy. It appears that Democratic civil libertarians are civil libertarians no matter who occupies the White House, while Republican civil libertarians are, shall we say, “nuanced.”

HEADLINE: Senate Rejects Clinton Proposal To Allow Terrorist Case Wiretaps; Several Democrats Join Solid Republican Majority in 52-28 Vote

”The Senate yesterday rejected President Clinton's proposal to allow emergency wiretaps in terrorism cases as both houses began work on counter-terrorism legislation in response to the April 19 bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City.

”The wiretap proposal was rejected, 52 to 28, with several Democratic civil libertarians joining a unified Republican majority in rejecting the Clinton wiretap initiative.

”Noting the government already has emergency authority to wiretap without a court order in cases against organized crime, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) said that if the government ‘can mess up a Gambino family picnic,’ it should be allowed to eavesdrop on terrorists. ‘When was the last time the Mafia blew up a building?’ asked Biden, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee.


”But Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said the proposal went too far and could be used to infringe on the civil liberties of domestic political groups and chill the right of legitimate dissent

http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2006/02/heres_a_washing.html

[Scout1071]

1. Impressive find Kpete. K&R.

Excellent work.

[rodeodance]

2. this comment by Hatch is priceless (exactly what is happening NOW)

”But Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said the proposal went too far and could be used to infringe on the civil liberties of domestic political groups and chill the right of legitimate dissent

[rodeodance]

3. well, folks, we all know that everything changed with 9/11.

[Scout1071]

4. We need to put their quotes of full blast.

This makes me so fucking angry I can hardly see straight. Kind of like what happens when you make The Hulk angry.

[Steve A Play]

5. Funny how they were against domestic wiretaps when used against a

DOMESTIC TERRORIST!

The last line in your post is quite telling of their motives.

But Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said the proposal went too far and could be used to infringe on the civil liberties of domestic political groups and chill the right of legitimate dissent.

[chat_noir]

6. Media Blast!!!

[Scout1071]

7. So they were against it before they were for it? Flip-floppers!!!

Burn them at the stake!

[Dogmudgeon]

8. Look for Trent Lott accusing Clinton of being a "Warmonger"

Now THAT quote -- from 1997 or 1998 -- was a hoot.

--p!

[ClayZ]

9. Tap This!

[sandnsea]

10. Democrats = tough on terrorism

We would have been able to use this for the last 5 years if people hadn't misinterpreted aspects of the Patriot Act, and still weren't misinterpreting exactly what Feingold is fighting for, which is amendment, not repeal.

[Straight Shooter]

11. Democrats = smart on terrorism

Not like those bumbling Repubs who think if a law is inconvenient, just break it.

[sandnsea]

12. Yes, smart, much better n/t

[Straight Shooter]

14. Wasn't trying to one-up you.

How about Democrats = tough and smart on terrorism? :hi:

[sandnsea]

15. SMART Security Platform

It's actually a proposal, I wish the party would get behind it. I usually do promote "smart" on terrorism over tough on terrorism. That's what I was referring to, you were right, it should be "smart".

http://www.oregonpeaceworks.org/site/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=988&Itemid=82

[helderheid]

13. oh but 9/11 changed everything! Even our Constitution, didn't ya hear?

[nonconformist]

16. K, R and Bookmarking. nt

[usregimechange]

17. Who has access to Lexus? Can you pm me the article?

[upi402]

18. Well, it *was* Clinton afterall

I mean really....:sarcasm:

[EVDebs]

19. "Pre 9-11 NSA policy shift" away from terrorists...where Plamgate/NSA meet

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2466336&mesg_id=2466336

[ComerPerro]

20. Orrin Hatch believes the OKC bombing was "legitimate dissent"!!!!!

He supports terrorism!