Urgent/Action: Real ID and Bush Horse and Pony Show Tonight

[lala_rawraw]

Okay everyone,

If you had a chance to stop the Patriot Act from passing, would you have tried to contact everyone and anyone to do so?

1). Real ID will be passed today or tomorrow. My article will be out in an hour. So I cannot get into too much here, but this is our one and only shot at making noise about this thing.

2). Also, interestingly enough, our leader will be giving a little news conference, where he will attack Dems directly from pulpit (is what I am hearing, am trying to confirm, but sounds about right) on Bolton and a few other little things. In other words, you have the leader of the country holding a news conference to attack the character of at least half of his citizens. So, every network running it and every advertiser paying for that coveted slot needs to here from this side of the populace on just how unethical that is.

You have a big day ahead. Please get organized and spread like wildfire all of your letters, phone calls, etc.

I am exhausted and I need to sleep. I need you to be the people and use the tools, the real news that the indie press is giving you as your tools. Okay? Can I count on you? Because I cannot do more than report and post here, beyond that is a line I cannot cross. Thank you:) Get your pens and phones ready.

[Andy_Stephenson]

1. Kick

:kick:

[lala_rawraw]

31. here is article...

BACKROOM NEGOTIATIONS
Dems locked out of debate on sweeping and controversial REAL ID Act

By Larisa Alexandrovna | RAW STORY

The controversial and little-known REAL ID Act, now in conference and slated to be passed this week, is being decided without Senate Democrats in a series of secret GOP negotiations, RAW STORY has learned.

<snip>

The controversial legislation, which supporters say is needed to protect the nation from illegal immigrants, may be be passed in conference as early as Friday. Both chambers of Congress have already passed their versions of the bill; the Senate version does not contain REAL ID but it is expected to be added during negotiations. Senate Democrats say they are being out of discussions in much the same way that the House Democrats were kept out of negotiations in late 2004.

<snip>

Late last year, the Republican House leadership snubbed the White House by not allowing the Intelligence Reform Bill to go to a floor vote. The House version of REAL ID (HR 418), championed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), was to be attached to the Intel bill.

As RAW STORY reported in February, some members of the Republican caucus were split on many of 418’s controversial provisions. In an effort to soothe Republican dissent, Sensenbrenner held a series of secretive closed door meetings, along with a leading conservative Republican member with ties to Jerry Falwell and James Dobson, in order to convince the members of his delegation to support the bill by suggesting that the far Christian right would “rain down fire and brimstone.”

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/alexandrovna/dems_locked_out_real_id_428.htm

back to bed, got one good hour

[fooj]

2. OK! Ready and Willing!!!

"ensure domestic tranquility..."

What about that does Shrub NOT understand! What a childish prick! My God- he has the Senate, The House, The Supreme Court...what else do these monsters need?

Peace.

[lala_rawraw]

3. There is the headline up now at Raw, story to follow

Dems said locked out of negotiations on sweeping "REAL ID" act quietly added to Iraq spending bill; Allows Homeland Dept. to build barriers around and in United States... Developing.

[lala_rawraw]

4. okay, i want to nap, do i have to stay up and

keep this kicked?

[lala_rawraw]

5. kick n/t (tired)

[myrna minx]

6. kick

:kick:

[lala_rawraw]

7. thanks so much... can i

I go to sleep for a bit and leave the kicking to you?

[femme.democratique]

8. major kick

[Itsthetruth]

10. War Funding Bill Passed By The House And Senate!

The war funding bill passed the Senate by a vote of 99 to 0! The House version of the bill which included the ID was easily passed.

Representatives of the Senate and House will now meet in conference and decide on a final bill which will probably include the ID section.

That's my understanding of what is happening.

Here's more info:

Senate Passes $81 Billion War Spending Bill
Tuesday April 26, 2005
By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed an $81.3 billion spending bill to keep U.S. combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan running and to provide additional help to last December's tsunami victims.

By a vote of 99-0, the Senate passed the emergency spending bill that also funds some new domestic security measures, including the hiring of additional border agents.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050 ...


ACLU Urges Conferees to Remove "Real ID" From Funding Measure; Proposal Attacks the Persecuted, Harms Immigrants
April 26, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]

WASHINGTON - As proponents of the Real ID Act stepped up pressure on legislators, the American Civil Liberties Union today urged Congressional conferees to strip the anti-privacy, anti-asylum, anti-property rights bill from an appropriations measure to fund the war in Iraq and tsunami relief.

"Proponents are selling the Real ID Act as a fix to the immigration system, when it actually makes thing worse," said Timothy H. Edgar, ACLU Policy Counsel for National Security. "Sadly, Congress did not take the time to carefully consider and review its provisions - if it had, lawmakers would see that the Real ID Act not only denies the persecuted safe haven here, but it would place undue burdens on legal permanent residents and citizens alike. The conferees must reject the Real ID provisions that have been tacked on to the military operations funding measure."

The House sent the Real ID Act to the Senate as part of a "must pass" appropriations measure for the war in Iraq and tsunami relief. Despite objections from Senators that such sweeping changes should not happen without thorough review, House Republican leaders are pushing to keep Real ID in the final conference report. The ACLU noted that neither chamber has held hearings or held thorough discussions on the measure.

The ACLU has been joined in opposition to the Real ID act by a myriad of groups, including the National Association of Evangelicals, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the National Council of State Legislatures, the National Governors Association and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

The act goes against international law and allows government officials to demand written "corroboration" from those seeking asylum. For instance, a Chinese woman seeking asylum after being forced to have an abortion could be required to obtain proof of her abuse from the doctors who performed the procedure.

Additionally, the Real ID Act would waive all state and federal laws to give the Department of Homeland Security unconditional authority to build barriers along the entire border -- placing private property in the hands of federal agents for a "land grab" for national security purposes.

The act also takes us one step closer to a national ID, and a "show us your papers" society by forcing states to link their databases -- containing every licensed driver�s personal information -- with other states and with Canada and Mexico. The act includes no guidelines as to who will have access to that information.

"The Real ID Act would undermine the changes made to drivers� licenses last year by the intelligence reform legislation," said Timothy H. Sparapani, an ACLU Legislative Counsel. "Even now, an independent panel is examining the issue of drivers licenses. Their work would be in vain if Real ID passes. Congress must reject it."

[lala_rawraw]

38. i am hearing that it will come out of conference as is...

stripping nothing... but here is a question, why the hell is it attached to this must pass legislation?

[cyberpj]

12. I'll help - & nominated - others, please nominate to keep this up FRONT.

[myrna minx]

23. kick

[cyberpj]

9. More in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3546769&mesg_id=3546769

[lala_rawraw]

13. Right, that was my thread from the other day...

This is the newer one.:)

[lala_rawraw]

11. Okay, going to bed

And when I wake up this will have major legs (hope). See you guys in a few hours.

[cyberpj]

14. THANK YOU. Sleep easy. eom.

[ancient_nomad]

37. This is so important...

Kick

:kick:

[cyberpj]

15. What if the dog and pony show are just distraction from action on this?

just a thought.
that is how Rove operates afterall.......

[cyberpj]

18. wouldn't be the first time we were watching him while others did his work.

[Kerrytravelers]

16. KICK KICK KICK KICK KICK KICK KICK KICK KICK KICK KICK KICK

[Nordmadr]

17. Kick the shit out of this!!!!

This country is REALLY starting to freak me the hell out.

Olaf

[CoffeeCat]

19. Now that it's passed...what the hell do we do??

Anyone else feel like the walls are closing in?

[AuntiBush]

21. Really, TwoSparkles

Now what... :wtf: WTF!

[CoffeeCat]

24. It passed. I assume the time to call our Reps and Senators...

...has passed.

Don't "WTF" me!

I'm asking about the next move. Maybe you could be a bit more constructive in the future.

[cyberpj]

25. I believe they simply finalized it but will VOTE next.

I was confused, like you, but I think our only chance to affect anything is if Republican minds could be changed by calls on this. Seems like a done deal to me too though.

Anyone else?
=====================

GOP leaders reach deal on budget - Will VOTE tonight while Chimp is on?

Pushing for a vote "before the evening is out"...
READ THE DETAILS FOLKS.

GOP leaders reach tentative deal on budget
By Mary Dalrymple, Associated Press Writer | April 28, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Top congressional Republicans reported agreement Thursday on a budget that envisions $10 billion in Medicaid reductions over the next five years and at least $70 billion in tax cuts.

The plan could also open the way to oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Congressional officials said the agreement envisions spending of about $2.6 trillion for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, with a deficit of $382 billion.

Republican officials said the plan relies on savings from farm, student loan and pension programs to achieve President Bush's goal of cutting deficits in half over five years.

House and Senate GOP leaders said they would push for a vote later in the day. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., expressed optimism that he had enough votes to pass the budget in the Senate.


http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/04/28/gop_leaders_reach_tentative_deal_on_budget/

[CoffeeCat]

27. A previous poster announced that it had passed the H&S---

I assumed that meant a vote happened.

If not, that's good news--because we can still make phone calls.

Thanks.

[cyberpj]

32. I saw that - but I can't find anything online to verify it. I did find

these 3 articles as the most recent ones but it could be that any "passed" articles haven't yet been posted.

These articles make it sound inevitable that it will be passed:
==================================

U.S. Lawmakers Near Agreement on $81 Billion War Spending Bill
April 28 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. lawmakers said they may agree today on an $81 billion Iraq and Afghanistan military funding measure that probably will include tighter rules on immigration.

The funding would push military costs for the two wars to more than $100 billion for fiscal year 2005, which ends Sept. 30. The money is the fourth supplemental request outside the regular budget for Iraq and Afghanistan. It would bring emergency spending approved since 2003 to about $280 billion.

``We know we have work ahead of us that must move quickly,'' said Representative Jerry Lewis, a California Republican who heads the House Appropriations Committee. Lawmakers want to finish a compromise bill today and send it to President George W. Bush by tomorrow, said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran, a Mississippi Republican.

A House provision to set federal standards for drivers' licenses and make it more difficult for immigrants to claim asylum has been a sticking point. The Senate version lacks any similar language.

``The odds are very good'' that the measure, known as Real ID, would be included in the final law, Lewis said yesterday. The Bush administration sent a letter to Lewis and Cochran this week asking that the tighter immigration rules be included.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said he's opposed to adding Real ID to a war-funding bill.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aNNX3hvtLFnM&refer=us

=============================
April 28, 2005, 10:51AM

Stricter immigration rules have White House support
Tacked on to a military spending bill, the provisions also have a good chance of passing
By SAMANTHA LEVINE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - A bill that would enact hotly contested immigration rules, including one that would bar illegal immigrants from getting driver's licenses, is marching toward approval with the backing of the White House.

The provisions are attached to an emergency spending bill that would provide $81 billion for military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A bipartisan House-Senate conference committee is expected to agree on a compromise version of the bill today; each chamber is slated to vote on the measure within the next two weeks and then send it to President Bush for his signature.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3157649

================================
With Bush's Backing, Congress Weighing Law To Require National ID

BY DANIELA GERSON - Staff Reporter of the Sun
April 28, 2005

A measure that would create a uniform national driver's license came closer to becoming law yesterday as House and Senate negotiators met to seek a compromise. Some opponents called the proposal the most virulent anti-immigrant legislation in decades.

Supporters of what is called the Real ID Act, which was included in the House emergency supplemental appropriations package to finance military spending in Iraq and Afghanistan, said it will make America more secure by enhancing internal security and border controls. The Bush administration wrote a letter of support Tuesday, and some congressional aides said it could pass as early as the end of this week.

http://www.nysun.com/article/12951

[lala_rawraw]

35. It passed, but it is in conference now...

The conference, just like the bill process was made serect, when instead they should be removing the most questionable provisions in it... my source say it is passing as is, unchanged, out of conference to Bush's desk. UNCHANGED people!

And Ed Schultz has some guy on talking about this and not making any sense. You know what pisses me off? That no one, not a single radio person will provide the real facts of this bill. Not one!!!!

[AuntiBush]

41. Sick about it here! Anyone else! It sure did pass!!!!!!!

TwoSparkles is right. It passed momemts ago!

Don't know where the "F" I live anymore! What's the name of this country? It sure aint' the United States of America.

The Homeland: Sounds German Nazi to me.

Marshal Law: did anyone here those words today on C-Span House floor today, or was it me? Heard it several times in passing... I caught it from other room.

[fooj]

20. Giving it another kick!

:kick:

TRUTH IS OUR MOST POWERFUL WEAPON!


Peace.

[cyberpj]

22. Here's what one congressman is doing to get it passed:

Just so you know what we're up against.

http://www.teamamericapac.org/ta-tapr-050214-alert-senaterealid.shtml

[cyberpj]

26. GOP leaders reach deal on budget - Will VOTE tonight while Chimp is on?

Pushing for a vote "before the evening is out" so our only chance is to make our calls now I guess.
READ THE DETAILS FOLKS.

GOP leaders reach tentative deal on budget
By Mary Dalrymple, Associated Press Writer | April 28, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Top congressional Republicans reported agreement Thursday on a budget that envisions $10 billion in Medicaid reductions over the next five years and at least $70 billion in tax cuts.

The plan could also open the way to oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Congressional officials said the agreement envisions spending of about $2.6 trillion for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, with a deficit of $382 billion.

Republican officials said the plan relies on savings from farm, student loan and pension programs to achieve President Bush's goal of cutting deficits in half over five years.

House and Senate GOP leaders said they would push for a vote later in the day. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., expressed optimism that he had enough votes to pass the budget in the Senate.


http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/04/28/gop_leaders_reach_tentative_deal_on_budget/

[lala_rawraw]

36. By the way, it is not attached to spending, it is attached to approps...

that has not yet passed, but the Real ID act is in conference and should fly out today or tomorrow... i am thinking tonight, by the dark of night.

[cyberpj]

28. I need help (no jokes here) - I can't find the RealID info in the details

Is this NOT part of the budget bill that will be passed?

http://www3.capwiz.com/c-span/webreturn/?url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.CON.RES.95:

[cyberpj]

29. Nevermind..... I see now that the RealID info is with war funding bill.

going hunting again.

[Itsthetruth]

33. Senator Reid's Glowing Defense Of Iraq War Funding Bill

This is part of Senator Reid's statement in support of the Iraq war funding bill. The war funding bill was passed by a vote of 99 to 0 in the Senate. The bill included a little bit of money for tsunami victims in order to make it easier for Senators to vote in support of funding for Bush's occupation of Iraq.

Reid: Democrats Have Been Shut Out of Backroom Negotiations About REAL ID
Wednesday, April 27, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid submitted the following statement as a conferee on the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill:

�This conference committee has one simple purpose: to get much-needed resources to soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who are fighting a deadly insurgency in Iraq, so that they can win that fight and bring peace and freedom to the Iraqi people.

Nothing is more important than winning the peace in Iraq. The emergency supplemental funding request before us -- roughly $80 billion -- is �must pass� money. Our troops need this funding. Our diplomats and aid workers in Iraq need this funding. Victims of the tragic tsunami in Southeast Asia need this funding to rebuild their lives. Time is not on their side, and we cannot delay in passing this funding.

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

Reid sounds like a damn Bushite when he speaks of bringing "peace and freedom to the Iraqi people". Well, in Reid's defense, he never has opposed the invasion and occupation of Iraq so his support of Bush's policy has at least been consistent. Reid's full statement can be read at:

http://reid.senate.gov/record2.cfm?id=237015

[lala_rawraw]

45. I have the full version and that is out of context...

Read my article, that comment is part of the bigger statement. He wants to fund the troops, but he is appalled that the Real ID was attached to this spending bill and that the Dems were left out of conference.

I read that initially and went nutso, but I have the clarification and I used it in my article. He supports the troops and hence the bill, but does NOT support attached the Real ID to it.

[Itsthetruth]

47. Who Wrote Reid's Statement In Support Of War Funding?

" He supports the troops and hence the bill,"

Senator Reid supports Bush's invasion and occupation of Iraq and that's why he supports the war funding. Reid does not support our GI's. Reid's statement on why he supports the Iraq war appropriation reads like something that could have been written by a Republican Senator or White House speech writer. He wants to keep them in Iraq and has voted for every penny of funding for the Iraq war from day one in order to keep our GI's in Iraq. Thanks a lot Reid. The anti-war movement salutes you.

Reid's gungho "super patroit" statement should make any anti-war progressive "nutso".

[starroute]

30. If it does pass, you beat the Repubs over the head with it

The only "good" thing about this abomination is that everybody hates it -- the left, the right, the states that will be saddled with yet another unfunded mandate.

So raise as much stink as you can right now, but if it does get through, we need to make sure it becomes an albatross around the necks of the Republican leadership who have been pushing this every step of the way.

[myrna minx]

34. kick

:kick:

[Synnical]

39. Kick

[bvar22]

40. Real ID

Republican Party Operatives Defending America
by examining citizens' Real IDs








oops!
Wrong picture.
My bad.

[AuntiBush]

42. Can lala-rawraw repost that it passed?

This needs to come to the front lines here.

This passed today. Sad. Sad, sad, super-sad.

[lala_rawraw]

44. No, it passed earlier, but

What happened was that the Senate version and House version did not agree, so they went into conference, allbeit secret GOP only conference to "tweak" the differences.

BUT (read my urgent update below) we bought ourselves one more week, thanks to us. You see, twice in one week we have made a direct difference... now you need to contact your reps during this week to make sure they hear loud and clear that this legislation either must be voted on seperately from the military/tsunami funding or that the Dems not vote on it, period.

[lala_rawraw]

43. URGENT UPDATE... HAHAHAHAHA

Thanks to pressure from citizens the Real ID Act "tweaking" conference will be postponed for a week, until after recess. You have a week to make a difference, more so than even now. Because now you can demand that parts be removed.

Good job... one week people, one week!!!!!

[CitySky]

51. who are the "tweakers"?

(ha ha, double meaning; okay, moving on now...)

Are there particular House members involved in this conference? How do we find out who they are so we can write to them too?

[strangemedicine]

46. kick n/t

[torque]

48. kick

[myrna minx]

49. kick-one more week!

:kick:

[CitySky]

50. Here's my letter

emailed through the webpage of the less-crazy of my 2 R Senators:

***
"Because I still trust the Senate as a deliberative body, I ask you to make sure the so-called "Real ID" measures are removed from the appropriations bill currently before the Senate.

The "Real ID" measures involve extraordinarily sensitive and complex issues, which deserve thoughtful and considered debate in Congress. The House has failed us. We now look to the Senate to stop the madness of asking Americans to sacrifice more of our freedom in exchange for "security" without even the honor of open debate."
***

LET 'EM KNOW WE'RE WATCHING!