Rove et al, frequently push conservative buttons. Whether it’s cryptic code to the evangelicals, or classic appeals to the economic and political right, these “buttons” have worked for the less discerning conservatives. Following “their guy”, they rarely stop and think. Do the evangelicals ever consider that they are supporting a group whose “highest calling” is greed? Do the economic conservatives consider the consequences of this Admin’s fiscal policy? And do the political conservatives disagree with the trampling of constitutional rights under this Admin? As the polls show, for the most part – no. Like rodents following the piper, they blindly follow an Admin that is neither moral nor conservative.
This is why I’ve bemoaned the lack of true conservative leadership. The Bush Admin isn’t conservative, it’s a bunch of extremely radical opportunists. That fact, while beyond the grasp of some, isn’t for the more aware. Inherently less raucous, conservatives don’t like speaking ill of fellow “conservatives” - even faux conservatives. So when they do, it’s wise to listen. Two from the ACU (American Conservative Union) have recently spoke up. One is David Keene (bio conservative.org ), and the other is the well known Clinton basher from Georgia, Bob Barr. Whether you like these guys or not, they cannot be called left-wing. Their target is the increasing intrusion into privacy. Ashcroft is currently playing traveling salesman
newsmax.com
But thinking conservatives aren’t buying. From Keene
"These infringements on the individual freedoms of American citizens are not part of some plot or conspiracy to deprive us of our civil liberties. The President, the Attorney General and those interested in maximizing individual liberty need to work together to guarantee that we can defend ourselves without altering the nature of the greatest society on earth. The USA PATRIOT Act was passed in haste included ideas previously shelved by the Congress, like expanded civil forfeiture and roving wiretaps: ideas that law enforcement wanted, but could never get. When creating sound anti-terrorism legislation, the line should not be drawn at 'what is helpful for law enforcement,' but at what is needed to protect us while preserving the proper balance between preserving civil liberties and our nation's national security needs."
from
conservative.org
From Barr speaking of CAPPS II - the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System, Phase Two
While all of us - especially those like myself who travel frequently by air - recognize, accept and appreciate reasonable efforts to make air travel as safe as possible from another attempt to use passenger jets as guided missiles, this proposed data profiling system is not going to do that. Instead, it will subject every potential commercial air traveler to an extensive background check of his or her personal history, shared with commercial data bases and innumerable law enforcement agencies, simply because they have chosen to exercise their right to travel by air.
and
The best way to catch potential terrorists is to improve our woefully and demonstrably inadequate foreign intelligence and immigration enforcement mechanisms. This idea appears lost on the new breed of bureaucrat, enamored of "data-mining" and oblivious to privacy concerns of the average, non-terrorist citizen.
from
upi.com
When I find myself agreeing with Barr, the Admin is in trouble – or at least I hope so.
JMO
lurqer |
