An Open Letter To Obama

This is from the Nation and signed by bunches of people, frustrated by Obama's straying on FISA: 

Dear Senator Obama,

We write to congratulate you on the tremendous achievements of your campaign for the presidency of the United States.

Your candidacy has inspired a wave of political enthusiasm like nothing seen in this country for decades. In your speeches, you have sketched out a vision of a better future--in which the United States sheds its warlike stance around the globe and focuses on diplomacy abroad and greater equality and freedom for its citizens at home--that has thrilled voters across the political spectrum. Hundreds of thousands of young people have entered the political process for the first time, African-American voters have rallied behind you, and many of those alienated from politics-as-usual have been re-engaged.

You stand today at the head of a movement that believes deeply in the change you have claimed as the mantle of your campaign. The millions who attend your rallies, donate to your campaign and visit your website are a powerful testament to this new movement's energy and passion.

This movement is vital for two reasons: First, it will help assure your victory against John McCain in November. The long night of greed and military adventurism under the Bush Administration, which a McCain administration would continue, cannot be brought to an end a day too soon. An enthusiastic corps of volunteers and organizers will ensure that voters turn out to close the book on the Bush era on election day. Second, having helped bring you the White House, the support of this movement will make possible the changes that have been the platform of your campaign. Only a grassroots base as broad and as energized as the one that is behind you can counteract the forces of money and established power that are a dead weight on those seeking real change in American politics.

We urge you, then, to listen to the voices of the people who can lift you to the presidency and beyond.

Since your historic victory in the primary, there have been troubling signs that you are moving away from the core commitments shared by many who have supported your campaign, toward a more cautious and centrist stance--including, most notably, your vote for the FISA legislation granting telecom companies immunity from prosecution for illegal wiretapping, which angered and dismayed so many of your supporters.
We recognize that compromise is necessary in any democracy. We understand that the pressures brought to bear on those seeking the highest office are intense. But retreating from the stands that have been the signature of your campaign will weaken the movement whose vigorous backing you need in order to win and then deliver the change you have promised.

Here are key positions you have embraced that we believe are essential to sustaining this movement: read on

End of FISA Brouhaha

Well, maybe it's the end. Spy bill passes. 
Obama voted for the compromise bill. McCain didn't vote but slammed Obama anyway.
Read all about it. 

The media slobbers all over one another. Ick. Glad it's over.

I'm tired of it.

Obama's Second Chance on FISA?

MyBo (mybarackobama) is hosting "platform" listening meetings around the countrry July 19 to July 27 to talk about issues. Here is one event:

Hello Community! There are many within the Obama Community and former Clinton supporter communities who are upset about Senator Obama's recent commitment to approve the FISA Bill after previously stating that he would not allow citizen's rights to be violated in the bill, by giving the telecommunications companies immunity. Senator Obama's action on FISA has also left many asking "Is this really change we can believe in?", thereby causing fissures within the Obama community - the media is reporting. Due to the delay of actual voting on the FISA Bill until AFTER the 4th of July Holiday break, it looks likes Senator Obama does indeed, have a second chance to act on the FISA Bill. Below is a Special Comment regarding the issue from Keith Olberman on MSNBC. Watch, Listen, and then please WEIGH IN ON THE ISSUE - Your comments are welcomed! It is important that the community is heard - good, bad, or indifferent!! Watch it here. No matter what your opinion is on the matter, please remember that we are one people, one planet, and we need to keep our support and focus on a leader who can work in the best interest of and for the people. That is what what and who we are voting for in November...

A Good Argument For Nudging Obama

I tend to think people are a little over the top in their ideologies and claiming Obama as their own, insisting he does as they say. I'd kind of like to have him elected first and then hold him accountable. But here's a good argument to the contrary. 

Obama Answers Progressives on FISA

Markos Moulitsas, founder of The DailyKos, and once a stalwart supporter of Obama, was on NPR this morning. He's madder than a hornet, says he'll withhold his $2,300 campaign donation to Barack Obama because of Obama's decision to support the FISA compromise.

Moulitsas softened as he went on, saying FISA was not a deal breaker and that he still wants Obama to be president.

I think it's too bad that the left has claimed Obama as their own and are now attacking him. Everyone wants a piece of Obama. He's taking it from all sides. Obama's all about compromise. That's what he's said straight up from the beginning.

There would be some deal breakers for me, but this isn't one of them. If Obama decided to keep the Bush tax cuts, I think I'd wonder who Obama was. If Obama put away his healthcare agenda, or his plan for education, that would be a deal breaker. Not this.

I think it's admirable that Obama is addressing the worried progressives head on.

Here is Obama's response:

I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to those of you who oppose my decision to support the FISA compromise.

This was not an easy call for me. I know that the FISA bill that passed the House is far from perfect. I wouldn't have drafted the legislation like this, and it does not resolve all of the concerns that we have about President Bush's abuse of executive power. It grants retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that may have violated the law by cooperating with the Bush Administration's program of warrantless wiretapping. This potentially weakens the deterrent effect of the law and removes an important tool for the American people to demand accountability for past abuses. That's why I support striking Title II from the bill, and will work with Chris Dodd, Jeff Bingaman and others in an effort to remove this provision in the Senate.

But I also believe that the compromise bill is far better than the Protect America Act that I voted against last year. The exclusivity provision makes it clear to any President or telecommunications company that no law supersedes the authority of the FISA court. In a dangerous world, government must have the authority to collect the intelligence we need to protect the American people. But in a free society, that authority cannot be unlimited. As I've said many times, an independent monitor must watch the watchers to prevent abuses and to protect the civil liberties of the American people. This compromise law assures that the FISA court has that responsibility

The Inspectors General report also provides a real mechanism for accountability and should not be discounted. It will allow a close look at past misconduct without hurdles that would exist in federal court because of classification issues. The recent investigation uncovering the illegal politicization of Justice Department hiring sets a strong example of the accountability that can come from a tough and thorough IG report.

The ability to monitor and track individuals who want to attack the United States is a vital counter-terrorism tool, and I'm persuaded that it is necessary to keep the American people safe -- particularly since certain electronic surveillance orders will begin to expire later this summer. Given the choice between voting for an improved yet imperfect bill, and losing important surveillance tools, I've chosen to support the current compromise. I do so with the firm intention -- once I’m sworn in as President -- to have my Attorney General conduct a comprehensive review of all our surveillance programs, and to make further recommendations on any steps needed to preserve civil liberties and to prevent executive branch abuse in the future.

Now, I understand why some of you feel differently about the current bill, and I'm happy to take my lumps on this side and elsewhere. For the truth is that your organizing, your activism and your passion is an important reason why this bill is better than previous versions. No tool has been more important in focusing peoples' attention on the abuses of executive power in this Administration than the active and sustained engagement of American citizens. That holds true -- not just on wiretapping, but on a range of issues where Washington has let the American people down.

I learned long ago, when working as an organizer on the South Side of Chicago, that when citizens join their voices together, they can hold their leaders accountable. I'm not exempt from that. I'm certainly not perfect, and expect to be held accountable too. I cannot promise to agree with you on every issue. But I do promise to listen to your concerns, take them seriously, and seek to earn your ongoing support to change the country. That is why we have built the largest grassroots campaign in the history of presidential politics, and that is the kind of White House that I intend to run as President of the United States -- a White House that takes the Constitution seriously, conducts the peoples' business out in the open, welcomes and listens to dissenting views, and asks you to play your part in shaping our country’s destiny.

Democracy cannot exist without strong differences. And going forward, some of you may decide that my FISA position is a deal breaker. That's ok. But I think it is worth pointing out that our agreement on the vast majority of issues that matter outweighs the differences we may have. After all, the choice in this election could not be clearer. Whether it is the economy, foreign policy, or the Supreme Court, my opponent has embraced the failed course of the last eight years, while I want to take this country in a new direction. Make no mistake: if John McCain is elected, the fundamental direction of this country that we love will not change. But if we come together, we have an historic opportunity to chart a new course, a better course.

So I appreciate the feedback through my.barackobama.com, and I look forward to continuing the conversation in the months and years to come. Together, we have a lot of work to do.