Democrats stand up for the Constitution

Once again, as it's been throughout history, Democrats are the ones who take the stand against those who ignore the Constitution. With Friday morning's breaking news about how Bush illegally spied on Americans through his ruse of 'protecting' Americans, 43 out of 45 Democrat Senators, along with four Republicans, stood fast for liberty and civil rights, and refused to extend the Patriot Act without assurances of Constitutional protection for its citizens. Thanks Democrats. You may be in the minority, and hopefully not for too much longer, but you stood up for us and 217 years of liberty and freedom. Hey, how did Bush and the Republican's new favorite Democrat, Joe Lieberman vote?

Senate Blocks the Renewal of Patriot Act The Senate on Friday blocked legislation to renew the Patriot Act, delivering a dramatic rebuff to President Bush that reflected rising concern over his treatment of civil liberties and privacy rights in the war on terrorism. A Republican bid to end debate and consider a bill that the House easily approved this week fell seven votes short, leaving the fate of the anti-terrorism law unclear as Congress prepared to recess. Key provisions of the statute are to expire Dec. 31. "If we needed a wake-up call about the need for adequate civil liberties protections to be written into our laws … this is that wake-up call," said Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), part of a bipartisan group of senators who ignited the filibuster fight. "They are saying, 'Trust us, we are following the law.' Give me a break," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.). "Across the country and across the political spectrum, no one is buying it anymore. There is no accountability. There is no oversight…. This is Big Brother run amok. "With these new developments," Kennedy said, "we must take a step back and not rush the Patriot Act." "None of us wants it to expire, and those who threaten to let it expire rather than fix it are playing a dangerous game," said Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.). Wisconsin Democrat Russell D. Feingold said the Republican leadership would bear responsibility if the law expired. "That would only happen if the proponents block alternative reauthorization that can easily pass," he said. "Now is not the time for brinkmanship or threats." Counting Frist, 51 Republicans and two Democrats — Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Tim Johnson of South Dakota — voted in favor of the renewal legislation. Four Republicans voted against it: Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, John E. Sununu of New Hampshire and Larry E. Craig of Idaho.