The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[innerSpaceman]

Perhaps he means when FISA itself was enacted. It's basically a rubber-stamp, kangaroo kourt that circumvents the justice system in obtaining wire-taps. It is, itself, I believe, unconstitutional.

The irony of ignoring the FISA court was that it pretty much always granted a warrant to the government. The Bush administration claimed the 24-hour rubber stamp turnaround time wasn't sufficient.

I think I was too young when FISA was enacted (or wasn't politically conscious enough), but I'm sure the potential for abuse was front and center. I'm not sure it's paranoia to foresee that something which loopholes the judicial protections in the constitution might be abused.

I agree with scaeagles that not all prognostications are paranoia, even those stemming from the right. But I certainly think the current crop of heath care "debate" predictions are of the tinfoil hat and purposeful spoiler variety.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I agree with scaeagles that not all prognostications are paranoia, even those stemming from the right. But I certainly think the current crop of heath care "debate" predictions are of the tinfoil hat and purposeful spoiler variety.

Agreed. The majority of the static coming out against the proposals isn't so much theoretical extrapolation of what might happen if the proposals are passed, rather they are outright misinterpretations/misrepresentations of what the proposal says in the first place, often claiming it means the exact opposite of what its actual intent is (e.g., the language that got labeled "death panels" was about giving seniors the right to manage their own end of life care, NOT about the government sentencing seniors to death. The language that some claimed meant hospitals would refuse treatment if you've come in too many times for the same condition actually said the exact opposite).