Rep. Matsui Has Not Lost Her Conscience

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

The sham "compromise" on FISA is now being considered in the in House.  After all of this time fighting to make sure the telecom companies don't get immunity, it is extremely frustrating and disheartening to see the leadership cave to the Bush administration.  There was absolutely no need to do it.  We could have run out the clock until Bush was out of office.

It is heartening to hear from my Rep, who rarely seems to step out with her own strong voice on FISA.  Here is the statement from Rep. Doris Matsui on FISA.

I believe firmly that liberty and security are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they go hand in hand.  It is in celebration of our civil liberties that we fight to secure our nation and preserve our way of life.  In the absence of the liberties and values that we hold most dear, we lose a piece of our national identity and a small piece of the heart of our country.

That is why I must, in good conscience, vote against the FISA legislation before the House today.   The structure of the bill chips away at the bedrock of our liberties.  It is exactly times like these when we must pause, study our national discourse, and make a choice to take a principled stand against the erosion of the principles we cherish.

This is not a partisan battle, although many have fought to make it one.  It is a fight for the right of every American citizen to be free of oppression and the infringement of their personal privacy.  I am saddened that we could not reach a compromise that preserved these rights while still allowing our law enforcement professionals broad latitude to do their jobs.

Granting too much power and oversight to one branch of government shakes the very foundation of our country.  While the spirit of compromise and reasoned debate are often the best tools in a democracy, there are unalienable rights which cannot be compromised. and these rights are the reason I cannot support this legislation.

If people have other good statements on FISA from CA Reps, please throw them in this thread/diary.