Sheldon Whitehouse: It’s OK If It’s Barack Obama
"I think there's probably a stronger sense that the civil liberties concerns are less likely to be triggered by Obama administration activities than the Bush administration activities."
– Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, explaining why Senate Democrats passed reauthorization of the Patriot Act. A single Senator’s objection is all that is required to force a roll call vote. Not a single senator objected.
Spying on innocent Americans in church? It’s OK under President Barack Obama.
“Acceptable” to diminish Americans’ first amendment rights? It’s OK under President Barack Obama.
FBI lies about fake terrorist plots to justify surveillance? It’s OK under President Barack Obama.
Reading through your e-mail? It’s OK under President Barack Obama.
Illegal NSA collection of data on civilians? It’s OK under President Barack Obama.
Unprecedented warrantless collection of Americans’ spending habits? It’s OK under President Barack Obama.
Let’s give Senator Whitehouse credit: he said “there’s probably a stronger sense that the civil liberties concerns are less likely to be triggered by Obama administration activities.” He didn’t strictly say that this sense was tethered to reality. But wouldn’t it be nice to have a Senate more strongly tethered to reality?
