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Comment by tptacek | Hacker News Reader

I'm happy the questions are being asked, but Cornyn's no friend of civil liberties and I suggest you keep that in mind.

But you've completely derailed this post. I think you could have raised awareness about this man while also keeping the discussion on the positive aspect of these questions being asked at all.

This is what happens when defending or attacking people based on allegiance to political parties. All rational arguments in place get lost in favor of ad hominem platitudes.

Only a small percentage of Congress are friends to civil liberties. This is the august body that gave us the Patriot Act, after all.

Funny you should mention that:

    Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's roving wiretaps. (Feb 2011)
    Voted NO on requiring FISA court warrant to monitor US-to-foreign calls. (Feb 2008)
    Voted YES on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
    Voted NO on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
    Voted NO on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
    Voted NO on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
    Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
    Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)

Senator Obama voted the opposite on a few of those, but as president seems to have few problems with the Patriot Act and Guantanamo.

So let's not kid ourselves that Congress has much say in the manner.

Congress is THE body which has say in the matter. Obama's attempts to move suspects to the continental US from Guantanamo were suppressed by Congress. If you are going to excuse Congress, then who are you going to hold responsible?

Obama has the power of veto and executive order, does he not?

Every power grubbing slimeball in D.C. is responsible. My only point was that just because Senator X doesn't share your values, don't think opposing him or her is going to make much difference right now.

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