I find it astonishing that I am agreeing with Rand Paul over anything, but I do agree that the drone program is scary and should be challenged.The reality is that ANYONE can assemble a small, basic, radio-controlled drone that can carry a few pounds of weight. Jon Stewart had a guest who pointed that out. But making them official tools of the government for domestic use makes me angry.
I think it is funny to try to follow what John McCain is for or against on any given day.He blasted Paul’s use of Jane Fonda references and said that a lot of Paul’s “debate” was not true.I guess McCain wants Brennan confirmed.
singlespeed, well said.*I’m not a Rand Paul fan by any means. But in his defense, he was one of only 7 people to vote agains NDDA last year. So he was probably sincere in his grilling of Holder.*Note that McCain and Lindsay Graham attacked Rand Paul over his position. (http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/07/17225441-mccain-graham-assail-rand-paul-on-targeted-killings-policy?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=2)*Several of the Republican Senators who voted for NDDA were now supporting Rand Paul in attacking it. Why? One political analyst opined that it is no coincidence that these same Senators are up for re-election in 2014, and they haven’t been polling so well lately. *But sometimes it takes the opposite side to make changes. Clinton took welfare back a notch during a time that any Republican trying to do so would be considered heartless.*Maybe some of these Obama-hating Republican leaders may actually do the right thing and dial NDDA policies back. Their motives may not be so altruistic, but I’ll glady accept the results.
I usually agree with Ohman but not this time. Paul raised some legitimate concerns. Has the POTUS exceeded his authority? Are the rights of American people violated? Has the Congress abrogated its own powers regarding declaration of war?These are important questions all Americans should be concerned about.
I’ve seen 2 toons now trying to knock Paul, and it’s still early, but neither deal with the issue he was making – same shallow trite the lo-info voters always fall for.
I’m not agreeing with Paul in detail, and I am fully aware he is positioning himself for a Presidential run, but, yes, in fact I DO think drone strikes in this country are a threat. Go look at how many police departments are looking to buy them right now!
lets send abunch of gis to get killed and start anew war to get him instead of blowing him away any one of you guys vol to go get these tratiors bet most of u would wet your pants when the lead started flying
I respect that Rand Paul actually took the floor and spoke as a filibuster is supposed to be done, and I don’t like drones, especially if used domestically, but his rather fanciful rants DO prove he’s even crazier than his dad. Now, Republicans and pundits even whispering in jest “president Rand Paul”, IS the scariest thing I can think of, and far scarier than drones, or targeted assassinations of Americans, which I CAN see Rand Paul doing!
If you look long and hard enough, you can find something that any two people can agree on. I am decidedly against drone use anywhere. The whole idea of a missile-defense shield is all the more laughable when people can buy their own drones and choose the payload and target. So much for “we’re fighting them over there so we won’t have to fight them over here”.
As many posters have noted, the Patriot Act and NDAA are designed to take away the Contitutional rights of Americans. All the president or someone he/she designates has to do is call someone an “enemy combatant” and they can disappear forever. This is not America.
Let’s be fair about the Patriot Act. This was fully formed on “birth”. The wording, editing, and the bringing it into existence was done probably years before, with the express intent of unleashing it during a time of national emergency when the country would trust ANYBODY, even Dubya, to do something to keep them safe. All that was needed was the proper emergency….hello, 9/11. This was a planned power grab, and we let them take it. It was wrong then, and it’s wrong now, no matter who occupies the White House.
And, to ansonia, torture produces results. Contrary to those who think otherwise, counting those who believe the movie Zero Dark Thirty, anything provided by torture is worthless. John McCain admits to talking because he was tortured. He gave names…..of the Green Bay Packers offensive line. Sure, the prisoner will talk, but he won’t tell you the truth; he’ll tell you what you want to hear to stop the pain.
Anyone in intelligence-gathering will tell you that truth starts with trust. Waterboarding a prisoner 180 times in one month, as they did to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will not earn you trust, and you will not get to the truth. Now, imagine a foreign invader taking over the US, taking you away from everything you know, probably forever, and they start waterboarding you 6 times a day. Would you tell the truth about anything that mattered to your torturers?
Therein lies the danger of giving too much power to the Executive branch of the government. Once that power is in place, it is doubtful that the holder will relinquish it. Some will use it wisely, other’s less so, but I’ve no doubts that had Bush or McCain or Romney used it, most of the right wing critics (including Rand Paul) would shut up about it. I’m not positive that Obama has abused it; and remember how Clinton got trashed after 9/11 for failing to take out Osama bin Laden when he had the chance in the 90’s. Obama may very well be saving American lives.
if you liberals cannot abide a mere 13 hours of a Patriot reminding America that the Constitution and Bill of Rights should be the yardstick for the President and his administration and for the Congress, Senate and House,then you liberals really are the lowest common denominator, IMO, and basically you Liberals and your ideology has ruined this nation and it is very late for Patriots to begin to restore American Law and Values.
cdward about 11 years ago
Although I do oppose the drone program as it has been implemented.
Motivemagus about 11 years ago
I find it astonishing that I am agreeing with Rand Paul over anything, but I do agree that the drone program is scary and should be challenged.The reality is that ANYONE can assemble a small, basic, radio-controlled drone that can carry a few pounds of weight. Jon Stewart had a guest who pointed that out. But making them official tools of the government for domestic use makes me angry.
rockngolfer about 11 years ago
I think it is funny to try to follow what John McCain is for or against on any given day.He blasted Paul’s use of Jane Fonda references and said that a lot of Paul’s “debate” was not true.I guess McCain wants Brennan confirmed.
Marty Z about 11 years ago
singlespeed, well said.*I’m not a Rand Paul fan by any means. But in his defense, he was one of only 7 people to vote agains NDDA last year. So he was probably sincere in his grilling of Holder.*Note that McCain and Lindsay Graham attacked Rand Paul over his position. (http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/07/17225441-mccain-graham-assail-rand-paul-on-targeted-killings-policy?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=2)*Several of the Republican Senators who voted for NDDA were now supporting Rand Paul in attacking it. Why? One political analyst opined that it is no coincidence that these same Senators are up for re-election in 2014, and they haven’t been polling so well lately. *But sometimes it takes the opposite side to make changes. Clinton took welfare back a notch during a time that any Republican trying to do so would be considered heartless.*Maybe some of these Obama-hating Republican leaders may actually do the right thing and dial NDDA policies back. Their motives may not be so altruistic, but I’ll glady accept the results.
Newshound41 about 11 years ago
I usually agree with Ohman but not this time. Paul raised some legitimate concerns. Has the POTUS exceeded his authority? Are the rights of American people violated? Has the Congress abrogated its own powers regarding declaration of war?These are important questions all Americans should be concerned about.
SClark55 Premium Member about 11 years ago
I’ve seen 2 toons now trying to knock Paul, and it’s still early, but neither deal with the issue he was making – same shallow trite the lo-info voters always fall for.
Motivemagus about 11 years ago
I’m not agreeing with Paul in detail, and I am fully aware he is positioning himself for a Presidential run, but, yes, in fact I DO think drone strikes in this country are a threat. Go look at how many police departments are looking to buy them right now!
genemascho about 11 years ago
lets send abunch of gis to get killed and start anew war to get him instead of blowing him away any one of you guys vol to go get these tratiors bet most of u would wet your pants when the lead started flying
Dtroutma about 11 years ago
I respect that Rand Paul actually took the floor and spoke as a filibuster is supposed to be done, and I don’t like drones, especially if used domestically, but his rather fanciful rants DO prove he’s even crazier than his dad. Now, Republicans and pundits even whispering in jest “president Rand Paul”, IS the scariest thing I can think of, and far scarier than drones, or targeted assassinations of Americans, which I CAN see Rand Paul doing!
I Play One On TV about 11 years ago
If you look long and hard enough, you can find something that any two people can agree on. I am decidedly against drone use anywhere. The whole idea of a missile-defense shield is all the more laughable when people can buy their own drones and choose the payload and target. So much for “we’re fighting them over there so we won’t have to fight them over here”.
As many posters have noted, the Patriot Act and NDAA are designed to take away the Contitutional rights of Americans. All the president or someone he/she designates has to do is call someone an “enemy combatant” and they can disappear forever. This is not America.
Let’s be fair about the Patriot Act. This was fully formed on “birth”. The wording, editing, and the bringing it into existence was done probably years before, with the express intent of unleashing it during a time of national emergency when the country would trust ANYBODY, even Dubya, to do something to keep them safe. All that was needed was the proper emergency….hello, 9/11. This was a planned power grab, and we let them take it. It was wrong then, and it’s wrong now, no matter who occupies the White House.
And, to ansonia, torture produces results. Contrary to those who think otherwise, counting those who believe the movie Zero Dark Thirty, anything provided by torture is worthless. John McCain admits to talking because he was tortured. He gave names…..of the Green Bay Packers offensive line. Sure, the prisoner will talk, but he won’t tell you the truth; he’ll tell you what you want to hear to stop the pain.
Anyone in intelligence-gathering will tell you that truth starts with trust. Waterboarding a prisoner 180 times in one month, as they did to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will not earn you trust, and you will not get to the truth. Now, imagine a foreign invader taking over the US, taking you away from everything you know, probably forever, and they start waterboarding you 6 times a day. Would you tell the truth about anything that mattered to your torturers?
Quipss about 11 years ago
I actually support him having stood up. At the very least I see it as honorable that he didn’t just simply walk out of the room like most filibusters
McSpook about 11 years ago
Really? That’s the best you can come up with? You’ve become a hopeless one-note boor.
McSpook about 11 years ago
No doubt the “progress” to which Radish was referring was the vote on the Obama appointee
McSpook about 11 years ago
Therein lies the danger of giving too much power to the Executive branch of the government. Once that power is in place, it is doubtful that the holder will relinquish it. Some will use it wisely, other’s less so, but I’ve no doubts that had Bush or McCain or Romney used it, most of the right wing critics (including Rand Paul) would shut up about it. I’m not positive that Obama has abused it; and remember how Clinton got trashed after 9/11 for failing to take out Osama bin Laden when he had the chance in the 90’s. Obama may very well be saving American lives.
disgustedtaxpayer about 11 years ago
if you liberals cannot abide a mere 13 hours of a Patriot reminding America that the Constitution and Bill of Rights should be the yardstick for the President and his administration and for the Congress, Senate and House,then you liberals really are the lowest common denominator, IMO, and basically you Liberals and your ideology has ruined this nation and it is very late for Patriots to begin to restore American Law and Values.