As news continues to break about the massive data collection overreach by the National Security Agency, Colorado’s own Democratic Senator Mark Udall has attempted to position himself as the rational voice in the debate over data privacy. Udall is trying to push the narrative that he’s a “privacy watchdog” as evidenced by his ranting from an email to supporters today:
“I supported amendments to responsibly reform the PATRIOT Act, spoke many times on the Senate floor, and urged the Administration to tell the American people about how the surveillance laws were being used. I even voted against the long-term re-authorization of the PATRIOT Act because it didn’t strike the right balance between privacy and security.”
A privacy watchdog? Hardly. Here is the truth about Udall’s record on privacy issues. The gist? In 2011, Udall voted for roving wiretaps, business record access (aka the “215” orders) and “lone wolf” wiretapping as part of H.R. 514. Then, he published a rant about how awful the provisions were. Even worse, Section 215 orders are precisely what the NSA used to gather data from law-abiding citizens’ cell phones, according to the Washington Post.
Before Udall apologists start defending the Senator, let’s be clear. Section 215 wasn’t buried in some obscure or lengthy piece of legislation. The legislation dealt primarily with just these three issues – roving wiretaps, Section 215 orders, and “lone wolf” wiretapping.
Udall also is trying to distance himself from the President on these issues with statements like this one to PBS:
“I just draw the line a little bit differently than the president does…. We do need to remember, we’re in a war against terrorists, and terrorism remains a real threat, but I also think we have to cue to the Bill of Rights, and the Fourth Amendment, which prevents unlawful searches and seizures, ought to be important to us. It ought to remain sacred, and there’s got to be a balance here.”
What a victim. In addition to the fact that he was on the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he had exclusive classified briefings on the program, as a Senator he voted for the very people charged with enacting this program in the Obama administration. He voted to confirm the National Intelligence Director and the directors of the CIA and FBI. He also supported the President who appointed the National Security Adviser.
He voted for the people in charge of these programs. He voted for the laws that gave the administration the legal ability to have these programs. But, don’t worry, he winked and nodded in letters and speeches about how he didn’t like it.
Sen. Udall, the world loves a repentant sinner. Why not just admit that you were wrong, instead of continuing on this path of hypocrisy?
I thought he was okay, until he lies about the value of the gun bills, and how he has to act to keep things like what happened to his dear freind (house Rep. got shot, now a spokesperson). I empathize with his freind, and am deeply saddened about the children. But he also reversed his vote and voted against decent parts of the "gun debate" that should have passed, and Repubs agreed with, inc. NRA. Better mental health interventions, care for mental health cases (before they go to jail and get free mental health care), better school security and training for school defenses, better accountability for the police that did nothing to help us in Aurora (with 35 days pre-notice from the psych doctor!), no action on Virginia Tech authorities on campus or in town for a) not responding affirmatively to the first round of shooting, and letting him proceed to do 20 something more some 15 minutes later (wouldn't want a responder to get hurt, now, would we?), and lost track and ignored data about boston bombers TSA, CIA, NSA, State Dept. FBI all dropped the ball (and HAD NOTICE IN WRITING FROM SA (or Egypt?), and Russia! NO, its not well reported that the dems, including UDALL, reversed their votes for the good rules in the "gun debate" simply because they didn't want to vote with any republicans that didn't earlier vote their way. So, they don't care about something that might have helped in Newtown, and other places, he cares about doing what his party tells him to do. He didn't stand up at a critical time and be a lone leader (others would have followed) , he cowardly caved and thumbed his nose at the people, while thinking he was standing with his dem coalition, and 'hurting' the repubs. (They'll not get the chance to say they voted for good, and against the bad!) so instead of being proud of the good you could have done, Udall, you waffled and lied about what you thought was important. And, you continue to lie about how you think magazines, and styles of rifles, and making me check a neighbor or my nephew, that I want to take hunting, in order to 'transfer' a gun to him. And I guess background check me again, when he gives it back? Oh, you mean you want us to believe that tracing every guns movement between law abiding people is not about registration?
We are not stupid, Senator. You are not getting voted in, despite the promises of big DC money to help you campaign. And, you are not getting high appointments probably since your party is not going to be in the white house, either. Going to be tough sledding without centrist Dems, or Centrist Republicans, or Independents voting for you, don't you know that's what gets you over the top?
He is trying to save his a$$.. he needs to go away.
Proof of the manufactured concern erupting today.
http://blogs.rollcall.com/wgdb/in-2010-the-senate-debated-the-patriot-act-for-20-seconds/
he's so gay.