Link: G.O.P. Senators Say Accord is Set on Wiretapping The proposed accord with the White House would seemingly avoid the issue of blatantly unconstitutional behavior by the Administration by retroactively creating a 45 day period in which the President could spy on Americans suspected of association with an unspecified list of terrorist organizations. A 7 … Read more

Via: Daily Kos: Straight Talk on South Dakota?. John McCain, that self-styled "maverick" of Republican politics, continues to try to have it both ways, this time on the politics of abortion and specifically, the South Dakota ban.     A spokesperson said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., would have signed the South Dakota legislation, "but [he] … Read more

Alligator Pig. That’s the name of this game. My dog Magic loves to play this game with most of the Labs we foster. Some are too sedate or too sumissive to play, but most are game. Shown here is Aspen, now named Rose by her new adoptive people, our most recent foster dog. Rose loved … Read more

Bush is passionate about the benefits of outsourcing and globalization in general… on corporate profits and investor returns. In a bold, much more than symbolic move, Bush has decided to outsource his own job and become what he ws always best qualified to be – a manual laborer on an Indian farm. Bush can be … Read more

I recently paid a visit to Sen. Bill Frist’s VOLPAC blog because he announced the ill-advised re-authorization of the PATRIOT Act in the Senate. You can certainly make up your own minds as to whether the permanent re-authorization of PATRIOT was a good idea (I happen to strongly disfavor re-authorization of any provision of that act that does not sunset), but I have to wonder how the CD 8 candidates would vote for the bill in its present form as it heads to the House, if they could vote on it?

We don’t have to wonder much about how one candidate, Dwight Leister, would vote. It seems pretty clear from his comment on Frist’s blog that he supports the re-authorization:

"As a Democratic Candidate for Congress in Arizona’s 8th District I support the "Features" that the Patriot Act gives to Law Enforcement agencies in Southeastern Arizona as we fight the War on terror by Securing our Borders and enabling our Border Sheriffs to have access to Federal Funds."

Dwight D. Leister:Chair
www.committee-to-elect.org
T.Mae Leister: First Vice Treasurer
www.dwightleister4congress2006.com

I am somewhat familiar with the PATRIOT Act, and I am not aware of any portions that are of use in enforcing our immigration laws, nor am I aware of any funding coming our way from passage of the PATRIOT Act. Perhaps Mr. Leister could enlighten us as to what those "features" are? I am also curious as to whether there are any "features" of this bill that Mr. Leister does not support?

As he apparently reads this blog at times, I would invite him to clarify his position in a comment, or by contacting me directly, if he prefers. I can’t imagine that the unqualified sobriquet "Supporter of the USA PATRIOT Act" is the best foot to put forward with CD 8’s Democratic primary voters. But what do I know? He’s the candidate for Congress.

Mr. Leister responds on the flip…

Drinking Liberally will be at The Shanty on 4th Ave. Thursday evening begining at 6pm. This week we are having Steve Farley, former candidate for Tucson City Council and transportation activist, to speak about the regional transportation initiatives. So come on down if you want to get educated about transportation, slap Steve on the back … Read more

I just completed an interview with Francine Schacter, who is running for the Democratic nomination for CD 8. I have to write up the interview and transcribe my notes and recording. I will have the full interview up shortly. I invite any representatives or staff from the Latas, Giffords, Rodriguez, or Leister campaigns to contact … Read more