Comments on: One Simple Explanation for the Democrats' FISA Betrayal http://www.kipesquire.net/2008/07/simple-explanation-for-the-democrats-fisa-betrayal/ A Stitch in Time Saves Nine ... But Haste Makes Waste Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:02:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: KipEsquire http://www.kipesquire.net/2008/07/simple-explanation-for-the-democrats-fisa-betrayal/comment-page-1/#comment-6407 KipEsquire Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:53:10 +0000 http://www.kipesquire.net/?p=4294#comment-6407 I have no doubt that there are more issues at work, especially Hoyer's and Emanuel's influence over backbenchers. But the numbers are the numbers. Tom, what "lifeboat rules" are you talking about? Surely not <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_v._Dudley_and_Stephens" rel="nofollow">this one</a>? And as for "who files these kinds of lawsuits," my answer is: people who care. I have no doubt that there are more issues at work, especially Hoyer's and Emanuel's influence over backbenchers. But the numbers are the numbers.

Tom, what "lifeboat rules" are you talking about? Surely not this one? And as for "who files these kinds of lawsuits," my answer is: people who care.

]]> By: Mark http://www.kipesquire.net/2008/07/simple-explanation-for-the-democrats-fisa-betrayal/comment-page-1/#comment-6405 Mark Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:34:54 +0000 http://www.kipesquire.net/?p=4294#comment-6405 I'm not so sure it's that simple. That amounts to about a $3400 difference to vote for the bill. In the grand scheme of things, $3400 is peanuts to a Congressman's campaign, especially if it carries with it the possible loss of votes. But I don't want to delve too deeply into that issue, which is something that eventually is going to require a lengthy post on my part. One thing that I find very odd and interesting about all this, though, is the amount that the telecoms are spending on lobbying and campaign contributions on this issue. As far as I can tell, their potential monetary liability on these lawsuits is pretty small, certainly less than the amount they are spending on lobbying. I'm not so sure it's that simple. That amounts to about a $3400 difference to vote for the bill. In the grand scheme of things, $3400 is peanuts to a Congressman's campaign, especially if it carries with it the possible loss of votes. But I don't want to delve too deeply into that issue, which is something that eventually is going to require a lengthy post on my part.

One thing that I find very odd and interesting about all this, though, is the amount that the telecoms are spending on lobbying and campaign contributions on this issue. As far as I can tell, their potential monetary liability on these lawsuits is pretty small, certainly less than the amount they are spending on lobbying.

]]>