Re: Common Cause fears the truth

In what countries do people have to get the government's opinion in a debate?

That sounds like the former Soviet Union; the People's Republic of China; Belarus since Lukashenka.

In what situations is it the role of security and intelligence organizations within governments to act as the mouthpiece of the government?

Sounds like the Politburo of the Soviet Empire or the KGB in Belarus.

Nobody is trying to subvert government policy - it was a panel discussion (open to anybody who wanted to go) about freedom of information and open government.    It is the right and duty of all citizens to engage in debate and discussion of what the people's government does.  The event was part of a week dedicated to people being able to find out what the government is doing in their name.  How can participants in that be accused of depending "on the fact that most people will believe what they're told and not find out for themselves?"  The government and the FBI are not exactly short of opportunities to give their side on the Patriot Act.  There are enough journalists in the TV, radio and print media who support the act that I don't lose sleep about whether government policy is given a fair hearing.

Whether La Perla respects Common Cause or the League is not of particular concern.  The facts are that Common Cause is a 35 year old grassroots organization with 300,000 members and supporters in all 50 states, 38 state chapters and a strong record of non-partisan work to hold government accountable to the people.  The League of Women Voters is over 85 years old, with over 900 local and state Leagues which also work to promote openness in government on a non-partisan basis.  I can think of many people who have respect for them and us.

Re: Common Cause fears the truth

Democracy is founded on the principal of freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. You are calling "temper tantrums" and basically saying "ohh baby poo-poo" to something so critical , which you yourself would not even want to be in loss of: Your freedom to think and talk! Imagine if people showed up at your door and could haul you away, torture you,----they can, you know, under the Patriot Act*---just because of what you right now wrote to Common Cause.

Any time the government intercepts the free communication of people, there is danger. People who have not lived at the Iron Curtain don't always "get" this, and obviously, you REALLY don't! In fact, you are in support of fascist murderers, or so it would appear. Ooooh yes, they ARE murderers, and this is  not conspiracy theory, either! Have you looked at the content of the Patriot Act? Do you know that people may be arrested without probable cause, detained without access to legal counsel, and that death penalties are expanded WITHOUT Congressional or judicial oversight? What does this have to do with the FBI calling Common Cause??? EVERYTHING!! It is a dictatorial clamp-down on freedom of speech, with much further action threatened on the "legal" (if not unconstitutional) horizon. So go ahead, call this a "temper tantrum" if you like, but my words to you are: Get yourself a heart, and use your brain! Perhaps you might even consider a that a psychiatric evaluation is in order! I am not kidding. Are you a member of the Government, by the way? Sure sounds like you are one of them. You all need to be removed from office, as incompetent and criminal as---well, ALMOST--- each and every one of you are.

Re: Since when is this the FBI's job?

   Although your argument seems fairly well researched, I would have to say that if, as I suspect that the CC President (who is a Democrat) was giving misinformation about the  Patriot Act then that would fall under number 4: "Combat public corruption at all levels."  Common Cause has become a fairly powerful and influential left-wing organization so if someone with power like Ms. Pingree is attempting to undermine our national security by lying to people. Then this is an FBI issue.  And it is everyone's business to fight against people who are intentionally deceiving others for their own political purposes and therefore any citizen of this country including the FBI agent (who is an American Citizen)has the right to demand the truth be told.

If Ms. Pingree has nothing to conceal then why doesn't she post, word for word exactly what she said at the meeting, then we can examine this for ourselves?

Although I must say one thing in favor of Ed Davis, I did get quite a laugh from his comment about the League of Women Voters being a respected organization.  

Re: Liberals gone wild!

YOU aren't opposed to free speech? Just re-read what you wrote! And the government is NOT clamping down on free speech, are you kidding? That is just the point: Government has no business (at least in a supposedly free country) to call and offer to "educate" the people (better known as lying and brainwashing). Even if it was a sincere and honest "education", the point would still remain the same: People must be left OFFICIALLY free to think for themselves. Once again, like all other Republicans I have seen, you are publicly confessing ignorance and incompetence. It is shocking to me! Don't you realize, that any time the government controls philosophy, analysis, etc that controls become more and more stringent? Don't you know that little bits of well-intended powers become increasingly oppressive, ultimately even murderous? Conspiracy theory?? Oh yeah??? Just look at the Patriot Act, at legalized torture, at secretive wiretapping: Are YOU out of your mind?? Psychological projection, once again: You Repubs are very, very good at that!

Did it ever occur to you, that in looking out for civil rights, we are trying to protect YOU, too? Same team, folks! "A house divided against itself cannot stand" --Abraham Lincoln