This would be Rep. Silvestre Reyes.
And to recap why I'm furious with him, it's best to read the diary I posted after our first conversation about the vile FISA rewrite.
Since Reyes pulled the stunt he said he was against back then, I've been fuming and stewing.
Today, I had the chance to let him know how upset I was.
The only problem was that the callers were limited to just a few minutes, mainly because every time Reyes is on the air, the lines are always jammed.
My first question to Reyes was did the House of Reps now know all the parameters of the telecoms datamining of, and spying on, their customers even though they weren't presented with a warrant or subpoena.
He started spinning.
I laughed derisively.
He didn't answer the question, so I pressed and asked again, and this time he said the House now DID know all those aspects, then tried the absurd tack that the legislation actually allows those cases against the telecoms to be heard.
Which I then answered by pointing out how the FISA rewrite REQUIRES the judge to throw out those cases upon the telecoms showing the guarantees this Administration gave for breaking the law.
My time was about up, so I stated how angry I was that Reyes put loyalty to this President far above his loyalty to his constituents privacy rights and loyalty to the Constitution he swore to uphold and defend against all enemies foreign and domestic.
I wrapped up by questioning how anyone could vote to let this President break the law even more than he's done so far.
I knew I wouldn't be getting any mea culpas out of Reyes, or get him to collapse in defeat with a brilliant Perry-Mason style "gotcha" argument, but it did feel good to unleash on Reyes, as it does to unload on ANYONE who claims we can't afford another Bush-style Administration, yet still votes to expand this President's power to outright break the law.
Everyone should avail themselves to the free public soapbox call-in shows provide, especially local call-in shows. It's natural and easy to be nervous for the first time callers, but if you keep it up, you find it's almost addictive.
Keep pushing for better Dems, too many of the ones we've got now are complicit with this Administration and the damage it's done to our country and Constitution.
And if the opportunity arises to make these Bush Jr enablers squirm or sweat, take it ASAP.