Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The dog ate my homework, but he also ate the Constitution


Chris Dodd has not offered a sufficiently clear explanation for his acceptance of VIP loan status from Countrywide Financial. As Chairman of the House Banking Committee, who has received thousands of dollars in campaign support from Countrywide, there is no accepting his logic (or lack thereof), that he didn't know he was getting a special deal.

Why can't politicians say: "I made a mistake. I was wrong." Chris, why can't you say: "I made a mistake. I was wrong."

Because when you don't admit mistakes, it steals the power from your great speeches, and from your ideals. For example, Chris Dodd's indictment of the FISA amendment is classic. He finds a way to make clear what exactly is wrong with the bill, how it is unconstitutional, and what needs to be done. It could be a completely shining moment, if there weren't a dark cloud hanging over his head.

As far as FISA goes, Glenn Greenwald hails Dodd, and his fellow Senator Russ Feingold, for standing up to the politically expedienct actions of their colleagues. And Greenwald holds out hope that the procedural obstacles Dodd and Feingold can set across the tracks, my yet put the FISA locomotive in the ditch.

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