Comments on: Can Bush carry the day?

CNET News.com's Declan McCullagh explains why the president may be on a collision course with his own party over the future of the Patriot Act.

[hardedge]

So this is a political column?

"...will test whether Congress has the political fortitude to stand up to President Bush."

That means what? The Patriot Act is a measure of adversity and Congress needs to muster its courage to overcome it? I accept your opinion, despite how terribly, terribly wrong and naive it is, but how does it qualify as "Tech News" First, Last, or otherwise? Propaganda maybe, but Tech News? I mean, the folk over in Great Britain seem perfectly happy with their version of the Patriot Act. Oh... Wait... They don't have a Patriot Act over there where they just got bombed. (That's my opinion. Also has nothing to do with Tech News.)

A majority of American citizens elected a Republican President, they elected a Republican majority to the House, and a Republican majority to the Senate. Those are hard facts, not feelings. You're not suggesting a confrontation with the White House, it would be a confrontation with the majority of voting Americans. Why would you want the Congress that we elected to go against the will of us, the people?

Don't like it? No problem. Convince other people to vote the way you want them to --but not in what's supposed to be a tech column. There are more than enough political tie-ins to technology as it is. (See any good lawsuits lately? How about any failed pantent law proposals?) Really don't need, or want, flat-out politicizing in a Tech venue.

[Christopher Hall]

Lay off

It's a political op-ed, and he's the political correspondent for CNet (which exists because many technological decisions are impacted or influenced by laws).

If you came here expecting anything other than an editorial, you were sorely mistaken.

Can't Take the Heat

Why is it whenever any of the Cnet columnists legitmately criticize Bush, the Bush lovers come apart at the seams? Did I miss the cult recruiting somewhere? I'm a Republican second, an American first. I back the Constitution, not Bush right or wrong.

[declan00]

Political column

Yep, this is a political column. It's about the intersection of technology and politics, especially about the tech sections (think NSLs) of the Patriot Act.

The purpose of a column is to express an opinion, one way or another. If I didn't, I wouldn't be doing my job as a columnist.

I should note that the opinions expressed are pretty mild, too. I'm surprised it's being attacked as opinionated -- rather than for its actual substance.

[gmycyk191]

Didn't take your meds today?

Dude, get a clue! This was a well written article, and has tech/political relevance for all in the US.

You're just another angry RWING nut (right-wing-nut-job). Now, go take your meds and play with your assault rifles!

[eaglesfly47]

Relevant, Informative Article

Your article was, in fact very relevant to TECH. The Patriot Act and Homeland Security Act leave NO stone unturned. And, that includes technology and all freedom of speech, along with a list of other draconian mandates related to it. Just blow off the attacks. Since Bush became the Prez of this Country, violent verbal attacks have become commonplace. It is also very common, recently, to attack and focus on the Messenger, rather than the message. Remember: Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. Boston Globe (along with most media) publishes only politically correct articles, most of which are twisted or silent about important events. Thank you for the truth, and the courage to publish it. Concerning the comments about not the proper place to talk about "politics." This is a free country (or, IS IT???). You can talk about any subject, anywhere you wish. Keep your chin up. "You ain't seen nothin' yet!"