StrangeBedfellows, or: a Bit of Sanity Returns to American Politics?

I'm admittedly a bit behind the curve on this one: I've spent most of my summer at a lake home I've rented outside of town, and haven't had Interweb access (or even much in the way of TV).

There's a new Left/Right political coalition forming in the US, based on citizens' exasperation with the repeated attacks by government on our civil liberties. BreakTheMatrix, an organization started by some of the folks involved in creating the Ron Paul "Money Bombs" of last fall, is raising money for the Accountability Now PAC. This PAC, which grew out of left-wing activism but now incorporates a lot of centrist and conservative elements, is dedicated to supporting candidates, regardless of party, who advocate the repeal of the measures the last few Congresses have passed that gut our freedoms and empower the imperial presidency.

The Art of the Possible has a couple of posts covering the effort, and I have to admit I'm both intrigued and heartened. I'm a big fan of the American Freedom Agenda (surprise) and the associated American Freedom Agenda Act, and the idea that people out there on both sides of the aisle are interested in actively and seriously pursuing a civil-liberties political agenda after years of partisan nonsense is refreshing, to say the least. I'll be watching these folks closely: should be interesting.

Via Unqualified Offerings, belatedly.

Domestic Spying Case Rejected by SCOTUS

The ACLU suit challenging the legality of the Bush Administration's domestic surveillance program will not be reviewed by the Supreme Court. The court rejected the appeal without comment, leaving in place the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling that the plaintiffs have no standing because they cannot prove that they have been victimized. Of course, the reason they can't prove it is that the administration has classified any information which indicates who was wiretapped, thereby rendering establishment of standing impossible.

Sigh.

Stand up to Warrantless Wiretapping

The Downsize DC blog has a post regarding the "Protect America Act" (translation: the George Bush can Spy on Anyone He Damn Well Pleases Act) which is well worth a read. You can also, through the site's links, send your Senators and Reps an email asking them to oppose its passage. This is a dangerous bill which has serious 4th Amendment ramifications for us all. Anyone who values their liberty should oppose this legislation. Please take the time to do so.

Hat tip to Dispatches from the Culture Wars.