Reply #6: His statement is signficant for a couple of reasons

[grantcart]

1) It shows that it was in fact a compromise. Even if you don't agree with the bill and feel it should be defeated it is clear that the revised bill includes positive aspects.

2) Critics of the bill have not been stating fairly what is in the bill. This is the first time I had heard that Americans overseas will now be protected by the 4th Ammendment. This understanding has never been apart of any administration's perspective or any legislation previously.

3) Up until now it has been the Executive branch dictating to the Congressional. Now Congress has a meaningful oversight role.

4) Halperin is very unusual, absolutely unique. He is a civil rights advocate and expert (headed the ACLU Washington office and defended a 1st ammenment case for publishing a book "How to build an atom bomb", was the target of illegal wire taping and is an expert in national security.

5) It shows that progress is not a straight line, that the issues that he has been fighting for since the 1970s do not live and die with a single piece of legislation.

6) Beyond the legislation the real reality of how well the country fulfills the spirit of the constitution lies with who is in the White House and the quality of appointees, both in national security and as prosecutors and judges for FISA.