On Thursday, September 25, 1997 1:37 PM, Jeff Barber [SMTP:jeffb@issl.atl.hp.com] wrote:

We shouldn't have to "trick" Congress into doing the right thing, or provide cover for them either.

Ultimately, we are not going to "trick" them. Congress has tools, like CRS, that ensure that they (usually) have good information before a bill is sent to the President. However, why shouldn't we provide cover for them? You can be sure that Oxley, McCain, Kerrey, etc. will receive "cover" from the FBI and Law Enforcement. You can be sure that they will receive endorsements from all of the right "fraternal brotherhood of police whatever" organizations come election time. If a Member of Congress wants to support civil rights, I think that we *should* provide as much support and "cover" as possible. It's hard enough to publically support civil rights and free speech in today's media climate. We won yesterday because the Committee found a solution that gave them cover and allowed all parties to declare victory. I find that to be a very good thing. Aaron