..but if I give Obama a pass, and I do, I have to consider others as well.

And, it is precisely Ackerman's record on civil liberties issues, at least where national security is not involved, that earned him his points. That, and the fact that he makes his point with cutting edge humor. On most first amendment issues, whether they be free speech, religious free execise, or protecting the establishment clause, Ackerman is staking out ground no one in Congress ever dares go near. Every Hindu, Moslem, Buddist, Jew and Atheist in America owes him a vote of thanks.

I assume his FISA vote was acomplished after deep thought and taken with deep anguish. He came down wrong; it happens; but I'm sure it wasn't a pander, because he doesn't need to.

And given his significant Orthodox Jewish constituency, his support of terrorial compromise in Israel shows Washington that one can be an ardent Zionist without being a Likudnik--Anthony Weiner may have voted right on FISA, but he doesn't have half that much guts.