Emergency Alert: Senate Set to Cave on FISA

[aggiesal]

Source: ACLU

The Senate is set to:

1. Disavow the will of the people.

2. Ignore the Constitution.

3. Promote fear over common sense.

4. Put its own political gain over our rights and liberties.

The Senate is set to do all this starting tomorrow, unless we stop this ill-advised plan today.

Call your senators now.


Dear Friend,

As soon as tomorrow, the Senate will begin to debate legislation that would give the president greatly expanded powers to spy on Americans. There isn't a moment to lose. Call now.

Even though the Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation that provides greater protections for privacy and doesn’t give amnesty to telecommunications companies, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has decided to move the bad Senate Intelligence Committee bill. This is not good news for those of us who respect freedom, the rule of law and the Constitution.

Tell your senators and Senator Reid to vote against this awful legislation.

This Intelligence Committee bill, negotiated closely between the Bush administration and Senator Rockefeller, contains retroactive immunity for the phone companies that illegally turned over private phone and email records to the government and completely eliminates warrants and court review of government spying.

Instead of capitulating to the White House, senators should be listening to you. Recent polls show that 61% of American voters believe the government should have to get a warrant from a court before wiretapping the overseas conversations of U.S. citizens. And 59% of American voters reject amnesty for phone companies that may have violated the law.

Sadly, Senator Reid is asking senators to decide where they stand on spying after a secret meeting taking place today with Attorney General Mukasey and Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, a day before voting is scheduled to take place. Director McConnell played a central role in negotiations around the Protect America Act and, acting on behalf of the White House, used questionable tactics and misinformation to convince members to eviscerate the Fourth Amendment.

Because this meeting is secret, we obviously don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors. But if history is any guide, this meeting could be used to provide misleading information about the current threats facing America to scare your senators into continuing the Bush Administration’s secret spying free-for-all.

There isn't a moment to lose. Call now.

We each need to do our part. Senator Reid needs to lead. All of our senators need to vote against the Intelligence Committee bill, anything resembling the Protect America Act or any bill that grants immunity to telecommunications companies that have broken the law over the past six years. We are also asking senators to join the filibuster of any bill with telecom immunity.

Your call today could mean the difference between our continued freedom as Americans and a secret government operation with no accountability. Please join us now in fighting this bad bill, which goes against our democratic values.

Your continued actions and support have carried us this far; we cannot give up now. Don’t let history repeat itself. Make the calls, tell your friends and family and continue to carry the torch of liberty. Our country is counting on you.

Sincerely,

Caroline Fredrickson, ACLU
Caroline Fredrickson, Director
ACLU Washington Legislative Office

© ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004


Read more: E-mail from ACLU

---

This is truly unbelievable if they pass FISA with retroactive immunity.

If this happens, then this administration must have something on every key person in congress.
I don't hear Sen. Dodd talking about a filibuster anymore.

[geomon666]

1. Gee we never saw that coming. n/t

[msongs]

2. since when is a press release LBN? nt

[aggiesal]

4. This is an e-mail not a press release, ...

It is news if the senate is set to cave on the FISA bill.
Why wait for this story to appear in some new release?
It might be too late to save the bill by then.

Just my opinion.

[lovuian]

3. Congress caves and puts their name to it

they are responsible for their votes and actions

[harmonicon]

6. but they're never held responsible

more than 1/2 of our crop of presidential candidates are among these criminals, but everyday people are on here writing about how fantastic they are and how they're going to save our country. Makes me want to puke.

[Eagle_Eye]

38. The ballot box is the tool of responsibility

As a voter, it your DUTY to go and vote.

Information is power. We need a list of the politicians who vote for and against FISA.

Do not vote for any senator who is for FISA. Promote candidates who will oppose FISA.

Remember who works for who.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

10. if this is so then they are useless!

if they cave in then they might aswell go home. We don't need pieces of jello to represent us!

[USSPequod]

70. Lament

Dear Children:

Today we have sold you into slavery,
And for so little: untrue promises of protection,
Gold in the hands of merchants,
Bribes in the fists of our Princes.

We have heard Amos, we have heard Isaiah;
But we let dams be built against Justice, and
Followed shadowy voices promising safety
Without our own battles into easy comfort.
We heard them, but lingered on in our lust for
trinkets and lured by enshrining ourselves
in grand houses on roads to nowhere.
Dear Children: hear us, please!
We beg not that you forgive us, but
Only that you know that we feel our shame.
And even in your anger pray for our orange jump-suited souls.
Had we dared to stand to fight, you might have loved us,
But we let the chains be put on, first others, then ourselves
And then on you.

The bitterness of your suffering already burns
in our stomachs.

[Trillo]

5. K & R n/t

[rockybelt]

7. How many times must I call my Senator

on the same bill? Don't you see that they are not going to do anything that the American people demand? They're not going to go against this regime because they are as guilty as the regime. They are now part of this regime. By investigating anything or making the corporations possibly criminally liable they are cutting their own throats. The only hope we have is to throw them ALL out at election time and hope for the best.
I am truly so discouraged now that I don't see much hope for America as a free nation. The fascists are in control and the public is complacently watching reruns of their favorite comedy or deciding who will get thrown off the island or whatever.

I think I will go away for a while....maybe forever.

[lonestarnot]

12. This so sucks ass. But call before you leave for those of us staying. Thanks.

[Sherman A1]

36. Agreed

I get so tired of writing them and at best getting back a form email or letter "thanking me for my interest in this issue", but never seeing them stand up to His Majesty.



:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[warren pease]

60. I like the form letters that come back when I bitch about torture or Iraq or impeachment and...

...they thank me for my concerns about health care or protecting the 2nd Amendment. Not that I'm disinterested in those issues as well, but you'd think their envelope stuffers would find the right pile of response letters every now and then.


wp

[dbt]

8. Democrat-controlled Senate CAVES AGAIN and this is news? eom

[Robbien]

11. Not caving. This is planned

Many in the party along with the leadership/BlueDogs want to give immunity to telecos.

[spotbird]

23. The Friday news dump on steroids

pull this shit during the Holidays.

[RufusTFirefly]

9. And water is wet

If you have trouble influencing your elected representative, consider incorporating, moving your headquarters to the Cayman Islands, and making a healthy, laundered contribution to your Rep's campaign fund. That oughta do it.

[Deep13]

13. Well I just wrote to Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

I told him the Founders would be appalled.

[femrap]

20. Write Voinovich instead....

Brown is one of the very few good guys.

In fact, call and scream at Voinovich. thx.

[jeff30997]

14. K&R

That is so sick!

[Doctor_J]

15. Is there ANYTHING they've done to serve the people this term?

WTF is going on here?

[spotbird]

24. Since most of the states had

already taken care of it, they passed minimum wage legislation.

So, it looks like the answer is no.

[JDPriestly]

16. I e-mailed Senator Feinstein.

Why should the Senate allow the president to simply disregard a law? What is the point in having a Congress if the president can just do whatever he wants regardless of what the law is?

[RufusTFirefly]

27. Good luck with that.

I am so fed up with being sucker-punched by DiFi. Again and again and again. And yes, I have written and called her office. Repeatedly.
She's hopeless. (God bless Barbara Boxer though.)

[JDPriestly]

17. This is Reid's idea of Christmas spirit.

Americans are busy buying presents, decorating trees and having parties. Great time to sneak the FISA bill through. That is repugnant. It's sneaky and cheap.

[McCamy Taylor]

18. Why should AT&T and Verizon be allowed to ignore the law for profit?

They have been repaid many times over by the FCC for their illegal activities. They have plenty of money to pay a civil judgment. And if they don't that is what bankruptcy is for.

[spag68]

19. FISA

I've already made my position clear to my disgraceful NY senators, what's the use of repeating myself.

[spotbird]

21. One Party System

It is past time to start a second party.

I'm just so sick and tired of being sick and tired.

[creeksneakers2]

22. There's a different story in the rest of the press

and even an ACLU press release. First, what will be brought up for a vote hasn't been settled. Reid proposed making two hybrids from the Intelligence Committee and Judiciary Committee versions. One would have liability for the telecoms but also would do little to curtail Bush's spying activities. The other would immunize the telecoms but put stronger restraints on Bush. Neither is a good alternative. Fortunately, almost everybody in the Senate is against both versions.

Senators are still fighting over what will reach the floor. Reid has another alternative that would put the Intelligence Committee bill forward but allow amendments to settle the immunity and strength of controls issues. According to recent press accounts, the fighting may delay a vote until January.

The E-mail in the OP may be more current than the press accounts on Google. But its noteworthy that other accounts are out there and no press article agrees with this ACLU E-mail.

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/President_unlikely_to_see_wiretap_bill_1213.html

[spotbird]

26. Since Bush does whatever

the fuck he wants regardless of the law, the outcome here is a nobrainer.

[humbled_opinion]

66. BS this Congress has been enabling Bush with HIS war on Terra...

and in some more late breaking news the Democratic Congress capitualted again to his heiness... They funded his ill conceived illegal death sport of a war too...

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1453993320071214?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

I guess it really doesn't matter if you vote for a Democrat or a Republican anymore they are all the same just a bunch of wind machines.

[bbgrunt]

25. What happened to Dodd's promise to filibuster any

attempt to give retroactive immunity to telecoms? WTF. They are actively engaged in making us all throw in the towel on everything.

[spotbird]

28. He cashed out on that one, It's over. nt

[Diane R]

29. Do they ever stand on principle on ANYTHING?!!!

[bonito]

30. Will the Senate sell us out to the Mafia

Or Rise for the continuity of self rule?

[Mz Pip]

31. Big surprise there.

Wake me up when we have enough seats to over ride a veto.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Divine Discontent]

32. they're really a bunch of losers

with a few heroes shuffled in between, aren't they...

[still_one]

33. no surprise, that is what they have been doing for the past eight years

we are a republic, and are supposed to be represented by our representatives. Yes, I will let them know how I feel for at least the 30th time in the last 8 years, and I will not be surprised when grant immunity to telco, and who knows what else they try to pull over us behind closed doors

The message is loud and clear, it is time to take back our party. It is time to bring in new people that represent us. It won't happen over night, but we have to start sometime.

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. My reaction from August has not changed

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/proud2Blib/44

[L. Coyote]

35. The House version lacks telecom immunity. Hopefully there will be an amendment and floor vote

placing every Senator on record on this one issue, especially those getting so much money from AT&T and Verizon.

[Yukari Yakumo]

37. Does anyone have any verification on this?

Or is this a paltry attempt to throw stones at a hornet's nest?

[acmavm]

39. Reid and Pelosi sure love these 'secret' meetings, don't they?

[jonnyra]

40. You can make all the calls you want

You can send a million fucking emails. You can protest with signs in front of their homes. None of it will make a difference. It has been clear for a year now that the democratic party is just as corrupt as the republicans. They have no intention of stopping the fascists in the white house because they are part of the fascist regime. It is clear we are screwed. Nothing is gonna stop this river of greed and blood and money that we are drowning in.

This is not a surprise. Reid and Pelosi have been nothing but fellow fascists goose stepping in unison with the rogue administration. By the time this is all over the telecom will have immunity. Watch and be amazed.

[Vinca]

41. As if emails to Judd Gregg and John Sununu would matter.

:rofl:

[Doctor_J]

45. I had hopes that Sununu's seat might be vulnerable

but since the Dems can't really say that they're different than the Repubs, why would anyone vote Dem? What's a challenger going to challenge with?

[D23MIURG23]

42. Give 'em hell Harry!!

:banghead:

[TechBear_Seattle]

43. All who are surprised, raise your hand

Anybody?






Anybody?






Anybody?

[debbierlus]

44. Retroactive immunity: It is most likely because a few of them knew as well

The corruption is so deep, the system can't function. This goverment is NOT about representing the people, only the
rich & the corporations.

Fuck every last one of them who cowers & caves.

[paparush]

46. Good night and good luck.....

[balantz]

47. Where's the smiley with a big ol' middle finger?!

[KamaAina]

56. Don't know about a smiley, but I'm backing Sen. Tabby here for Majority Leader

Hey Sen. Reid!

[balantz]

57. MEOW!!!!

[robinlynne]

48. fuck.

[aggiesal]

49. E-mail from Senator Dodd for President campaign, ...

Today, that FISA fight we've all been waiting for begins -- and it's time to separate the leaders from the capitulators.

In a few hours, Majority Leader Harry Reid will ask for something called a "motion to proceed" on FISA, effectively disregarding Chris Dodd's "hold" on the bill.

It's unfortunate that he chose to go this route, to introduce a bill including retroactive immunity when another route could have been chosen just as easily.

So ... that means Chris Dodd will start by introducing an amendment to strip retroactive immunity out of the bill.

But if that doesn't work, he will do all he can to stop this bill that threatens our security, and that may include a "filibuster."

Remember when this all started playing out? A lot of people rushed to send out strongly worded press releases about how committed they were to "supporting a filibuster."

They'll have a chance to show they are true to their word.

Call or email the Senators that pledged their opposition to this bill to support the Dodd Amendment and a filibuster if necessary. And ask them to be there with Dodd when it counts.

http://chrisdodd.com/filibuster

You don't demonstrate leadership in the footnotes of a press release, or parroting responses from focus groups.

Leadership is demonstrated through action.

Tim Tagaris
Chris Dodd for President

***********************************************************************************************

At least he's still trying to filibuster!
:applause: :applause:

[Buzz Clik]

50. KICK!

[Buzz Clik]

51. Impeachment off the table for pragmatic reasons is one thing; creating a shield is quite another.

I received this email today:

Dear Supporter,


Please Report Your Call
Last month, you took action and the Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that did not include retroactive immunity. Immunity would let telecommunication companies who broke the law helping the Bush Administration spy on Americans off the hook.

Now, Senator Harry Reid, the Democratic Majority Leader, is using procedural tricks to make your work irrelevant by bringing the Intelligence Committee's version of the same bill to the Senate floor instead. What's the big difference? This version of the bill includes retroactive immunity for telecommunication companies.

Wait! That's not all. Even this bill can be stopped if Senator Reid just respects the hold Senator Chris Dodd has placed on the bill.

However, media reports indicate that Senator Reid will not honor Senator Dodd's hold. That's where we come in, and we have to act fast. The vote could happen in the next several hours. Please pick up your phone right now and call Senator Reid:

Senator Harry Reid
202-224-3542

Please report how your call went here:
http://www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/FISAaction

Here's the suggested message:

"I'm calling to ask Senator Reid to honor Senator Dodd's hold on the Intelligence Committee's FISA reform bill.

I do not support any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunication companies who helped the Bush Administration spy on Americans. I'm counting on Senator Reid to stand up to President Bush and for the Constitution."

We don't have much time. If we work quickly, we might be able to stop this bill. Please take a few minutes right now.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Charles

Charles Chamberlain
Political Director

ENOUGH!

[MsMagnificent]

52. Color me surprised

Not :eyes:

:cry:

[Deep13]

53. Reid makes Daschel look like a man of iron. n/t

[FreepFryer]

54. I called my Senator (Clinton) and told her if she flip-flops on FISA, she's lost my vote. (nt)

[ooglymoogly]

55. Reid is showing his red next to yellow corporate colors

I've called both my senators and Clinton and Biden. Ried is clearly trying to cripple the constitution for the benefit of his real bosses under the radar.

[KoKo]

58. Let's all SING TOGETHER: "They are Caving..Oh...they are Caving"...

all "together now" ....they are Caving....so much Caving...together...we are CAVING...let's all go along.

I know there's a melody to these lyrics. Something is spinning in the back of my brain...about CAVING...but maybe I've confused it with that great song about "Sailing?" Anyone remember the tune that could go with my OP for the Lyrics? :shrug: I know it's out there somewhere....

[spanone]

59. right before they cave on calling waterboarding torture.

[tbyg52]

61. Congress shall pass NO ex post facto laws!!!!! nt

[readmoreoften]

62. I swear to God if they don't stop this we need a goddamned purge. And I don't say that lightly.

What good are they? New slogans for them.

Republicans: "Evil Rushes In"
Democrats: "Evil Jogs In"

[humbled_opinion]

67. and I agree with that wholeheartedly... really shake up the electorate..

Democratis Congress is a Bush enabler... here is some more crap fresh off the press... OUR CONGRESS CAVED TO THE WAR FUNDING>

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1453993320071214?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

Its way past time for Pelosi to step aside... Please Obama seize the moment.... show us how you will address this idiocy in DC.

[Inuca]

63. Dodd IS enforcing his filibuster threat

I heard Reid earlier today announce the vote to proceed with the discussion of the two versions of the bill (the one that came out of the intelligence committee and contains retroactive immunity, and the one from the judiciary committee that does not) on Monday. He repeated that 60 votes will be needed to proceed, because of Dodd's and Feingold's opposition. That's what filibustering means nowadays. Reid also ignored Dodd's hold on the bill. I am no expert in the Senate byzantine rules, I suppose he is allowed to do that, but Dodd sure did not appreciate it.

By the way, for those interested and who have the time, Reid also reserved rather lengthy chunks of time for Dodd and Feingold to speak on this Monday morning before the vote.

[ghostdancers_way]

64. Sam THEOCRAT Brownback and Pat (I never knew the Truth) Roberts

are my two wingnut Senators, I might as well ask a stump to
run a Marathon as to ask these two lunatics to vote against
Theocratic and dictatorial powers for their party in Power.  I
do call and write and email and always receive a very nice
letter telling me that they have only my best interest and the
interest of the US at heart and don't worry about Terrorists
as they have it under control and will have it more fully
under control once they have eliminated the Constitution for
the Bible.

I did send both Senators each a coupon for the Value pack of
xxl Depends, so whenever King George and Lumpy Cheney cry
Terrorists, they don't soil their $1000 suits.  It seems they
did not care for my humor, I was told it was inappropriate to
amuse myself at the expense of a US Senator. 

F*&^ em if they can't take a joke.

I can only hope Dodd can hold the line and Feingold will be
there to support him.

Ghostdancers_way

[humbled_opinion]

65. Whats the difference between this Congress and the Last Congres...

NOTHING... They are all Bush enablers... not a spine on any of them... Not even the candidates have been vocal enough about this issue...

I am very disheartened....

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

68. Caving? Our heroic congress? I'm shocked! I tell you, SHOCKED!!

I haven't so shocked since the sun came up in the east.

[MasonJar]

69. Do not use AT&T or Verizon. I got rid of Cingular after they merged with AT&T.

Then damned if they the latter didn't up and buy South Central Bell, so I am arranging to put my land line on Insight. I refuse to give them any more of my money. Join me! Since I got rid of Cingular I no longer have a cell phone and I get along just fine.