Can You Imagine How Much Money Is Going After Dodd Right Now?

[ThomWV]

Chriss Dodd stood up on the Senate floor monday and denied immunity to the telecom companies for their illegal complicity with the NSA in spying on what appears to be every form of electronic communications between every American. The battle is not over however. The matter will come up before the Senate when it returns in early January.

The question of immunity looms large for two reasons; first, the telecoms may be exposed to billions of dollars in lawsuits for their part in the illegal spying. Second; if this legal portal into the hidden world of domestic spying is closed we may never know the extent of wrongdoing by the top of the current Administration. These are the things that are at stake.

With billions of dollars at stake and the political elite in peril you can imagine how much pressure is being put on Dodd to back down.

How about sometime over the holiday we, each of us, give our Senator's Office a call and tell them that we expect them to support Senator Dodd in his effort to retain what integrity the FISA law has left in it and hold those responsible for crimes against Americans to be held accountable.


Senate Phone Numbers and E-Mail link: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[OneGrassRoot]

1. k & r n/t

[madokie]

2. If Chris Dodd doesn't make the whitehouse by way of the Presidency or vice

he would make a great Attorney General

[tekisui]

5. Or Senate Majority Leader.

[Snotcicles]

6. Majority Leader, is where he is desperately needed. nt

[madokie]

13. I agree with you and tekisui ;-)

He is a hell of an asset to us real Democratic Party members, I know that. Majority leader would be great as I feel Dodd is one of us

[sellitman]

11. I'd love Dodd to be VP

JE...are you listening?

[madokie]

15. that would be a good combination for all Americans

except'n of course those 26 or so percenters

[enigmatic]

3. He's always had my support

I'm proud to stand by Chris...

[lonestarnot]

4. A most excellent opportunity yes.

[KharmaTrain]

7. It's Uphill For ALL Democrats

Be assured one of the silent enemies we'll have to fight this upcoming campaign season will be corporations and the corporate media. Telcoms are a perfect example since they've been protected by this regime many ways over the years and don't want to see their gravy train come to an end. Not just the immunity side of things, but this regime helped prevent a collapse of their industry in the wake of the WorldCom fiasco in 2002 (the other Enron) and have pushed for greater media consolidation that has driven out competition and slowed the introduction of new technology.

Senator Dodd's stand will transcend his candidacy and has earned a place among true American heroes. When the "Profiles in Courage" of this era is written, his name will be included along with Russ Feingold as one of the few defenders we had during this dark time.

Damn right the "establishment" is after him and Telcom immunity is still in doubt. Reid is reported to want to bring back the BAD bill in January...after the primaries and ram it through. He doesn't expect Dodd to oppose (as he expects he'll ho longer be a candidate)...and I'd love to rub this in old Harry's face. Hopefully the push will continue on the 20 Democrats and a few Repugnicans who will either uphold Dodd's next fillibuster or defeat the Bad bill. At this stage of the game no bill is better than any bill.

[ThomWV]

8. Did You Notice That Even Rockefeller Supports Substitution of the Judiciary Version

When Senator Rockefeller introduced the bill (after Dodd's failed attempt to use the non-binding 'hold' rule to stop the bill from coming to the floor) he said in part, and I am paraphrasing, that, by way of amendment, the Judiciary Committee's version of the bill would be introduced as a substitute for the Intelligence Committee's version and that he supported the substitution. Shortly after that I called Senator Rockefeller's Office and told them his Committee was on the wrong side of this and that the Judiciary version, which as you know does not contain the expanded immunity provision. I was surprised to hear from the fellow on the line that they were in agreement, the Judiciary version was indeed a better version and that getting immunity out of the law was essential. So when the votes come down to begin amending this miserable slug of legislation I fully expect to see Senator Rockefeller vote against the version that came out of his Committee and I expect him to support Senator Dodd.

Byrd's office, which I also called monday, also indicated they supported Senator Dodd.

[KharmaTrain]

12. This Is Gonna Take Some Work

I assume my junior Senator, Obama will vote for the Judiciary version (so he said...and if he bothers to show up to vote)...but I've gotten mixed signals from my Senior Senator Durbin. He sent out a release saying he favored the Judiciary version but didn't sign on with Dodd's fillibuster (I suspect being in leadership was a problem) and I'm still not certain which version he supports. I've sent a couple emails and I expect to work the phones if I don't hear anything when this monster comes up again.

It's hard for me to get a read on how this will play out. I was suprised to see DiFi stand up with Dodd and I suspect you are correct that the Judiciary version would carry a majority of the Democrats, but it needs a unanimous vote plus a few Repugnicans with spines to force the 60 votes for an up or down vote on the Judiciary bill. Be damned if boooshie Vetos it...let him veto 'em all, it's time to stand strong and not let this issue slip under the radar only to crop up again moments before a vote.

Cheers...

[dysfunctional press]

9. why isn't retroactive immunity considered a law of 'ex-post facto'...?

which would be unconstitutional on it's face.

[ThomWV]

10. Guess: Because our vengeance is limited but our mercy is boundless.

Hell, I don't know. I thought the same thing; if you can not go back in time and make something that was otherwise legal retroactively illegal and then prosecute people for committing crimes that were not crimes at the time of their commission then how in hell can you go back in time and retroactively make something that was done legal what was clearly an offense to society at the time it took place? Just doesn't make any sense at all.

[VP505]

14. Senator Dodd

might have big money on him now for this but I think its going to turn the tide for the better in the long run and he will come out standing tall for his principled stand. Since I haven't heard the other side whining, it seems that the RePukes don't quite know how to react to this, McChinless with the help of Reid was all set to sit back and watch this sail through then add another check to their win column, along comes Senator Dodd throwing a wrench into the works. Funny when you think about it, LOL.

[annabanana]

16. Just sent him a few "thanks for the filiubster" bucks.. . n/t

[liberalla]

17. Excellent suggestion. Thank you.

"How about sometime over the holiday we, each of us, give our Senator's Office a call and tell them that we expect them to support Senator Dodd in his effort to retain what integrity the FISA law has left in it and hold those responsible for crimes against Americans to be held accountable."

Don't skip them just because they're Repukes! McCain and Kyl will get my call for sure. I let them know I'm a registered Independent (which I am) and I'm paying attention. There's a whole lot of people besides Democrats who don't like what's going on, and this is not a partisan issue. I'll put in some other calls also.

Plus a note of support and thanks to Dodd, and I'll feel pretty good about myself... well, at least for a few hours!

[tbyg52]

18. I've been calling mine several times a week

for all the good it will do. Sent Dodd a little money last night.

[Tom Joad]

19. time for him to ask the bankers to help out. he helped them.

[Occam Bandage]

20. No, I can't. How much money is going after Dodd right now?

[ThomWV]

21. Total market value of the telephone compaines plus every dime the Republican Party can raise.

And three $50 Get out of jail free cards.

[populistdriven]

22. sent the man a couple bucks

thanks!