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Retroactive Immunity: What’s Next? |
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I just got off a conference call with Chris Dodd. Not surprisingly, he said he was “disappointed” by the outcome of the votes today. He said, “We’ve just sanctioned the single largest invasion of privacy in American history.”
Dodd clearly sees most of his caucus as against him as he was only able to pick up 20-30 votes for his amendments and against cloture. He explains the reasoning Democrats have to vote for retroactive immunity in stark terms:
“Those who are advocating this notion that you have to give up liberties in order to be more secure are apparently prevailing.”
Nevertheless, Dodd seems unbowed by these defeats. Like myself and others in the grassroots, he is now looking towards the House to resolve this issue. The House’s RESTORE Act, passed last year, includes no retroactive immunity and was passed 227-189 back in November.
Firedoglake has already picked up the call to put pressure on the house. Sign their petition and help make sure the House stands by their bill.
If the House caves and a bill with retroactive immunity is reported out of conference, Dodd said he again will use, “all the tools available to the single senator to delay going forward on this,” including a filibuster.
All I can say is thank you Dodd, for standing up for the Constitution when so many others were willing to make that false choice between security and liberty. We’re with you 100%.
UPDATE: If you want to thank Dodd, help him retire his campaign debt!
A sad day in our nation’s history. Thank you Senator Dodd for at least trying.
I’d be interested in seeing how many calls the telcos made to these senators offices prior to the vote. Any ideas on how to use the FOIA to get those call logs and visitor books? I think it’s time for a concerted effort to get these people who supposedly are protecting our rights out of office.
Anecdotal accounts say that phones have been jammed for weeks on this issue. But the FOIA is an interesting idea. I’ll look into it.
Immunity for possible illegal spying should not be part of the FISA Bill. It should be separated and considered at a much later date. Congress must not allow the telecoms nor the Bush administration to break the law and get away with it.
The American people care about this, and it will be a great mistake for Congress to act outside the will of the people.
Sigh. At least sending a donation Dodds way makes me feel better.
How ironic that this comes on Lincoln’s birthday.
congress acting outside the will of our people? they would NEVER do that…