FOLLOW UP II

Received this (bulk) email from John Edwards this afternoon:

Dear [OP],

When it comes to protecting the rule of law, words are not enough. We need action.

It's wrong for your government to spy on you. That's why I'm asking you to join me today in calling on Senate Democrats to filibuster revisions to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that would give "retroactive immunity" to the giant telecom companies for their role in aiding George W. Bush's illegal eavesdropping on American citizens.

The Senate is debating this issue right now -- which is why we must act right now. You can call your Senators here:

Barbara Boxer, (D): (202) 224-3553 Dianne Feinstein, (D): (202) 224-3841

Granting retroactive immunity is wrong. It will let corporate law-breakers off the hook. It will hamstring efforts to learn the truth about Bush's illegal spying program. And it will flip on its head a core principle that has guided our nation since our founding: the belief that no one, no matter how well connected or what office they hold, is above the law.

But in Washington today, the telecom lobbyists have launched a full-court press for retroactive immunity. George Bush and Dick Cheney are doing everything in their power to ensure it passes. And too many Senate Democrats are ready to give the lobbyists and the Bush administration exactly what they want.

Please join me in calling on every Senate Democrat to do everything in their power --including joining Senator Dodd's efforts to filibuster this legislation -- to stop retroactive immunity and stand up for the rule of law. The Constitution should not be for sale at any price.

Thank you for taking action.

John Edwards
January 24, 2008

Coincidence? You decide. ;-)

I had already left a message for Boxer this morning. Feinstein's number was busy.

FOLLOW UP

Well the first vote on the FISA Bill -the motion to table the Senate Judiciary Committee's bill (which contains no immunity for telcos)- passed 60-34. That means that the Intelligence Committee's version (which does grant immunity) will be considered the base bill and will begin debate soon.

Apparently BOTH Clinton and Obama voted "not voting" and didn't even bother to show up. I guess Edwards didn't say anything to them. Of course even if he had, it's unlikely it would have been covered in the MSM anyway.

*sigh*

So now it's up to Chris Dodd to filibuster the Intelligence Committee's bill. Go Dodd!!

AN EMAIL TO EDWARDS

I wrote this email to John Edwards today after recieving an email from Glen Greenwald and Jane Hamsher at FISAfight@gmail.com

Dear Senator Edwards,

As you know, the FISA bill is going to come up again in Congress on monday due to the Republicans' refusal to allow Majority Leader Reid to delay it.

I voted for you and Senator Kerry in 2004 and have been a supporter of yours since the beginning of your campaign this election because I've seen that you, unlike Senators Obama and Clinton, have not "stuck your finger in the wind" before you've spoken out on the substantive issues large and small. Additionally I admire your stand in taking public funds and refusing the big-money corporate donations despite the disadvantage it gave your campaign.

However, I will admit that I vascillated between you and Senator Dodd when he stood up to the Republicans and the round-heeled Democratic Congress and filibustered the retroactive immunity provisions of the FISA bill. (Senator Dodd's dropping-out of the race has made my decision easy and I intend to cast my vote for you in the February 5th California Democratic primary.)

Retroactive immunity would allow the Bush administration to once again skirt the Constitution and trample the Fourth Amendment rights of perhaps hundreds of thousands of Americans. I support and appreciate your efforts on behalf of the poor, but if we don't have the fundamental liberties guaranteed by the Constitution it makes no difference. What does it matter whether we're rich or poor if we're no longer free?

As a presidential candidate you are in a unique position to shine a spotlight on this issue, but it goes without saying that as a former senator you are not in a position to vote on it. Senators Obama and Clinton ARE and I therefore urge you to tell them to go back to Washington and stand with Senator Dodd to prevent retroactive immunity from eroding the Bill of Rights any further.

Thank you and Good luck!

[obssessiveprogressive]

Let's see what happens.

Oh, and P.S. -yes that is your ol' OP's endorsement.