Senator Dodd released the following statement in reaction to President Bush today announcing that he had found "common ground" with Congress on giving immunity to the "the phone companies that allegedly helped [his administration]" procure the telephone records of thousands of American citizens without judicial authorization and in violation of the Constitution.
"While the President may think that it's right to offer immunity to those who break the law and violate the right to privacy of thousands of law-abiding Americans, I want to assure him it is not a value we have in common and I hope the same can be said of my fellow Democrats in the Senate.
"For too long we have failed to respect the rule of law and failed to protect our fundamental civil liberties. I will do what I can to see to it that no telecommunications giant that was complicit in this Administration's assault on the Constitution is given a get-out-of-jail-free card."
Comments
Crystal clear.
By the way, Judge Mukasey seems to think it's important for interrogators to do their thing with suspects and detainees BEFORE their legal representatives are called in.
While it's true that law enforcement likes to rely on confessions and making deals, rather than collecting evidence and taking people to trial, there's really little evidence that this strategy results in an overall decrease in criminal activity. The reason for this, I would argue, is that the "smart" crooks know how to work this system to their advantage and it's only the dumb ones that actually get sent away.
So why does law enforcement prefer to rely on the confessions? Because they're lazy.
If there is one thing the Congress needs to do it's to clarify that such "soft" enterprises as the cold war, war on crime, war on poverty, war on drugs, war on terror, war on cancer, war on global warming, ets. do not justify the activation of war powers by the President. It's not going to be enough to withdraw the authorization to use force against supposed or suspect terrorist organizations (who knows in what sense such an organization even exists?). It needs to be made clear that "the long war" is a figment of the imagination, not something for which we need a "commander in chief."
Thank you, Senator Dodd for standing up for all the right things. You are now my candidate for President. Thank you for your courageous defense of the Constitution. Please fight for our right to privacy, and don't allow the telecommunications companies to get off scot-free. They have lawyers and knew exactly what they were doing.
Thank you Senator Dodd! Telecom amnesty must be stopped.
While I am glad to hear these comments (and quite disappointed in the party leadership for caving on such a fundamental issue), I will be far more impressed by action.
I am an undecided Democratic primary voter. If Chris is able to actually change the substance of this legislation by preventing retroactive immunity for the telcos, he'll have my vote and I will volunteer for his campaign. We need real leadership on this, and so far Chris seems to be the man most likely to stand up for our rights and for the rule of law.
Senator Dodd,
Senator, as an American residing in Australia, I've been deeply disappointed by repeated Democratic acquiescence to the Bush administration's repugnant, un-Constitutional policies & legislation. Even in a country as closely allied to the US as Australia, the acquiescence by many of your fellow Democrats to policies regarding the 'Surge', habeus corpus, warrantless wiretapping & most particularly retrospective immunity for telecoms engaged in illegal domestic surveillance, are considered both incomprehensible & deeply shocking. Countless Australians have asked me "What's happened to America?" "What's wrong with the Democrats? Didn't they win majorities in both Houses?"
I understand, & have tried to explain, the difficulty of obtaining veto-proof majorities, given the narrow margin in the Senate & the voting discipline of Republicans generally. Nonetheless, I believe it is possible for one or more Senators to place a "hold" on proposed legislation. Given your pledge to do whatever you can:
"to see to it that no telecommunications giant that was complicit in this Administration's assault on the Constitution is given a get-out-of-jail-free card."
I'd implore you to consider this extraordinary measure in the face of this extraordinarily reprehensible potential capitulation by Democrats & moderate Republicans. I realise that taking such a stand would result in your becoming the focus of the full force of the right-wing attack machine, and it would require enormous political & personal bravery on your behalf. I know it's a lot to ask. However, I genuinely believe that one or more principled Democrats taking such a stand would be extremely significant in restoring the rapidly eroding belief, domestically & internationally, in your party's actual difference to the current Administration.
Thankyou sincerely for your consideration of this matter.
What does "do what I can" mean in concrete terms?
A filibuster?
A filibuster might raise some hackles inside the Beltway, but what's more important than restoring Constitutional government?
BTW, this is Bush on FISA and the common ground. It's way down in the questions:
I love it. "Why change a good law"? Well, why break the law in the first place? Unbelievable...
I strongly urge Senator Dodd to put a hold on the Senate version of the FISA amendments. Taking this courageous stand will show Democrats that Senator Dodd speaks AND ACTS for them and for the best interests of the American people. I am leaning toward supporting his candidacy. If he shows this kind of commitment to preserving the rights of all of us citizens, he will have my vote.
I agree Senator Dodd. Please put a hold on this travesty of a bill that gives the large telecoms immunity for illegally spying on American citizens. I am taking another look at your campaign. I like what I see. Thank you.
Senator Dodd I am begging you as a citizen of this country to filibuster or put a hold on the new FISA bill. It is unbelivable that immunity would be granted for unknown crimes. Congress is to represent the populace as a whole not just the approving 24%! I do think this country has suffered enough under this administration and it is time to stand up to them for us! Just how many laws must be broken by this administration before someone in the Congress will do something to stop them? How much of our Treasury needs to be wasted before Congress will finally stop them? Stop them now, how many times does Congress need to be told they're not relevant by an irrelevant and for that matter an unelected administration. Do you really think that they have not tapped the phones and intercepted electronic communications of Democrats? If the Democratic leadership believes that, I have an idea, why don't we invade a sovereign nation under the ruse of immediate danger, oh wait, we have already been lead into that by them.
Giving the telecom companies retroactive immunity is a disgrace. If you put a hold on this, Senator Dodd, you have my vote.
I have been undecided in the primary, but if Dodd can stop this bill -- using a hold if necessary -- then I'll know who is most dedicated to the rule of law and the US Constitution and vote for Dodd in my primary.
if you can, put a hold on this bill. Let the world see you're not just one of the pack, and are willing to stand up to Bush. Show support for the constitution and LEAD the timid democratic 'leaders' to doing the right thing!
I agree, Sen. Dodd. Please put a hold on this FISA bill to keep Bush from extending immunity to his cronies at the TelCOs.
I respectfully request that the Senator place a hold on this travesty of a bill. Like the others above, taking this action will assure him of my vote.
Senator, really, I beseech you to put a hold on this monstrous legislation. An overwhelming number of Americans voted for your party last November to put a stop to these illegalities, backdoor or otherwise. It is no joke to many of us that our Republic is at stake. We will lose our nation if we do not stop such constitutionally illegal behaviors.
Alright. If you'll agree to rebuild the Constitution, my labor and resources are there for you. So let's get to work, Sen. Dodd.
Dear Senator Dodd:
Sic 'em.
drdave
Thank you Senator Dodd for your support of the rule of law and our constitution. Please do what you can to stop the un-American Telecom immunity bill and the assault on our constitutional right to be free from un-warranted spying. You are showing real leadership on this issue that our country truly needs and I won't forget it come primary time.
Sen. Dodd, if you will place a hold on this legislation, I promise you my (Primary & General Election) vote...
More importantly however, how can our elected representatives even REMOTELY consider immunity for an ongoing series of potential felonies that, evidence indicates, was initiated in the earliest days of the Bush administration, well prior to 9/11/01?
The Bush administration refuses to provide any details of their seemingly felonious conduct. This legislation is being crafted for the sole purpose of ensuring they never have to do so. This Country is at a turning point. PLEASE stand up for the Consitution!
THank you.
Please stand firm, Senator Dodd. It is now clear that your colleagues will not. This moment in history falls to you. Stand again in your father's footsteps, defending honor and liberty as he did.
Sen. Dodd;
I've been a small donor and strong supporter of your campaign since its inception. Please take this moment to do the right thing and get the attention you deserve. Put a hold on that fisa bill.
Please stop this bill "by any means necessary," Senator. Actions speak louder than words.
And on other topics that may or may not have any bearing on this issue, currently I support Senator Obama for President. If Senator Dodd singlehandedly stops this bill while Senator Obama sits on the sidelines, however, then...well.
Let's just say that my wallet and my mind will open to other Presidential possibilities.
Thank You Mr Dodd, for being one of the few who understand just how despicable and disgusting this pending amnesty bill is. PLease do all that you can to stop this legislation from going through! If theres any type of mass mailing/calling to be done that may seem effective or helpful, please post. I pledge to support in every way i can.
Be Well
US Constitution - 4th Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Please, please, please tell Chris Dodd that America needs him to do ALL he can to block this constitution-destroying legislation. If it is indeed true that several of our largest telecons have been complicit in an illegal and unconstitutional assault on one of our cherished American liberties, enshrined in the 4th amendment, then it would be a travesty for Congress to simply provide immunity from our legal system.
Are we a nation of laws or of men? Are we that "shining city on a hill" setting an example for the rest of the world, or have we truly descended to a third rate corrupt banana republic. Are we going to bow down to the craven right wing, which is supported by roughly a quarter of our society, or are we going to represent our overwhelming majority, and fight for our freedoms, freedoms that cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of brave Americans in the wars our country has fought to protect those freedoms.
George Bush loves to talk about freedom, but it is all a lie. Our freedoms are enshrined in the Bill of Rights. George Bush has conducted an assault on our freedoms with unlawful detentions, torture, and unlawful searches and seizures. Please tell Chris Dodd that someone, SOMEONE, has to draw a line in the sand and say NO MORE.
He will earn his rightful place in history if he makes a stand on this.
Thank you, Senator Dodd, for speaking out about the outrageously unjust Senate Intelligence Committee deal to grant retroactive immunity to telcoms who illegally provided consumer data to federal agencies without a warrant. Respect for our Constitution - with its promise of equal protection and due process - demands that civil suits challenging the telcom companies be allowed to go forward, so that we may discover the extent of the 4th Amendment violations perpetrated by the administration.
Please act to place a 'hold' on the bill. If there is anything we citizens can do to help, please post advice or instructions to this blog.
Respectfully,
Gordon Ginsberg
Thank you Senator Dod for standing up for our constitution/rights. Just yesterday in a survey you were 3rd on my list of candidates. Now you are 1st providing you continue to do everything possible to block telecom immunity and the shredding of our constitution. I contributed to your campaign for the first time.
Thank you for your commitment to the Constitution. Please put a hold on this STUPID and ILLEGAL bill.
Thank you Senator Dodd. The telecom amnesty bill must be stopped at all costs.
Our civil liberties are going fast. We need someone like you to stand up for the principles of co-equal branches of government that I spent 28 years defending as an officer in the Air Force. Please give us hope that our congress is just not a show on behalf of an administration and corporatists and that our congress can still be an effective branch of government. I have always respected your views and service to our nation. Show me I have been right in my views.
Hold this bill.
The very concept of law is threatened by this after-the-fact legalization of criminal acts. The telecoms knew what they were doing and acted NOT in good faith. Stop this now Senator.
Please fight this good fight. I will happily support and vote for a Presidential candidate who actively stands up in the face of the corruption seemingly running rampant across both political parties and fights for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which have been so seriously eroded during the current administration.
Thank you Senator for speaking out on this important issue. The future of our country depends on our ability to stand by the rule of law. Amendment, filibuster, or a "hold" on the bill -- please do what it takes to ensure that our laws are not re-written in order to spare politicians and the telecom industry.
Dear Sir,
We, the Undersigned, ask you with all possible Haste and Dispatch to engage in all necessary parliamentary Actions to protect the Constitution that we created two Centuries ago. We are now but pale Spectres watching our beloved Nation rush headlong toward Disaster and Tyranny; and we look on with Horror at the many Infringements on the Rights and Liberties of the People. It is for you, the Living, to provide Redress for the careless Actions of the Executive. It has fallen to you to defend the Constitution against those Members of Congress who have proven Derelict in their Duties toward the Ideas of Law and Liberty. In the Name of our most Sacred and Inalienable Rights, we ask you now to Act.
With Our Most Sincere and Urgent Wishes for Success, Sir, We Are the Undersigned
G. Washington
Jam. Madison
John Adams
T. Jefferson
Benj. Franklin
Granting immunity to the telecom companies is ridiculous. The documents that have been released show that this ILLEGAL activity has been occurring since before 2001. Why is no one impeaching this group of clowns?
I hope that you do actually take a stand and prevent this; it is disgusting watching my party fold left and right to Bush. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that they approved the FISA bill making this legal.
Please, Sen. Dodd - do whatever you can do halt the passage of this despicable bill. If you do anything to prevent its passage, you have my vote.
Thank you, Senator Dodd. Do what you can to stop this bill and we'll back you up - just let us know how, our civil liberties, our Constitution is at stake. It's time to take a strong stand for the soul of this country or we're going to lose it bit by bit.
Thank you Senator Dodd for agreeing to put a hold on the telecom amnesty bill.
Senator Dodd,
Please stop this bill, and take leadership in reversing the destruction of our constitution. I may be grasping at straws, but yours is the only voice I've heard with both the will and the position to begin the retaking of our country by her citizens from the corporate entities that now own us.
We're depending on you.
Paul Stone
DO NOT allow this agreement for immunity from law suits go through! Telephone companies have NO RIGHT to eavesdrop on Americans, especially without oversight! And no one has the right to remove the last recourse for victims of an overreaching government; a civil law suit!
THANK YOU CHRIS DODD! Thank you for having the fortitude to put a hold on this "Telecom immunity" bill! You are a HERO! I predict you will have a huge group of voters now squarely in the Dodd column for this great move!
Sir: My bible says to "kill self daily". Someone has to forget about the politics and just remember "WE THE PEOPLE". Thank you.
Thank you Chris Dodd!
Thank you for taking a stand. You have the majority of Americans behind you.
Thank you. Hopefully you demonstrating that Dems are capable of having a spine will encourage the rest to follow your lead!
ok, you just got my vote. I have admired Sen Dodd for quite sometime but never thought he had a chance. But I have heard what I needed and Senator Dodd you are our man! I am stopping by my local Democratic headquarters tonight and signing up for door to door.
Thank you for restoring my faith in America!
Morrigan in Oregon
Thank you Chris Dodd! You get it!
Thank you for pulling the FISA bill. At last someone is doing the right thing.
no immunity for lawbreakers. with you 100%. thank you so much for your stand on this issue.
Right on! Keep it up!
Dear Senator Dodd:
Thank you so much. Are you Channeling Paul Wellstone? This has his spirit all over it.
We need more like you who put this couuntry and the constitution above their own
political future.
People must not be afraid to fight for civil liberties and not be so ready to give them
away. 100% safety is a pipe dream and while we must be vigilent we should keep our sanity in the process.
It has gone on too long, too far, with stakes that literally determine whether we are a constitutional nation of laws or not. I am profoundly saddened for my country that you are compelled to act alone Senator Dodd, but I will not forget your service on primary day.
Thank you Senator Dodd!!
Some how we need to speak out louder than the White House. We must take our voices to the mayor news on television. Unfortunately the mayor stations on TV are the only ways of communication that the entire country will follow.
If it did not happen on the mayor TV stations is like it did not happen.
Please Senator Dodd, keep it up and push for mayor coverage.
Thank You, Senator Dodd for standing up for the rule of law and the Constitution! You have earned my vote and campaign contribution made earlier today. Please keep up the good work and you will win. The public is outraged about what Bush has done to the Constitution but the media doesn't take polls about it.
Good Luck!
When the news media has seen fit to give you airtime I have liked the way you seem to think. I also like Joe Biden. You both seem to be endowed with experience and a really true sense of the character of this nation. I would really like to see a woman become President but I'm just not sure if Hillary is the one. I think she is a great Senator and I like Bill Clinton but worry that they are too tied in to corporate America to take the kind of stands on issues like the war, torture, warrantless surveillance etc. If you can make it on the Democratic ticket you certainly will have my vote.
Bless you Senator Dodd.
Stand frim.
My partner and I support your candidacy. Thank you for defending the Constitution ! Please help your fellow Democrats to find their backbone !
!
Thank you Senator Dodd. We need more leaders like you.
For several years (hmm, since Bush began his occupation of the WH?) I've been more and more disgusted watching those in positions of power ignore the law whenever they feel like it. And then, after so much emotional energy, as well as monetary donations last fall, to finally see the Democrats sweep the Congressional elections, I hoped things woould change. But the Dems have capitualted at EVERY TURN.
It's indescribably refreshing to see Senator Dodd take a stand on this horribly offensive bill. As others above me have said, hopefully your action will show the other Democrats in Congress they too can use their backbone and take a stand for what's right.
Finally, I just sent the below, verbatim, to 5 friends, along with a link to the Dodd '08 webpage about his action on the FISA bill:
**********
I very rarely forward these types of messages on. I think people usually don't want to have someone else's political views shoved in their face, or in their inbox. Also, we all get so much email already, I typically refrain from casually forwarding any sort of mass email, even funny joke emails. BUT, in this case I had to make an exception. Of all the political emails I've received over the last few years, from all of the different politicians and political groups (DSCC, DNC, Dean, MoveOn, etc...), Chris Dodd is THE ONLY candidate that has CONSISTENTLY and REGULARLY talked about restoring the Constitution, and the rule of LAW. Our country faces a huge number of hugely important issues right now. Not to diminish the importance of any of them, but in my opinion the MOST important of them all is the issue of restoring the Constitution. Dodd is taking a stand on the FISA bill, yet another case of the Democratic Congress capitulating. If you agree with my opinion on this, please go to Dodd's webpage and thank him for his action on the bill. (FYI: the bill, if passed, would grant immunity to phone companies complicit with Bush/Cheney's illegal wiretapping of US citizens. Dodd is using a procedural move to block the bill from moving forward.) In fact, though I'm highly doubtful Dodd's campaign will survive very long (I'm not even sure Dodd is my first choice candidate - Edwards' Foreign Policy speech a few months ago really sold me on his qualifications - http://www.cfr.org/publication/13432/), in appreciation of this move I will donate something to his campaign once I get paid at the end of the month.
Now, enough of my rambling. The message from the Dodd campaign follows. Sorry if this email bugged you.
**********
Thank you, thank you, thank you for finally doing what the Congress was established to do.
THANK YOU! Finally a Democratic acting like an opposition party member, taking action to prevent this outrageous abuse of power from going forward. This move has certainly made me take another look at your candidacy and earned you my deep gratitude and respect.
The Honorable Chris Dodd
Dear Senator Dodd,
Your actions in the past two days have resulted in my contribution to your campaign fund.
Sincerely,
Casual Observer
Texas
Here is just one more voice to express my gratitude to you Senetor Dodd, for showing the leadership and the strength to stand up for the people of this country. I am still undecided on who I want to vote for in this next election, but I am certain that it is not for either of the media established "front-runners". I will be keeping my eye on you. :)
THANK YOU for refusing to allow the legislation to protect the phone cos. to be considered. This is the kind of toughness and bravery that we are looking for from the Democrats! (Haven't seen it from the others.) Those companies broke the law, and should be prosecuted for their criminal acts. I wish all Democrats were as willing to defend the Constitution as you are. They are all wimps! You will get my vote in the primaries, because you represent ME.
Thank you for putting a hold on the legislation giving immunity to the telecommunications corps. involved in yet another bush attack on the constitution.
I only hope the senate stands its ground and demands that the new candidate for attorney general not be allowed to "double-speak" his way into confirmation when it is clear that he is cut from the same cloth as the last two.
Senator Dodd:
I want you to know that you have wide support for this motion to filibuster.
Thank you for having a backbone and standing up for the Constitution.
L.
Senator Reid's conduct in this matter is the tipping point of my anger with the Democratic leadership. It is one thing to be simply unable to pass legislation the entire country wants over the veto of the most unpopular president in history. That of course requires a more sizeable majority than is held in either house. But it is a far, far different thing to actively accommodate this giveaway to President Bush's kindred spirits in corporate America. It may be entirely fitting of the President's pattern of abuse, but it is in complete disagreement with both the principles of the opposition party, the expectations of its supporters, and the mandate given the incoming Congress. I have never been more hopeless, disappointed or ashamed of this Congress, and that counts the preceding six years of Republican quiescence to the monstrous bastard in the White House.
Chris Dodd is risking and likely ending his political future on the hated, despised, loathed filibuster, an act the news media cover for its controversial value only and never for the larger reason it is necessary. I am enormously grateful that he would place himself in such a position for my rights and the rights of all others in the country. It is a far greater sacrifice for our way of life than anything the Bush administration has done in seven wasted years.
Senator Dodd, Thank you for standing in protection of our Constitution and Civil Liberties. I thought that the Democrats were supposed to defend the Constitution and American Civil Liberties, but seeing that the Democrats voted this out of Committee and compromised with the president and authorize breaking the law, I have learned that many Democrats are equally complicit in the president's illegal activities.
Thank you again for protecting America!
Bravo! Finally, finally, finally someone is standing up with action, not just words. Don't get me wrong, effective use of language and rhetoric to motivate the populace is crucial. However, one must back up words with actions that reflect the principles which are bespoke.
Thank you Senator Dodd for blocking the amnesty for corporations that have been complicit with illegal and unconstitutional searches. Please do not back down.
It is obvious that the amnesty is being sought in order to 'cover up' the wrongdoing that has occurred. The American people need to know the truth so they can make an informed judgment about these searches. Once informed, I believe most will see that we will be better served with no 'FISA' at all; than one which damages the Constitution.
Thank you again. I am making a contribution to your campaign today.
Hopefully at some of the Democrats will show some spine this time. I have already quit the Democratic party over their continued capitulation to the Bushovics, especially Hillary's vote for the Kyl - Lieberman bill. If they give this to Bush, I am really gone forever. Maybe Nader was right.
Thank you for your representation of the average citizen. It is odd that an act of doing the right thing, the thing representatives are elected and sworn to do would illicit this kind of response. Good luck.
Thank you for your courage in a Congress of mostly mewling pukes.
Stand by your HOLD ON THE FISA IMMUNITY REFORM BILL!!!
Someone, somewhere has to take a stand to stop the atrocities of the criminal cabal who have siezed power in this country. History will put them in the dock.
Harry Reid and the $80 million whore "Nanners" are part and parcel of the criminal pack. And Leahy likes to posture but did he put a hold on this despicable bill?
Stand by your beliefs - it is about time someone in Congress read the oath of office that they swore to uphold.
Go Chris Dodd, Pete Stark, Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul!!!
thank you, you have my support for this, at the very least we need to find out what is happening and has happened, i personally do not care about lawsuits, I do care about criminal acts that become know and stopped
and I hope this action opens up more space and awareness for your progressive, freedom oriented views
Good for you Senator Dodd. Finally, a Democrat who stands up in Congress and speaks out for the Constitution and our rights as Americans! I wish (and still hope) more Democrats in Washington had the guts to take a stand. We yearn for leadership like yours on this issue.
Way to go on the telecom issue. It is time to get our democracy back. I am a military veteran (in the intelligence field), a former police officer and worked on classified programs for 10+ years in the defense industry. I have always been proud of the fact that our nation and our constitution stood for a higher standard for government conduct. It is the fact that sometimes we work a little harder to get the bad guys that gives us our moral standing in the world, such as use of the Miranda rights and not spying on our own citizens without due process. The FISA court is in no way an impediment to our ability to deal with terrorist, but by-passing the court is a violation to our democratic system. FISA is in fact additional tool is the fight against terrorist and it protects our citizens. It is time Congress took a stand on our freedoms including Habeas Corpus. If this "imperial" presidency is passed on, even to a Democratic President, we erode the checks and balances built into our system.
It is time for Congressional backbone. Fight for our constitution. We can win this war without sacrificing our democracy. THANK YOU FOR YOUR STAND.
Thank you so much, Mr. Dodd, for standing up for our rights. I hope that your stance will force many of the other spineless officials in your party to stand up and take notice. I just saw this posted elsewhere, but I must agree with the suggestion. If you do have to go the filibuster route, PLEASE read the Constitution over and over in hopes that some of these clueless representatives understand what the oath they took really means. Once you think you've read it enough, read it 50 more times. I'm behind you 100% on this. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for your stand against telecom immunity!
I JUST HEARD YOU CAVED........AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!
GREAT job on the Telecom IMMUNITY issue! THANK YOU Chris Dodd for standing up for our rights!
Thanks Senator Dodd!
I made my first contribution to your campaign today, in the spirit of "rewarding good behavior." It's been so disheartening after all our work--and hard-earned dollars--to get Democrats elected in 2006, to see the Congress cave again and again to the Bush agenda.
I'm a very close observer of politics, voracious consumer of news, and I can honestly say that the first time I felt like *my* opinions even registered in this Congress was your announcement that you would put a hold on these legislation until the ridiculous telecom immunity provisions are stripped.
Thanks, and keep up the good work!
You're right on Travis. After sending many dollars to many Democrats across the country, several who won in 2006, this Congress is long past disappointing. The party leaders are simply gutless.
Senator Dodd, on the other hand, has truly earned my vote and a contribution by this action.
Please fight the good fight and restore our freedoms!
I mailed this to you through your website knowing that it may not be read (I'm from Montana) but it bears repeating.
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin
I think there's another Benjamin Franklin quote that would be very relevant to our Democrats in congress:
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."
Thanks for your time and efforts!
Thank you, Senator Dodd, for stepping up when other Democrats have refused. You have my vote.
Even non-political folks dislike the idea of retroactively protecting big corporations from breaking the law. Countless everyday Americans are with you on this. Other Democratic leaders need to realize that telecomm amnesty is not only the wrong thing to do, it is a winning issue for them. You have all my encouragement.
Mr. Dodd is showing some true passion, we need more, just want to say thanks.
Admirer
The slide to being a fascist state stops now. We begin to restore the constitution, and begin to eliminate the powers the president has illegally taken for himself today. But it takes people like Chris Dodd standing up for the constitution and millions of Americans standing with him in 100% support.
After swearing an oath to support and defend the constitution and serving in this military for many years in a couple of branches and as both enlisted and as an officer, it was a physical pain to watch us slide from being a great free nation into a nation that spied on it's own citizens and kidnapped and tortured and held political prisoners without trial for over 6 years now. To watch us go from having a balanced budget to one where we are going into debt at a half a trillion dollars a year, and all that money being given to cronies of those in power. To go from being safe with many allies around the world to a world where everyone is thinking we are some mad dog that needs to be stopped. Where we are threatening to bomb and invade any country that is weaker than us that doesn't submit to our imperial commands.
I am ashamed to say that my own fellow Republicans are soft on crime. Their willingness to pass laws retroactively granting immunity to criminals demonstrates that they know they have committed many crimes. The only leadership that Bush is showing is the willingness to be corrupt and to cover up the corruption of his friends. The only fiscal policy the Republicans have is to shovel as much money from the public treasury into each others pockets as quickly as possible.
My donation to Chris Dodd is the first I have made in this campaign cycle. If Dodd continues to show leadership like he has the past few days then he will get my support, a lot more of my money, and my vote.
Thank you, very much Mr. Dodd.