Here's the third of four letters to the editor in today's Iowa City Press-Citizen in support of Chris Dodd.
I had the opportunity to see Sen. Chris Dodd speak during his weeklong tour across Iowa talking about the importance of the rule of law, restoring the Constitution and protecting our civil liberties. This isn't something that comes lightly to him. As the son of a Nuremberg prosecutor, and a returned Peace Corps volunteer himself, Dodd uniquely understands why the rule of law is so important to our national security and standing in the world. Here at home, we've endured years of the flagrant trampling of the Constitution in the name of national security. Abroad, our reputation has been severely tarnished by continuing this war in Iraq and torture at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib.
Dodd has said he would restore the constitution on his first day in office, and that in his administration there would be no more Guantanamos, no more water boarding, no Abu Ghraibs. I know he means it. Every day since he became a senator he has carried with him a copy of the Constitution in his back pocket, remembering what it means to him and to this nation.
Dodd has promised to filibuster a bill that provides immunity for the companies that participated with the Bush Administration in violating the civil liberties of millions of Americans. It's that important to him, and it's that important to me. That's why I'm going to caucus for him.
Dodd understands more than any other candidate that the most fundamental rights we need to protect are the ones provided to us in the Constitution. When we turn our backs on that, we turn our backs on the foundation of our democracy.
Hazel Hargrove
Iowa City
Comments
Sen Dodd is NOT a Veteran like he stated in today's debate. I am a life-long Democrat and wish him no harm but he is not a Veteran. He served in the Guard and Reserve so unless he was activated during a national emergency or sent to Vietnam (very rare, that's why Bush enter the Air Guard because he knew he would never go overseas.)If he was activated then I am wrong.
I served professionally w/ Vets for over 30 yrs. According to Federal Law, in order to be considered a Veteran you must serve for at least 180 days for other than Training purposes. Today it's a different story w/ the kids from the Guard & Reserve being shipped to combat theaters.
I am a Vietnam Veteran (USMC) and the 126 Marines that were KIA from my Company alone are true Veterans. Again, I mean no disrepect but the Senator is not a Veteran according to law. Good luck, someone has to defeat the Republicans.
SF,
Gary
I can't say enough to encourage Sen. Dodd to do whatever is necessary to prevent immunity for telecom companies. The historically inherent protections afforded to citizens by the Constitution are fundamentally important, and whatever seemingly rational explanation proponents for immunity may make simply fall short of the elementary morality and justness of civil liberties. If that means someone says more civil liberties means less protection from terrorism, then that is a sacrifice the American majority would accept. The problem is no one is asking what the citizens prefer. There are at least 30,000 deaths a year from traffic accidents, yet our civil liberties and protection from government intrusion are not sacrificed over traffic accidents.
Jeff