Please do not recommend this diary, please recommend the LiveBlog Mothership here.
The Senate Intelligence Committee version of the FISA bill that includes immunity for the telecoms got through the cloture vote today. Drational has the background on closing the cloture vote here. Roll call here.
Senator Dodd has promised a filibuster. Ted Kennedy and Russ Feingold have promised to help in this effort so far. Boxer yielded an hour of her time to him, and his aides were also approved for some time.
CALL YOUR SENATORS now to ask them to support Dodd, and vote for the Senate Judiciary version that does not include immunity.
As an American living abroad, this issue is very, very real for me and anyone I call.
This is not an official live blog.....but please no pictures. Be nice to your fellow Kossacks on dial up.
Watch the action here:
C-Span 2 Realplayer Audio
C-Span 2 Windows Mediaplayer
Ellicat sums up Dianne Feinstein's comments.
packerland progressive has set up a diary with a flow chart that I think is helpful for those of us who are not as familiar with this process.
Kennedy gave a lot of background on FISA and how it has worked in allowing security while protecting our liberties, he mentioned the CIA destruction of torture tapes as an example of cover ups by the government. Kennedy also said Bush wants us to pretend these kinds of obstruction of justice never happened. Kennedy (FINALLY) mentions that Bush's spying on Americans started BEFORE 911. YES!!! See, that is not too hard. He also mentions the California AT&T suit, the whistleblowers, etc. First one really on the record and looking at the gorillas in the room. The Blaz has more. And Ellicat brings her super duper wonder powers to us here.
Action steps:
Visit Senator Dodd's filibuster site and make calls, more calls, and more calls.
Volunteers thus far: 1. kimoconnor (LiveBlog Mothership), 2. Remembering Jello, 3. Michigangirl, 4. khloemi
- lizah (you are here)
6: Dogheaven Up now, go there.
- Frogmarchbush
- mommyof3
- sunflrmoonbeam
Keep your fingers crossed, and call your senators!
AND GO SENATOR DODD!