A letter to Senator Landrieu

It's a starting point, at least.

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January 29, 2006

Dear Senator Landrieu:

Plenty of your Louisiana constituents are my new Texas neighbors. I write to you in their interest and my own - because there's frankly no talking to my own senators about this - to urge you not to vote for cloture in the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.

The White House already is stonewalling against the Hurricane Katrina investigation: Who thinks Alito won't advocate Bush's right to continue to do so, or even to shut it down altogether? Your constituents need federal help to rebuild their lives and homes: Who thinks Alito won't side with big money interests in the inevitable eminent-domain cases that will give Lakeview and the Ninth Ward to casino developers and LGPs?

And what evidence is there that this administration will help you if you help shut down a filibuster, when it has made it a point thus far to take your help and give nothing back?

I'll be blunt: I believe President Bush should be in jail, not nominating judges to the highest court in the land. Extraordinary circumstances dictate that no action should be taken on Judge Alito's nomination until the Senate investigates the administration's warrantless wiretapping against Americans.

It's easy for me to understand your point of view on the filibuster. The Gulf Coast, especially the great city of New Orleans, is months overdue for the assistance that will help return it to the people who have made their homes and livelihoods there for generations. I also understand the political circumstances that drive your position as a Blue senator from a Red state.

But I implore you that if you cannot in good conscience vote No on cloture, that you vote Present instead.

The entire country needs you in the issue of Judge Alito. Please stand up for us.

Very truly yours,

[Penny Century]

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Call or fax Mary Landrieu yourself -- here's where to do it:

Washington, D.C.: 202-224-5824 (phone), 202-224-9735 (fax)
Baton Rouge: 225-389-0395 (phone), 225-389-0660 (fax)
Lake Charles: 337-436-6650 (phone), 337-439-3762 (fax)
New Orleans: 504-589-2427 (phone), 504-589-4023 (fax)
Shreveport: 318-676-3085 (phone), 318-676-3100 (fax)

•  THE OTHER FILIBUSTER SWING VOTES:

  
  And other FILIBUSTER actions (CALL NOW!):
  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by judybrowni on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 10:04:16 AM PDT

  •  Fax again today, talk on Monday

    

    Since there probably wont be anyone in the offices to answer calls on Sunday, use this day to continue to fax personal letters encouraging senators to support a filibuster. If you're having trouble coming up with what to say, just visit the many diaries here on the Kos. Excellent points have been brought up.

    But I also encourage you to fax a flyer that can be downloaded by clicking here, or on the graphic at left.

    It outlines the dire need for taking action now! You can read the text of the flyer here.

    by Dan Hrkman on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 10:32:15 AM PDT

•  What I would do

  I hope you will also add this as a comment on some of the other diaries.  There has been so much activity that diaries are flying off the page.  I think this is an important tact to take with Landrieu and I hope others will join you.

  by TeresaInPa on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 10:04:40 AM PDT

  •  Good point.

    I would have done that instead of posting a new diary, except I fear the Alito diaries are getting so many comments that this will get lost (and I do believe, strongly, that one can get through to Landrieu with the right argument).
    

    by Penny Century on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 10:12:00 AM PDT

    •  I think it is a good diary

      I just don't want you to get discouraged.  

      by TeresaInPa on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 10:19:16 AM PDT

•  Cynical tact

  I wrote Mary Landrieu suggesting she should at least vote no on Cloture until she gets everything she wants from the chimp on Hurricane Relief. No promises, but action. She is acting very retarded though lately. It's like she has battered spouse syndrome, and keeps coming back to meet Bush half way, when he keeps screwing her state over and over again.

  by trifecta on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 10:26:43 AM PDT