I apologise in advance if this diary is not very good or if it is a duplicate on this subject. This is my first diary and although I probably am considered by many here as a lurker,I have not participated too much in the Kos community. But I am trying to learn and desire to become quite active in order to enthusiasticaly help destroy the Republican party in 2008 and beyond. I also am quite fond of the pakalolo so if i go around and around, please be patient.
So given that I want to learn and become the very best activist I can be you can imagine my disappointment when the Democratic Congress capitulated once again to Bush, Cheney, Gonzalez et al,. over the FISA bill prior to taking their month long vacation. I was as irate as any of my fellow progressives could be. I learned from this site the telephone numbers of congress (especially the toll free ones)and I call my Congresswoman and my Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez (although I have only contacted his office once). I also learned that I can write letters and I can send e-mails to congress not only when I would like my Representatives to have my input on issues important for the preservation of my country, which I truly love, but also to let them know that I appreciate it when they show courage and defiance to Bush and stand up for the American People and the constitution with their votes. I also learned most importantly that to find any real news I need to come to this site and others that do report or link one to a news source not covered by the traditional media so I know when I and the rest of the country are being screwed by the people elcted and sworn to defend the constition but don't.
I took one of my new skills and I emailed Senator Nelson immediatly upon learning that he pissed his pants when Bush said Boo and that he voted to allow the spying outrage we all are familiar with. What I did not learn at that point however was to keep a copy of my email to the Senator.) So just now I receive an email back from Senator Nelson.
I do remember that when I had emailed Senator Nelson that I really really really wanted an explanation on his vote and I do remember expressing many concerns about this votes implications such as the fact that I was not convinced that passing this bill is going to be re - visited, or that it could be fixed once it was approved because Bush and Co would never allow it. I expressed my outrage. I told him the story of watching Scarborough country and that they all were hysterically laughing at the Democratic party for being as the California Governor would testify; Girlie Men. I remember expressing to him the unfucking believable granting of additional power to Alberto Gonzalez, of all persons to grant power to(btw i am quite the gentleman when I emailed Bill ; no colorful lanquage for the Senator although he would truly deserve it). I remember telling him that he was and still is a great American so his vote to shred the constitution was amazing. And I remember telling him of the sick feeling in my stomach, my anxiety, my fear of what this country might become and I told him of my terror of not seeing the Democratic party fight against the so numerous amount of outrageous abuses that are occuring. And I remember telling him of my disappointment in him. I remember telling him of my utter bewilderment that any person would suffer this madman who calls himself president.
So here is my note from the senator;
Dear :
Thank you for contacting me about the recent temporary changes made to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Most everyone agrees our government must have the ability to monitor the communications of foreign-based terrorists. However, I believe this can be done in a manner that protects the constitutional rights of American citizens.
In the FISA debates before the August recess, I voted for a temporary, six-month fix to give Congress more time to craft a comprehensive measure that protects Americans’ civil liberties. Once Congress takes the issue up again, I’ll work with my colleagues with an eye toward strengthening Americans’ rights to privacy.
I appreciate your taking the time to inform me of your views, and don’t hesitate to contact me again in the future.
So my fellow friends in common purpose, how does one respond to that? I am truly non-plussed. I suppose I could email back and thank him for his reply and yes please help protect basic constitutional rights (and i truly am amazed he mentions Temporary twice btw.) But my instinct is not to do that. My instinct leads me to want to hit the reply button and in large caps type FUCK YOU!!!!!!.
I am as I said new to this and I truly care, but it all feels so hopeless doesn't it. We know this is never going to be tempoary. it will be permanent and I know that the President will get his 50 billion to continue the surge, and I know that he will never be impeached or censured, i know that the Democrats will not stand up to this guy ever because of Democratic Senators like mine.
So with those final uplifting words (laff) I will appreciate how to proceed in keeping my sanity and more importantly in how to focus on the good fight that is so essential so that I don't lose more than that. seems o keep shoveling sand into the sea
pro