As we are all aware, yesterday Senator Christopher Dodd courageously announced that he was putting a hold on the FISA legislation that includes retroactive immunity for the telecom industry. Yesterday, aides from Harry Reid's office signaled that the Majority Leader would do the unthinkable: move the legislation to the floor for debate and vote despite Dodd's hold. This action is an insult of the highest degree.
Don't cross a Yankee, Mr. Reid. Senator Dodd can play harder ball than you ever imagined. Rather than whine like the other Senator from the Nutmeg State, Dodd will pull out the stops.
In another exclusive, TPM EC reports Dodd's intention to filibuster. Dodd's campaign has issued the following email:
Are you willing to go to the mat to restore the Constitution?
Just last night, we heard there are plans to disregard Senator Dodd's intention to place a hold on a FISA bill that includes amnesty for telecommunications companies.
That would be a pretty extraordinary move, but Chris Dodd has pledged to stop this horrible bill any way he can.
So if the hold is not honored, he is prepared to go to the Senate floor and filibuster.
Rolling back the Bush Administration assault on the rule of law has been a major focus of Chris Dodd's work in the Senate -- and it's also a centerpiece in his campaign for President.
And so I ask: where are the Band of Brothers and Sisters willing to speak out and support Senator Dodd? Don't look to the cowards on the Senate Intellegence Committee other than Feingold and Wyden; don't look to Diane Feinstein who is delerious that it is bi-partison. Look to your presidential candidates and ask them where they stand.
October 25 is St. Crispin's day (St. Crispin is a 3rd century martyr who sadly was removed from the calendar of Saints after Vatican II -- but what the hay). October 25 is a date on which several famous battles took place: Battle of Balaklava in the Crimean War (Battle of the Light Brigade), Battle of Leyte Gulf in WWII (where my Dad fought), and most famously, the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 when a leader mounted his horse and led his meager troops into battle. If you are up for it, I am copying Shakespeare's stirring speech by Henry V.
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us. This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
I ask only that we write, call, email our Senators to be part of the "happy few" who seek honor by restoring our constitution.
Oh, and if you are curious as to why Rockefeller and Reid are so anxious to cut the telecoms a break, check out
Firedoglake for the answers.
Recognition of a Point but Sticking to My Guns: Salo makes a historical correction that the Brits weren't on horses (nor the French). Accuracy is one thing, but mental images work for me.
Update: H/T to magi for finding a quote from Senator Obama.
I have consistently opposed this Administration's efforts to use debates about our national security to expand its own power, whether that was on the Iraq war, or on its power grab to curb our civil liberties through domestic surveillance programs. It is time to restore oversight and accountability in the FISA program, and this proposal -- with an unprecedented grant of retroactive immunity -- is not the place to start.