Live Blog-Dodd Filibuster-FISA vote-Mothership

Reid pulled the bill and tabled it till next year!

Keep pushing your Senators folks...this is not totally over yet.
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Harry Reid called for a cloture vote today and introduced the Senate Intelligence Committee version of the FISA bill that includes immunity for the telecoms.

Senator Dodd has promised a filibuster.
Ted Kennedy and Russ Feingold have promised to help in this effort so far.

THIS MAY GO ON FOR DAYS FOLKS, the actual filibuster has yet to begin (as of Monday afternoon) and may not until Wednesday.

I hope between everyone here we can continue to live-blog the entire process.

CALL YOUR SENATORS now to ask them to support Dodd, and vote for the Senate Judiciary version that does not include immunity.

This is the MOTHERSHIP

Please recommend this diary!

Go to current diary linked below.

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.

Also visit Senator Dodd's filibuster site as I believe he will update the numbers of Senators who will stand by him.

If anyone wants to volunteer to add new diaries if this takes off....please respond to first comment.

1. kimoconnor (here)

2. Remembering Jello

3. Michigangirl

4. Khloemi

5. Lizah

6. dogheaven

7. mommyof3

8. Randgrithr

Keep your fingers crossed, and call your senators!

AND GO SENATOR DODD!

•  Go Senator Dodd

  I am very proud of him.

  And I hope my Senators stand up for the Constitution today

  by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 07:53:32 AM PDT

  •  Kim

    Can you set this up to have commentary at the top and ribald caterwauling below by using comments.  You've been around, you know what I mean!

    by donnamarie on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 07:58:03 AM PDT

    •  I know what you mean

      but I am not a good enough transcriber to do this

      by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:00:39 AM PDT

      •  No need to transcribe,

        Although we have too many comments now to do that.  Do you have time to 'Mothership' this diary today or should do you want some help cat herding if we cant mothership.  I'm here if you need me.

        by donnamarie on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:06:19 AM PDT

        •  Do I just add mothership on this one?

          and ask everyone to rec this one?

          If so, sure. But I understand that this is not the actual filibuster, so I may have jumped the gun

          by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:07:18 AM PDT

          •  No worries on Juimping the gun

            Go ahead and put Mothership in the Diary title.  If you cant monitor and update the Mothership all day we'll punt.

            by donnamarie on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:08:50 AM PDT

            •  I can be here for most of the day

              at least until 3:15 pacific time

              by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:12:06 AM PDT

              •  Russ Feingold's speech this AM

                
                Untitled from Bruce Wilson on Vimeo.

                by Troutfishing on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 04:58:49 PM PDT

        •  She has " Liveblog" Super Powers!

          by Remembering Jello on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:07:53 AM PDT

    •  Thanks donnamarie! I hope the next one is

      set up like that. Just don't have the time to wade through 600 comments!

      by emmasnacker on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 12:31:13 PM PDT

      •  I screwed up sorry

        I have updated the new diaries on this one now

        a new one will come up every 250 posts or so.

        by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 12:33:04 PM PDT

  •  Mine will, or i'll fire 'em. Durbin/Obama

    by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:00:31 AM PDT

    •  Durbin voted for cloture on FISA w/immunity.

      by IndySteve on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:28:25 AM PDT

  •  I can throw up a diary

    if this starts showing traction...

    by Remembering Jello on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:01:22 AM PDT

    •  cool

      frankly I like our version of live blogging better than the Front pagers. (sorry!)

      by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:01:55 AM PDT

      •  Yeah- ya gotta dig the chaos n/t

        by Remembering Jello on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:05:57 AM PDT

      •  Kim

        Go ahead and add any Volunteers to your diary.  It keeps things organized.  Or as organized as they can be LOL

        by donnamarie on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:07:37 AM PDT

        •  You go it

          I'll add Jello and go from there.

          by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:08:56 AM PDT

          •  Hah Hah- yer the catherder du jour!

            # 2 is ready to go.

            by Remembering Jello on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:17:48 AM PDT

    •  OK, but please clean up after yourself

      And I hope you feel better.

      by gatorcog on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 12:50:44 PM PDT

  •  I'll do one too.

    by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:11:54 AM PDT

    •  Great, I'll make you #3 eom

      by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:12:27 AM PDT

  •  I'm happy to donate a diary!

    ^

    by caharris on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 09:17:14 AM PDT

    •  I emailed you

      did not notice this till now, respond in email or on current diary if you can still help.

      thanks!

      by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:34:43 AM PDT

      •  No problem

        Ya'll can have any and all diaries that you need, considering how long this could take to play out.

        -c

        by caharris on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 02:47:40 PM PDT

        •  can you be #12?

          someone beat you to 11

          by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 02:50:12 PM PDT

  •  This needs links to the babyships

    by Team Slacker on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:40:13 AM PDT

    •  done

      by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:32:10 AM PDT

  •  You might want to put a big link to the current

    diary on top.  I see that you've linked each of the volunteers, but it might be more intuitive if there was a big "Click here for the latest diary" type of thing at the top of the page.  Just my 2 cents...

    by frogmarchbush on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:02:31 AM PDT

•  Will other Senators support him?

  They can ask for him to yield to ask questions and give him 20 minutes to rest.

  So far only Kennedy and Feingold have promised to help.

  by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 07:55:28 AM PDT

  •  There isn't a prayer. It's over.

    From the other thread, Schumer, Boxer, Feinstein, Lincoln, Pryor, Nelson will not announce their plans yet, which is the same as saying they oppose the filibuster.

    Reid, Rockefeller, Lieberman are assumed to also support a vote. It's impossible.

    by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:09:05 AM PDT

    •  NO not the same

      at least on Boxer, I have faith in her. But not the others.

      by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:11:15 AM PDT

      •  We'll see,

        they may need her vote to get it done. If that happens, even the ones we trust disappoint.

        by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:15:41 AM PDT

        •  This is a "last chance" for Schumer.

          If he doesn't support Dodd's filibuster, it is time to mount a full-court press to defeat him at the next opportunity.

          by neroden on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:18:42 AM PDT

          •  He is pretty damn

            sure he is safe, but New York is a big state, anything could happen. He is indistinguishable from Lieberman, it would be wonderful just to officially force him to call himself an independent.

            by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:21:09 AM PDT

            •  We can organize a challenge by 2010.

              Seriously, with three years to work in, giving Schumer the scare of his political life -- if not defeating him -- is very possible.

              by neroden on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:22:58 AM PDT

              •  Start candidate recruitment

                Someone local must challenge him vocally now so that people understand the real problem in three years.

                by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:26:22 AM PDT

              •  I'm with you on that!

                by senex on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:42:47 AM PDT

            •  He makes me wanna puke.

              by senex on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:44:49 AM PDT

            •  we can probably fry him in a primary

              if we really really try.

              by Dude1701 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:55:03 AM PDT

    •  It may not matter, but

      I've just sent a strongly-worded fax to Schumer promising I will personally work against his next primary campaign (not to mention give him a much-deserved scolding when I next cross his path in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where we both live).  Didn't someone say faxes were more effective than calls?

      by senex on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:41:46 AM PDT

      •  Thanks, follow up with action. nt

        by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:46:57 AM PDT

•  Not yet

  by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 07:58:05 AM PDT

•  Senator Dodd says he is here today

  because his disgust has reached it's limits.

  by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 07:59:32 AM PDT

  •  I would have hoped that his Disgust limit

    was reached long ago.

    But I'll continue to support him - Go Senator Dodd!  Stop this thing.

    by polecat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:28:36 AM PDT

•  Will C-SPAN

  broadcast it?

  by theRoaringGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:00:01 AM PDT

  •  It is on CSpan 2 eom

    by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:01:03 AM PDT

    •  Bless you! n/t

      by theRoaringGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:01:43 AM PDT

      •  Senate in session is always on C-SPAN 2

        by RonK Seattle on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:28:33 AM PDT

        •  I was on the intertubes... n/t

          by theRoaringGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 02:27:16 PM PDT

          •  Senate in session always streams on C-SPAN2

            by RonK Seattle on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 04:14:38 PM PDT

  •  Cspan 2

    here's the link.

    by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:02:24 AM PDT

•  Cspan's got Dodd onscreen

  but I have no sound card- what's going on?

  by Remembering Jello on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:00:07 AM PDT

  •  CSPAN2 on TV has it also

    I'll be in and out to help as much as I can.  The filibuster site listed top thread will be the interesting part.

    Dodd's reviewing the immunity part - it's notust the telecoms, it's anyone who participated within and without the government and the telecom participants.

    It's a "self-preservation bill" a/k/a CYA.

    by kfred on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:12:25 AM PDT

    •  Have any MSMs covered Dodd in depth?

      I just called CNN and complained.

      by Jbeaudill on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 03:25:31 PM PDT

      •  And furthermore - if all the cable networks

        could cover Mitto's "I'm a good Mormon" speech, WHY aren't they covering Senator Dodd et al in full when he is speaking in defense of our liberties, our Constitution and our checks-and-balances!

        by Jbeaudill on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 03:27:45 PM PDT

•  Dodd asking what if

  we took the president's word again?

  Where did that get us before?

  In 2002 we took his word on going to war.

  What if we take it again and learn that we are blinding legalizing crimes?

  by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:00:11 AM PDT

•  The flow chart in the disry is great

  So today, the Senate is debating the "motion to proceed" and even if cloture is invoked on that motion, there will be a second opportunity to block action on the underlying bill.

  by alba on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:00:12 AM PDT

  •  Trying to print it out

    but I can't.  I saved the image from the upoad site but it is either too small to read or just the first page prints out.

    Very informative.

    by dogheaven on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:50:06 AM PDT

•  Small Correction

  It's Russ Feingold.

  I'm fairly certain misspelling his name on this website is some sort of progressive equivalent to blasphemy ;-)

  by dedmonds on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:00:40 AM PDT

  •  oops, will fix

    rushed this

    by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:01:28 AM PDT

    •  No worries!

      Don't usually correct spelling errors, but I make exceptions for the why-can't-they-all-be-awesome-like-him Senator from Wisconsin.

      by dedmonds on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:04:32 AM PDT

      •  NO problem

        thanks for saving me!

        by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:06:20 AM PDT

•  If the rule of law were not my ruling passion,

  I wouldn't be here today, but I am and it is. (Senator Dodd)

  by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:01:03 AM PDT

  •  No intelligence sources need to be comprimised.

    No state secrets need to be exposed.

    The existence of the president's surveillance program is hardly a secret.

    by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:15:03 AM PDT

    •  The state's secret privillege

      was originally enacted not to protect state's secrets, but to save the federal government from embarrassment.

      The cooperation of wiretapping isn't under question today, the collusion of warrantless wiretapping is.

      by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:17:14 AM PDT

      •  I'm here because the truth is not private

        property, it belongs to everyone of us.

        by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:18:06 AM PDT

        •  The point has never been to

          financially cripple our telecommunications industry. The point is to bring our domestic spying under control.

          I learned in law school that guilty was guilty, no matter how rich or poor.

          by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:21:15 AM PDT

          •  Yay!

            Thanks, MG!

            by qwerty on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:34:37 AM PDT

•  Note: This speech right now is NOT the filibuster

  That would come later today.

  Tim

  by ttagaris on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:01:04 AM PDT

  •  Thanks, Tim

    by bumblebums on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:01:47 AM PDT

  •  Tim-

    Do you know how all of this will flow?

    I'm pretty rusty on Senate procedure.

    by Remembering Jello on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:02:47 AM PDT

    •  It will flow slowly, this IS the Senate. 10 min.

      speeches to any senator.

      by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:04:48 AM PDT

      •  Dodd has been on more than 10 minutes already eom

        by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:14:35 AM PDT

        •  Dodd recieved 35 minutes in initial allocation.nt

          by mp on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:20:23 AM PDT

    •  Only parts

      Right now they are debating the motion to proceed.  There will be a vote on that shortly, and we'll need to get 41 votes.

      After that, there will be an amendment offered by Dodd and Feingold to strip retroactive immunity from the bill.

      If we lose both of those, then Dodd is prepared to filibuster the bill.

      No idea on exact hour any of this will happen, but it should all go on today.

      Tim

      by ttagaris on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:05:57 AM PDT

      •  Thanks- will run for popcorn n/t

        by Remembering Jello on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:06:34 AM PDT

      •  Thanks Tim.

        We are going to be riveted, I really don't want Dodd for Preznut.  I think he's more valuable where he's at or Majority Leader.  I have alot of respect for him.

        by kfred on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:14:23 AM PDT

    •  This explains it very well

      this chart is linked above but worth the repeat.

      by dogheaven on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:52:57 AM PDT

      •  Great algorithm! thx n/t

        by Jbeaudill on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 03:40:08 PM PDT

  •  But I want everyone to hear this

    He is so strong this morning

    by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:03:27 AM PDT

    •  Yes, he's sure, strong in his words

      Not overly emotional ala Boehner, just factual.  SPeaking to constitutional duty.  A strong reminder to the Sanators of their duty.

      by kfred on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:15:39 AM PDT

  •  Tim, can you pass along our thanks

    to Senator Dodd? We really appreciate his taking a stand.

    by sbdenmon on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:17:16 AM PDT

    •  Everyone at HQ is so proud right now

      Thanks for the kind words.

      by ttagaris on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:20:11 AM PDT

      •  You're very welcome.

        We're all cheering him on.

        by sbdenmon on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:23:37 AM PDT

      •  I also am an admirer

        but then, I'm from Feingold's state.  Whaddya expect of us?  We expect a lot from our government.  With Senator Dodd, our expectations always are met.  Bless him.

        by Cream City on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:31:03 AM PDT

      •  Count on 2 CA primary votes for Dodd...

        Spouse met in Chicago and I've been totally impressed by his actions the last couple of months. Don't know how much help but we'll spread the word to our friends about Dodd.

        You all should be very, very proud of him ~ he walks the walk not just talking (although he may today!).

        by SallyCat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:31:33 AM PDT

    •  there is a link of the filibuster site

      listed above that allows you to send a message to Dodd regarding the filibuster.

      by MadAsHellMaddie on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:32:31 AM PDT

      •  Yes, I've already done that.

        But since Tim is here, I thought I'd express my appreciation in real time.

        by sbdenmon on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:42:54 AM PDT

•  Nelson of Florida

  needs more calls from Florida residents.

  His staffer says "he's still reviewing it."

  If you call, be sure to ask first what he intends to do - then urge him to support Dodd.

  [phone]

  by jrooth on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:03:04 AM PDT

  •  I just called too...

    they sounded busy and rushed.
    all I got was a 'I'll pass it on...'

    by Lipstick Liberal on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:04:18 AM PDT

  •  That's code

    for "He is too much of a fucking coward to announce his vote."  They’ve made up their minds, if it were good news, they’d announce it.

    by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:11:15 AM PDT

    •  Maybe it is

      but on the other hand his vote will be public soon enough.  If the flood of calls and faxes is heavy enough, just maybe he'll decide to do the right thing.

      When I called, the staffer I spoke to did try to butter me up by mentioning some motion he made in committee - I answered that's all very fine but what matters now is supporting Dodd by opposing cloture.

      by jrooth on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:23:09 AM PDT

      •  I think they lie

        about how they plan to vote to save staff agony. Most people don’t bother to complain afterward.  It would really suck to answer the phone for one of these scoundrels.

        by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:50:02 AM PDT

  •  I just called in.

    Unfortunately, my Senator does not have a good record in the "standing up" dept.

    by beemerr90s on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:16:33 AM PDT

    •  I'm assuming that since I live in Texas

      it would be a waste of phone minutes to call either of my senators.

      by Freakinout daily on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 09:11:50 AM PDT

    •  You must be

      a Tom Waits fan.

      by leftvet on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 09:31:19 AM PDT

      •  or he's a Demento fan..

        though that's a little more obscure..

        Is this schizoid paranoia, or just existential blues?

        by ophymirage on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 09:45:23 AM PDT

        •  I haven't been able to hear thr good Dr

          for many years.  I remember hearing my first Weird Al on his show, as well as old Tom Lehrer ditties.

          by beemerr90s on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 04:07:07 PM PDT

  •  calling now ... on hold nt

    I am an Edwards Democrat!

    by Scubaval on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:45:35 AM PDT

    •  also got the "I'll pass it on" reply

      but I asked if Sen. Nelson had decided, and the staffer said he was still deciding.  I told him to tell Sen. Nelson that I URGE him to back Dodd and Feingold and not to vote for immunity.

      Guess I'll call again in a little while.

      I am an Edwards Democrat!

      by Scubaval on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:49:28 AM PDT

      •  they have stopped answering

        first it was busy, now it just rings and rings till it goes back to switchboard ... can I say PU$$Y

        oh my god - they just picked up and hung up on me!

        by bobnbob on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:59:24 AM PDT

        •  Finally got through

          "hasn't madce a decision yet" so I suggested he vote NO Cloture as it's evident he hasn't done his homework and he'd be voting blindly.  No more of that needed.  Also put in my .02 about immunity being a sack of "not so pleasant stuff".

          btw they are being slammed - she "knew what my comments would be" so we are the only ones calling!   Be sure to remind the switchboard staff and the congressional staff persons that THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!

          by bobnbob on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 09:12:02 AM PDT

  •  Nelson votes for closure. n/t

    by beemerr90s on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 09:33:01 AM PDT

•  Question: Isn't retroactive immunity,

  the same as ex post facto law?

  US Constitution, Article 1, Section 9:

  "No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto
  law shall be passed."

  by Lipstick Liberal on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:03:25 AM PDT

  •  Constitutional violations

    don't even slow these folks down.

    by Remembering Jello on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:04:16 AM PDT

  •  Ex post facto

    Basically, you can't criminalize something retroactively; however, you CAN legalize/immunize retroactively without violating Article 1 Section 9.

    by MKinTN on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:05:35 AM PDT

    •  What I wonder is...

      Since it was illegal when you did it, and the legality was only supplied after the fact, can you legally remove retroactive immunity, since you are not creating a situation where an act that was legal when it was committed is now deemed illegal, you are just restoring the legal framework that existed at