Live Blog-Dodd Filibuster-FISA vote IV

Do Not Recommend this diary
Kimoconner started this liveblog and has the Mothership. Please rec Kimoconner's diary.
Drational has some background in his diary, here.

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.

Call your senators now to ask them to support Dodd, and vote for the Senate Judiciary version that does not include immunity.

This is not an official live blog.....but please no pictures.
Be nice to your fellow Kossacks on dial up

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.Kimoconner's Diary ( the Mothership- click and rec!)

 2. Remembering Jello's Diary

 3: Michigan Girl's Diary

 4: Khloemi (You are here)

 5: Lizah's Diary

 6: Dogheaven's Diary

 7: Frogmarchbush

 8: Mommyof3

Keep your fingers crossed, and call your senators!
C-Span Stream Here

UPDATE:

Roll Call for the cloture vote on the bill from the Intelligence Committee including telecom immunity will be found here an hour after the vote was taken.

UPDATE:

Roll Call for the cloture vote on the bill from the Intelligence Committee including telecom immunity can be found

here

                         YEAs ---76
Akaka (D-HI)
Alexander (R-TN)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Bond (R-MO)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Byrd (D-WV)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inouye (D-HI)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Schumer (D-NY)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Tester (D-MT)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI

                          NAYs ---10
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Dodd (D-CT)
Feingold (D-WI)
Harkin (D-IA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Wyden (D-OR)

                        Not Voting - 14
Allard (R-CO)
Biden (D-DE)
Brownback (R-KS)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coburn (R-OK)
Craig (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
McCain (R-AZ)
Obama (D-IL)
Sanders (I-VT)

•  Volunteers needed!

  by khloemi on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:34:19 AM PDT

  •  Thanks, khloemi and the other livebloggers.

    by Jimdotz on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:36:43 AM PDT

  •  please volunteer list as follows

    Right now this is the volunteer list:

    khloemi

    then LIzah

    then dogheaven

    then frogmarchbush

    THANKS!

    by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:39:38 AM PDT

    •  updating now n/t

      by khloemi on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:40:17 AM PDT

      •  Could you please add the cloture vote,

        so that people know which 76 Senators to call and harass and which 10 Senators to call and thank?

        Roll Call for the cloture vote on the bill from the Intelligence Committee including telecom immunity can be found here.

        YEAs ---76

        Akaka (D-HI)
        Alexander (R-TN)
        Barrasso (R-WY)
        Baucus (D-MT)
        Bayh (D-IN)
        Bennett (R-UT)
        Bingaman (D-NM)
        Bond (R-MO)
        Bunning (R-KY)
        Burr (R-NC)
        Byrd (D-WV)
        Carper (D-DE)
        Casey (D-PA)
        Chambliss (R-GA)
        Cochran (R-MS)
        Coleman (R-MN)
        Collins (R-ME)
        Conrad (D-ND)
        Corker (R-TN)
        Cornyn (R-TX)
        Crapo (R-ID)
        Dole (R-NC)
        Domenici (R-NM)
        Dorgan (D-ND)
        Durbin (D-IL)
        Ensign (R-NV)
        Enzi (R-WY)
        Feinstein (D-CA)
        Graham (R-SC)
        Grassley (R-IA)
        Hagel (R-NE)
        Hatch (R-UT)
        Hutchison (R-TX)
        Inouye (D-HI)
        Isakson (R-GA)
        Johnson (D-SD)
        Kennedy (D-MA)
        Klobuchar (D-MN)
        Kohl (D-WI)
        Kyl (R-AZ)
        Landrieu (D-LA)
        Leahy (D-VT)
        Levin (D-MI)
        Lincoln (D-AR)
        Lott (R-MS)
        Lugar (R-IN)
        Martinez (R-FL)
        McCaskill (D-MO)
        McConnell (R-KY)
        Mikulski (D-MD)
        Murkowski (R-AK)
        Murray (D-WA)
        Nelson (D-FL)
        Nelson (D-NE)
        Pryor (D-AR)
        Reed (D-RI)
        Reid (D-NV)
        Roberts (R-KS)
        Rockefeller (D-WV)
        Salazar (D-CO)
        Schumer (D-NY)
        Sessions (R-AL)
        Shelby (R-AL)
        Smith (R-OR)
        Snowe (R-ME)
        Specter (R-PA)
        Stabenow (D-MI)
        Stevens (R-AK)
        Sununu (R-NH)
        Tester (D-MT)
        Thune (R-SD)
        Vitter (R-LA)
        Voinovich (R-OH)
        Warner (R-VA)
        Webb (D-VA)
        Whitehouse (D-RI

        NAYs ---10

        
        Boxer (D-CA)
        Brown (D-OH)
        Cantwell (D-WA)
        Cardin (D-MD)
        Dodd (D-CT)
        Feingold (D-WI)
        Harkin (D-IA)
        Kerry (D-MA)
        Menendez (D-NJ)
        Wyden (D-OR)

        Not Voting - 14

        Allard (R-CO)
        Biden (D-DE)
        Brownback (R-KS)
        Clinton (D-NY)
        Coburn (R-OK)
        Craig (R-ID)
        DeMint (R-SC)
        Gregg (R-NH)
        Inhofe (R-OK)
        Lautenberg (D-NJ)
        Lieberman (ID-CT)
        McCain (R-AZ)
        Obama (D-IL)
        Sanders (I-VT)

        by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:05:36 AM PDT

    •  Mothership needs links to these diaries

      could you please fix that so people can get to these diaries through the mothership?

      Thanx.

      by Team Slacker on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:45:43 AM PDT

      •  DOH!

        Thank you for reminding me!

        by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:46:33 AM PDT

    •  I can do one

      provided it's in the next 3 hours. I suspect it will.

      by sunflwrmoonbeam on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:22:24 AM PDT

    •  I can do one as well...

      Glad this is still going!

      by mommyof3 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:25:19 AM PDT

  •  I updated my diary with a link to yours.

    lizah has volunteered for number 5 and dogheaven has volunteered for number 6.

    by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:40:22 AM PDT

    •  I will update others behind me also

      Great idea!!

      by khloemi on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:00:36 AM PDT

•  Feinstein reviewing FISA history...

  and what Senators originally authorized...
  no TSA without FISA approval...
  FISA excludes all other approval processes including executive inherent authority

  by Jimdotz on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:40:49 AM PDT

  •  At least she's eating up time.

    by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:42:19 AM PDT

  •  Feinstein will vote against immunity unless...

    it is amended

    by Jimdotz on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:45:52 AM PDT

    •  or so she says...

      In the end, she'll cave to Specter.

      by N in Seattle on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:49:18 AM PDT

•  what

  exactly is Feinstein talking about here?  I'm getting lost

  by EMKennedyLucio on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:41:23 AM PDT

  •  Explaining that FISA is the be all and end all of

    electronic surveillance authority

    by Jimdotz on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:42:35 AM PDT

  •  It seems she may have listened to her constituant

    and is not going to vote for a bill that includes immunity

    I know I have called her office several times demanding this

    by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:43:33 AM PDT

    •  Is that what she said?

      It sounds like she is dancing.

      She is supporting the Specter alternative.  

      by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:46:57 AM PDT

      •  She's dancing big time

        by alba on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:50:22 AM PDT

        •  And she is not very graceful n/t

          by dogheaven on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:53:59 AM PDT

      •  She's letting the FISA court decide

        the immunity issue so no one will know how the decision was made . .

        by alba on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:52:43 AM PDT

        •  is that what this is about

          to be honest, between cat hearding and updating the mothership I have not been listening as carefully as I should have

          damn

          by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:56:28 AM PDT

  •  She's obfuscating this issue

    by reading complex legal jumbo that's Greek to her but something she is capable of reading . .  

    by alba on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:51:37 AM PDT

  •  She's got a compromise in her ammendment

    She wants the FISA court to decide en banc to determine the certification requirements of the FISA law.  THEY would decide if immunity is appropriate.

    "A narrowing of the immunity provision part of the Bill".

    by kfred on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:52:28 AM PDT

    •  a terrible compromise

      that was probably dreamed up by the telcos . .

      by alba on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:53:28 AM PDT

  •  I said this elsewhere

    ...

    She keeps emphasizing that IF the Bush Administration sought warrants through FISA, that massive surveillance of all Americans would be legal and therefore not in question.  Of course, the FISA court is top secret and no one will know what it decides.

    The problem is not question of a program's legality. The problem is the program itself.

    Wholesale domestic surveillance of American citizens must stop.  It's frightening, fundamentally un-American, and a completely overblown hysterical reaction to an external threat of violence.

    Moreover it's a justification for an abuse of power.

    by m00nchild on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:54:18 AM PDT

•  repost from previous thread...

  Just so it doesn't get lost.

  Regarding Jeff Sessions' anti-constitutional comments earlier:

  Please contact his office and  demand an immediate retraction of his comments or his immediate resignation.

  Washington, D.C.
  Office of Senator Jeff Sessions
  335 Russell Senate Office Building
  Washington, D.C. 20510-0104
  [phone] - Phone
  [phone] - Fax

  email page: http://sessions.senate.gov/...

  Alabamians: call your local television stations and demand that they run these comments on the evening news.

  This man does not deserve a position in U.S. government if he so cavalierly disregards its very foundation.

  by brianinca on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:41:48 AM PDT

  •  Even for Sessions that blew my mind

    since when do these morons believe their main pledge is not to the Constitution?

    I doubt those in his state will care, they voted for him!

    by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:45:20 AM PDT

    •  I wish there was a city named Nuremburg in the US

      EOC

      by m00nchild on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:55:18 AM PDT

  •  what did he say? Thanks. n/t

    by OLinda on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:50:22 AM PDT

    •  The quote form Diary II

      "Some people in this chamber love the Constitution more than the love the safety of this nation.

      We should all send President bush a letter thanking him for protecting us."

      by brianinca on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:52:06 AM PDT

      •  thank you. n/t

        by OLinda on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:12:12 AM PDT

  •  does anyone have the actual quote

    of Sessions exact words?

    by bamablue on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:51:41 AM PDT

    •  That is an exact quote.

      I used TiVo and rewound just to make sure I heard it right... Couldn't fucking believe it.

      by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:55:40 AM PDT

      •  Thanks, MichiganGirl

        I'm working and having to miss alot,,but when I heard him say this..Damn..OK, I'm off to the phones

        by bamablue on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:11:59 AM PDT

    •  Here it is:

      "Some people in this chamber love the Constitution more than the love the safety of this nation.

      We should all send President bush a letter thanking him for protecting us."

      by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:56:26 AM PDT

      •  I always throught that Sessions was the

        stupidest person in the Senate. this just proves it. doesn't his oath of office REQUIRE him to uphold the constitution and the laws of the USA?

        by blue jersey mom on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:00:19 AM PDT

•  Why didn't Lieberman vote

  earlier? Is he out bragging how he is supporting McCain?

  by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:42:34 AM PDT

  •  The Kiss II (The Sequel)

    by darthstar on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:44:15 AM PDT

  •  He was not needed nt

    by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:44:42 AM PDT

    •  makes no difference

      he should be AT WORK

      Of course, so should Clinton and Obama

      by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:46:10 AM PDT

      •  Lieberman loves missing votes.

        by darthstar on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:47:09 AM PDT

      •  & Biden

        where the heck is Biden?
        
        
        
        
        ````
        peace
        
        

        by peace voter on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 01:01:17 PM PDT

  •  He's probably out campaigning with him.

    I wouldn't put it past him at all.

    by Ellicatt on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:45:14 AM PDT

  •  Yes

    he was just on fox noose.

    by mango on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:47:45 AM PDT

    •  really?

      He is on Fox instead of at work?

      I wish the Dems would toss him out of their caucus

      by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:57:36 AM PDT

      •  Yep

        it may have been about an hour ago.

        by mango on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:58:45 AM PDT

•  Whitehouse supports Specter’s

  plan to let substitute the government for the telecoms.

  It’s an ironic "solution" because the core problem is that the telecoms act as an agent for the government when they collect and provide the data to the government without warrants.  

  by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:43:55 AM PDT

  •  Not quite

    He doesn't like the idea that the telecoms can't defend themse4lves from the private suits against them because Bushie says:  It's Secret!!!  You can't tell!

    by kfred on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:53:48 AM PDT

    •  That's what he said, but it's bullshit

      Classified issues are litigated all the time.

      If it truly was the issue, then the senate could address that problem specifically. What they’re doing here is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

      by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:58:41 AM PDT

    •  Think about it.

      Whitehouse argues that because the administration abused the process and is stonewalling the judicial remedy, the senate must enable the violation through immunity.  Whitehouse acknowledges the executive abuse with his suggestion.

      by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:10:04 AM PDT

•  Feinstein now on telecom immunity.

  Holding immunity "hostage" in exchange for passing her amendment.

  Now she's saying it's not as expansive, saying that it only applies if the government in writing assured the companies that the program was legal, the president approved it, the legality was approved by the attorney general.

  Then she said it doesn't prevent consequences for criminal behavior.

  How fucking stupid does she think people are?

  by TheBlaz on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:45:40 AM PDT

  •  Pretty fucking stupid

    This is will be the outcome. They will pretend that this doesn’t let the telecoms off.  

    by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:48:30 AM PDT

•  I can't be the only one

  who is totally confused.

  Funny McCain Pics archive updated regularly

  by InsultComicDog on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:46:03 AM PDT

  •  It's the senate you'll get used to it,

    mind altering drugs help.

    by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:48:15 AM PDT

  •  confusion is the game plan

    for the Feinsteins of the world.

    by alba on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:55:16 AM PDT

•  Now she's rationalizing limmited immunity, Chris

  Oh CHRIS, Please reclaim the floor. Please

  by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:46:22 AM PDT

•  She just lied again.

  "Companies had no financial gain from helping government."

  LOL.

  Ask Qwest's CEO about that one.

  She fucking sucks, someone primary her.

  by TheBlaz on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:47:21 AM PDT

  •  Will we ever know

    how much they were paid?

    by cotterperson on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:49:16 AM PDT

    •  Look here.

      FedSpending.gov

      by MichiganGirl on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:53:51 AM PDT

      •  Wonderful link. n/t

        by dogheaven on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:56:53 AM PDT

      •  Indirect Benefits vs. Hard Cash Payments.

        We'll never know exactly what the 'bag men' gave them. Lets not even pretend.

        by malharden on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:58:38 AM PDT

      •  Great link! Thanks! n/t

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

  •  just like there are NO financial motives involved

    in the votes today, haha

    by minorityusa on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:50:40 AM PDT

•  ha!

  "No financial motives for telecoms" says DiFi! Gotta be kidding me!

  by srkp23 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:47:22 AM PDT

  •  How about saving their sorry asses

    and the Board of directors bloated paychecks.

    by JML9999 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:49:21 AM PDT

  •  Just protecting her portfolio,

    by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:49:57 AM PDT

  •  There is no way that is true

    by vigilant meerkat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:52:07 AM PDT

•  I'm crying crocodile tears for those poor

  telcos. I can't believe the load Feinstein is laying on about the telcos' innocence. As if the telcos did not know exactly what they were doing when they opened their networks up to snooping  . . .

  by alba on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:48:41 AM PDT

•  "For the common good?" When has the bush

  admin done ANYTHING for the common good?  Sorry, DiFi, but your head is lodged firmly in your ass.

  by darthstar on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:48:54 AM PDT

  •  or shrubs nt

    by JML9999 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:50:09 AM PDT

•  Telecom officials

  acting under cloak of secrecy and a directive not to disclose. Not experts on Art. 2 of Constitution nor legal doctors.

  NEITHER WAS QWEST GOD DAMN YOU, and they knew enough that it was illegal.

  Christ, how HARD is this to see.

  by TheBlaz on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:49:11 AM PDT

  •  I need a fucking cigarette.

    Since I can't post another diary today, I'll try and do some transcribing. I'll do one longish one when I come back and just reply to that one to keep it all together.

    Feel free to correct me if I type something wrong, I'm not a real quick typer.

    by TheBlaz on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:51:07 AM PDT

    •  Have one for me too! n/t

      by khloemi on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:52:31 AM PDT

  •  They're not legal doctors

    they just employ THOUSANDS of lawyers.  You folks in Cali have got to get rid of this waste of space.

    by Same As It Ever Was on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:51:32 AM PDT

    •  Y'all love recalls don't ya?

      by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:53:18 AM PDT

  •  yeah, they had no choice, no legal help

    sounds like they were dragged to Guantanamo to give their consent.

    by minorityusa on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:52:25 AM PDT

•  I can't believe this

  She is giving the telecoms an out.  They were acting in good faith and it was reasonable for them rely upon the government.  They are not experts on Article 2.  Her amendment is a POS.

  by vigilant meerkat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:49:27 AM PDT

  •  And she's also acting

    like FISA hasn't just become rubberstamp for ShrubCo.

    by srkp23 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:52:11 AM PDT

    •  I think she believes it

      That's a huge problem.

      by vigilant meerkat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:54:32 AM PDT

      •  Yes.

        She believes that we still have a functioning government and democracy.

        by srkp23 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:57:11 AM PDT

  •  Her argument seems

    to be that the telecom has a defense, but the senate will not make them bother to present it in court.

    The point is that the government had no authority to demand the data, therefore the telecoms were wrong to release it.

    Even in their twisted world of double speak and slight of hand, how in the name of God will this prevent the same abuses in the future? This legislation insures future constitutional abuses. And they know it.

    by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:54:33 AM PDT

•  Feinstein

  A small number of telecomm officials were acting in secrecy in not disclosing the (admin's) request.  My amendment would put before the FISA court of whether they should receive immunity based on the law.

  11 federal judges; this is all they do.  Did the letters sent to the carriers, which came every 30-45 days over the past 4-5 years, meet the law.  A certification from the government is required where there is no court order; the only way this is allowed to proceed.  The government has to certify this in writing.  The court would look to see if the letters met the law and did the companies provide assistance and done is good faith; if this was legal.  Then they would look at if they provide assistance.  If not or met legal requirements of law and in good faith, then immunity would apply.  If it is found that none of this was met, then there would be no immunity.  This deserves judicial review.

  by Ellicatt on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:51:55 AM PDT

  •  Thanks and keep going Ellicatt

    I'm learning a lot from you.

    by khloemi on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:54:44 AM PDT

  •  Let the lawsuit go on

    and the court will make that determination.

    No need to have a SECRET court do this.

    Oh boy, I am going to call her office again and give her aids hell.

    If they can;t take it, they should quit

    by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:59:59 AM PDT

•  Christopher Dodd, Please report to the senate

  floor

  by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:51:56 AM PDT

  •  Yes, please! DiFi is making my head explode! n/t

    by srkp23 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:52:59 AM PDT

  •  STAT!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

    by Caneel on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:53:14 AM PDT

•  For fuck's sake

  I keep bouncing from diary to diary only find out post facto that the diary has been "closed".
  I wish 5000+ comment diaries were manageable

  I'll shut up now.

  by m00nchild on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:52:45 AM PDT

  •  You're in the right place now :}

    by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:58:36 AM PDT

    •  yay :)

      thanks

      by m00nchild on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:03:31 AM PDT

  •  It is my fault

    I failed to update the Mothership

    Sorry, I don't usually run these things, but could not accept we did not liveblog this, so just jumped in.

    by kimoconnor on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:01:12 AM PDT

    •  S'ok, you're doing a pretty good job

      It's just important that somebody's doing it.

      by Team Slacker on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:03:25 AM PDT

    •  I wouldn't have accept this either

      I feel like they're debating the life or death of America today.

      by m00nchild on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:04:14 AM PDT

•  Jeebus, Dodd yielded for this?

  She is filibustering on behalf of immunity.  

  by vigilant meerkat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:52:52 AM PDT

  •  Too nice for his own good n/t

    by IndySteve on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:54:52 AM PDT

  •  She's proposing a compromise n/t

    by kfred on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:55:46 AM PDT

    •  Right

      It seems a bit lopsided to me.  We compromise; they win.

      by vigilant meerkat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:56:42 AM PDT

      •  I'm troubled by it also

        Those FISA court folks are appointed by the Chief Justice and we don't trust him.  It doesn't address the private citizen and the actual breaking of the law unless it done entirely behind the scenes.  They'll never know and WE'LL never know what happened, at least for another 50 years.  If they pay financial penalties (provided the court does right by the law) it'll be a class action type settlement and lawyers'd make the most monies off of it.

        And it still doesn't address how Quest was smart enough to walk away, but still paid a high price for it in lost contracts and shear pettiness on the part of the Gov't against them.  They'd be put in an undefensible position also (Quest).

        Bush has really screwed the pooch on this one.

        by kfred on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:08:38 AM PDT

•  I caught that too, yelling "liar" at my

  streaming window... and I'm at work!  Oops, better be careful :)

       

  I am an Edwards Democrat!

  by Scubaval on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:53:29 AM PDT

•  Constitutional showdown?

  by Owllwoman on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:53:58 AM PDT

•  Feinstein: It’s binary.

  If we don’t let the telecoms off the hook, the bad guys will come and get us.  

  by protectedmode on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:55:44 AM PDT

  •  You gotta love that kind of logic

    It could make your head spin if you're not careful.

    by vigilant meerkat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:57:34 AM PDT

  •  two-bit intellectualism

    rules this country. Very little gray (matter)

    when do we evolve into 24-bit/192k thinkers? Y'know, the other 90% and all.

    -oobi
    "Let's evolve, already!! Ready? Go! Okay, I'll go first..." - Bill Hicks

    by oobi on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:16:00 AM PDT

•  She could do more due diligence if she'd

  quit IM ing her stock broker.

  by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:55:45 AM PDT

•  Anybody hear

  the word "constitution" come out of Feinstein"s mouth -- just onece?

  by Caneel on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:56:15 AM PDT

  •  What?

    You think she can keep all these things straight.  No, she mentioned some obscure "common law" rule that allows telecoms to do whatever they want with our personal information and then plead ignorance and reasonable reliance upon what the government said.

    by vigilant meerkat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:59:05 AM PDT

•  Call your Senators NOW!

  Give the ones who voted Aye and who did not vote, notice!

  by lpeacock on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:56:29 AM PDT

  •  I will call Levin after we hit

    250 on this diary

    by khloemi on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:58:02 AM PDT

•  Hand off to Big K

  by geez53 on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:56:46 AM PDT

  •  Should be interesting

    "Let me be clear that the Senate should reject the bill before us, and should pass the Judiciary bill instead.."

    by canoeist on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:57:58 AM PDT

    •  That's refreshingly straightforward

      by vigilant meerkat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:00:03 AM PDT

•  I love Teddy

  by Remembering Jello on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:56:56 AM PDT

  •  I do too

    He's a serious fellow and understands what is going down here.  He has seen it all.

    by vigilant meerkat on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:01:42 AM PDT

    •  he *sponsored* the original FISA bill [n/t]

      by N in Seattle on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 11:04:38 AM PDT

•  Come on Kennedy

  Represent me from afar.

  by khloemi on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 10:57:09 AM PDT

  • &