As we speak, the Senate is debating the baaaaaaad FISA bill that will give amnesty to the Telecom Companies that turned over millions of OUR records illegally. I can't imagine what the founders of our nation would think right now if they were witnessing this tragedy. I can't imagine. However, we do have a few leaders who are willing to stand up for our constitution. Most notably, Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd who is ready and willing to use whatever powers he has to stop this bill. More below the fold...
Oregon Senate Candidate and current Speaker of the Oregon House is now floating a petition trying to garner support for Dodd's filibuster. I'm so glad that Oregon's House Speaker is not sitting idly by while this is going on. Merkley obviously realizes the stakes right now, and recognizes that Senator Dodd needs as much support as possible. Here's what Merkley had to say about the FISA bill:
Under FISA, telecommunications companies turned over the records of millions of American citizens. These records were released with no warrants and no judicial oversight. Only President Bush, his closest advisors and the telecommunications companies know the extent of this warrant less surveillance.
Now, the Bush Administration and some members of Congress are pushing a new FISA bill that would provide legal amnesty for those companies that turned over records. This amnesty for telecom companies would shield them from any legal accountability for these actions.
Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut is considering a filibuster of the FISA bill. Please join me in asking Senator Gordon Smith and Senator Ron Wyden to support the Dodd filibuster. Sign the petition now that I'm sending to Oregon's senators on this extremely important issue.
Congress must stand up and protect the rights of American citizens. They must restore the balance of power by returning oversight to the judiciary. The courts, not Congress, should decide what is legal.
Merkley is asking all of his supporters (that's me!) to sign a petition to support the filibuster. I've signed, how about you? If you feel compelled to join in go here:
http://www.jeffmerkley.com/...
I'm glad that this bad bill is getting finally some attention. However, if the Democrats don't back Dodd on this, they don't deserve our support anymore. I know I'm being a little heavy handed, but we need elected officials who will always stand up for our basic rights. If we can't depend on them to honor the Constitution of the United States, what can we depend on them for?
We also need to bug the heck out of the Republicans as well. Don't just stop at hassling your Democratic Senators, write to your Republican Senators as well. If you haven't bugged your Senators yet go here:
http://www.senate.gov/