Updated below
On FISA: Read this before you call. Do NOT accept, "I don’t support retroactive immunity" (by itself), from Senators.
Please make the call today to your Senator, however......
When you talk to Senate staffers today, they may tell you something similar to what I was told.
My question: "What is Senator Durbin's postion on retroactive immunity for telecoms?"
Staff: "Senator Durbin is opposed to retroactive immunity."
My question: "Great, what is he going to do about it"
Staff: "Well he is opposed to it."
My question: "Is Durbin going to vote Yea or Nay on the cloture?"
Staff had no answer.
My Question: "Will Senator Durbin support a filibuster to prevent a FISA bill that contains retroactive immunity from coming to a vote, knowing that the votes are there to pass such bill?"
Staff: "Senator Durbin does not support a filibuster."
My Question: "So you’re saying, Senator Durbin states he opposes retroactive immunity but he is not willing to stand on the front lines and fight with every legislative power he has to keep retroactive immunity from happening?"
Staff: "Please give me your zip code, I will pass along your concerns to the Senator."
My response:
-It is not enough for Senator Durbin to say he is opposed to retroactive immunity.
-It is not enough for Senator Durbin to say he voted against it.
-He cannot point to that with a clear conscience.
-Senator Durbin must do everything in his power to prevent a FISA bill from passing that includes retroactive immunity.
-For Senator Durbin to say he is against this critical decision to erode our rights, liberties and the Constitution of the United States, but that he is NOT willing to stand on the front lines and fight with every legislative power he has to keep this from happening is deceptive and shameful, and he is not fooling his constituents.
End conversation.
Please when you make the call to the Senators, demand more than lip-service.
I have been following some great blogging today by Glen Greenwald
http://www.salon.com/...
Update: I have not gotten through to Durbin's office this afternoon, per several Kossack Comments Durbin is NOW SUPPORTING the Filibuster and a No vote to cloture.
YES!
http://www.dailykos.com/...