A quick update for C-SPAN junkies (of which I am normally not one), Dodd is on CSPAN-2 right now laying into the FISA Bill and the Bush Administration. Watch it online here.
My recap after the break:
I missed the beginning of Dodd's remarks, but some highlights so far:
- Nothing has changed regarding the last FISA Bill and this one regarding retroactive immunity, so people opposed to the last bill should have no excuse to vote differently this time.
- This issue must be looked at in relation to torture, extraordinary rendition, the politicalization of the DOJ, the possible perjury of AG Gonzales. Looking at them as a whole, one has to ask if this Administration feels it is above the law. Looking at Congress's inaction in response to these multiple injustices as a whole, one has to ask if this Congress feels the law serves the President or the President serves the law (IMHO, he was basically implying Bush should have been impeached many times over by now).
- Quoted Reagan, Madison, and the Church Investigation as numerous examples of people calling to put our government and rule of law above individual people or parties. He wondered if "some young Senator, perhaps one who just joined us in the last few years, would be our Church and lead in investigations (Dodd's a subtle guy...). Or perhaps a Senator not yet here."
- Pointed out that FISA has stood through years of war, cold war, and terrorism, under Democratic and Republican Presidents, and America has survived.
- Cannot understand why the telecoms deserve immunity. Why would we give up a chance to learn what really happened? Pointed out that the Bush Administration was asking for Executive Branch immunity as well, strongly implying that they are aware they've broken the law. Points out that Bush is the most secretive Executive since Nixon, and wonders what we don't know about this.
Consider this a Liveblog, with updates in the comments below.
UPDATE: A few other facts he covered earlier that I left out.
1a) It's very dangerous to decide that the Executive and Legislative can remove the Judiciary from the process of determining legality is a very dangerous precedent. No get out of jail free cards, now or ever.
2a) Pointed out the evidence of the NSA's secret AT&T room in San Francisco, that hasn't been investigated and never will be if this passes. Fits into the pattern of coverups.
4a) The FISA Court has an over 99% approval quota. It works! Why did the Administration feel the need to go around the Court? We'll never know if we pass this law.