Constant FISA Updates

I'll use this diary to post updates as I get them over the course of the effort to top stop FISA today.  I'll use the above the fold portion to highlight the most recent update(s), and then archive others in the extended entry. -- Tim

Latest Update 11:24 AM
I understand that Hillary Clinton will NOT make it back for any votes on FISA, or support of Chris Dodd's filibuster.  

Also, Rockefeller indicates that the vote on the Leahy Amendment (Judic.) will be happening at around 2 PM.  Update reflected below.

Update  - 11:32 AM
MoveOn goes out to their list asking Clinton and Obama to return and participate in a filibuster.

Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have both said they oppose this immunity bill, but now is a time we need real leadership. Senators Obama and Clinton have enormous influence with Democrats right now-if they helped lead a filibuster against this bill, other Senators would take notice and the public would see Democrats showing principle and backbone.

Can you call Senator Barack Obama today? Tell him we need his leadership to help block immunity for phone companies that helped Bush break the law. Here's the number to call:

Update 3 11:04 AM
Leahy amendment will be the first vote, and that should happen at around 12:30 P.M. 2 PM this afternoon.  And by Leahy amendment, I mean the Judiciary Committee Bill -- which should have been the base bill.

Update 2 - 11:00 AM
Dodd will vote against the Feinstein amendment.  The Courage Campaign has an excellent run-down on why this path is a poor one.

Update 1 - 10:56 AM -
Well played, ACLU.  Majority Leader Reid might not have felt a sufficient amount of heat as Americans with computers (the netroots) attempt to intervene on FISA, but I can promise you that articles like this in hometown papers get staffs and Senators to pay attention.

Las Vegas Sun

Sen. Harry Reid angered liberals in his party last month as he sought to shield telecom companies from liability for their role in the Bush administration's domestic spying program.

As the Senate debates the surveillance issue this week, the criticism of Reid shows that his role is putting him at odds with his party's base.

Tim

Relevant Note: It is important to note that I no longer work for Chris Dodd, and I post here on my own accord.

•  Relevant Links for today

  ACLU
  I am posting at Open Left
  Chris Dodd's Senate website
  ChrisDodd.com
  Glenn Greenwald
  Firedoglake
  CREDO Blog (where Matt Browner-Hamlin is posting)

  by ttagaris on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:11:25 AM PDT

  •  Contact the Senate

    FDL has phone numbers, but CREDO Action has set up an alert to email/fax your Senators.

    Please take a minute to participate in this action over at CREDO.

    by Matt Browner Hamlin on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:14:58 AM PDT

  •  Greenwald's blog today made my blood boil.

    Time to put some heat on Sen. Rockefeller.
    [phone]
    Let's give him a call today and tell him where he can stick his premature claim of victory for his telco's, Cheney and Bush.

    by word player on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:20:30 AM PDT

    •  A snip from Greenwald:

         "I think we will prevail," Rockefeller said on Wednesday, adding that he hoped the Senate will finish the bill by next week. The FISA legislation expires in February, and both President Bush and GOP congressional leaders have demanded new legislation be in place by that time.

         "It's a pretty bad idea to appear cocky," Rockefeller noted. "I am not pessimistic."

      For an entire year, Congressional Democrats have won absolutely nothing. They've given in to the White House on every one of its demands. Yet here is Jay Rockefeller strutting around declaring Victory and having to battle against feelings of cockiness because, finally, he is about to win something.

      (bold in the original)

      Aaargh!

      by cotterperson on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:29:05 AM PDT

    •  Done. That phone call did nothing to fix the bill

      but he needs to know where he stands with Democrats after his spinelessness.

      by blueintheface on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:40:52 AM PDT

  •  thankyoudodd.com

    http://www.thankyoudodd.com will have some actions and ways to thank Dodd for his leadership (like retiring his campaign debt) in a couple minutes...

    by fatbyjhnsn on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:27:31 AM PDT

    •  Updated

      You can watch the debate live from http://www.thankyoudodd.com

      by fatbyjhnsn on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:49:44 AM PDT

•  There is a liveblog started...

  Liveblog: Senate FISA Debate Mothership

  But we want to hear it from Dodd's side as well...so recommended this diary as well!

  by SallyCat on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:17:12 AM PDT

•  The Intelligence Committee Report

  is procedurally defective, and all it takes is Dodd or Feingold to raise a point of order objecting to the bill on that basis, to bring this out-of-control freight-train to a crashing halt, as I describe in my diary here.

  by packerland progressive on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:19:00 AM PDT

  •  Dodd and Feingold

    Someone get this to Dodd and Feingold.  It is worth trying at least.  Call their office perhaps and bring up that the committee report does not follow the Senate Rules.  I have no idea how to get something to a Senator.

    by Tantris on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 10:06:33 AM PDT

•  I called my senator,...

  Sherrod Brown.

  The person on the other end said, "We have been getting a lot of calls in support of Senator Dodd."

  Keep it up folks.

  by Gator on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:19:06 AM PDT

  •  Called mine as well

    but she's too busy campaigning to show up and support Dodd, although the staffer said she supports him, I guess that would be "in spirit."

    by proudprogressiveCA on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:25:23 AM PDT

•  immunity is next for whom?

  Maybe we should grant immunity to Adolf Hitler while they are at it.

  by jalapeno on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:20:22 AM PDT

•  Thanks Tim!!!

  You Rock,... and you have rocked through the entire Bush Regime.

  by Gator on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:21:43 AM PDT

  •  Great job Tim

    You have been a great advocate and communicator for the Senator, and you have always done really good work, since I have known you here.

    You were someone I looked up to when I got here, and I still do.

    Thanks again.

    by Dems2004 on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:56:59 AM PDT

•  Not Impressed

  If what is said here about Sen. Clinton is true.  Now is the time for Barack Obama to win some fans.

  by bink on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:27:52 AM PDT

  •  And Obama?

    by Bartimaeus Blue on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:30:02 AM PDT

    •  We Need to Hear

      From both candidates on this ... stat.

      by bink on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:33:21 AM PDT

  •  Excellent point. Just made that call.

    His office said that if he was absent, it would keep the Republicans from being able to break the filibuster. Told his office that wasn't good enough. Told him that Obama needs to be there to stand up on the floor and help with the effort.

    Then I called his campaign HQ and left a message saying the same thing.

    I support Barack Obama for President. But I understand that unless he starts showing leadership on issues such as these, he's writing off a lot of progressives who are desperate to see something besides rhetoric from our candidates. I hope he does the right thing today.

    by blueintheface on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:38:15 AM PDT

    •  Yes! From both Hil and Barack. LEAD!!!

      by JVolvo on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:52:42 AM PDT

•  As I listen to this

  ..."debate," I wish a Senator would do something besides make a speech (whether I agree with it or not).  I wish one would stand up and challenge the people who want immunity.  Challenge them on how patriotic telecom companies are by pointing out that they cut off their service when they weren't paid.  When they mention that Bush will veto it without immunity, ask why, if this bill will save lives, are they more interested in protecting the companies than the American people.  And every damn time that they talk about this being a bipartisan effort?  Ask when the last time was that they ever were interested bipartisanship?  Cripes. On and on...actually debate rather than taking turns making speeches that no one (except us) is listening to.

  by BarbinMD on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 08:32:00 AM PDT

  •  It's maddening

    to watch all the opportunities for examination go unused.

    This is a farce, and not a very clever one at that.

    And good morning, Barb!

    by Dems2004 on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 09:54:20 AM PDT

    •  Afternoon now

      ...so, good afternoon!  

      by BarbinMD on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 10:38:17 AM PDT