Drop A DimeA Call to Action

The FISA bill has started moving in the Senate. Senators Obama, Clinton, McCain, and Graham have not gone to Washington to vote on this bill, which would strip American citizens of their First and Fourth Amendment rights and grant retroactive immunity to the telecommunications corporations who have been spying on us at the request of President Bush since before 9/11. In all likelihood, this bill will be voted on tomorrow. In order to support Senator Dodd in his filibuster, in addition to the Senators who are currently standing with him, three of the Democrats who voted against the Senate Judiciary Committee proposal, which would strip immunity from the bill and protect American citizens and the Constitution, would have to change their vote and Clinton and Obama would have to return and stand with Dodd in reality, as they have said they do in principle. Here are their numbers, so that you can call them again: Obama (202) 224-2854, Clinton (202) 224-4451. These two senators have a unique opportunity to show us just how important they believe the Constitution is. They have the opportunity to stand and protect it and us. If they can not do this, what kind of president would they make?

Here are the Democrats who voted against the SJC proposal:

Bayh (202) 224-5623

Carper (202) 224-2441

Inouye (202) 224-3934

Johnson (202) 224-5842

Landrieu (202)224-5824

McCaskill (202) 224-6154

Mikulski (202) 224-4654

Nelson (FL) (202) 224-5274

Nelson (NE) (202) 224-6551

Pryor (202) 224-2353

Salazar (202) 224-5852

If any of these Senators represents you, call them. Indeed, I am calling all of them, although none of them represent me. Their offices are not open over the weekend, but you can leave a message on their voice mail. They need to know that we expect them to fulfil their oaths of office and protect the Constitution. They need to know that we do not buy the idea that we must trade freedom for security. They need to know that we are aware that this has been going on since before 9/11 and that it didn't prevent that attack. They need to know that we are watching them.

And they need to know that no one is above the law.