Chris Dodd: My Hero

A "hold" is not a magic elixir to stop legislation. It doesn't stop the "spy all you want to on Americans; nothing is illegal" FISA bill. All it means is "I will not accept any 'unanimous consent' motions to speed this bill on its way." Every little, piddly, procedural step is going to require a roll call vote.

I don't know what it is about Bush and warrentless spying on American citizens that makes senatorial Democrats roll over and take it up the ass like a herd of man-puppies. Search the chairman of the Intelligence Committee Sen. Jay Rockefeller's own website, I did, and try to find a single statement is defense of this unconstitutional disaster. Try to find a single instance in his entire career where he has referenced the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. ~ Fourth Amendment, United States Constitution

My senator, Diane Feinstein, is a little better. She has spoken in defense of the Fourth Amendment before voting to gut it. On a day when she voted to permit the warrentless wiretapping of American citizens (weak-assed safe-guards be damned), her official website headlines her vote to erect a Rosa Parks statue in the Capitol. Beyond the obvious that many (most, all) Democratic senators share President Bush's belief that the Constitution is a quaint out-of-date document in the 21st century and may be discarded whenever it becomes inconvenient, I am at a lose to understand their actions. Their submissive caving suggests abject, quaking fear.

Which brings me back to my hero, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT). A "hold" is the first step to a real filibuster. Each tiny step in the process of the bill will now require a vote. Each vote is subject to debate. Each debate can be filibustered. Each procedural vote requires cloture with 60 affirmative votes. Each cloture vote is another opportunity for a Democrat to grow a backbone. You have taken this first step, Sen. Dodd. I have faith you will see the fight through to the end.

To the Hon. Mr. Senators Russ Feingold & Ron Wyden
You were the only ones to oppose the FISA rape of the Constitution in committee. Please do not let Sen. Dodd fight this fight alone. Please join him in talking this bill to the grave it deserves.

To Senators Barack Obama and Pat Leahy
Don't just talk the talk, walk the walk. You have said you oppose this bill. Show it.

To the rest of the United States Senate
If you cannot muster the courage to vote no on cloture, please abstain. If you cannot find the courage to abstain, absent yourself from the votes. Take a walk, hide in the bathroom (check first to make sure Larry Craig is not in the next stall), visit a constituent in Walter Reed Hospital. Deprive cloture of 60 votes by whatever means you can.

To Senator Hillary R. Clinton
By your actions shall ye be known.