Why is the <I>Times</I> ignoring Dodd's FISA hold?
By Nicole Belle Sunday Oct 21, 2007 11:58am
Sign for your support of Sen. Dodd's hold on FISA until retroactive telecom immunity is removed.
Corrente: Because you'd think this story has everything: Dodd, alone among the Democrats, stands up to a Bipartisan juggernaut to grant the telcos retroactive immunity for massive lawbreaking-a story the Times itself broke-by saying he'll put a hold on the bill. Reid, the Senate [cough] leader, says he'll ignore the hold. Dodd raises the ante, says he'll [gasp] filibuster. Biden joins in. Hillary and Obama waver on the sidelines.
We've got the Jimmy Stewart figure, standing alone against great odds. We've got dissension in the Democratic caucus. We've got craven politicians. We've got bags of corporate cash.
In short, we've got a rich, compelling narrative, filled with drama, human failings, and high principle.
And if all that's not enough, Dodd's from the Time's circulation catchment: Connecticut. What, the locals aren't interested in their Senator?
So, you'd think the Times would be all over this; or at least give it a paragraph in the Week in Review.
But n-o-o-o-o-o-o-o! I wonder why not? Read on...
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Because the media will only print the alleged frontrunners name, which is weird because nobody has even voted in a primary yet. So there ISN'T a frontrunner because every candidate has the same amount of votes under their belt. Unless of course the media decides who is a frontrunner and not the American people.
That's not a serious question, is it?
*
Why would the media cover something as anti-Corporate, socialist and communist as law enforcement for corporate criminals? It is un-American to prosecute Corporations for breaking Federal Laws and betraying the US Constitution and American Freedoms!
If Corporations can't betray America, then what happens next? We ask politicians to obey the law?
This should stand as a real moment of truth for Democratic voters. Hillary and Obama need to wiegh in NOW or forfeit any Presidential support. We are sick of them waiting until the last minute calculating their stands until it is either too late to matter or to late to lead. If they cannot step forward with leadership now, they will not lead us as President. Americans will support a candidate with political courage. So far, Hillary and Obama have not shown any courage.
The New York Times has been prosecuted before remember when Judy Miller was thrown in jail for not naming here sources for her pro-war propaganda? One hand washes the other, Scooter would be a free man if everyone was given immunity, or: free as in not having to get pardoned after being found guilty.
How do we get Dodd into Reid's job?
Time and Time(s) again, they have shown that they are Pwned. It is as simple as that. Getting a timely story from NYT is like dealing with constipation; it's gonna come out but usually after a lot of pain and struggle and, most likely, not enough to relieve the problem.
Sign! Sign on the provided link and let this man know we appreciate his standing tall.
You're joking, right?
Nothing's gonna interfere with the Corps jostling to get their pony into the WH.
And no front-runner will dare piss-off their liege-lords.
I found this on wired.com this morning guess this explains why Rockefeller worked so hard to bring immunity for telco's back into this. http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/10/dem-pushing-spy.html
Top Verizon executives, including CEO Ivan Seidenberg and President Dennis Strigl, wrote personal checks to Rockefeller totaling $23,500 in March, 2007. Prior to that apparently coordinated flurry of 29 donations, only one of those executives had ever donated to Rockefeller (at least while working for Verizon).
In fact, prior to 2007, contributions to Rockefeller from company executives at AT&T and Verizon were mostly non-existent.
But that changed around the same time that the companies began lobbying Congress to grant them retroactive immunity from lawsuits seeking billions for their alleged participation in secret, warrantless surveillance programs that targeted Americans.
The Spring '07 checks represent 86 percent of money donated to Rockefeller by Verizon employees since at least 2001.
AT&T executives discovered a fondness for Rockefeller just a month after Verizon execs did and over a three-month span, collectively made donations totaling $19,350.
anonymous @ 8:
I signed it! We need ALOT more people like this guy...I don't know a hell of alot about him, but he seems to be acting like more of a statesman than any of his peers...they're mere politicians...
Everytime you want to know why the MSM does or does not do something, think of the "control voice" from the opening of "The Outer Limits";
"There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do
not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling
transmission. We will control the horizontal. We will
control the vertical. We can change the focus to a soft
blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next hour
sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear.
You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are
about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches to
the inner mind from. . . THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA."
Um, Dodd is mentioned as one of the few bright spots in the otherwise dismal Democratic Congress...
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/opinion/20sat1.html?ref=opinion
democrats always have room for improvement.
Why no mention? The times is a rethuglickin' rag. Maybe the JO might have an article, but the times? Doesn't even have a CT edition any more. There is no more Hartford Times. I used to deliver the times when I was a kid. Now there's only the Courant, and the JO.
Finally a couple of Dem's with real balls and guts. Go Dodd, teach all the other spineless Dem's how to say NO to this corrupt and criminal administration.
why, why, why.
at least the republicans are upfront about thier bullshit. dems try to appeal to the masses while following in lock step w/ thier corporate benefactors.
ALL the politicians who continue to say/do nothing about the illegal invasion, the criminal bush administration, etc., are PART OF THE PROBLEM.
why, why, why.
at least the republicans are upfront about thier bullshit. dems try to appeal to the masses while following in lock step w/ thier corporate benefactors.
ALL the politicians who continue to say/do nothing about the illegal invasion, the criminal bush administration, etc., are PART OF THE PROBLEM.
If he hasn't already, George Soros should buy the NYTimes.
Obama, if you have any desire for my vote, TAKE A STAND ON SOMETHING. I am sick and tired of this "hope against hope" rhetoric with absolutely no balls behind it. People who are leaders make tough decisions that can sometimes be unpopular. It doesn't mean you need to start a war, it means that you need to throw the consultants to the curb and TAKE A STAND FOR SOMETHING. THAT'S what makes a leader, not someone who goes which way the wind is blowing. If you can't take a stand, you don't deserve to lead this country. Chris Dodd has my vote at the moment.
Please, I beg my C&L friends to call their Senators and DEMAND they stand with Chris Dodd and support his hold and/or filibuster of the FISA bill. It only takes a minute and its a FREE call.
1-800-828-0498
1-800-614-2803
(ask operator to connect you to your Senator/Rep)
Also, please call Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Ask them if they stand for the Constitution or the Telecom Companies. Its one or the other. The fact that they haven't commented on this issue sadly leads me to believe their loyalty lies with the Telecoms.
It's time to loudly spread the word that the so-called leading Dem, Clinton, is on the side of the corporations that have committed crimes against US citizens and who want to own the internet.
Sometimes silence says more than words.
Does this really surprise anyone? When you control the media, you control the message. I was surprised that even blogs like The Huffington Post gave Dodd's stand little attention. We have to become more vocal and get the message out. Haven't heard much from Fiengold either since last Friday.
Now how is the rich Bush, corporate bastards, going to try to buy Dodd off?? When are the Dems going to show some guts or backbones and stop kneeling in front of Dumbya and Dickhead?
Nothing's going to interfere with the buying of the next preznit.
Even the blogs obsess with the money being raised by the front-runners.
Our only representation will come from netroots candidates. Not just because we're throwing them cash, but because they seem to believe in ideals: the things that founded our nation and still underpin anything left that's worth a damn.
SBGypsy @ 16:
What's the JO? Just curious. I'm in CT, but it's not ringing a bell.
It is time for all elected officials to stand up to the lawlessness of this administration.
As sherifffruitfly pointed out above, a NY Times editorial on Saturday says:
"There were bright spots in the week...Senator Christopher Dodd, the Connecticut Democrat, said he would put a personal hold on the compromise cooked up by Senator Rockefeller and the White House."
One thing I think is pretty funny, though, is how he says he can't stand still for it "any longer." Then he asks for money. Well, I gave him money because it is important, but it's a pretty icky feeling when a politician tells you he will finally start doing his duty if you pay him some extra money for doing the job he should have been doing all along. A lone Jimmy Stewart, he's not. If he's a crook, though, at least he's my crook.
Its not just the NY Times. Its ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN. Where's this important story about saving the 4th Amendment to the Constitution?
AT&T and Verizon are HUGE advertisers on all these networks. That's why this story is getting almost no coverage.
As Glenn Greenwald has pointed out the telcos. were headed to CERTAIN DEFEAT in the courts. The damages from the pending lawsuits could be HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of $$$. And criminal liability is in play as well. So they simply dumped a bunch of cash on the congress and said write us a bill that gives us retroactive immunity. Its beyond disgusting. We cannot let corporations break the law, violate our civil liberties and then PAY congress to make it all legal. Where will it end?
Blogging is not enough. You must call your Senator, Hillary Clinton, Obama, Harry Reid and DEMAND they support Chris Dodd. Demand they CRUSH the FISA bill today!
1-800-828-0498
1-8000-614-2803
(ask the operator to connect you to any Senator or Congressperson)
I don't know why the press does anything these days.
But I am absolutely sick to my stomach about this bill and the fact Harry Reid has decided to go to the dark side.
Not to mention the lack of support from Hil and Obama. We're doomed, people. It's a slow death spiral to a fascist black hole.
well, let's try to guess what will happen from here. . .
Um. . . the democrats will cave and let the criminals go.
That was easy !
ralph @ 33:
God damn memory holers at the Times trying to "prove they aren't liberal" by ignoring Dodd
Eric Jaffa @ 29:
The NY Times editorials are usually right on the money. Keep in mind though that the news and editorial divisions are two separate entities. Dodd's hold should have rated a mention in a news story -- if not a story on its own.
For all of you near a radio, Chris Dodd will be on the Ed Schultz show in 5-10 minutes.
Joementum @ 36:
Agreed; at least they still remain two seperate, independent, entities; whereas when
Rurpert Murdick actually takes over the WSJ, everything printed/reported therein will
be faux news with a ultra converative leaning and you and I can forget about reading
anything in that publications containing factual and unbiased views.
Heretic @ 30:
Dodd opposed the Military Commissions Act at the time, but he couldn't stop it. The vote was 65-34.
Chris Dodd is my choice. Period end of disscusion he is leading on the issues I care most about.
Eric Jaffa @ 39:
yeah it feels icky. It goes against my principles too. But I realize that he is asking for money because it is the ONLY way he can do anything about what is going on today.
You're right, Dodd's hold does deserve more discussion but the Times did have a great editorial a few days ago, excoriating the Dems for caving in to the Repubs on issue after issue. The theme was that, often times, they can't even tell that the Democrats won back both Houses of Congress. Someone here will correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the editorial mentioned Dodd's hold as one of the few examples of Dems doing the right thing. (It did not mention that Give-Em-Hell Harry said he was going to bring the bill to the floor anyway.)
I think it is about time for a constitutional litmus test of our representatives.
isn't the times currently in litagation with the government on this matter?
Like they say, if they haven't done anything wrong, big telecom has nothing to hide.
No Immunity! Our world has been delivered to the NSA. No Immunity for big phones!
Why is the Times ignoring Dodd’s FISA hold?
I have a better question: Why is Harry Reid trying to sling Chris Dodd under the bus for filibustering this issue?
Great article, but the conclusion is off base.
The democrats are not doing anything, but it is not because they are scared, as is implied.
Instead, as their supporters in the previous election are finding out, there is not a whit's worth of difference between the parties. They have both sold their soul to corporate interests, and a government of corporate consensus is what we are left with.
"Given up our rights" Americans gave up their right to say anything when the federal reserve was created and Americans became slaves to the corporate masters. They don't give a crap what you think or demand about your rights. You have the right to remain silent...that's it.
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