Dodd To Filibuster FISA Bill--Needs Material To Read on Senate Floor
from The West Wing--The Stackhouse Filibuster
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid loves parliamentary procedure so much that he is essentially selling out his own party to allow the Senate to debate the FISA bill with the telecom immunity. As Glenn spells out:
The summarized version is that there were two competing bills which Reid could have brought to the floor -- the Senate Intelligence Committee version engineered by Jay Rockefeller and Dick Cheney which gives the administration most of what it wants, and the Senate Judiciary Committee, which does not contain telecom amnesty and contains far more extensive oversight protections. Reid could have brought the bill to the floor using whatever process he wanted, and he has decided -- contrary to weeks of assurances -- that the SIC bill will serve as the "base" bill, meaning that improving it (by removing amnesty and increasing oversight) will require 60 votes, rendering such efforts virtually impossible. In doing so, Reid is brazenly ignoring the demands of 14 Senators -- including all of the Democratic presidential candidates -- to have the Judiciary Committee bill be the base bill.
Worse still, Reid is completely disregarding the "hold" placed by Chris Dodd on any amnesty bill -- simply refusing to honor it, even as he respectfully honors literally scores of "holds" from GOP Senators such as Tom Coburn. And while Dodd is interrupting his campaigning to fly to Washington to lead the filibuster he vowed, Reid has ensured with scheduling manuevers that the filibuster will take place only over the weekend -- when all of the members are away raising money anyway and journalists aren't paying attention -- with the intent to try to force cloture once everyone returns on Monday.
So if that's the way Harry Reid wants to play it, Chris Dodd is going to use parliamentary procedure as well--to filibuster the SIC version of the bill. Thank the deity of your choice for a Democrat who not only represents Democratic values, but also acts like an opposition party leader. I don't mean you, Harry. And like the The West Wing clip above, Senators Feingold and Kennedy have promised to help by asking questions, to give Dodd a chance to rest or have a bite.
But Dodd needs things to say while filibustering on the Senate floor. Shall he read the complete works of Shakespeare? George Orwell's 1984? Every time I see Karl Rove's face, I can't help but think of Animal Farm, myself. Or perhaps Shock Doctrine? How about the transcripts to one of Olbermann's Special Comments?
All good choices. But how about if Chris Dodd speaks for the American public as well? After 7 long years of feeling left out of the political discussion, there are many things I'd love to have a Senator say out loud on the Senate floor. I've been communicating with his office and they have authorized me to put out this invitation to you, as well as readers of FDL and other blogs.
What would you like to hear Senator Chris Dodd say as part of his filibuster?
I am going to sticky this post at the top of the page today to get as many responses as possible. Obviously, we're making no guarantees other than his office will definitely be looking at your posts. Normal commenting policies still apply.
And Senator Dodd? Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Please start with a full reading of the Constitution of the United States.
Thank you, Senator Dodd!
First of all, kudos to Chris Dodd for having the courage and patriotism to filibuster this horrendous knuckling under by Harry Reid in order to exonerate telecons who violated the constitution of our country!
Secondly, it's time that this spinless shill named Harry Reid step down from Congress. He's nothing more than a fraud and a puny, cowardly, sycophant. He's a total disaster in Congress and now also a total embarrassment to the american people. What a whimp!
My respects to the Senator... he should run for President! E
I've heard that the presidential candidates (Dems) promised to assist him with his filibuster. Now we'll really get to see what these people are made of. If any of the candidates reneges on his promise, he will be out of the running immediately.
This is a true test for each candidate regarding their level of commitment and patriotism to this country and a capricious renegade of an administration and executive whose abuse of power is legion and highly illegal.
My question to Senator Dodd:
Do you think it is really possible for honest people in this country to overcome the horrendous doings of the Bush/Cheney era?
Please reassure me that things won't always be like this. I will help!
Thank you, Senator! I'm backing you all the way.
He should read The End of America by Naomi Wolf!
No question! Straight through! PERFECT!
If he did that, I would walk across the country campaigning for him.... Hell, I'd be his slave.
Senator Dodd could do a fine job of reading the Constitution - the preamble and bill of rights, for starters.
We the people....
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.preamble.html
Time for new dem leadership and kick joe out of the caucus for endorsing McOld.
Reid is most certainly not "selling out his party". He epitomizes the boneless wonders.
Go Chris Dodd! We'll see if other candidates who've pledged support leave Iowa to help.
#3 Enor: In case you haven't noticed, Christopher Dodd IS a democratic presidential candidate.
Following this showing of patriotism, I'm certain that his numbers will rise.
Goddamn! What can I do to help him!
Nicole Belle: Dodd needs things to say/read on the Senate Floor. They cannot continue debate or call for a vote as long as he is speaking and refusing to yield. Post here in the comments ideas for things that Dodd can say.
It's becoming painfully clear that, other than a few good dems in Congress, what we were sold was another pack of lies during the midterms. Even in their lies, on a bad day, by far the dems are one hellova lot better than any of the perverted, hypocritical Rethugs.
This is what I want clarified. My understanding of FISA is that it allows the administration to conduct surveillance on potential terrorists/spies even without a judicial warrant, and that it allows the administration to do so for up to four days before requesting a warrant. So what is the problem? All this b.s. about the need for oversight getting in the way of protecting the country from the bad guys is just that - b.s.! No one wants a successful terrorist plot that kills thousands of people if not more. No one also wants an administration allowed to spy without any oversight (or no one should). FISA seems to be the perfect compromise. If modern technology requires longer waiting periods of spying before getting that warrant, then this part of the law can be updated. Therefore I have never understood there to be any legitimate problem here. It really has sounded like the administration wants unhindered power just for the sake of unhindered power. And too many frightened Americans buy into this.
So again, I want Senator Dodd to provide me answers as to why the administration has violated a law that really didn't harm them at all, provided, of course their intentions were honorable. And Senator Dodd is indeed a hero!
I also wanted to add my thanks. Perhaps the comments from this thread, as representative responses from Americans still interested in the Rule of Law, would be appropriate material for his filibuster?
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Charlie Savage's book, Takeover
Valerie Plame's book
Paul Krugman, the Conscience of a Liberal
The Federalist Papers
Those should be useful after a reading of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
Then he could read all of Dan Froomkin's columns.
Is Dodd really going to Filibuster the FISA Bill?
Dennis Kucinch's Articles of Impeachment.
First of all, this is great news about Dodd. I thoroughly support this filibuster and if he and Feingold can swing it so it happens during the week, so much the better.
As for what to recite: I think it would be instructive for Dodd to lay out all the government-sanctioned violations of the Constitution that Americans have suffered since the founding of this nation, including things like the Sedition Act of 1798 and the Palmer Raids of 1919-1920. Sadly, 1984 does not read like fiction anymore, so it would be germane as well.
Reid, on the other hand, is still the same spineless hack he has always been and though I would like to see someone of Dodd's integrity and caliber in the White House, I think it may be more realistic to push for him to become the next Senate Majority Leader. And I mean "next" as in immediately. It's time to transport Harry back to Navada so that Dodd can take the leader's podium, where he belongs.
Definitely 1984.
I love that episode, and thought of it immediately a few years ago when some MA legislators engaged in a mini-fillibuster to run out the clock on the first day of the ConCon to take away equal marriage rights.
Go Senator Dodd! Go Senator Kennedy! Where's Senator Kerry?
The Constitution, as mentioned.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Any good civics book you can find - some people in washington are in dire need of a reminder WHO the elected representatives in a democratic republic are supposed to serve.
The very hungry caterpillar - so that there is at least one text Bush is familiar with.
I would say starting with a refresher course of who our government is supposed to work, with an explanation of how the Co-Equal branches operate to keep eachother in check. hell, they can just run some old School House Rock's.
Thank You Sen. Dodd.
All the above, esp. the Constitution would be terrific reading material. Perhaps if we all sent letters of support to him or if he read heartfelt material from "We the People" -- that would also be a start. It seems many of our elected officials don't listen to "We The People" unless it's "We the Corporate Empire" that funnels big money into their accounts.
Macbeth's Soliloquy
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
-- Macbeth (V.v.19
Straight Shooter @ 1:
I concur with this comment. A lot of folks in that room have obviously never heard of it before.
Sen. Dodd should print out and read some Olbermann Special Comments, in addition to much of what people have suggested.
Dodd should recount all of the expenditures and contracts that have helped BA cronies, as well as how widespread these expenditures and contracts range within the Federal Government, and their success rate. That should take at least a couple of days.
orion @ 11:
It's called humor.
Maybe Dodd can kill a few hours explaining it to you.
I support your recommendation. Recommended reading for the NATION!
99 @ 6:
1) The Constitution
2) Al Gore's "The Assault on Reason"
3) 1984
4) A Transcript of a Boston Legal episode
5) The entire script of "Enemy of the State"
6) John Dean's "Conservatives without Conscience"
7) At least TWO of Olbermann's 'Special Comments'
8) The Whole bloody FISA law itself.
9) For good measure, the CONSTITUTION AGAIN.
I would ask Senator Dodd to remind his Democratic colleagues that with the possible exception of a pedophile, no one is lower than a collaborator.
Don Quixote. Un-abridged.
I second the Shock doctrine. Anything by Chomsky or Gore Vidal. Also, he could read from the National Security Archive. He could read the Downing Street Memos or the Spanish memo. This is all information that is out there but the average person is unaware of. He also could read some international treaties, such as the Geneva Conventions or the UN charter. He could reread Kucinich's impeachment filings.
I'd like him to read the US Constitution. Some of our Senators could use an update as to what is still ILLEGAL!!!
I think that Dodd just became a front runner for me. I've been listening to what he has to say for the last few months, and I've been reserving my opinion until after the primaries.
Thank You Chris Dodd....and anyone who is willing to assist him.
Reading material: I think that the already stated idea of reading the Constitution is a good place to start. The Federalist Papers, The Declaration of Independence, and Common Sense would be good. The Rights of Man, de Toqueville's essay on America.
Then there is the more current stuff, which I think should start with Krugman and Wolff and some Seymour Hersh. For shorter stuff, say, have one of the sympathetic Senators work it into a question, you could go with any of Olbermann's special comments. I say filibuster the hell out of them. If Reid and Pelosi won't be Dems, then it is up to the more robust in the party to take over. As Olbermann said, these are emergency times.
I hope you don't mind a cross-post from FDL, but I found this quite moving:
hollygo December 16th, 2007 at 7:07 pm 297
I thank Senator Dodd for the opportunity to participate in this debate. For the Senate’s edification: I’m twenty-three years old and a new voter who isn’t going away any time soon.
The United States of America is founded upon the rule of law. Senators and representatives swear to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” According to the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution—a document for which centuries’ of blood and tears have been shed—“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.”
Yet here the Senate stands, poised to grant immunity to telecommunications companies for profiting from the warrantless and lawless spying perpetrated upon the law-abiding citizenry; here the Senate stands, poised to usurp the judiciary, the branch of government responsible for determining whether the laws of the land have been broken and meting out punishment where appropriate; and here the Senate stands, poised to usher in its own irrevelancy—and, worst of all, in exchange for nothing: no promises that this flagrant lawbreaking will cease, no testimony to be offered in the course of real and rigorous investigation.
“Give me liberty or give me death,” said Patrick Henry. “Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither,” said Benjamin Franklin. Now the telecommunications companies lobby the lot of you, saying, “Give us immunity, or we’ll suffer the consequences of our lawbreaking.” Now the President comes before you, saying, “Give my partners in crime immunity, or there’ll be investigations and findings that taint my legacy.”
Never mind the judiciary. Never mind that it’s the job of the courts to ascertain whether any laws have been broken. So Congress rushes in to save the day! Immunity for profit-driven corporations, amnesty for lawbreakers!
I submit to this body that the Founders are rolling in their graves.
Voters could be forgiven for not realizing the Democratic Party won control of both houses of Congress in the 2006 mid-term elections, for there’s so little evidence of any checks being brought against President Bush, whose polling to date is both abysmal and deserved. Yet now Democrats brandish the majority and usher in much of the same: more war, more lives lost, more of our tax dollars pouring into places I’ve never even heard of, and here we’ve got next to nothing to show for it. I hear citizens of other countries get something for paying their taxes; I can’t even imagine what that’s like.
And what are Americans to think, except that they’ve been betrayed by both parties? I congratulate Democrats and Republicans for their breathtaking cynicism, for how well they’ve worked together to engender so much apathy among voters that millions of Americans stay home on election day. What choices we have!
The legislature abdicates oversight, puts blind faith in the executive, and extends immunity to lawbreaking telecommunications companies. Are those companies to be pitied for going along with the President’s plan in direct contravention of the law and raking in cash? Are they, along with the President, to be congratulated for their foresight, considering that this warrantless spying upon Americans is reported to have gone on well before 9/11? (And mind you how well all of that illegal surveillance served to protect us on that awful day.) Are these companies to be respected more than voters? Are they to be granted immunity for lawbreaking, in return for nothing? Congress doesn’t even appear to be interested in leveraging immunity in return for testimony.
What will I tell my children? It’s fine to break the law if the president says so? It’s fine to break the law if you can lobby Congress to grant you immunity? It’s fine to break the law if you can stuff cash into the coffers of senators and representatives? What country is this? I say again: the Founders are rolling in their graves. For the past fifteen years, I’ve watched the news and felt disgust for the whole sorry lot of you.
You who purport to lead, yet cower like beaten dogs before the President, as if he were king. You who vote upon legislation you likely don’t even read. You who coif your hair into absurd, unmoving helmets and whiten your teeth and don designers suits and appear on TV, daring to tell me you represent my interests. You who pass pointless, meaningless resolutions condemning commercials and congratulating professional sports teams for winning while Americans go hungry, while Americans go without healthcare, while Americans work two jobs to make ends meet, while Americans die in Iraq and Afghanistan. You who swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution and flatter yourselves by conflating your re-election with the interests of your country and constituency. You who fret about keeping your powder dry until the are barracks overrun.
You who tell me to live in a constant state of fear, but to keep on shopping; do keep shopping. How proud my children should be to be born American! They’ll shop in the face of constant fear with fists full of credit cards. And I’ll say to them, “What shall we buy tomorrow, children?” But, of course, I have my own ideas: our very own Senator, our very own Representative, our very own President. I should buy the whole sorry lot of you to be heeded at all.
And so here is the Senate in all its majesty. Where are the Patrick Henrys, the Benjamin Franklins? God save America from her greatest enemy: a pack of pathetic, self-serving cowards.
reply
Clearly, Dodd should begin with the Constitution. Then maybe the collected speeches of Abraham Lincoln (since George W. Bush is still convinced he's a war president), but definitely read something about Teddy Roosevelt's Trust-Busting. That ought to remind Reid that fighting corporate interests can be patriotic.
But for when the slog really begins:
The Open Society and its Enemies - Karl Popper (really takes on new value in this situation. Plus it's long)
Faust - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Achieving our Country - Richard Rorty
The Elements of Style - Strunk and White (maybe Kennedy will remember his prep-school days and ask a rambling question about how George W. Bush violated every rule for prose laid out in this book...but then again, I suspect Teddy was busy drinking behind the gym instead of reading this one.)
And if Reid won't cave...War and Peace by Tolstoy. Rosemary Edmonds translation (the new Pevear translation is far too readable, people might actually enjoy Dodd reading too much)
"Dubya, KISS MY ASS!"
That's what I'd love to hear him say.
:)
Collapse, by Jared Diamond.
The Constitution and The Bill of Rights. No need to insert fiction into this very important debate. Everything that's rotten and stinking about this worthless administration and its sick policies are attacked and shown for what they are in those two documents.
I suggest Sen. Dodd read an account of the Nuremburg war crimes trials, which established that "I was just following orders!" is not an excuse nor a defence. The telecoms should have understood that the administration's requests were illegal and unconstitutional, and should have refused. Since they lacked the judgement or will to do the right thing, they should be held accountable.
I vote for the Starr report.
The Libby trial transcripts...ALL of them.
He should go old school: the Magna Carta
There are so many great suggestions. I wonder also if the Senator can read the rules outlined by his cell phone provider, or that of his wife, children, etc.
For example:
Compliance with laws clause - Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on our websites.
And if I don't agree with what they do? Explain the Dispute Resolution and Mandatory Arbitration clause.
How about that yellow book, "Armed Madhouse"?
Joe Rogo @ 361
Wow! That's excellent. Thanks for posting that.
Whoever the next democratic president is, I hope they strip Reid and Pelosi of their leadership posts.
All repukes have to do is say boo, and Reid capitulates. Yet when one of his own stands up for the constitution and the democratic base, he shits on their heads. What a worthless bastard!
For Reid, there has got to be some C.Y.A. on this one for the dem leadership and some Senators. I can see no other reasonable explanation.
I think Senator Dodd should read the story in each gospel where Jesus is throwing the moneychangers out of the Temple. Granted, that will only fill a few minutes, but it would make a great clip if any media did show.
After he's done, can we clone him to give the other Democrats spines?
well...it looks like a showdown......finally............
Maybe he should read the definition of "spine".
digdug @ 67:
Last time Dodd promised a filibuster, (on the Mukasey confirmation) Reid hastily scheduled a vote when Dodd and the other candidates were out of town. Then in spite of the fact that there were enough votes to sustain a filibuster - 40 of 93 present - not one Dem had the wit or guts to stand up and say NAY! when Reid asked for unanimous consent to end debate!
So it ain't over till it's over - not with the Quisling Reid in charge.
I suggest reading the Constitution and Declaration also - but over and over until the bill is defeated. Maybe they will learn something by rote.
"Because the president told me to" is never a valid reason to commit criminal acts. I don't care who you are. We live in a democracy, not a monarchy. Congress must not sanction overturning the rule of law by granting immunity to law breakers.
NoGWBpolicyleftinplacesays @ 373:
The president has no say over who the Speaker or Majority Leader is. Nor should s/he.
I applaud Senator Dodd, and wish him stamina.
UnEasyOne @ 377:
Very true. And my question is whether there will be enough people supporting the filibuster to defeat the cloture votes. Dodd could be willing to talk endlessly, but if the Senate ultimately votes to shut him up, that's that.
We'll need to be watching what the rest of the Senators do -- especially Clinton, Obama, and Biden.
Reading Catch-22 would be good, particularly, chapter 40, wherein Yossarian is cornered into the deal with Colonel Cathcart and Colonel Korn. At the very least, it would remind everyone of the false choices being presented by the proponents for this legislation.
mudshark @ 351:
actually, senator dodd doesn't have a chance in hell. he's a good man, doing the right thing, but he doesn't have a chance in hell in this presidential election.
neither does my favorite candidate, dennis kucinich.
what we're left with is a choice between obama and clinton, whether we like it or not.
hillary voted for iraq -no way in hell i'm voting for her.
she also voted for kyl-lieberman, as if to hammer home the message that she's a total dip$#!+.
i'm voting for obama. america can do just fine without clinton's brand of "beltway experience."
The reading list:
The Declaration of Independence
The Constitution of the United States
The Gettysburg Address
Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America
John Dean's Worse than Watergate, Conservatives without Conscience, and Broken Government
Paul Verkuil's Outsourcing Sovereignty
The entire Dkosopedia on Restoring Our Constitution, found here
Every single Special Comment Keith Olbermann has done
Every single NYTimes op-ed Paul Krugman has written over the last seven years
Every single Seymour Hersh article from the New Yorker over the last six years
Every single transcript from Bill Moyers' show for the last couple of years
Every single article the late great Molly Ivins wrote since 2000
Oh, and he can tell Harry Reid for me that this citizen and Democrat wants the Senate Majority leader to kindly behave like one, and stop playing footsie with the Republicans. I am utterly sick of the spectacle.
That should do nicely.
Thank you, Senator Dodd. Give 'em hell!
rom the space mite. ........................hey you found your meds.........oh and for the side topic you were ranting about....every dog has it's day......theres still time to re-open or start a new investigation when these criminals are out of office....but now is not the time or thread to discuss this.......see ya holmes
oh...and don't forget Edwards.....he still deserves a look at.
Common Sense and The Age of Reason, by Thomas Paine.
He could give away Republican strategy and tactics by reading Mein Kampf.
99 @ 6:
A great suggestion! Fantastic booik!
WOW! If true... It feels like the Boston Tea Party... or maybe the Hartford Tea Party!
"Hip... hip... hip HURRAY!"
Note to self: Gotta join the Dodd Squad!
edgar allan poe and the transcripts from the torture sessions. doh!
mudshark @ 386:
i do like edwards but i can't vote for him because he authorized iraq. it's that simple.
look, i was a piss-poor wage-slave without an internet connection back in march, 2003.
i figured out the neocons were spewing propaganda to trick the american populace into supporting internationally illegal preemptive war of aggression.
why would i vote for a millionaire beltway insider who was either too aloof at the time or downright complicit to figure out what i was shouting from the rooftops?
The Bitter Butter Battle, Dr. Seuss
Annie @ 16:
I'm reading Krugman right now. Every candidate running for the presidency and for congress should read it and take it to their hearts. Krugman reminds us why there is an increased economic inequality in the US since the 1970's and I don't know who Krugman might support, but it increases my support of Edwards.
War and Peace, the entire thing obviously. :)
I concur with the above recommendations of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, Common Sense, and other works associated with the foundations of our democracy.
I would caution against reading more modern writers, or works explicitly or, by implication, of specifically liberal or "Democratic" (big-D) in their leanings. The FISA bill should not be a partisan issue, even though it is to a large extent. Stick with the Founders.
Any book/text on Habeas Corpus, its importance, history, etc.
Also: "We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated governments in the world - no longer a government of free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and duress of small groups of dominant men." - Former President Woodrow Wilson
Senator Dodd can be our Mr. Smith goes to DC. I hope the senator does read the bill of rights and the constitution, then go onto other American writings. Thomas Paine is a good start. I want him to be the common man fighting against the evil-doers that work at the Whitehouse. Bring back our voice, and bring back our rights.
"[Oppose] with manly firmness [any] invasions on the rights of the people."
-- Thomas Jefferson: Draft Virginia Constitution, 1776. Papers, 1:338
John Dean's book "Broken Government".
Good for you, Senator Dodd. And shame on you, Senator Reid. A question: Why does Reid force a Democrat actually to filibuster, while he backs down to Republicans who merely threaten to filibuster? What's the procedure for replacing Reid?
Suggested reading matter: 1984 would be good. I'd also suggest the Declaration of Independence, at least the part that says: "[W]hen a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce [the people] under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."
My Pet Goat
Followed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Then...Crossing the Rubicon by Michael Ruppert
Thank the Diety?! Thank CONNECTICUT. Dodd is the CT senator that doesn't suck.
PBS transcript of Keith Olbermann on Bill Moyers program - 12-14-07
Supporters of the Democratic Party are Charlie Brown to the Party Leadership's Lucy. How many times will you let them yank the ball out from under you before you recognize that they are not part of the solution, but a key part of the problem confronting this country today. Time for Democrats to cut-and-run from the Party.
It has been maybe a year since I read of a lawsuit in one of the NE states against the local telecom and their surveillance activity.
Maybe someone remembers this and can provide an update with links.
My Hero, Senator Dodd would do well to read specific, court records that demonstrate the dangers of the bill.
AND... I like 99's suggestion in post 6
"He should read The End of America by Naomi Wolf!
No question! Straight through! PERFECT!"
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
It is clear the thinking public is ill-served by media consolidation. Look at the rise of soft news / infotainment in the last ten years. Are there examples where media consolidation has created more understanding and social benefits, solving issues, more jobs, better health? I know I can't see any benefit. The counter argumant is there will be more $$ to finance new projects. WTF, what new projects have happened due to past media consolidation? Please somebody? It is all a transparent money grab.
Perhaps Mr. Dodd would like to read the Constitution to his colleagues? I think many politicians on the hill could really learn a lot from a brief history lesson; I bet they haven't read it themselves.
I've been on C&L for a few years now and very rarely does a topic end up with so many comments. The amount of comments alone should speak volumes about how important this is.
I think it would be appropriate to read every word of the original Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, followed by each and every amendment made to it since then - just to give his fellow Senators a little refresher !
Like so many others here, I think he should start with the Constitution. However, I think that is all he should read--over and over again.
And, in addition to all these great suggestions from everyone, I hope you are all going to his website to donate: I did--again. Responsible leadership requires recognition, and, unfortunately, for presidential candidates, this means money.
Dodd '08
Our country is under assault, not from without, but from within. Our values, our civil rights, our very nature being dismantled piece by piece. We cannot continue down the path of lawlessness any further. To immunize gigantic corporations for illegal activity, activity that no one will even define, which cannot be evaluated, can only lead to further disregard of the law. Our current administration is criminally negligent, crimimally liable, criminally tyrannical. Our Constitution is under seige. As the representatives of the People of the United States of America, you must stand in opposition to these authoritarians. Our nation is not one of nobles and serfs, but of individuals with dreams and ambitions. Individuals who deserve to succeed as their intellects and energies allow. Individuals who elected you to public office. It is time, nay, it is past time for you to stand for US, for the PEOPLE. Not for the corporations, not for the lobbyists, not for campaign donors, but for US. For me. For my children. Do not capitulate to the bullies and leave us to be victimized further.
Thank you, Senator Dodd. I will be watching. The world will be watching.
I would also like the full declaration of independance read to remind the senators that we have thrown out tyrants before.
We are met,in the midst of a nation brought to moral,political and material ruin. Corruption dominates the ballot box,the legislatures,The Congress,and touches even the ermine of the bench (courts)....From the same prolific governmental injustice we breed two great classes.....................tramps and millionaires...........The Populist Party platform...1892
IMPEACHMENT!!!!
1984 must be read! It is definitely pertinent to the cause.
I miss West Wing. And Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
IMPEACHMENT!!!! What I'd like to know is, why have impeachment proceedings not started against this administration???? They broke the law!! As I understand it, they completely ignored the FISA statutes, then they were taken to court and the courts agreed that they broke the law. What more evidence does one need of "high crimes and misdemeanors"?
All of the majority opinions of the Supreme Court to date.
The Constitutions of all the states in the United States
The Tennessee Tech Hymn
:Words and music by Joan Derryberry
:The quiet hills stand steadfast 'round walls of russet brown. On halls serene and campus green the smoky hills look :down; And steadfast may I cherish what thou hast giv'n to me. Oh Alma Mater Tennessee Tech, God prosper thee.
:Deep purple stand the mountains and golden sets the sun. We proudly wear these colors fair until our goal is won;We :pledge thee faithful service, our love and loyalty. Oh Alma Mater Tennessee Tech, God prosper thee.
The story of dammit the dog: http://www.tntech.edu/thedog.html
The TN Tech Catalog http://www.tntech.edu/ugcat/html/
hrm what else, lets throw some TMBG in there uh Shadow Goverment:
"Driving home from my meth lab
Realized something had changed
Looked in the sky
Saw with my eye
The moon was following me
Where's the shadow government when you need it?
Where's the shadow government?
It's a bad, bad world
It's a bad, bad world
Sifting through the confetti
I picked up my broken phone
Looked in the crack
Somebody waved back
Just sitting on their somebody throne
Where's the shadow government when you need it?
Where's the shadow government?
It's a bad, bad world
It's a bad, bad
[Cowering citizens:] [The shadow government:]
Up the library steps
Up the library steps
Up the library steps
Up the library steps Here comes
Up the library steps The Humvee
Up the library steps The Humvee
Up the library steps
Crawling out of the flophouse
I saw the mayor stealing my junk
I doth protest, citizen's arrest
Now my body's in his trunk
Where's the shadow government when you need it?
Where's the shadow government?
It's a bad, bad world
It's a bad, bad world
It's a bad, bad "
and Istanbul (Not Constantinople) just make sure it;s in the most monotone voice possible:
"Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
(Oh) every gal in Constantinople
(Oh) lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
(Oh) so if you've a date in Constantinople
(Oh) she'll be waiting in Istanbul
Even old New York
Was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks'.
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo / ohhhhhhh ohh ohh ohh
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo / ohhhhhh ohh ohh ohh
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo / ohhhh ohh ohh ohh ohhh
Istanbul (Istanbul)
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo / ohhhhhhh ohh ohh ohh
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo / ohhhhhhh ohh ohh ohh
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo / ohhhh ohh ohh ohh ohhh
Istanbul (Istanbul)
Even old New York
Was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way
Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks'
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks'
Istanbul"
The lyrics to 2pacs entire discography
Thank You Senator.
My vote is for "The Assault on Reason"
V V
Senator Dodd...please read the Gettysburg Address.
I think the best thing you can do is just read the constitution and bill of rights over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again because I think they forgot whats in it so drill it in their heads for hours and hours!!
Read the Declaration of Independence; the Constitution; the Bill of Rights; the Federalist Papers.
I haven't read all the comments, but you should read the constitution (including the bill of rights), the declaration of independence, the federalist papers, the articles of confederation, and some of Lincoln's speeches.
Many great suggestions here already. Most of the right wingers could use a good dose of The Sneetches.
The entire unabridged versions of:
"The End of America" by Naomi Wolf
"Takeover: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy" by Charlie Savage
"The Assault on Reason" by Al Gore
"A Tragic Legacy: How a Good vs. Evil Mentality Destroyed the Bush Presidency" by Glenn Greenwald
"Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad
"America" by Jon Stewart
"I am America and So Can You" by Stephen Colbert
I would say read 'a modest proposal' but the rest of the house might think it was a good idea for the buffet at the next bohemian grove meeting, if it isnt what theyre doing already...
I would like to hear the senator talk about the internment of Japanese during WWII or the McCarthy era. These are black eyes that the company suffered in the name of exigent circumstance, that upon reflection did not justify compromising those things that make America great. I would also welcome hearing about Dodd's father's involvement during the Nuremberg trials. I don't know if Senator Dodd would feel uncomfortable reading from his recent book, with his father's letters, but I think it would be appropriate.
How about reading "Assault on Reason" by Al Gore. He could read it nice and slow, in that Al Gore style.
Thank you Senator Dodd!
Many excellent suggestions...
one I haven't seen is:
Wendell Berry - Thoughts in the Presence of Fear
Read the Constitution a few times.
Recite the lyrics to "Masters of War."
The Starr Report.
"Those Who Trespass" by Bill O'Reilly.
Read the part in the King James Bible that says that it's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Balance it out with similar passages from other holy books. Mention how these aren't law because he's not allowed to make a law respecting the establishment of religion.
The script from "It's a Wonderful Life".
The script from "Network".
and as a Grand Finalé... Every word from the last three years of Keith Olbermann's "Special Comments"
The Constitution, The Bill of Rights, and the Articles of Impeachment, in that order. ~M
mudshark @ 351:
Simply because he stood up and made something move. ...lets hope.
He's got my vote, anyways.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Al Gore's Rule of Law speech should be quoted:
Restoring the Rule of Law, Remarks by Al Gore, As Prepared: January 16, 2006
{snip}
Yet, just one month ago, Americans awoke to the shocking news that in spite of this long settled law, the Executive Branch has been secretly spying on large numbers of
Americans for the last four years and eavesdropping on “large volumes of telephone
calls, e-mail messages, and other Internet traffic inside the United States.” The New York Times reported that the President decided to launch this massive eavesdropping program “without search warrants or any new laws that would permit such domestic intelligence collection.”
During the period when this eavesdropping was still secret, the President went out of his way to reassure the American people on more than one occasion that, of course, judicial permission is required for any government spying on American citizens and that, of course, these constitutional safeguards were still in place.
But surprisingly, the President’s soothing statements turned out to be false. Moreover, as soon as this massive domestic spying program was uncovered by the press, the President not only confirmed that the story was true, but also declared that he has no intention of bringing these wholesale invasions of privacy to an end.
At present, we still have much to learn about the NSA’s domestic surveillance. What we do know about this pervasive wiretapping virtually compels the conclusion that the
President of the United States has been breaking the law repeatedly and persistently.
A president who breaks the law is a threat to the very structure of our government. Our Founding Fathers were adamant that they had established a government of laws and not men. Indeed, they recognized that the structure of government they had enshrined in our Constitution – our system of checks and balances – was designed with a central purpose of ensuring that it would govern through the rule of law. As John Adams said: “The executive shall never exercise the legislative and judicial powers, or either of them, to the end that it may be a government of laws and not of men.”
Start thinking about how to preserve your voice. Talk slowly, pause a lot. Give minimal volume. Don't eat lots of throat candies with menthol - menthol dries out the throat. Try to hydrate two days before the filibuster. Just drinking lots of water the day of won't help as much. These are tips from a professional singer. Good luck to you!
Oh yeah, he should read the entire Bible, the Torah, AND the Koran.
Make those scumbag xenophobic Republicans listen to an entire reading of the Koran
It would appear that Sen Dodd also voted for the use of force in Iraq........
Thank you, Senator, for showing the courage and integritry so apparently lacking in your colleagues.
Noor has a good list, and if you are constrained, then I might choose that list.
But, may I suggest that you get Olbermann and other contemporary writers to write, in *real time* if need be, the speech of our generation. Set up a website and get people to write for you. Have pages deliver it to you on the floor.
I will personally write at least 1,000 words if you would like.
This may be an historic act. That does not mean it has to rely on the words of history.
Kudos to Chris Dodd.
Where are the OTHER candidates, promising leadership??? Here's an opportunity to demonstrate.
I would also suggest anything from The American Empire Project.
Also, I would like to concur with those suggesting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
First, and foremost, he needs to read the Constitution of the United States of America. Then Valerie Plame's book, and I also like the idea of Orwell's 1984.
My question for Senator Dodd is this: Why haven't the Democrats been able to force BUSHCO into allowing imports for prescription drugs in this country? I was forced to sign up for a Medicare Part D plan, and hit the 'doughnut hole' the end of July this year. Since then, I have had to pay over $400/month for my medicines. Therefore, I have had to cut back on essentials, and had no $$$ with which to buy Christmas gifts. The fact that Congress seems to care more about Big Pharma than they do their constituents completely destroys my hope that the Democratic Party will EVER be able to undo all the horrors that the Bush Administration has thrust upon Americans. Bless you, Senator, for by standing up and having the courage to say very loudly NO!!! , you speak for all Americans who have had 'way more than enough!"
Looks like a PR stunt, he'll get crushed by the usual suspects.
i would like senator dodd to read a list of all of the dead servicemen from the iraq war with each servicemans name followed by the wikpedia/towns/citys webentry for his area of residence.
a temp worker savvy with the googles could easily do it in a day.
AGREE WITH NUMBER 1 OVER AND OVER UNTIL IT SINKS IN. MR XDIODD ASHOW HARRY HOW A MAJORITY LEADER DOES HIS JOB. GOD BLESS YOU AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS YOUR BACK.
I called the 3 senators linked on Dodds page, got voicemail for Obama and full mailboxes for Biden and Hillary
Here are some links to media related studies. There's certainly some useful and pertinent material for Dodd to read. Some of it is relevant to Connecticut as well.
http://homepages.uconn.edu/~sfo00001/FALLOUTFROMTHETELECOMMACT5905.pdf
http://homepages.uconn.edu/~sfo00001/FCCandMediaOwnership.pdf
http://homepages.uconn.edu/~sfo00001/HartfordNewsStudy.pdf
http://homepages.uconn.edu/~sfo00001/HartfordHealthCare.pdf
I would like to see Senator Sheldon Whitehouse working alongside Dodd, Feingold and Kennedy on this.
The Institute for Economic Democracy has a couple of their books available for free online. Sen. Dodd, and everyone else for that matter, should take the time to look through them.
Please also read the oath of office that every Senator and Congressman takes to uphold the Constitution.
There are several good anthologies of American political literature: The American Reader, edited by Diane Ravitch, and Words That Set Us Free, by the editors of the World Almanac, are just two. A reading or two from JFK's Profiles In Courage would also be appropriate, along with a reading from Caroline Kennedy's Profiles In Courage For Our Time.
Don't know if this has been suggested but how about the Federalist Papers.
Senator Dodd, Thank you. Now can we prosecute? I understand Milosevic's cell is empty, should be enough space for Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell et al.
Naomi Wolf's: The End of America: Advice to a Young Patriot:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RjALf12PAWc
(sorry, I couln't find a transcript, but somebody out there must have voice recognition software that could get this into print.)
Dodd should read the U.S Constitution in it's entirety. It would appear that many in the Senate (Including quite a few of his Democratic Party colleagues) need a refresher.
1. President Eisenhower's, "Farewell Address," which predicted the takeover of our republic by the military-industrial complex.
2. Selections from Dodd's father's correspondence on the Nuremberg trials.
3. Portions of the transcripts from the Church hearings on the CIA and/or the debate on the original FISA bill.
How do we replace Reid? Holy Joe is bad enough...
How does one change the leadership of Senator Reid, and Nancy Pelosi... can other democratic senators do that, fire them... and get a new speaker and majority leader. This is absolutely insane. Complete political suicide, (not to mention morally wrong) ... why are they doing this??
Have him read a list of the Cons' transgressions over the past ten years. That should take as long as he could ever possbily need.
Why doesn't Dodd just *threaten* to filibuster. That's what Republicans do, and Harry Reid instantly rolls over and gives them everything they want.
craig @ 61:
I second this.
So as not to squander the moment, he needs to read a compilation of the crimes and other failures of the Bush administration. Have someone feed him a steady supply of the best of the blog accounts.
Scarabus @ 42:
Those were exactly my first thoughts :(
Put together a playlist of lyrics to spice in between the larger readings....
....I offer some Rage
Transmission third world war third round
A decade of the weapon of sound above ground
No shelter if youre looking for shade
I lick shots at the brutal charade
As the polls close like a casket
On truth devoured
Silent play in the shadow of power
A spectacle monopolized
The cameras eyes on choice disguised
Was it cast for the mass who burn and toil?
Or for the vultures who thirst for blood and oil?
Yes a spectacle monopolized
They hold the reins, stole your eyes
All the fistagons the bullets and bombs
Who stuff the banks
Who staff the party ranks
More for Gore or the son of a drug lord
None of the above fuck it cut the cord
Seems obvious to me, but how about the full text of the bill, including all riders, etc...
And I voted for Reagan/Bush (the first time, I never made the mistake again. It was the worst mistake I've ever made in my lifetime.)
Sometimes making a mistake makes you see the 'error of your ways', and makes you a better person for it. I mean, look at David Brock (of "We will we will Brock you" parody fame.)
I mean, *I* won't get fooled again.
"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein needs to be shouted from the rooftops
He should talk about how the American people need to do more then bitch and moan about what these monsters are doing in Washington.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/d000388/ Senator Dodds Voting record........at the bottom of the page you will see.."previous votes".....they go pretty far back...
Thank you senator.
I think you should print out these comments and read them directly to Reid (try to drag Pelosi over from the House chambers too) so he understands what America thinks of his leadership.
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