Are you willing to go to the mat to restore the Constitution?
Just last night, we heard there are plans to disregard Senator Dodd's intention to place a hold on a FISA bill that includes amnesty for telecommunications companies.
That would be a pretty extraordinary move, but Chris Dodd has pledged to stop this horrible bill any way he can.
So if the hold is not honored, he is prepared to go to the Senate floor and filibuster.
Rolling back the Bush Administration assault on the rule of law has been a major focus of Chris Dodd's work in the Senate -- and it's also a centerpiece in his campaign for President.
Your contribution will help us take our message of restoring the Constitution through the cornfields of Iowa, the streets of New Hampshire, and into the White House.
http://www.chrisdodd.com/constitution
Democrats were elected to change the course of this country - to restore our security and our values - and for too long Congress has not.
It's time to take a stand.
Your support over the past twenty-four hours has been inspiring -- but with both Republicans AND even a few Democrats pushing back -- Senator Dodd needs it now more than ever.
http://www.chrisdodd.com/constitution
There is a direct relationship between our diminished standing in the world and the current Administration's assault on the Constitution.
Standing up for the values enshrined in that document doesn't make us more vulnerable ... they make us more secure.
The Senator likes to say that if he is sworn in at noon on January 20, 2009, he'll begin restoring the Constitution by 1 P.M.
You can help get him there right now.
Comments
Please prevent this god-awful bill from going any further. I support you wholeheartedly.
You have my support, Senator Dodd! (And I made a contribution yesterday after you announced your hold.) This is not going to be easy -- but thanks for being a bright spot in the darkness!
Filibuster until you make Jimmie Stewart proud. I'm very proud of you.
FYI, I sent his to Sen. Reid.
Sen. Reid
I was part of a thrilling netroots effort yesterday that encouraged your colleague Sen. Dodd to put a hold on the FISA legislation. Now I have learned that you may ignore that hold.
I believe that you are a decent, honorable Democrat who wants to do what is best for our party and the American people. Others who are emailing you on this subject are being more bold and direct in expressing their beliefs and I hope you do not dismiss their thoughts because they are expressed in a less civil manner than you would express your thoughts,
The friends of mine that I have joined all deeply care about America as much as you do. We simply believe that our government and congress have come to a very dangerous crossroads and believe that a firm stand must be taken before our course is irreversible. Some of my friends already believe we are speeding so fast that we have passed the point of no return.
I see from your personality and the way you carry yourself that you are disgusted with how the Republicans in congress conduct themselves and do business. I know that you spend all your waking moments finding a way to bring Democrats to a position where these obstructionists to justice and the rule of law can be soundly defeated and civility returned to the congress and the White House. My deep concern is that your civil, measured tactics will be too little, too late.
I served my nation in the Air Force for 28 years and my deepest fear is that while you are waiting for the 2008 elections, Iran’s nuclear facilities will be struck by my Air Force and we will repeat the tragedy of Iraq and lose any chance for eventual peace in that region. My second deepest fear is that the rule of law and the balance of power in our three branches of government is clearly in jeopardy.
I’m sure you would agree that there is too much at stake to worry about the 2008 elections if you are enabling our government’s enemies to continue to succeed at their gross and un-American tactics. The American people are looking for someone in leadership and I believe you are best situated to be that person, to stand up and say enough.
I admire what Chris Dodd has done and although he very much wants to be president, I believe he even more deeply wants to reverse our government’s course. The Republicans will attack his courage by saying that he is only doing it because he is so far behind in the presidential race.
No one will be able to attack your character or intentions so easily if you are the one to take the stand. Defending our constitution and liberties is difficult because it is hard for the average American to relate to the problem unlike the S-CHIP where you can bring children with you when you address your bill. Yet it must be done.
I know that you are well aware of the success of Republican war of fear through the war on terror and how much 9/11 has infused a weakness in the American psyche to the point that they are willing to give up personal liberties for the sake of the nation. It is up to you and your Democratic colleagues to convince the American people that Roosevelt was right when he said, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” Your fears and our fears have led us down a path that Americans other than the authoritative, sick Neocons never wanted us to travel.
Your moment in history is here. You are best situated to take a stand that instead of damaging Democratic chances for victory in 2008 will ensure that victory. If you wait, our enemy will bring fear to a level that they will show the American people that Democrats are too weak to be in charge in such a dangerous world. And the executive branch will run roughshod over the congress and Supreme Court until the empire they are ruling collapses.
Please, please stand up and say that I am mad as hell and won’t take it any more. Americans will listen and learn when it comes from someone of your mild mannered personality. They will believe you, will listen and back you up. You have this choice at this most critical time in America’s history. For the sake of so many oppressed people and destroyed lives in this world, please don’t let it pass you by.
Yay! He made me tear up. I made my donation. I posted about it on my blog. I'm on my way to sign the petition.
Thanks for taking this difficult but necessary stand. You're a leader I can follow.
Stay strong.
My most sincere thanks, Senator Dodd, for your courageous stand on the FISA bill. Alone among all the candidates, and among Democratic senators, you have showed real leadership and the kind of backbone that I can only wish were contagious. Please know that the people have your back on this, because the people are way ahead of the politicians on this issue. The more you stand up to this president, the more you stand up for the rule of law and the Constitution, the more you back up your words with real and effective action, the more support will come flocking to you and your campaign.
This country is in dire need of bold leadership - such need as I never thought I would see in my lifetime. My thanks to you, Senator, for showing America what that looks like.
A tip: take a blanket and an empty milk carton.
This could be a Mr. Smith Goes to Washington moment.
Snenator Dodd, I support your efforts wholeheartely, "...a Partriot must always be prepared to defend his coutry, against it's goivernemnt.". Keep up the good fight.
I gave yesterday, but if you filibuster, I will give again. You have my support! And I am happy to sign my name to this.
I want to say congratulations to you Senator Dodd, for taking your responsibility to the American people and our Constitution seriously. But it's surely a sad day to have to congratulate someone for being the only one to stand up for your rights...
Rebecca L. Marks, Esq.
Jamaica Plain, MA
Thank you.
I really like what Dodd is doing with the latest hold.
However, there is a disconnect between what Chris Dodd said in the video and what is on the web site. He said that people can sign up to be citizen co-sponsors or something like that. When I go to the web site, the hold seems to simply be used as a fund raising ploy.
In order to fund raise I think the first step is to get people committed and then committed people give money.
Thanks,
-Brian
Thanks for your comment Brian.
Our homepage has two parallel actions now:
1. Go to http://chrisdodd.com/constitution to make a donation.
2. Go to http://chrisdodd.com/fisa to stand with Chris Dodd in his effort to block telecom amnesty.
I have no money but I gave a little yesterday (and switched my support from Edwards to Senator Dodd) when I heard that finally there was a Democrat with the courage to take action not just against Bush but against the spineless leadership of the Democratic Congress. You might want to educate me (and everyone else) on the history of holds, so if Reid undercuts you on this, we'll know if it's routine or extraordinary. In either case, you will have millions of us cheering you on in your filibuster if that's necessary. Let the Democratic leadership know they work for us, not corporate America. And (I hate to be cynical) you will also finally make the media notice your presidential campaign. Speaking of which, I don't notice the frontrunner speaking out -- I called her office and they don't know where she stands on this.
Senator Dodd,
Thank you again for your principled stand and for not backing down in the face of opposition. It is truly refreshing to see action beyond mere posturing. Please keep us informed of all that we can do to support this effort and your bid for the Democratic nomination.
Chris Dodd is the Man. He will earn tremendous support if he perseveres. He should also put a hold on any new bill that does not restore habeus corpus. If the executive can disappear people at will, all is lost.
Thank you for taking a stand. Finally someone with a spine.
Yes, thank you! Please set an example for the others in our Party: how to behave as a defender of the Constitution so many others have died to defend. You'll get my vote.
Senator Dodd, thank you for doing the right thing. I hope you can sit down with Senator Reid and have a heart-to-heart. You have my support.
You have my support and support of every American patriot.
Please, please stand up and filibuster the bill, so the big Telco's do not get amnesty for breaking the law.
All American patriots are pinning their hopes on you. You are the only one with spine among the spineless dems.