Like a true leader Chris Dodd is gathering supporters for his courageous stand for civil liberties. As we reported on 2 days ago Chris Dodd is fighting to prevent passage of a deeply flawed FISA bill which includes, among other things, retroactive immunity for telecoms who broke the law when assisting the governments domestic spying program. His stand was immediately joined by Feingold and Biden, but others have been slower to join the cause.

Why anyone would support blanket immunity before we begin investigations into the depth of the abuses is incomprehensible. The abuses against American citizens’ 4th amendment rights began at least 7 months prior to 9/11 and were obviously of no use in preventing that attack. This is a situation that demands a serious investigation to determine the scope of our governments abuses; an investigation that will never happen once immunity is granted. Which is why our administration is pushing so hard for the immunity, because they know that if we start investigating we will discover massive breaches of laws and constitutional rights.

This is why I am relieved to finally see the top two Democratic contenders step up and start showing their support. While slow it is still better than not at all. This bill is a travesty of justice and I am surprised that more Democrats have not shown the leadership and good judgment to stand against it. Via Greg Sargent at TPM here are two quotes from Obama and Hillary on supporting the filibuster.

“Senator Obama has serious concerns about many provisions in this bill, especially the provision on giving retroactive immunity to the telephone companies. He is hopeful that this bill can be improved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. But if the bill comes to the Senate floor in its current form, he would support a filibuster of it.”

~ Obama Spokesperson Bill Burton on 10/23/07

Q: Can you discuss your position on the reauthorization of the FISA bill?

HRC: I am troubled by the concerns that have been raised by the recent legislation reported out of the Intelligence Committee. I haven’t seen it so I can’t express an opinion about it. But I don’t trust the Bush Administration with our civil rights and liberties. So I’m going to study it very hard. As matters stand now, I could not support it and I would support a filibuster absent additional information coming forward that would convince me differently.

~ Hillary Clinton at press availability in Colorado 10/23/07

I wish these two statements had been worded stronger. Clinton’s in particular is full of holes and barely counts as support giving how easy it would be to slip out of. Obama on the other hand will actually need to show up if he is going to offer any support. I am pleased that they were willing to go on record to support the filibuster and our Constitution however. Any support is much more than I can expect from the other side of the isle. They cant seem to destroy the Constitution fast enough.

*UPDATE 10/24/2007 4:55pm ~ William*

Richardson has thrown in his support on this important issue.  With any luck enough of our Democratic leaders will join in and be able to really make a difference.

There can be no compromise on personal rights and privacy. I urge my Democratic primary opponents, and every Senator, to stand up and state loudly and clearly — without any equivocation — that he or she will not pass any bill that grants retroactive immunity to companies that willingly aided the Bush administration in violating the law and spying on our own people.

Source: firedoglake.com

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