Also, I have heard that this government has attacked and invaded a sovereign foreign nation under false pretenses, occupied this nation’s territory, and terrorized the citizens of this nation. The people of this victimized country have witnessed ethnic cleansing while military command of the invaders sat by in complicity, and while private militias affiliated with the invaders actually committed acts of atrocity and instigated bloodshed. Although these militias are not part of the invading military, by the claims of the leaders of the invasion force, they ostensibly take orders from the invasion’s leadership.

I have also heard that this government has enlisted private contractors to engage in mass surveillance of it’s own citizens, regardless of any cause or suspicion of wrongdoing, and that those complicit in this surveillance all knew that the laws of this government expressly forbade such actions. Also I have heard that the leaders in this government are trying to circumvent the courts in thier country by passing dubious legislation that will forgive the conspirators of their lawbreaking.

In different times, I would think that the United States might have aninterest, and even a duty, to intervene on behalf of the occupied country and other sovereign nations of the region, to impose sanctions and other effective means to press this government to capitulate and end such oppressive tactics. Unfortunately, the country that I have been told of commiting these Orwellian, undemocratic and fascistic transgressions, is my own. To think that the United States, the paragon of freedom in my youth, has become the next victim to Big Brother, is sickeningly tragic. To right this great wrong against humanity, I can trust in only God, and Dodd.

Thank you Senator Dodd for your willingness to forego what is telegenically pleasant, politically expedient, and calculatingly unmeddlesome, for an act of true leadership which may save our great democratic republic.

-Richard Garrison
Raleigh, NC

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Ask your colleageus: Is this where America is headed? Is this the fate of those who stand up and call us cowards and are spied upon and put in prison without benefit of habeas corpus?

Cuz it sure looks like it!

I cannot emphasize enough my admiration for you taking this courageous stand on behalf of the Constitution. While not perfect, the US Constitution, and the balance it creates between government and the rights of the people to be free from tyranny, made this country an inspiration to oppressed people all over the world. The vision of people governing themselves, and not being spied upon and oppressed by thugs, is what the Founders created many years ago. It is what makes me very proud to be an American. Now our own government is behaving like the worst of the dictators and spying on its own people outside of the law. In FISA, we have a system that more than adequately balances security concerns with the majesty of the Fourth Amendment promise to be free from government intrusion. The Administration wants to gut that law in order to hide what I can only assume is evidence of their wrong-doing. True patriots who love their country and its principles should never agree to this travesty. You have my strongest support in your battle. I only wish I could be in the Senate gallery to personally show it. I ask your fellow Senators, in particular, your fellow Democratic Presidential candidates, to make a similar show of support. These are times that try men’s souls, and I am glad that not all are sunshine patriots.

My warmest regards, and deepest thanks, for fighting to leave my daughters the blessings I have enjoyed, your proud constituent,

Joe Scordato

Please read Abe Lincoln’s speech at Cooper Union. It is a perfect example on how to talk about constitutional issues and in it Abe defines his opposition more precisely than any other example I have ever seen. Godspeed in your effort this week and please believe you have the Constitution and we the people behind you. A link to the speech:
http://showcase.netins.net/web…..cooper.htm

Forgiveness is only possible when the individual seeking that forgiveness clearly identifies the particular offenses which needs to be forgiven.

This has not been done by those seeking this amnesty.

The individual seeking Forgiveness must also acknowledge the specific hurt and pain their transgressions have caused.

This has been studiously avoided by the Telcoms seeking amnesty.

The individual seeking Forgiveness must make an apology and make restitution when possible.

None has been forthcoming from the amnesty seekers.

No. What the Telcoms seek is not forgiveness but the legal equivalents of risk management and risk minimization. Their concern is for their legal and financial liability.

In league with Administration official, these corporations have trampled the Rule of Law and the civil rights of an unknown mass of american citizens.

For the Senate to grant these companies immunity without informing the American citizenry of the specific wrongdoing which has been committed against the public will make the Senate complicit in their wrongdoing and contempt for the American electorate.

“Wrongs are often forgiven, but contempt never is. Our pride remembers it forever.” –Lord Chesterfield

The people of the United States will not soon forget the contempt this measure, S. 2248 shows for their Constitutional civil rights.