It would help a lot to have the specifics on the issue. I want my Senators to support Chris Dodd’s filibuster, removal of telecom amnesty, and to vote against the final bill even if amnesty is removed – that’s my understanding. But I’ve been trying to find the exact names or numbers of the appropriate bills, so I can say “Please tell the Senator that I want him to vote for (or against) ‘X’”.

Can anyone help me out here? The regular media doesn’t seem to be listing the specific bills and amendments. Thanks!

Dear Senator Dodd/Feingold:

I am writing to thank you for your work on behalf of the American people. By filibustering the FISA bill scheduled for consideration by the Senate this week, you honor your oath to protect the Constitution — and by extension, your obligation to protect my rights and freedoms under the Constitution.

Warrantless surveillance of American citizens, expansion of already-overbroad executive powers, undermining of the oversight role of the courts, and the cover-up of government and corporate illegal acts via legislated immunity are neither necessary nor appropriate components of any program intended to protect the United States of America and her citizens.

I understand that you will not respond to this e-mail, as I am not a resident of Connecticut. Nonetheless, I benefit from your actions in taking a stand like this, and wanted to express my appreciation to you.

Sincerely…

I was going to telephone Senators Clinton and Schumer to express the same message, but am not getting through to either by phone, so I sent the following (similar) e-mail message:

Dear Senator Clinton/Schumer:

I am writing to ask you to join Senators Dodd and Feingold in filibustering the FISA bill scheduled for consideration by the Senate this week. By that action, you would honor your oath to protect the Constitution — and by extension, your obligation to protect my rights and freedoms under the Constitution.

Warrantless surveillance of American citizens, expansion of already-overbroad executive powers, undermining of the oversight role of the courts, and the cover-up of government and corporate illegal acts via legislated immunity are neither necessary nor appropriate components of any program intended to protect the United States of America and her citizens.

I am a resident of New York, and have been an enthusiastic supporter of yours. I feel very strongly about this issue, and wanted to express my hopes that you will represent me by resisting this damaging and inappropriate legislation.

Sincerely…

Mikulski – no position yet, i gave my pitch.

Nelson (FL) (202) 224-5274 – line is busy

Clinton (202) 224-4451 – line is busy

Nelson (NE) – supports immunity, thinks the telcos were treated unfairly

Pryor – voice mailbox full

Salazar – press 2 for staff, no position yet

Specter – is against telco immunity but does not commit to voting against a bill that includes it (surprise, surprise). is preparing amendments now. check website for details.

Feinstein (202) 224-3841 – line is busy

Webb (202) 224-4024 – line is busy

Warner (202) 224-2023 – no answer, let ring a long time

Snowe – no position yet

Collins – no position yet

Sununu – no position yet

Stevens – no position yet

Byrd – voice mail

Lincoln – no position yet (the person answering the phone had to look it up – that means they’re not getting enough calls!)

Reid – this one was a long one because i asked why a bill that a majority of dems in the house opposed was brought in such haste to the senate floor. i was told that reid opposes immunity. i asked why then had the senator only brought bills to the senate floor that included immunity (this one and the intelligence committee bill while burying the judiciary committee bill and the restore act) – that seemed to contradict his statement re immunity. i asked the person on the phone if she could help me understand how this could be. she said that senator reid was worried that the fisa legislation was set to expire and he wanted intelligence to be gathered in a timely fashion. i explained that FISA was still in place, that it would not expire, that wiretaps could still be obtained – even in an emergency without a warrant. she seemed genuinely surprised by this. i asked her to read the bill for herself or talk with someone who had because the statements that were coming from speaker pelosi and majority leader reid were not, as far as i could see, consistent with the facts. i think we’re not being told the truth.

Coleman – no position yet.

will start from the top tomorrow am, and then see how many additional senators i can call.

many thanks to all who made calls today. let’s do it again tomorrow.

quoting glenn again:

There’s still time, but not much — for lack of a better word — Hope.

… Not with a bang, but a whimper .