“It’s a very frayed and strained relationship right now, and that’s not a good thing for the country in terms of keeping all of us safe,” said an industry official who believes that immunity is critical for the phone carriers. “This episode has caused companies to change their conduct in a variety of ways.”

This is why I think a highly visible assault by the netroots (if no one else) could make a difference. Companies spend mega-dollars on advertising to court consumer goodwill. As long as there are several competitors, and at least one will refuse to play... there is hope. Played right, we may not have to care what Harry does is we can get the telecoms to care what we do.

There is voice recognition software out there. Dragon Naturally Speaking is one, as I recall. You might compose in a standard word processing application (eg, Word Perfect)... and, then could copy and paste. They were pretty rudimentary when first available, but I understand they're pretty sophisticated now.

TPM highlights Dodd's email calling Clinton, Obama, and Biden to support the filibuster, and includes an update from Leahy and Wyden supporting Reid's decision to bring both the SIC and SJC bills to the floor for consideration.

"Mexicans!! Tonight we dine in ... SAN DIEGO!!!!"

http://dneiwert.blogspot.com/2007/12/reconquista.html

Put together by Latino Comedy Project

Highly recommended.

I've seen that abbreviation used here and there, but couldn't be sure I knew what the writer meant when they wrote it. Thanks for putting it in a board enough context to give it meaning. I also, then, assume it's a slur. Got it.

I hope ondelette, KB, or Arne chime in on that thought. I could display my towering ignorance of the issue by trying to describe why it might be not much of a solution. Eg, IIRC, there was an individual in Boulder, CO who had developed an encryption package that was nearly impossible to de-encrypt. IIRC, he couldn't bring it to market because relevant agencies didn't have - or, might not be able to develop - an encryption key. But that was years and years ago - I'm not sure where the situation is now. My guess is the most commonly available encryption packages are fairly easily deciphered by someone determined to de-code the message?

PGP is one of the programs I was trying to remember. Ah, yes, Zimmerman. I'd forgotten the story. He is a really interesting human being. Yep, the issue of a key escrow was part of that fuzzy memory. Thanks for the memory prompts.

My emails to Biden, Clinton, and Obama requesting they honor their pledge to support Dodd went out Friday - for all the good it apparently did. Apparently, support is a word they know how to find in a dictionary - but it is just a word, after all. I'm sick at the thought that not one of them seems available to stand with Dodd on this filibuster. Digby spun a lovely fantasy about the four of them shouldering this filibuster together, and the message it would send (http://tinyurl.com/2zgetu). Alas, it was only a fantasy. And, it tells me a lot about what these three folks really believe.

My donation to Dodd's campaign went out the same day.

I think Jane may leave her comment section, where folks can leave their thoughts for Dodd to read, open throughout the evening. As my thoughts gel, I'll write one to include. Many at FDL have suggested that Dodd might want to read a number of the essays you've posted here. Not sure what Salon's policies might be in that regard, but perhaps is a conversation you could have with Jane.

packerland progressive at Kos put together a flow chart of the filibuster procedure (link at my sig). I can't attest to its veracity, but if accurate, it breaks a very complex process down into a step-by-step picture. It's worth a look.

Holly, that was a hell of a letter. I full well expect Dodd to read it. I hope his colleagues in the Senate are smart enough to listen carefully when he does. Well done!

Go, Ted Kennedy, Go!

Kennedy is calling the spade a fucking shovel... says the skunk stinks... He's laying the whole bloody, stinking, decomposing carcass at the feet of the Senate. Unreal!

I believe you're offering a nice rationalization for Mr. Obama (and, for Clinton, Biden, Richardson, McCain, et al by default). My interpretation of the absent Senators' behavior is that they are a good deal more interested in defending their opportunity to take the President's oath to defend the Constitution, than they are in defending the Constitution itself. I am profoundly disappointed in their choice.

And, I believe your assertion: ... the majority of Democratic voters in Iowa fall in the sleeping category. is - unless you live in Iowa and have specific information by which to defend that assertion - an unfair one for you to make. I believe Dodd turned his Iowa campaign stops for the period in question into rallies so that Iowa folks would know where he was/why he was not there. While I agree with you that there is a substantial percentage of the population that is "asleep," I am unwilling to say Iowa has a higher percentage of snoozing citizens than any other state has.

Again. I respect your loyalty to your candidate. And, Obama is fortunate to have you as a staunch defender. However, it is still reasonable for me to express my profound disappointment in his choice. Obama's presence in DC right now would speak volumes to me measured against Clinton's absence.

Thanks for that link. I just *love* this:

I will happily listen to supporters of telecom immunity enumerate all the various arguments justifying and mitigating carriers’ actions in this case. And when they’re done, I’ll simply say this: “If your arguments are so reasonable, why don’t you trust a jury to see them?”