"a drop of water to someone stranded in the desert will seem like a royal feast."

Along those lines, I finally got "a drop of water" (if you can even call it as much as that) from DiFi's DC office today.

I just called in (for about, I'd say, the 8th time in the past two weeks) and asked the phone-answerer why my Senator had voted "yes," in the Intelligence Committeee, for the FISA bill, which includes retroactive immunity to telecoms which violated federal law by spying on Americans without a warrant.

I was told by the phone answerer that (and here's the miniscule drop of water) the Senator has "deep reservations" (!) about the bill, and understands that her constituents also have reservations (!) about the bill, and that the constituent concerns appear to be in regards to the issue of retroactive immunity for the telecoms.

I asked why my Senator voted "yes" on a bill that she has "deep reservations" about, and was told that she voted solely to move it out of the Intelligence Committee, but that the Judiciary Committee (on which my Senator also sits) will be the primary battleground for this bill, and that the Senator hopes that her reservations will be addressed there, in Judiciary Committee deliberations.

I asked if the phone-answerer, or anyone in the office, could tell me what the specific nature of my Senator's reservations are. I was told (for the zillionth time in the past two weeks, good-bye water drop) that my Senator has not yet issued a statement declaring her official position on this topic, but that she is very sensitive to the constituent contact she has been receiving, and understands that many of her constituents are concerned about the retroactive immunity provision, and that he, the phone-answerer, would certainly pass along any additional messages I may wish to communicate.

I pointed out, to the phone answerer, that Senators Dodd and Obama and Biden had all issued unequivocable declarations of the intent to fillibuster any FISA bill which includes retroactive immunity for the telecoms, and that President Bush had declared his insistence that any FISA bill include retroactive immunity, and that I certainly hope that my Democratic Senator from California stands with Senators Dodd, Obama and Biden on this issue, rather than standing with President Bush. The phone-answerer assured me that Senator Feinstein is well aware of the stances taken by her fellow Senators (Dodd, Obama, and Biden), and that he would certainly pass along my message.

End of call.

Patrick Meighan

Culver City, CA

This was well worth fifty bucks of my money.

I understand, strategically, the purpose behind limiting this campaign to congressional targets, but emotionally, I wish I could've cast a vote for (er, against) my senator: Dianne Feinstein.

I can't count the hours I spent last year pleading (PLEADING!) with DiFi (via her staff, of course) to stand against retroactive immunity... and of course she rolled over like the piece of elected garbage we all knew she was and is. Lo, so many times (leading up to her eventual announcement), her legislative aides told me, "The Senator simply hasn't yet determined her position on retroactive immunity," and I was like, "Oh, man, I'm just *dying* from the suspense. Who could possibly guess which way she'll go on this?"

I'm getting all re-angered just thinking about it.

So, anyhoo, my finger just clicked the button next to Heath Shuler, but my heart sent that fifty bucks in DiFi's name.

Patrick Meighan

Culver City, CA

"I hope everyone goes to any town halls or other event their senators are holding during the recess. Especially if they are on the wrong side of this."

This is an excellent idea. It just so happens that Dianne Feinstein (who is, most definitely, on the wrong side of this) will be coming to SoCal during the recess and will be appearing at the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. It's scheduled for Thursday, March 27th at the Hilton Hotel in Long Beach (701 West Ocean Blvd.). Registration is 11am, and the lunch is 11:30.

The bad news is that tix cost $35 apiece, and the other bad news is that there's no guarantee that DiFi will be doing a Q&A (the LB Chamber person told me she probably wouldn't, and DiFi's District Director told me she probably would). So you pays yer money and you takes yer chances.

But for a shot at the opportunity to look my Democratic Senator from California dead in the eye and ask her why she's standing with George W. Bush, the GOP and the telecoms in their fight to illegally spy on Americans without a warrant, it may be worth the $35 gamble.

I think I'm gonna go.

Here's a link to pre-register for the event:

http://www.chamberhub.com/cgi/foxweb.dll/wlx/cal/wlxprofile?caleid=1405&cc=LONGBC

See ya there!

Patrick Meighan

Culver City, CA

Go See DiFi.....

"There may not be a Q&A"....

WHO THE HELL CARES???????!!!!!!!!!!!!

STAND UP AND SCREAM AT THE BITCH!

REMEMBER: You are RIGHT. She is WRONG.

How hard is that?

What ever happened to civil disobedience?

(Uh..... it might affect your credit rating....)"

I just wanna be smart, is all.

I've done my share of screaming at DiFi's staff on this specific issue, and--to all appearances--it hasn't nudged Feinstein's stance on the FISA one iota.

If me calmly asking DiFi a respectful question that puts her in an awkward position in front of hundreds of witnesses puts more constructive leverage on DiFi than me screaming something at her and being hustled out of the room like a homeless guy who just peed on the carpet, then I suppose it'd be smarter for me to do the former rather than the latter.

But, you're right, if she says "No Questions" and bolts for the door, I'll have a decision to make. Damn. Hope it doesn't come to that.

Patrick Meighan

Culver City, CA