I'm glad to see someone do something to stop the Republitards from turning this country into Argentina in the 1970s.

Thank you, Senator Dodd, for taking a stand against retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies who violated surveillance laws, when other members of our Legislature would not.

We citizens rely on their representatives to uphold the ideals of the Constitution and to safeguard our inalienable rights. I have recently come to fear that our government has come to represent the interests only of large campaign contributors, primarily multinational corporations, who care little for the safeguards of individual Americans' rights, except insofar as they help maximize their profits.

Granting retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies for past willful violations of our rights would serve only to encourage the powerful that they could escape consequences for treading on our precious rights and to erode the populace's faith that their government remains a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

Thank you for your decision to stand with the people and not with those who would trample on our freedoms.

Is usually one of two things: Either it's "the Democrats have failed to pass whatever legislation," or "the Democrats have obstructed some sort of legislation" from passing. Republicans are never called out for obstructing Democratic legislation, nor are they ever framed as failing to pass something. Well, not never, but very, very rarely.

Because of his actions today, did anyone change their opinion about Dodd? Please note that not everyone was negative towards Dodd, but even Glenn noted that the questions Glenn asked (and their follow ups) were never really answered (except for one).

I've asked a similar question in the previous post, but since this one is about Dodd, I'm re-posting here...

-- OliverA

Actions speak louder than words.

The horse race media blitz tends to ignore substance. Everybody knows this, especially the politicians. They play it safe, but when the corruption became too much, Dodd said: "You shall not pass" (h/t Gandalf. BTW, I think the beltway village idiots playing the part of the Balrog is appropriate too). That is a huge step and makes the other candidates look like poseurs.

My rhetoric over the top? Probably, but for Dood to show this much spine makes me pretty happy (deal with it Shooter).

I hope it wiped the S-CHIP smirk right off Dana's and Commander Codpiece's face.

How hungry I was for leadership on this issue until Senator Dodd took action today. I gave his campaign a hundred bucks and signed up at his website. I'm going to see what I can do to support him in my area of the country.

I have been checking the MSM sites since Dodd announced his hold, and nothing.

I would be willing to bet that the M$M didn't anticipate anyone trying to put a hold on this bill, and did not prepare the requisite lies/spin/fabrication.

I agree with a poster in the thread of Glenn's earlier post today who warned that Chris Dodd should be prepared for the character assassinations that will come at him like an avalanche.

I am so pleased to hear that at least ONE of our Representatives still believes in the Constitution, and for once, is willing to take a stand.

The unofficial policy of the New York Times with respect to any issues related to the FISA debate is to report them as soon as possible after the last hour in which anyone reading the article can do anything to stop the immunity juggernaut. That is followed within 24 hours by an editorial denouncing the moves they gave no one the opportunity to oppose. They are far more interested in the new FCC regulations allowing unfettered media monopolies and the progress of a shield law to protect any news outlets that, like the telecoms, conspire to do illegal work for the government.

and 20 bucks of it is going to dodd. about all I can afford, but he's my candidate until the other 4 step up on these issues.

http://tinyurl.com/3yv7pe

this is a very encouraging development. both dodd's concern for this issue and his responsiveness to reasoned pleas. wow. very, very hopeful.

and while representative rush holt is not a national figure, i recommend this 2 min clip of his floor statement yesterday on fisa and the "restore act." it's not often i see a representative explain an issue so clearly and also call out his leadership for 1) dishonest manipulation and 2) for backing a flawed bill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4GIzUFPfhM

Joey Bishop passed away. Let's show some repsect for a legend with a vow of internet silence for the rest of the week. Who cares about the Fourth Amendment anyway?

Well, I'm just a typical American boy

From a typical American town

I believe in God, and Senator Dodd

And even keepin' those telcoms down...

________________________________________________________________

Dodd Ball-- the extreme version of dodge ball; two balls required.

As of 17:25 EDT the tallies are:

http://actblue.com/page/eschatongood

Eschaton - Candidate Good Behavior
by Atrios

While I haven’t yet decided who to support (if anyone) or even who to vote for, it’s always good to reward good behavior. - - Atrios

Chris Dodd
President

Raised on this page: $ 6,375.00 from 111 people

Raised across ActBlue: $ 10,952.00 from 222 people

Sometimes they respond to what people are demanding of them (responsiveness in political figures is a good thing).

--Glenn Greenwald

His responsiveness is key, especially for those of us who feel unrepresented and politically homeless.

Not to sound like a Pollyanna, but to have a Senator respond in this manner to a morning's worth of calls from the blogosphere and its readers has given me some hope back.

Yes, it's not Republic-saving, but, aside from the actual results of putting a hold on the bill, it sends a clear message about how Chris Dodd feels about the Democratic process. I'm inspired.

Folks, I'd recommend a phonecall/letter/fax/email campaign to Harry Reid demanding that Senator John D. Rockefeller be removed from his position as the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

In addition, we insist that his replacement not be Senator Dianne Feinstein.

We would like to see Senator Russ Feingold assume the Chair, but we would be willing to entertain other Progressive Patriots such as Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

And our last words Senator Harry Reid?

No Mas!

No more rollovers!

No more sellouts!

No more surrender!