$50 to Dodd it is. I always wish I could give more, make more of a difference. ($50 to Edwards too, both need our help)

Thank god for Glenn and all the intelligent, thoughtful people that comment on his articles. Without you I would be as ignorant as the rest of America.

I also just contributed to Dodd's campaign. I feel like I'm training a puppy with positive reinforcement, but at least I feel like I'm doing something.

Per the email I received from Glenn and Jane Hamsher a few minutes ago, they agree that it's a way to move forward on denying immunity.

I have to admit, whatever his reasons and whether it makes me a Pollyanna or not, I'm inspired by what Dodd did and his responsiveness to the demands of those who sought his help. Harry Reid sounds like a bitter, old hag by comparison.

I just got this amazing e-mail to rally the troops. Well done Glenn & Jane:

It isn't often we get a victory like we did on Monday, when Harry Reid pulled the telecom bill from the Senate floor.

It's safe to say that without the leadership of Chris Dodd and the efforts of people like you who signed the petition to Harry Reid and made your voices heard, the Senate would have voted to give telecos retroactive immunity by now and we'd be likely never know the extent of the Bush Administration's illegal spying against American citizens..

We deeply appreciate your help.

But when the Senate returns from the holiday recess, the battle will begin again with renewed vigor.

What can you do?

1) Support Chris Dodd. Say thank-you for his willingness to give up campaign time in Iowa to come back to Washington DC to defend the constitution. He was the only member of the Senate currently running for President willing to do so. You can contribute to his campaign here:

http://chrisdodd.com/firedoglake

2) Tell your friends. In the coming weeks, we'll be working with other blogs and organizations to mobilize people online to action to continue the fight against retroactive immunity for the telecoms. Chris Dodd has said he will continue to lead the fight and we will let you and others know how you too can take action in support. You can help by letting them know here:

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/invite/actionalerts

Look for email updates from us over the next couple of weeks once a clear strategy becomes clearer for improving our opposition still further.

Happy holidays to you and your loved ones. Let's plan now to join together to fight for the constitution and the restore the rule of law.

Jane Hamsher & Glenn Greenwald

Does anyone have a simple summary to send (without alliteration) to less political friends and relatives? Glenn's analysis is amazing, but I think the details can overwhelm those who don't follow this stuff daily. Anybody has good ideas about how to market this more broadly?

I would send your less politically-inclined friends the link to Dodd's website, and or the blog. (chrisdodd.com) It contains lots of comments from all kinds of people... just plain folks, also those who are much more active in party politics.

And maybe the link to ontheissues.org, which is an interactive site that allows you to compare all of the candidates in both parties on the issues that are important to you, in a (somewhat) brief overview. There are also additional links supplied that one can follow for more information.

I've noticed lately that Dodd seems to favor green ties. In fact, one of the commentators/pundits (I just don't remember who) even commented that he might begin to wear them himself... if they could be so lucky.

We could do something along the lines of what they did in the Ukraine with the orange scarves, but instead wear green ties, or scarves or shamrocks, or anything else green to signify support for Dodd. A bit of green this winter might also be very welcome.

Bravo!

Thanks, Both!

The implosion of the USSR was just a speeded up version in a more extreme modern state of what will happen with the US and the EU. -- John of Ventura

A bold assertion, especially if one knows anything about history. It may be true despite what it obviously ignores, but given that it seems more a product of dread than analysis, I think that inevitability is far too great a claim to make for it at this point.

At least Hegel and Marx dredged up a good deal of evidence for us before they made similar claims. In all fairness, I can't really expect you to offer all of your reasons for thinking what you think here, but I do believe it's fair to say that -- at least for me -- you haven't made your case.

Leaving aside all the campaign atmospherics, you can simply say Dodd is arguing for restoring the balance wheel in the Constitution, and the rule of law. Talk about the first and fourth amendments - free speech, the right to privacy, and protection against illegal search and seizure. That's what it comes down to. It's not that abstract.

His move in the Senate last week is being portrayed as grandstanding, because he's a presidential candidate. Natch. Reid assumes Dodd's campaign will collapse in Iowa; so then, according to Harry, there will be no rational for Dodd to go on about telecom amnesty. Harry just figures it'll be clear sailing with the FISA bill after all the egg nog is consumed.

But Dodd is a senator now, and he'll still be a senator next month, whether or not he remains a candidate.

He stood stood up and stopped the machine because he has the right to and because he's been in that body long enough to know how to do it.

As far as I'm concerned, nothing that has happened lately is anywhere near as inspiring as that, whether or not one thinks Dodd should be president. And I'm not flogging for him.

And, as John of Ventura suggests, talk about Rome and Caesarism. Put Dodd in a toga and cast him as Brutus.