Breaking: Obama says he'll support a filibuster Of Any Bill Containing Telecom Immunity
By John Amato Tuesday Oct 23, 2007 1:24pm
Good for Obama! He's on the Bus!
It's official: Obama will back a filibuster of any Senate FISA legislation containing telecom immunity, his campaign has just told Election Central. The Obama campaign has just sent over the following statement from spokesman Bill Burton:
"To be clear: Barack will support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies."
C&L's Action Alert with the rest of the blogoshere is paying off. Thanks to all the readers that let their fingers do the talking and took action with us.
Next up! Hillary Clinton....We need clear and decisive leadership on this issue.
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Thank god if this goes to the courts that we don't have a bunch of right wing wackos on the bench...oh wait...
Just earned a quarter of my vote. Edwards has the other quarter... Dennis has the other half :)
Funny, I feel so happy when politicians step up and do the right thing. Seems my expectations are set rather low.
Still good on him.
Obama is the real deal.
Get up there and stand the ground of the American people! There should be no caveats, no problem deciding what to do or when. The Democratic party has one more chance to show the people it's with them. Otherwise... they'll be in trouble come election time. The people want action, not indecisive, butt-covering bureaucrats.
The RESTORE act also gives immunity to anyone that assists the government in illegally gaining physical access to your property. So if you live in an apartment and the landlord allows the FBI into your apartment without a warrant, the landlord would be protected from any legal actions despite the law being broken. This provision also needs to go.
Hillary will come on board next. She and Obama seem to have a contest going on regarding who will blink first. He did, so she will.
Unless you look at a liberal blog page, the rest of the world won't even know. I did some searching and cannot find any news about Dodd's recent promises, and now Barack either. Even the AP, who have done nothing but report the current race for the white house, don't have any posts.
Will he be supportive from inside the chamber? Or from the campaign bus?
Judge Southwick was confirmed today and of course Lieberman joined with the Repubs.
This is sort of a good news, bad news day.
I'm happy Obama is doing what he's doing but I just wish it hadn't taken him so long to see the difference in right and wrong. Common sense tells all of us that no companies should be given legal immunity if they broke the law.
Good.
Congress and the American people should be spying on Bush and Cheney.
Investigations and hearings have found that Richard B. Cheney, George W. Bush and other civil officers in our Government have lied to the American People, politicized National Security, committed Treason, Fraud, Bribery, Profiteering, Obstruction of Justice and High Crimes AGAINST the United States, our public institutions, our Treasury, our people and the World.
Good quesion, Miss Kitty.
Well it seems as if the "front runners" are playing catch up with Dodd...Methinks a Kucinich/Dodd ticket looks damn good compared to any other dem running...seem they're the only two dems with any cojones...
I still don't trust him. We'll see. Good to see though that he is at least publicly supporting this.
Amen to the Kucinich / Dodd ticket.
Now that Obama is in, Hillary will probably follow. The more important issue is who is supporting ex post facto immunity. It basically stipulates that the law was broken. We should applaud those who ae against it, but also denounce those who support it.
Some Baptist preacher will come out against it and he'll submit a "clarification."
--Nasa helping fight fires now? --Live/realtime CNN news is here, as advertised above, to look below this fold for all the developments-vote if you think.....what was everyone talking about AGAIN? Tanagents and math stuff
We have a lot of problems in government, and we must have the strength to collectively acknowledge them and deal with them.
Don't tell me. Let me guess. This filibuster will somehow end with the Dems giving in and passing the bill along.
And there'll be reasons, we'll be told. "Oh, you don't UNDERSTAND, the filibuster only has 'stunt value.' The Republicans were going to force the Democrats to carry it out, so they had to back down."
Oddly, it will be the exact OPPOSITE set of reasons used to explain why Republican filibusters can NEVER be broken. "Oh, you don't UNDERSTAND, the Republicans were threatening to filibuster, so the Democrats had no choice but to withdraw the bill. Forcing them to carry it out would only have 'stunt value.'"
Why is it that Republican 'stunts' (censure of free speech, filibustering any accountability on the war, etc) all seem to get THEM what THEY want, but Democratic, excuse me, Democrat 'stunts' never seem to have any effect?
I love how Obama, Hillary, and Edwards always follow others instead of leading, yet they want to be the President of the U.S.
They are slow, but they are catching on.
Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Obama -- it's a boy.
Telecoms gave away your private information for money.
They will do it again unless they are punished.
I'm voting with my wallet.
Oh wait, it's been empty for five years.
Regardless of what you think of Obama, this is good news. Anything that puts the spotlight on this issue is a good thing.
The pols -- Dems and Repukes -- knew there wouldn't be any public support for telecom immunity. People don't like immunity deals, and they like phone companies even less. They were hoping they could hustle it through without attracting a lot of attention. From this point on, opposition will only grow.
FOX is State Sponsored TV @ 24:
bizzy bees buzz to make money, honey. Enjoy it on your bread, or even in your head... everything that's yummy- already's been said. and sold.
The jockeying continues.. Maybe he'll stick by his guns on this. I hope so.. We need someone with a 'd 'beside their name to make a stand on this and keep it. I want to like this guy, I really do.. .But then, I've wanted to like a lot of them.... I guess we'll see one way or the other...JD
I am pleased...
It would be interesting if a repub or two joined in. I guess their constituents enjoy paying for phone service and then having their private information handed over to the govt. They may say that by doing this attacks have been prevented, if that's the case they need to show me the proof. If such a thing did happen they can't say it's classified because it would give away govt secrets, we already know how they got the information.
At least he is being groomed as a potential future Prez. Molded, whatever term you prefer.
pissed off patricia @ 10:
Damn Feinstein was the linchpin on the Southwick crap. These underqualified, idealogue judges will be here for decades thanks to this flacid congress. Of course, the only reason Bush appoints them is their ideology, but you can't reject them based on their ideology, right?
This is getting very little play in the mainstream media. How can a Repub defend blanket immunity for an enormous corporation, but more scrutiny on you?
I heard Rachael Maddow yesterday talking about how Sen. Rockefeller (D-WV) suddenly started getting enormous contributions from telecom companies as soon as he took the Judicial Committee chair. So, how does one prove a quid pro quo? Let's call Patrick Fitzgerald; he seemed to have a shred of integrity.
Link: http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/10/dem-pushing-spy.html
Ah, the guy is having a homophobe in his rally this w/e.
I think he's losing credibility.
Any ideas how to get the U.S. out of debt?
All right - I'm ready to consider Obama now. Other than that - it's Edwards or Dodd.
*
Trittydi @ 36:
Whoops. My excitement over this caused temporary amnesia about the homophobic guy. Well - "consider" is still an option.
*
L.A. Confidential @ 35:
Get out of Iraq and raise taxes on the rich.
Good for Obama. He should have said it earlier of course, but this is good.
Separately, can we do something about all the shilling going on here for Edwards and Kucinich, etc.. I mean really. Enough with the shilling! Am I right people?
It's nice that you're jumping on the boat, Barack, but Chris Dodd already beat you to the punch. That and the fact that you're supporting an ex-gay bigot has lost you my vote and sent it to Dodd.
But the support is always appreciated. ;)
Thank you, Obama. We need everyone behind this. Obama was my favorite until a month ago or so when he stated he couldn't say he'd have the troops home by 2013 but this sure helped him in my book.
A real follower. Just who we need for president. This man is a coward, or as we call them in Nevada, a chickenshit. So far Dodd is the only Democratic contender with guts. How can people support such a weakling as Obama? Oh, well, moot point. The GOP election fixing machine is being oiled and lubed as I write. Once it's fired up, King Rudy will be crowned and there won't be a damn thing you or I can do about it. All hail King Rudy.
I still do not believe that Hillary will suppost a filibuster. I think she will issue a carefully worded statement that we will take as her support and when all is said and done, she will oppose the filibuster. I truly wish that I could support HRC, but I just don't trust her.
I have my work cut out for me too because my mother-in-law and her sister are planning on voting for Hillary strictly based on the fact that she is a woman. I'm a woman and I can't vote for her.
OK . . . this time I really AM going to hold my breath ! Here goes. . .
Good! The more people willing to stand up to the Old guard that champions Old ways of thinking the better... I mean this is the USA right?
Man, does he come across a a true DLC'er... amonth late and a dollar short??
Wait a minute. . . it looks like his fingers are crossed !
david @ 42:
You hit the nail on the head. Obama is as usless as everyother member of the Senate, with the small exception of Sen Dodd, and it took him seven years to stand up for the country. This week I donated to Sen Dodd (first time I've ever given money to a person running for office) and unsubscribed to Sen Obama's mailing list. I wish I could take back my vote for Obama for Senate (not to give it to Alan Keyes but Obama is a huge disappointment).
Conan @ 21:
I totally agree Conan. It surprises me how the Media and most politicians are basically followers waiting for some authority figure or group dynamic to give them the okay to act. You can include many Americans in that equation as well. Sad, but reality.
It's just a matter of following the right leaders for most people. Too bad they pick the worst. The rest of us should strive to lead as well.
OMG ! now his nose is growing ! ! !
Too late, Mr. Amato. Obama may be on the bus now, Clinton may come aboard, but neither is the bus driver. It's time for Democrats to say no to the two front runners and look elsewhere. I think as a non-affiliated voter that I may have time to switch my affiliation to Democratic if Christopher Dodd comes up as a dark horse.
He must be getting desperate to catch up to Hillary.
One thing I like about it was Oprah endorsed him. She may be able to get her bimbots to buy crappy books, but hopefully that will be the extent of her influence.
Dave @ 1:
Who's bench, the Red Socks?
I can't believe some of the responses.. Is it a good thing that Obama is coming out publicly against immunity or not? From what I am reading people are saying Obama was wrong for not being in the forefront and also wrong for now coming out against Immunity.. Please excuse my ignorance but what is it that you people want?
Hey JD, remember our coversation about this whole debaucle?
I just wanted to say....I toll ya so.....in regard to the the trade of immunity for the records themselves....
Now if we could just hold our own here, within a year AT&T will be dismantled!!!
I'll be a happy Camper!
Obama doesn't stand a chance against Stephen Colbert!
This is high tech Watergate.
They already admitted breaking the law and should forced to resign like Nixon.
DAMN PC!
Go here everybody!!! -> http://chrisdodd.com/immunity
kindanasty got your tongue Chip?
Or did Uncle Charlie use you to sample a new recipe?
54 Anti-Baby Boomer
Promises taken for political convenience are the first to be broken.
Cough---Cough.....scuse me....
"We need clear and decisive leadership on this issue"
this isn't the only issue we need clear and decisive leadership on. don't
count on it though. with dead-beat democrats like these who needs republicans ?
Gee was it BREAKING when Hillary said the same thing. Guess we know who crooks and liars is for.
I believe Obama to be the real deal...
That said this thing about some gay biggott being a performer on the campaign trail is a whole lot o' crap about nothing. Just because the guy's been hired to perform doesn't mean Barrack agrees hook line & sinker with everything the guy says or does. Think people!!! How many people have you personally worked with in your life that you don't agree with on numerous points??? This IS still America right??? The great melting pot???
So just because the guy is "working" for Obama's campaign in an entertainment capacity
& holds some other beliefs or ideals than Obama doesn't mean we remove everyone who dis-agrees with US. Tolerance goes both ways & we must win on our ideas & principals. Not by destroying those that have other ideas. I support equal rights for everyone (even those that dis-agree with me). Peace.
Next up! Hillary Clinton….We need clear and decisive leadership on this issue.
From Hillary?? You're going to be waiting a long time for that. Good move by Obama, though.
How sincere is this man? He is such a fake. Where was he when this bill was moving through? Chris immediately jumped on it. Obama only goes where the votes are. His message of change involves doing nothing unless others do it first.
True leadership Obama was to take a stand, place the bill on hold, and then we would believe you actually cared.
I see a pattern with Obama. He is one of the many democrats who was against the war before he was for it (Obama voted for spending to continue the war, what good is the "power of the purse" - if you are against something, funding it is not showing that you are against it!).
Good Luck America, you continue to be fooled! These democrats are ready to pass telecom immunity?! This is the congress of ethics and reform?! It's not the parties that need to change, it's the people!
What will it take for ordinary Americans to realize that you can run for local office. Let's kick all of these fakes out before it's too late.
Let me guess:AT&T gave him permission?
Oh this is pathetic.
You mean to say that blogger measures for success is when you ARE PART OF A GROUP that writes about this topic and at the same time a SENATOR then SUPPORTS a FILIBUSTER?
Can't you see that these things are so far removed from the actual decision-making sphere that it will make no difference at all? Give me a break.
Next thing on the to do list:
To get Clinton to think on the toilet that she could mention in Congress that maybe the war in Iraq is going somewhat unplanned?
YES! We got Clinton to think on the can!!! Success! Man we're awesome...
"Next up! Hillary Clinton….We need clear and decisive leadership on this issue."
She's waiting on the focus group results and the approval of Rupert Murdoch before she commits.
Wag @ 70:
I'm very tempted to become this bitter.
Good move, Osama.
Support the Filibuster! Better yet, actually Just Do It.
Endless talking, that's what you're good at. And it'll keep you out of the way. So maybe some accomplishments can be made.
Like stopping this effing war, and the destruction of our Nation and it's Constitution.
Well, I'm glad Obama is taking a stance, but why is C&L avoiding this story if you guys are really concerned about this?
Companies Seeking Immunity Donate to Senator
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/washington/23nsa.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Democratic Lawmaker Pushing Immunity Is Newly Flush With Telco Cash
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/10/dem-pushing-spy.html
I've always found Sen. Rockefeller to be a bafflingly weak kneed useful foil for the Bush regime. Watching him offer up the weakest of arguments and systematically collapsing in the face of Republican onslaughts against the Constitution, rule of law and democracy has always been painfully excruciating. I thought he was just a useless, bumbling fool. Now I know better what this rotten apple is all about.
I hope they kill this bill. The telecom parasites need to be punished
Thank you obama. I love that you take time to deal with issues that matter.
Don’t sweat the small stuff (i.e. the mcclurkin non-issue). Those of us who
want America back support you 100%!!!! We love you. Keep your eye on the prize.
[Don't post in ALL CAPs-Sitemonitor]
Fedup @ 76:
I don't think Obama reads blogs.
I'll believe "the filibuster" when I see it. Obama was one who said he didn't understand what a filibuster against Alito would accomplish. Need him to explain why the change of view on filibusters.
Wag @77:
I don’t think Obama reads blogs.
+++++
You don't know what Obama does.
Chip@60;
OK, I sort of recall what you refer to, but can't recall the specifics of some chat we had about telcos... I'm going to assume for the moment that we must have had some difference of opinion on it since you went with the 'I tollyaso' thing..... But also seems like you and I more or less see the overall picture the same... I.E. no retroactive immunity for the telcoms .....Yes it's a debachle.. Just one of many......I know who I hold responsible..
It's quite depressing and I am that bitter at this point... Grew up in this society, went to school, graduated etc. got a job, paid taxes willingly, did my bit in the navy in defense of my nation blah blah blah, sired kids, had a failed marriage, played good consumer, bought stuff I needed, kept my nose clean yadda yadda... And for what? So George W. Bush could come along and just wreck it all... bitter? Yea....Probably shows too... (reference one of your other posts)
I gave ol DiFi a call, got the non-human auto answer short blurb about lines being busy and then some light classical... Burb claimed I'd be disconnected after 2 minutes.. After about 5 of listening to her favorite classical jams I gave up... I'll try again later... That was a good link you sent and I definitely want to know where the hell she stands on all this....JD
I'm an Obama supporter, and it's great and all that he jumped on but Sweet Jesus, what took so long?? He should have been on board from day one. This is a no brainer for Dem's
I wholeheartedly agree with Obama's stance, but I wouldn't count on Hillary replicating it. After all, she wouldn't say who attended her health care task force in 94. Mark my works, she'll be little better than Cheney.
Where do you see clear and decisive leadership here? Clear and decisive leadership would have come into the picture with his initial statement, not the one he made after people made enough noise that he had to sound a little less wishy-washy. And apparently it's not even important enough for him to make the statement himself. He did it through a spokesman. Is this how low the bar is for "leadership" now? How sad. You don't force someone into acting like a leader any more than you can force someone to fall in love with you. It doesn't work that way. It's a contradiction.
Obama has lost my vote. He is planning to share the stage with homophobic bigot Donnie McClurkin in a campaign fundraiser. It seems that Mr. Obama objects to bigotry when it concerns matters of discrimination and denigration of black people but not gay or lesbian people.
Brad @ 84:
Yeah because that's THE most important concern of mine right now! NOT.
Obama has made his stance on gay issues clear. If you would rather vote for someone who would lead us down the wrong path becuase an ignorant singer (somehow adored by millions in the gospel world) is performing at an Obama event then you are not the person I want to walk beside me. Good riddance!
Obama on the CA fires (you can donate money or time at www.barackobama.com):
Obama Statement on California Fires
Chicago, IL | October 24, 2007
"Our nation's attention is turned to the fires engulfing Southern California for the fourth straight day, as hundreds of thousands flee their homes and the smoke threatens the health of others. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims, and we honor the brave firefighters who are risking their lives to contain the fires."
"We must employ all federal resources to fight these fires, care for the displaced, and help communities rebuild from the ashes."
"In times like these, Americans stand firm, and we stand together. There have been incredible acts of bravery and generosity over the past four days, as Californians have pitched in to help their neighbors. I have asked my supporters in California to take time out from campaigning this weekend to assist the relief efforts, and I'm encouraging all Americans to take action to help those in need."
Jack Damage @ 80: I gave ol DiFi a call, got the non-human auto answer short blurb about lines being busy and then some light classical... Burb claimed I'd be disconnected after 2 minutes.. After about 5 of listening to her favorite classical jams I gave up... I'll try again later... That was a good link you sent and I definitely want to know where the hell she stands on all this....JD
Guess you haven't heard...as of 2 days ago she caved...I called and raised some hell...bipartisan my ass!
About fucking time! But god, it's still disappointing that only 2 congress wimps are standing up for what's right.
72 CHIP says "I'm very tempted to become this bitter"
Thats pretty quotable-sounds like the kind of wry comment Dorthy Parker might have made.. perfect for a time drained of hope.
Parker:"You can lead a whore to culture but you can't make her think".
Fedup @ 79:
If I don't know (I don't know for sure, but I think he doesn't), then you don't, and if you don't, then there is no basis for writing as if he does.
It's just funny to see someone writing a personal note to someone anonymously, that's all...
Chip@87;
Fuck.... why am I not surprised.... I'm really getting fed up with her shit... Glad you got thru and gave her a ration... she deserves it... I don't know that we see eye to eye on every issue out there, but we are seeing eye to eye on this crap.....
And ya know Chip, everytime I think I might have gone over the top a bit with my perspectives and rants... Reality trumps me.. e.v.e.r.y.t.i.m.e.... I can't be more bitter then the bitter fate taking our country down thanks to George W. Bush and the morons who put him in power with their votes... And that includes the supremes who trumped the process a;together in 2000.
And for all those who are sitting around saying yaa, crash and burn America...can't wait to see it... hahahah you all deserve it.. Just remember, the next time YOUR asses are in a sling?... There won't be any doughboys coming over wherever to die bailing anyones ass out.. There'll be no lend leases to try and help thru the back door to get yas over the hump when you're facing your own Bushbaby ruining everything you ever cared for...
I hope everyone likes fascism and a dictator sniffing up your ass making sure you tow their line because when this nation IS finished... When the hope of America, that thing called hope for a better world which was Americas best asset is in the dustbin of history.. Totalitarianism and some kind of modern economic feudalism is ALL your going to be left with... All anyone will be left with.... I piss on your snark at our distress.... JD
Chip;
That last sentence is not meant for you... Unless your one of those Canadians or Europeans who are popping champagne over all this shit.....JD
It is time to action against any Democrat that supports this Bill.
I heard that no other than Steny Hoyer supports Immunity.
It is time to get this Clown out of our Party.
Thank you Senator Obama for leading the pack. I hope that many others will follow and do what is right with these criminals
It's about time someone started standing up to this criminal administration.
.
Well,
It's about time Obama steps up to fulfill his Oath of Office; To support and defend the Constitution of the USA... NO?
.