Login Here
This is exactly what I'm talking about with the "You Work For Us Summer Tour." Huge kudos to Susan S. and her discussion with Sen. Bill Nelson at a public meeting:
...Then Nelson decided that since no one else had brought up the Iraq War, he would tell us his take on it. Unfortunately for him, he began his explanation with a disclaimer about how he and the Congress had been lied to about the intelligence going into the war. Well that was it for me. I yelled out to him:
"Then why, when you know they can't be trusted, when you know they lie to you, did you vote for the FISA bill that gives the incompetent Bush administration more power to spy on American citizens?"
He immediately said that he would answer my question after he talked about the war. (His aide came running over to get me to fill out a form with my name and address and comments for the senator, and also gave me her card.)
At least twice more I interrupted him during his pathetic attempt at an explanation, once by saying:
"I can't believe you fell for it again. You just gave Alberto Gonzalez more power to spy on us."
He made a lame attempt to joke about no one trusting Alberto Gonzalez, but then went on to say that this is only a temporary bill, yada, yada, yada. He also said that he trusted Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell to be honest with the Congress. (Didn't he trust Gen. Colin Powell once upon a time too?)
It was a very frustrating, but rewarding experience. I have long been disappointed in Bill Nelson. Today I got the chance to tell him how I felt.
You go, Susan! I am told that other folks have a meeting set up with Rep. Henry Waxman today -- and I'm hoping for an update on that later after it concludes. I have calls out to my elected representatives, and I will certainly let the WV readers know if and when I hear back on them.
So, what have you set up with your elected folks? If you have a scheduled meeting or if you go to a public meeting and ask some questions, let me know -- both what you ask and how it is answered. You get it on video and upload it to YouTube or elsewhere? Send me a link. (And take a peek at these great tips from Spazeboy if you plan on videotaping anything. Excellent and incredibly useful stuff.) You get a run around from your elected folks? Let me know that, too, and we'll try and keep up with what everyone is doing. Or dodging, as the case may be.
Remember, being a citizen is not something that you are, it is something that you do.
It is past time that these elected folks realize that they work for us. Now, let's get to work...what are you planning to do today to let your elected officials know what you are thinking?
(H/T to KagroX for e-mailing the link to Susan S's DKos diary. Great stuff! And, btw, we'll have more on letter writing in a bit...)
Share This 
Spotlight
yoo hoo
2?
Good morning Christy!
NYT clobbers the Dems on FISA - and Rahm looks aweful!
Boston Globe has huge piece on Act Blue. Very lengthy, very positive, says Act Blue is very influential, and will be even more so.
Awful. Too early to spell straight :-?
Thanks for this, Christy!
Keep reminding these guys: IT’S NOT 1994, DAMMIT!
Christy - you are just tooo fast for me this morning, so I’m going to repost this to make sure as many people as possible see it.
Folks - This is an FYI for Upstate New York progressives: Rep. Maurice Hinchey will be supporting the Tioga County Democrats at Hickories park (right off the Rt.17/I86 exit just east of Owego, NY on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. Hinchey has put in a censure motion which mirrors Feingold’s. He’s also very supportive of other Democratic candidates in the Upstate area, so people who are supporting Massa against Randy Kuhl might want to meet Hinchey as well.
Well people can make fun of NJ but both my senators and my Rep. Donald Payne got it right.
Phoenix Woman @ 6
And it’s not 1984 either.
Remind them it’s not 1994 by explaining how very 1984 it actually is.
Richmond @ 4
And awful. ;-)
Excellent!
Whoever made the comment about the woman on WJ allowing Rivkin to have more time. The caller just directed a question to Greenwald and she allowed Rivkin to take the reins.
WJ needs Brian back on Friday
AJ @ 10
Yup. And how 1932 it is.
Maloney isn’t even holding any constituent meetings during the August recess. I’m torn as to whether to bother with her. She almost always votes the right way, but is a nebbish - never asks any good Qs, only constituent work seems to be on petty issues, or identity theft, etc. I don’t think she has the scope to do anything more & is in her 8th term, so is she basically has tenure; no incentive to exert herself. Leave well enough alone, or put a burr under her saddle?
Bingo got the retroactive question through WJ.
AJ @ 8
Alas, both my Senators got it wrong, but my rep got it right.
I knew that this story — ‘Same Agencies to Run, Oversee Surveillance Program’ — was by Walter Pincus before I clicked the link. The opening grafs say it all:
Store that factoid up, mainly for GOPwits who say ‘oh, you haven’t read the bill, it allows oversight’, but also for Lap Dogs who try to fob you off on how they wiped their asses with the Constitution in exchange for a month-long vacay.
Had to leave for work & only saw a few minutes of Greenwald vs Rivkin - hope they rebroadcast this segment tonight.
Diane @ 18
You can go into their archives and watch it on the web
General RH, Ma’am,
Human cloning is now a reality! Unless somebody substituted Poppy Bush’s photo for Bill Nelson’s …….
Kathleen @ 12
Greenwald needs media training. He’s not doing enuf for himself. Does anyone know him who can give him the advice? He’s great when he’s by himself, but needs to be more smoothly combative under adverse circumstances.
I was very surprised to see that Frosh Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) voted for the FISA abomination. She had until that vote (I believe) a 100 progressive voting record.
This is not concern trolling, but is there any valid reason why so many senators (60?) voted for passage of this bill beside being Trembling Chihuahuas?
eCAHNomics @ 21
and it is often true when Democrats/Progressives go up against Republicans on TV. Greenwald is not an anomaly in this regard.
ECh@21 did you just hear the gentleman attack Greenwald? The host asked him to be specific about his objections to what Greenwald had stated. The caller tripped over himself and drifted off into more Rivkin cheerleading
Kathleen,
Can you give us some suggestions about calling in to shows? I know you are very active in this.
I think it is important not only to meet with congress people who voted for FISA but to meet with those who voted against it as well. Even the ones who voted the right way on this need to hear how pissed off we are that the damn bill passed. We also need to get facetime with GOP memebers of the House and Senate. They work for us too, though they act as though they represent only 40% of their constituents.
Rereading Jane’s earlier post below it is appalling how unprepared the democratic leadership was in dealing with the MCA. Apparently the leadership machine fared no better this time. It really appears that getting done and getting out of town was more important than doing the right thing. Disgusting.
Moreover, they just gave W cover for the illegal activities he’s already been doing.
It is unbelievable how spineless these bastards are.
Heckuva job Harry, Nancy et al.
Greenwald go the last shot in. No objection to the government listening to terroist or anyone who they suspect the objection is doing this in secret.
Kathleen @ 24
That was amusing. After claiming to be well read in ’scholarly articles’ and having heard both Greenwald and Rivkin before…when asked to be specific, all he could do was dither something about Greenwald painting with a wide brush or some such nonspeak.
The earlier discussion on C-Span regarding Dems moving to the middle, I thought went pretty decisively in support of Dems being Dems and not Republicans light. And all seemed to understand the FISA vote for what it was - Congressional CYA.
fahrender @ 23
You got that right. It distresses me because it’s fixable. Don’t exactly know how to go about doing it, though. I don’t know who the good media trainers are, nor how to get ahold & convince the lefties how to do it. I suspect the righties do it thru their think tank connections.
sweet inspiration.
I am very impressed with Glenn Greenwald. But I thought Mike Stark, on a YKos panel, was outstanding in the way he ATTACKED!
OT.(But I have to leave for Boston)
Murika once again spreading democracy.
From Robert Fisk in today’s Independent. http://news.independent.co.uk/.....841338.ece
Must be ’bout time to cut off Lebanon so that they will learn to love us.
Good morning all,
I just got home late last night and am exhausted! Now back to packing. We move next monday.
BUT in the mean time I just got a bulk e-mail from Sestak’s office—a notice that he will be on CSpan this morning at 9. So I e-mailed back and said that I would be moving to the district next week and wanted an opportunity to meet with the congressman during the recess. I introduced myself as an activist with the FDL community.
I got a message back right away with the name and contact number of Sestak’s scheduler. I’m not even there yet but I’m setting up a meeting!
Impeach/Out of Iraq GENERAL STRIKE SEPT.11th
Buy nothing - do nothing! Bring this country to a standstill!
Pass it on. Post a sign.
Balrog @ 22
A few names on both lists makes me think, in as non-tinfoil a way as possible, that Bush basically said ‘I’m off to the pig farm to clear brush, and I feel like taking the same attitude towards national security that I did six years ago.’ I also say that because the House managers had no overt reason to settle for voting on the disgraceful Senate bill, and I’d rather think it was arm-twisting than a deep desire amongst the first-termers and Lap Dogs to start their vacays.
I think Bush played the LIHOP card.
And I hate the way that thinking such things makes me tinfoilish. But it’s a sign of how atrocious Bush has been that I sincerely believe he’d blackmail congressional Dems with the lives of ordinary people.
RevDeb - When is your first sermon at your new church? Wil it be the 19th or 26th?
Lisa
Kathleen @ 24
I thought the callers, as a whole, were very good for our side. Only 3 that I can remember (the one you cite; if your not doing anything wrong, . . .; and we gotta do it cause of terrorists) thought new legislation was OK. Everyone else ranged from skeptical to angry, and I don’t think Rivkin convinced them. Glenn did a good job of pointing outhow unlawful the powerful have been, and why should we trust W. Rivkin’s point about “well-meaning professionals” was effectively demolished. The only other think Greenwald should have said is “power corrupts.”
A couple of seemingly unrelated questions,sort of OT.
1)Does a House representative have to live in the district they represent?
2)Is it normal for churches to be polling places? I see that all over the place down here at election time,I just wondered.
3)Is it normal for churches without actual church buildings to use public schools for services on Sundays? That’s become quite common here in Metro Atlanta too.
lisadawn82 @ 36
Sept. 9. You’ll be gone by then I think.
RevDeb,
That was fast action! Let us know how the meeting goes.
It certainly seems as if Reid and Pelosi are not the strong leaders that we need during this difficult time, and that DCCC TV clip that has just been sent around is almost kumbaya/touchy-feely.
We need more of Sheila Jackson, Russ Feingold, Howard Dean, Joe Trippi and John Edwards.
Full disclosure: I support John Edwards for President.
egregious @ 25
I’m not Kathleen, but here’s some stuff I’ve noticed. On call-ins, you’ve got to start dialling before the segment begins. C-SPAN in particular has very few lines, and when I was more interested I got on air by being quick.
As for Qs, they must be brief, factual, and pointed. These are difficult to craft & the only way I have learned is by watching what works & what doesn’t work. You can quickly figure out what doesn’t work by watching the Sunday shows.
Something I’ve never done, but think it would be great: if you think the guest will not answer your Q, ask to stay on line until the A is finished, and then simply say, “I’ll note for the record that you did not answer the Q.”
egregious @ 40
Once I get it set up I will do so and follow up with everyone. In my reply back I mentioned how we were unhappy with his vote on the war appropriations but pleased that he came to the blog to explain it and answer questions. Of course I told him I was an activist in this community. Not trying to “name drop” but he obviously knows what goes on here and now he will have an actual voting constituent to answer to at FDL along with the rest of everyone.
It looks like I won’t be skipping a beat when I move—if I physically survive it. I can’t believe how tired I am and how much I have to do in the next 2 weeks!!!!!
Republican caller on WJ: “Dems are on the terrorists side” - good grief.
RevDeb @ 39
Bummer.
eCAHNomics @ 38
Kathleen @ 12
It was I……..and glad to know my tinfoil is firmly in place this morning. It’s understandable WJ has to train-up new hosts but this young female is definitely *not* improving with time. And it’s *not* because she’s female……..just seems not to have much by way of brains between the ears.
anne @ 28
Typical republic.
anne @ 45
A responsible show host would shut that crap down immediately. I know,it’s American media,silly me.
The list of people “real Americans”are not supposed to hate is getting awfully teeny.
eCAHNomics @ 30
it goes back further than that. more than one of the conservative hot beds like Liberty University do a lot of teaching of rhetoric and put a lot of money and focus on their debate teams. i’m pretty sure that the Young Republicans do as well.
lisadawn82 @ 45
But I am moving next Monday so if you want to take a drive up to visit before you move, give me a ring.
I’ve gone to listening to democracynow. Don’t know who it is (some Brit), but talking about propaganda, etc. Also thinks there’s hope as he has never seen population become so disillusioned so quickly.
Christy, did you get the e-mail I sent you about “tips” for writing to Congress?
anangryoldbroad @ 49
…and that wasn’t the worst that was said.
Does anybody know how Marcy Kaptur voted on the wiretapping law? I know there’s a place where votes are listed, but I don’t know how to find it. Thanks to anyone who can help.
Hey, Greta is great. I love her. *g*
John Pilger was the speaker who just ended on democracynow.
Liberal Heart @ 55
google works to get the list.
Richmond @ 4
Well, good. Then perhaps this will resonate with what I told both DCCC and DSCC yesterday, in response to their pleas for $$$$:
“Nope, I only give through ActBlue.” [And a few other choice words.]
eCAHNomics @ 38
I wish he’d corrected the caller who said that Clinton had created ECHELON.
eCAHNomics @ 58
Protect America Act
I’ve been googling. Guess I’m not entering the right search. I’ve also called her office and nobody knew.
twolf @ 5:55 -
Can you imagine Brian allowing that r*cist to continue his rant?
Balrog @ 22
I would not describe Jim Webb or Barbara Mikulski as such, so there must be some explanation. I’m still waiting to hear from Barb.
Liberal Heart @ 54
Kos story with list.
TiredFed @ 63
Ian has a story about the back story. It’s not pretty and not too surprising. Sad.
Waccamaw @ 63
That caller was over the top and should have been cut off. Should have at least made a comment on his idiocy.
twolf1 @ 61
Thanks!
One of Marty Lederman’s commenters suggests that there’s a poison pill in the POS bill that just got signed into law: even if it’s superseded by a new one, the activities it legalized are allowed to continue until they ‘expire’, not the bill authorizing them. Meaning that to stop the snooping, the Dems would need explicitly to terminate it or repeal the bill just passed, which Veto Sharpie Bush will never allow?
Anyone prepared to back up that parsing of the text? Can the genie be put back in the bottle?
Still watching WJ. A few refreshing R calls after the ‘omg Dems are with the terrorists’ caller.
One R pointed out that new FISA law was danger to Constitution, doesn’t want gov’t poking around NRA membership, DUIs, etc, and a Dem president getting their hands on that information. (I would say handing it to any president is bad, but, point taken).
Another R: says one of Rivkin’s allegories was disingenuous. He also doesn’t like FISA.
My guess is that many of these callers who are defending this expansion of presidential powers are HOPING the Bush Admin. uses it against Democrats.
I’ve not seen a lot of evidence that Republicans would object; I have seen a lot that they’d rationalize it.
They defended the outing of a CIA operative,in wartime, and the resulting ruination of her WMD nonproliferation network, afterall.
Mauimom at 53 — I did, and I have something coming up with it shortly.
Morning gang — I’m just back from the preschool drop-off and sipping my first cuppa coffee…how is everyone this morning?
TiredFed @ 64
As I am waiting to hear from Amy.
The Pollyanna in me is telling me that this vote was part of a larger plan by the Dems. For the life of me, I can’t imagine what that plan is.
Feel free to slap me down if I need to get a grip.
Liberal Heart @ 55
House vote on s. 1927 House on S. 1927 Kaptur voted no.
God bless his heart. WJ caller wants citizen oversight of wiretapping, analogous to juries. Now that’s thinking out of the box.
I sent off a letter (which will receive the form-letter reply, I’m sure) to my Rep - Chris Carney. *blech* I’m also going to be going to one of his meet-n-greet events, just to ask (loudly):
Mr. Carney, as a member of both the Naval Reserve and a member of Congress, you have twice taken an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. Can you explain why you voted to give more unchecked power to this administration, allowing it to spy on all Americans with virtually no oversight for the next six months, virtually gutting the provisions of 4th Amendment?
egregious @ 25
Started calling in just after the 2000 Judicial Coup, and have not stopped. Start calling at the top of the hour, have several phones, land line, cell phone, just keep pushing redial. Be clear, polite and on topic when you share your question with the screener. Same goes for an e-mail question send it during the first few minutes of the show. I try to get in a piece of info and then ask my question. I try to pose the question in a way that will trump any standard response that I may have heard the guest repeat in the past. You can also suggest a show or guest that you would like to hear on the show. (Marcy, Jane, Christy etc) I have also encouraged other people to send in questions to many of the National Talk Shows from our area. Most of these shows really want folks from out west since they are trying to increase their listining audience. We could really do a tag team blog call in effort.
Recently one of the screeners at Talk of the Nation tried to get me to reframe a question about events taking place in the middle east the way she thought it should be asked. I have noticed and heard from other callers that Talk of the Nation does this far more than the Diane Rehm show. Dorie the screener at the Diane Rehm show is the real pro, she lets diverse callers get through, allows you to ask just what you want to ask, and never tries to reframe.
I have also gotten through right wing Christian stations with reasonable statements, they are quick to cut you off if you are making too much sense. But I stay on topic and always finish the statement based on facts.
I was on hold yesterday for Talk of the Nation(had not called in for 3 months) they were doing a show on the FISA legislation. Immediately after getting through I overheard the screener say “Kathleen from Athens, I am getting a no from the producer”. ( I don’t think the screener meant for me to hear this). I have a feeling that it may be a case of not so subtle discrimination, especially because of my questions about particular issues. I went ahead and called the ombudsperson for NPR.
I have objected to Neil Conan rolling over with certain guest and the choice of shows. They will do a show with John Bolton and allow him to rant full tilt about why the U.s. should pre-emptively attack Iran, then not do a show reflecting a different view.
I think it is interesting how may of NPR guest are from AEI.
Good luck, it is a way to ask questions that you think are absent from the debate.
TiredFed @ 64
I’m becoming a big fan of Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Kudos to Southern Florida for putting her in Congress.
Watch her. She’s great. Voted against this bill, but more importantly, gave a short but butt-kicking speech against it when it was her turn to speak in the chamber.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 72
steamed (in more ways than one). anything else we can do besides get with our Senators and Rep?
my rep is vice-chair of the rules committee. so, i’m first trying to nail down exactly what happened - how the rules were apparently used to block passage of the dem version and passage of the administration version in the house.
don’t want to give him a hard time by accusing him publicly of helping the house leadership to set the stage for last week’s capitulation unless it’s a fair accusation.
even reps we really like can benefit, i think, from requests to do better. ‘cuz they’re not doing good enough.
next i’ve got to remind senator kerry that some votes are important enough to show up for. the dem version of the visa bill, s.2011, only needed 3 more votes to pass in the senate - and 6 democrats didn’t bother to vote.
christy - thank you so much for organizing this. i have NO access to my senators without fdl… as you may recall, the first time we (i was with prof. foland and revdeb) tried stopping by senator kerry’s office, i wasn’t even allowed to leave my letter with the security guard.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 72
Thanks, Christy. I saw your comments at the end of this diary & went back & deleted my post @ 53. Now the reference should make us ALL crazy.
nomolos @ 33
The Israeli lobby made sure that the Palestinians were cut off after they voted for Hamas in an Internationally monitored election that was deemed fair and legal. Former President Jimmy Carter repeated that cutting the Palestinians off of funds would be a huge mistake.
We know who won that debate.
RevDeb @ 66
thanks Rev. I read it. What galls me the most is that the Senate bill was purely Republican, sponsored by McConnell and Bond and Bond was the one who amended it to add the 6-month sunset provision (which, in reality, is 18 months, but that’s another story). They Republicans acted as if they had the majority! Harry Reid should have been steamed, but he was just steam-rolled.
I’ve noticed that righties do this. Get Rove talking points in the morning & blanket the earth.
No way for the lefties to do same. If we organized it via the blogs, we’d be revealed & discredited.
Kevster @ 26
i agree with your sentiments as you can see by my comment above. there is one thing that i think we should take note of however and that is this:
Some of the Democrats are in districts that would not tolerate a no vote on the FISA treachery bill. one of the clearest examples is the district where Tom Delay represented.
Nick Lampson, Democrat, now represents that district. He won with just over 50% of the vote. Now, I don’t know anything about Nick Lampson. Chances are he’s pretty conservative. He may in fact be a Dino. However, whatever politics the man may believe in or however honest or altruistic he may or may not be, had he voted no he might as well load up the van and forget about even running next year. It would be all over for him. Add that to the lack of Democratic leadership shown and he voted yes. Those are just the facts. We need to understand these political realities because we’re gong to keep coming up on them and we need to not let the realities defeat us.
Danbury @ 78
she is equally eloquent in silence - like when she ceded some of her time to a colleague on HJC who was on a roll questioning on of the mini-Karl minions. She is a spitfire; a rep worthy of respect and support.
Just a general note for everyone: everyone is pissed, and understandably so. But there will be no references to violence, especially toward elected officials. Secret service and US Marshalls have to monitor that sort of stuff and, frankly, their jobs are difficult enough in a world full of crazies that we should all know better than to stretch their limited resources with idiocy. Please, think before you write something — you aren’t just putting yourself in a bad position, you are putting Jane and I in one as well. Thanks.
CHS,
Congressman Charlie Wilson who made into office on Former Congressman (now Governor of Ohio Ted Strickland) coattails will be at the Athens County Fair today. Some of us with questions about his vote for the expansion will be there to ask questions. Will let you know what happens
http://charliewilson.house.gov.....ntID=70438
eCAHNomics @ 84
Actually I agree better for folks just to be aware of who is on the program and come up with their own questions.
TiredFed @ 86
Every time I’ve seen her - on c-span, elsewhere, then her argument against this bill - I have been awed. I hope the Democrats put her out there more.
Kathleen @ 77
Last night’s PBS NewsHour coverage of FISA was especially disappointing.
Judy Woodruff let a Republican lawyer, Bryan Cunningham, spout complete nonsense
(ex: the bill only covers foreign-to-foreign communications) without correcting him.
The other guest, Kate Martin from Center for National Security Studies,
had to spend all of her time trying to correct Cunningham’s lies.
Heckuva job, Judy.
Danbury @ 90
Every time I’ve seen her - on c-span, elsewhere, then her argument against this bill - I have been awed. I hope the Democrats put her out there more.
Oops, sorry Tiredfed, I sliced and diced improperly.
The first paragaraph her should be attributed to TiredFed. The second is mine. [Mod:fixed]
Danbury at 90 — Debbie is great. As is Kendrick Meeks. They were instrumental in the 30 Something Dems work on the Rubber Stamp Republican work on the floor of the House — and we love them for it. They both do quite a bit, actually…the media just doesn’t bother covering it. SIGH
Danbury @ 90
Every time I’ve seen her - on c-span, elsewhere, then her argument against this bill - I have been awed. I hope the Democrats put her out there more.
Isn’t she too outspoken for the D powers-that-be? Would this be a good case to watch to see whether the party is going to do anything to advance non-R causes?
Joe Sestak currently speaking on C-Span2 about the mess that is Iraq.
Kathleen @ 6:07 -
Good stuff……thanks!
WOW! Did anyone else just hear that last WJ caller? She sliced and diced the hostess I’ve been b*tching about all morning up into wee tiny pieces and finished with, “You need to go!” Boo-yah!
allan_in_upstate @ 91
Didn’t see it, but on the basis of your report, let’s send them some feedback:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/letters.html
eCAHN at 94 — Wrong. Debbie works VERY well with Pelosi’s office, I know that for a fact.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 94
Watching him . . . looking forward to getting to know him—and I will.
eCAHNomics @ 97
Did, last night, but am not holding breath.
The slide to the right at both PBS and NPR is hard for this longtime supporter to stomach.