Call Tomorrow Morning and tell the Dems to Stand Up Against Torture!

[Wisconsin Larry]

Here's an 800 number at Amnesty International and the usual number. http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/site/c.goJTI0OvElH/b.2070005/k.BBAA/National_Callin_Week_for_the_America_We_Believe_In/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=goJTI0OvElH&b=2070005&en=ckJVI7PLLnLTJ6ONLbLQJbMUKcLNJ2MNLfIYKlN6H

We are now not "days away" but just hours away from abandoning the rule of law and not having the Dems not stand up to shout this down is abhorrent. Let's call tomorrow morning and tell Harry Reid he does not get to pick and chose when he has a spine. You either do or do not.

From the Amnesty International site this bill will:
*Abandon the rule of law and give the President the freedom to interpret the Geneva Conventions any way he sees
fit.
* Provide immunity to those responsible for past human rights abuses
* Exempt from prosecution those who authorize treatment traditionally considered torture.
* Strip detainees of access to US courts.

The soul of our nation is in jeopardy. Everything we believe in is on the line. If America renounces the Geneva Conventions like President Bush wants to do, nations all over the world will follow. American soldiers will be placed in greater threat of torture and cruel treatment when captured, not just by one or two rogue nations, but by many nations that follow America's lead.

Call 1-800-AMNESTY and our operators will connect you or call the Congressional switch board directly at 202-224-3121 (or lookup your officials info). Let the person on the phone know that you are a constituent, and tell them that the deal President Bush has struck is a betrayal of the America you believe in. Ask your Senator and representative to stand firm in defense of human rights.

[uppityperson]

1. Tell them to stand up against giving judicial powers to the president too

Keep executive, congressional and judicial powers seperate!

[MADem]

2. Why not call the fucking REPUBLICANS? Last time I checked, they

had the goddamn majority in both Houses, with the absolute power to set the agendas and decide when votes are taken,...not US. And they damn near have an absolute majority in any event.

Sheesh. Let's all complain to the janitor about our paychecks while we're at it.

I'm frankly sick of these threads. Nothing personal, mind. But perhaps if the phones were ringing off the hooks in some of those GOP offices, instead of beating on powerless Dems, and especially those of the GOP clowns up for reelection, they might slow the train down a bit.

[Wisconsin Larry]

4. Actually I've tried that too. Well at least some F'ng Repbub that

have chance of listening like Chafee. But part of my rant is political I'm almost ashamed to say or maybe not. Consider the following.

"Beltway Democrats and many of their supporters seem incapable of understanding that their central flaw has not been that they are "too liberal" on national security, but that they are perceived as standing for nothing. They appear weak and unprincipled not when it comes to standing up to the terrorists, but when it comes to standing up to the president for what they actually believe. Support for the torture bill is unconscionable; that ought to go without saying. But it is also politically self-destructive, because it depresses their base (who wants to vote for a party that supports the president's torture bill?) and inflames the perception that they are unwilling to fight for their convictions unless doing so is politically expedient." -- Glenn Greenwald http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/index.html scroll down for it

[MADem]

5. The Senate vote goes down TOMORROW. It's a bit late to be

calling out our team, frankly. The ones to sweat are the GOP Senators up for reelection. Lie and tell them you are your GOP neighbor if you have to when you call.

The Democrats aren't the ones holding the cards. But all "we" seem to be doing is acting as though they are. If this vote passes, it will be on GOP votes, by and large.

[spag68]

3. I called

mine Clinton and s
Schumer tuesday, when this crap was just getting started. You you have to realize that this is another rovian trap for them so don't expect too much.

[Wisconsin Larry]

6. I think it's only a trap if they fall in and they have so far.

The point of the mid term elections (and maybe all elections) is to energize the base. This was an excellent chance to energize the progressives and maybe a lot of independents (whoever the hell those are) to get out and vote this fall. I think that a loyal opposition and a consistent one can overcome the Rovian obstructionist BS. Look how popular Russ Feingold is for example. At least in Wisconsin anyway where Kerry only won by ~11,000 votes

[Wisconsin Larry]

7. Thus far, I have called Reid, Kohl, Feingold, Chafee,

and Obama. http://www.visi.com/juan/congress / is an interactive map to phone numbers.

Reid's staffer indicated that Reid is working hard to stop this (finally) and that if all else fails, filibuster is an option. But he had to get going because the calls were really backed up on this issue.

Kohl will vote against. Feingold's staffer read a strong statement against the torture and the wiretapping bills. I asked the staffer to read it to Senator Reid which got a chuckle.

Chafee's staffer said that the Senator has not taken a position and will be checking in to see how the calls are going.

Only Obama's office asked where I was calling from so All calls count!