I have been calling Democratic Senators for torture all morning

[Generic Other]

Calling the Senate this morning looking for answers and to let them know how I feel living in America the day after our civil liberties have been suspended.

I intend to call them all by the end of the day. If anyone else happens to call and get some answers, please feel free to post them to this thread. I think we are entitled to explanations. I also think we are hitting nerves. They sound like they are getting lots of negative calls. A lot of defensiveness, a slight edge in the tones of the aides.

I am starting with the Democrats but then I plan to move on to the Republicans.

Here's what I heard so far:

Stabenow’s office—Mr. Perky appreciates my call, but will not explain senator’s vote, has nothing to say at all in fact.

Landrieu’s office—a soft Southern white woman’s accent assures me the senator votes for the interests of the people of Louisiana. When asked if that includes torture, the aide says she did not vote for torture but in order to allow detainees to be questioned. When I question Landrieu’s democratic credentials, I am told to have a good day before the aide hangs up on me.

Salazar’s office—No one answering the phone.

Rockefeller’s office—The aide has no answer for why his senator voted as he did. Tells me to go to his webpage for an explanation. Then hangs up on me.

Pryor’s office—The senator voted for this legislation because it would protect American servicemen. When I argued that it would open them up to torture and inhumane treatment, the aide fell silent. She seemed on the verge of tears. Thanked me for calling.

Nelson of Nebraska’s office—Voted for torture to help the military in their mission. Unable to answer the question of how such legislation would help the military men and women it has put in danger.

Nelson of Florida’s office—Congress needed a policy to protect the military. No explanation for why this particular legislation would do that. Aide did acknowledge Nelson is running for re-election this November.


on edit: Here's where I got their phone numbers
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[Armstead]

1. Thanks for doing that

[timeforchangenow]

2. Good for you!!!

Can we get the numbers of all the democrats that voted yes and get those numbers posted in this thread. I'm so mad right now. I want to vent on some turncoats!!!!

[babylonsister]

3. I applaud your determination, G O, but

I imagine it's going to get discouraging getting those kinds of non-responses. It's pathetic to think that these senators actually think they're protecting the military by voting for torture. That makes no sense to me.

[Generic Other]

11. Still, I want to hear it with my own ears

No matter how personally sickening I find their stances to be. I call as the relative of a former POW who committed suicide after he returned home. I feel like I am entitled to the answers, however lame they may be.

If we are going to descend to the level of animals in the name of protecting our military, I am going to do my utmost to sink my teeth into someone's ankle.

[mom cat]

18. I applaud you for your action.

:yourock:

[MoonRiver]

21. LOL!

I love the visual! :D

So sorry for the loss of your relative. :hug:

[bryant69]

4. Nelson of Florida is running against no-hoper Katherine Harris

He voted for this because he wanted to, not because of political pressure.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Jeanette in FL]

7. When I called his office, I was lead to believe that his vote would be Nay

His office said that they were overwhelmed with calls in the past few days with people expressing the same sentiment as myself. I was also told that Nelson would be voting for the Spector amendment to the bill. I failed to ask directly how was the Senator going to vote on the Torture Bill.

Yep, he voted for this because he wanted to. Period.

I haven't called his office yet, because I am still too damned pissed to be civil.

[watercolors]

8. also called Nelson's office

I said that because he has a lead over Harris, he felt secure. Well I explained we do have an indeependant candidate and I'm voting for him, maybe he shouldn't feel so secure if enough of us let him know we can change our vote! To HELL with him!

[Selatius]

5. These particular senators, especially the Nelsons, owe you nothing

Bill Nelson down there in Florida represents somebody, and it ain't the poor or the working class. He simply voted this because of cowardice, of being afraid to be labeled soft on terrorism or as a "cut and run" Democrat.

Ben Nelson of Nebraska could arguably be representing his constituency fully. It's solid Bush country out there. The fact that he calls himself a Democrat means nothing. What matters is where he stands on the issues; that's it. Party affiliation means nothing anymore because party members vote every direction under the sun.

This is the reason somebody like Bernie Sanders ran as an independent in the first place.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

6. Translation.....

"We Don't Give A Shit Which Way You Want Us To Vote."

"Oh, By The Way....Don't Forget To Vote For Me On November 7. It's VERY IMPORTANT To Me That I Get Re-elected To My Job."

[wtmusic]

9. Good for you -- you ARE making a difference

these people cannot be allowed to entertain the idea this is "business as usual"

:bounce: :patriot: :patriot: :bounce:

:headbang: :yourock: :headbang:

[Generic Other]

10. Lieberman's office responds

The aide there reminds me that Lieberman was not the only Democrat to vote for torture. I questioned whether he was a Democrat anymore and heard dead silence on the other end of the line until I had to ask if the aide was dismissing me entirely. Response: "What else can I say other than the senator believed this was a better bill than the one the president wanted..."

Never did find out what party old Joes considers himslef part of.

[Fresh_Start]

17. I wrote to Liebermann

Said I was outraged that he voted for US Concentration Camps and US torture. Asked whether he had learned nothing from the holocaust.

[raccoon]

12. Thanks, Generic Other. nt

[slipslidingaway]

13. Menendez and Lautenberg's offices wanted to see the terrorists

brought to trial??? Thanks for calling and sorry for your earlier loss.


FWIW this was announced yesterday.

"MENENDEZ, LAUTENBERG ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $270 MILLION IN NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROJECTS

Senators say funds will help protect Garden State, nation

Thursday, September 28, 2006

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Frank R. Lautenberg today announced more than $270 million in funds for projects throughout the Garden State, including millions for weapons modernization, software improvements and vaccine development. The funds, included in the Department of Defense appropriations conference report, will finance projects in all geographical regions of New Jersey. The Senate is expected to consider the conference report later this week."

http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=263977&

[timeforchangenow]

14. I'm so mad I'm going to vote

for Kathrine Harris.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

15. Yeah right...

:eyes:

[me b zola]

29. Because after all,

Harris never would have voted for torture :sarcasm:

If you are a Democrat and you are mad, grow your own Dem candidate to defeat Nelson in his next primary.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

16. Thank you for doing that..

they need to get HAMMERED for their vote! We need to hound them unti they scream uncle.

I am working on a fax that each and every Dem who voted for this crap will be getting. It is not going to be pretty, but then what they voted for isn't either.

This is now a war against enemies of the Contitution -- even if they have a "D" after their names.

[Spike from MN]

19. Thanks for doing that.

One thing you might want to bring up is that since we haven't had another attack after Sept. 11, the laws already on the books must have been adequate and those that are "fighting the terra-ists" must have already had all the tools they needed. Unless of course they weren't actually following those laws in which case anyone that had been breaking them was just given a "get out of jail free" card. Are we not a "nation of laws?"

I wonder how they'll weasel their way out of that one.

[jsamuel]

20. Thank you

sounds like they forgot to do their homework so they just signed their names to someone elses

turns out that homework got graded an F

[pat_k]

22. And, perhaps help pass this along: voiceoutrage.com

Don't keep the outrage to yourself!!

http://voiceoutrage.com">voiceoutrage.com

Call this abomination what it is: The War Criminals Protection Act

(And maybe give http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2255629&mesg_id=2255629">this one a kick)

[gully]

23. "detainees to be questioned?" Clue - we've ALWAYS been able to QUESTION

detainees!

[mhatrw]

24. Kick n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

25. Here is the contact info...

for anyone else who would like to vent:

Senators:

Carper (D-DE)
202-224-2441 phone
202-228-2190 f ax

Johnson (D-SD)
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]

Landrieu (D-LA)
Voice: [phone]
Fax [phone]

Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Lieberman (D-CT)
[phone] Voice
[phone] Fax

Menendez (D-NJ)
202.224.4744
202.228.2197 fax

Nelson (D-FL)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Ben Nelson (D-NE)
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Pryor (D-AR)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Rockefeller (D-WV)
[phone]
[phone] (fax)

Salazar (D-CO)
202) 224-5852 main
[phone] fax

Stabenow (D-MI)
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: [phone]


HOUSE:

Robert Andrews NJ
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

John Barrow GA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Melissa Bean IL
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]


Sanford Bishop (GA)
Phone- [phone]
Fax- [phone]

Dan Boren OK
202) 225-2701
[phone] fax

Leonard Boswell IA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Allan Boyd FL
[phone]
[phone] Fax

Sherrod Brown (OH)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Ben Chandler KY
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Bud Cramer AL
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Henry Cuellar TX
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]

Artur Davis (AL)
202) 225-2665 (phone)
[phone] (fax)

Lincoln Davis (TN)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Chet Edwards TX
(202)-225-6105
FAX: [phone]

Bob Etheridge NC
fax at 202-225-5662

Harold Ford TN
P [phone]
F: [phone]

Bart Gordon TN
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Stephanie Herseth SD
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Brian Higgins NY
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Tim Holden PA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Jim Marshall GA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Jim Matheson UT
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Mike McIntyre NC
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Charlie Melancon LA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Michael Michaud ME
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Dennis Moore (KS)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Collin Peterson (MN)
By fax at 202-225-1593

Earl Pomeroy ND
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Mike Ross AR
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

John Salazar, Co
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

David Scott (GA)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

John Spratt SC
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

John Tanner TN
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Gene Taylor (MS)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[blogslut]

26. Thank you for doing that.

I called my senators yesterday, even though they are kool-aid drinkers Hutchinson and Cornyn. I was so disheartened yesterday. That vote 65-35(4?) - broke my heart.

I hear it was a grand plan to diffuse the Repubs tendency to call us soft on terrorism. I got something I'm thinking about doing but I don't know.

They (the people working the dems?) said that Americans aren't paying attention to this issue. I'm wondering if this is true. That breaks my heart even more.

[savemefromdumbya]

27. see if you can make an appointment to see the purpetrators

sometimes you can get to sit dwon with them to talk about it? but no doubt they will be feeling a little sheepish?

[fooj]

28. They can no longer be considered REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE.

They have NO RIGHT to hang up on a concerned citizen of this country. Who the hell do they think they are? I'd also add "Why did you vote for a bill that was ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL and in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions by SCOTUS?"

Thanks for making the calls. It's good to let them all know we are DISGUSTED with their LACK OF LEADERSHIP and MORAL PRINCIPLES. As a matter of fact...I think I'll do the same. You see? You've motivated me to make some calls myself. Right on!:bounce:

[Generic Other]

30. It's a great way to use up my free minutes

At least something is free around here.

I felt a lot better after I called. I hope they are all getting lots of calls.

I've never called a Repubs office before. I can't even imagine how they will spin their votes except that it will paint Dems in a bad light. There is no compromising with these "evil sumbitches" as Malloy would say!

[knitter4democracy]

31. I'll take on Debbie Stabenow's office on this one.

This is disgusting to me. I know she's in a tighter race than she'd like, but that was the wrong vote no matter what.

She was my state rep growing up, and I met her at the state convention this summer. I will make sure I get an answer from her.