Senator Feingold gives NYTimes a piece of his mind....

[kentuck]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/18/opinion/l18bush.html

To the Editor:

Re "Time for Facts, Not Resolutions" (editorial, March 17):

The president broke the law, and Congress must hold the president accountable.

You are right that the nation deserves to know more details about the National Security Agency's spying program, but there's nothing we could learn that would change the fact that by authorizing the program, the president broke the law.

Member of both parties who have concerns about the legality of the N.S.A.'s program, and there are quite a few, should not try to avoid that central issue while offering proposals to legalize the president's conduct.

I strongly support wiretapping terrorists to protect our national security, which current law allows.

The president needs to follow that law, or inform Congress of any reasons he thinks that law should be changed. He has a responsibility to obey the laws that Congress passes.

There must be no equivocation on that central tenet of our system of government.

I applauded Senator Harry Reid's effort to take the Senate into closed session to get answers on the intelligence and policy failures leading up to the Iraq war. But to suggest that such a maneuver is our only recourse now ignores the role the founders expected Congress to play when a president commits such a flagrant abuse of power.

We don't need a closed session to highlight the president's lawbreaking; we need an open debate and an expression of the Senate's judgment.

Members of Congress do need to "fulfill their sworn duty," as you suggest, and that means censuring a president who so plainly broke the law and violated the trust of the American people.

Russell Feingold
U.S. Senator from Wisconsin
Washington, March 17, 2006

[Peggy Day]

1. so there!

[Swamp Rat]

2. Geaux Feingold!!!

SUPPORT FEINGOLD!!!

:patriot:

[chicofaraby]

3. The question is easy

Do you support censure or do you support warrantless secret domestic spying?

Every Senator needs to answer that question.

[Trevelyan]

41. I tried to email Harkin to thank him for being one of the few Dems to

support Russ but got this message: The page cannot be displayed There is a problem with the page you are trying to reach and it cannot be displayed. ried several times to submit my email but just got the above message.

Thank you again for standing with Sen. Feingold and the American people on CENSURING Bush for his ILLEGAL NSA Domestic Spying on US using OUR TAXDOLLARS!!! I appreciate the strongly-worded statement against bush's constant attempts to break our country and our citizens.

Thank you for restoring the budget cuts to the most vulnerable of OUR CITIZENS and congratulations on getting this bill PASSED IN THE SENATE.

Another Patriot,

="Tom Harkin: Why I Fully Support Bush Censure

We have a President who likes to break things. He has broken the federal budget, running up $3 trillion in new debt. He has broken the Geneva Conventions, giving the green light to torture. He has repeatedly broken promises – and broken faith – with the American people. And now, worst of all, he has broken the law.

In brazen violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), he ordered the National Security Agency to conduct warrantless wiretaps of American citizens. And, despite getting caught red-handed, he refuses to stop.

Let's be clear: No American – and that must include the President – is above the law. And if we fail to hold Bush to account, then he will be confirmed in his conviction that he can pick and choose among the laws he wants to obey. This is profoundly dangerous to our democracy....:applause:

==3/16/2006Bipartisan Harkin-Specter Budget Amendment Passes the Senate!:woohoo:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today praised passage of his Budget Amendment to restore critical resources for key health, human services, education, job training, and human services initiatives. The President has slashed funding for these initiatives-funded each year through the Labor HHS Education Appropriations measure- over the past two years. The President's proposed FY07 Budget funds the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education and Labor $7 billion less than two...

:patriot:

[SeattleGirl]

4. Right on, Senator!

You are absolutely right! Thanks for calling the NYT on their bullshit!

[Hissyspit]

5. Recommended!

Most definitely.

[sheelz]

6. Do you know what else this letter calls for?

Senator Russell Feingold needs to be Minority Leader. Immediately!

[Poiuyt]

20. That's an excellent point!

I might be in a minority here, but I feel that Sen Feingold has a greater value to the country as a senator in a leadership position than as a president. America desperately needs to have a congress that will hold the executive branch accountable. Feingold has shown that he would do that no matter who the president is.

[sheelz]

26. Silly

[cascadiance]

33. If there were two people like Feingold, I'd agree with you.

But ultimately I want him leading our country! I think someone like Barbara Boxer could lead the Senate quite nicely, even though it still might be a bit harder for her to get elected to president than Feingold. We need Feingold at the helm to ensure that his leadership will help make sure that our bill of rights and civil rights are protected in all branches of government as well as fixing probably the most important issue of all. Moving to public financed "clean elections" campaigns at a national level. In my mind he'd be the best person in the White House to ensure that gets done and make us more "We the People" AGAIN instead of "We the corporations" that we've become in recent years.

[Trevelyan]

38. We may NEVER HAVE ANOTHER ELECTION if we don't get Russ Feingold in the

Democratic LEADERSHIP position ASAP. Boxer has not been as proactive as we had hoped after her lone stand against the validity of the electors votes in January 2005. She has petitions but Russ' fiery speech shows he has the aggressiveness we need RIGHT NOW to let the American people who are not aware of the political side of the Internet to know what is being done.

Please write to the MSM to let them know you support FINEGOLD'S CENSURE OF BUSH AND CONYERS' IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY RESOLUTIONS.

Go to http://www.ImpeachPac.com for more information. A lot happening with the States voting for Impeachment to pressure the cowering, cowardly Congress.

Sign Congressman Conyers' Citizen Co-Sponsor Letter to begin Impeachment Inquiry in the House of Representatives into Bush's crimes against the American people:
http://www.johnconyers.com Conyer's Action Items

Sign Senator Feingold's petition to CENSURE Bush for his crimes against the American people:
http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com/

Go to Sites: HalliburtonWatch and Know Your War Profiteers for playing cards with Kissenger/Condi Ect. War Criminals
http://www.warprofiteers.com http://www.ruckus.org
http://www.publicintegrity.org/wow/

[Trevelyan]

37. Amen. Reid has to go, he is a turncoat like Kerry. We need Russ Feingold

and his incredible courage as Democratic LEADER before it is too late.

[Pacifist Patriot]

45. Not to mention...

Majority Leader come swearing in January 2007.

[understandinglife]

7. K&R.

Be The Bu$h Opposition - 24/7

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. Too wishy-washy to be President.

:sarcasm:

[madokie]

19. wheww!!

[northofdenali]

9. I think I'm in love..........

[IsIt1984Yet]

28. Here's a cute site:

http://www.russ08.com/index.php

Latest Love Letters

Dear Russy-poo -

Well done this week, cutie. You sure showed them!

Love,
Nogacide

Permalink :: Posted on 2006-03-13 20:15:33

Dear Russy-kins -

I'm in love with you. I don't mean to say that I strongly agree with all of your stances on the various issues, including civil liberty protection, a date for withdrawl for Iraq, campaign finance reform, and the end of the death penalty, though I do agree with those things. What I mean is that I am literally in love with you. I'd consider making the switch from heterosexuality to homosexuality if the opportunity arose to be with you forever, and I'm glad that you are indeed fighting so that one day we might get married.

However, until the day comes when we're finally together, I'll support you for whatever office you choose to run for. Especially president. In 2008.

Love,
Brian

Permalink :: Posted on 2006-03-13 17:02:00

[librechik]

10. in my dreams...Feingold 08

[madmark]

11. he is the only thing standing in the way of the final killing of the 4th

amendment.

[bklyncowgirl]

12. I read that letter thinking, wow this person really laying it all out

I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was Feingold himself when I scrolled down to the end. It didn't have that usual "Congressional letter to the editor" aura about it.

Good for Russ.

[theHandpuppet]

13. Okay, I'm convinced

I could vote for this man for President.

Can someone tell me where I can find info on where Feingold stands on ALL the issues, including reproduction rights and gay rights? I'd like an overview before I get too enthusiastic here.

[Jackpine Radical]

15. Here's a quick source.

Hit "On the Issues" on the left side of the page.

http://feingold.senate.gov/

[flpoljunkie]

16. Here's another, Feingold's PAC, the Progressive Patriots Fund.

http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com

[Greyskye]

44. Thanks for that!

I just spent a couple hours going over his stance, records, resolutions, etc.; and I have to say I'm impressed. If he continues to walk his talk, I'd be proud to have him as a President.

[flpoljunkie]

14. Boy, does he ever give them a piece of his mind, and so richly deserved!

Thanks for posting, kentuck!

[Atmashine]

17. That's neat.

Go Feingold!

[Rose Siding]

18. All four letters are great

If people squawk loudly enough, perhaps the rest of our "leaders" will read the polls and rush to get out in front of us.

[glitch]

27. ..vote, and see who stands with crime and who stands with the Constitution

The last one was perfectly succinct:
"Senator Russell Feingold has simply cut the Gordian knot: Put the administration's criminality up to a vote, and see who stands with crime and who stands with the Constitution."

[Sarah Ibarruri]

21. The fact that his popularity on this topic is soaring is a SIGN!!!

It's a sign that the Republicans are up shit's creek in the next election. I'm in favor of ANYTHING that will keep the president's illegal activities in our minds. We need to write the media and encourage them to continue publishing what's happening with the president's low support rate.

[IndianaGreen]

22. Feingold: A Democrat with a spine!

A maverick that stands squarely on the side of the Republic and the Constitution.

Russ is for US!

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. I LOVE Russ Feingold! I would vote for him in a HEARTBEAT!

He's the ONLY one standing up for our country and the CONSTITUTION. THAT says a LOT. HE DESERVES TO BE THE PRESIDENT!

[Sarah Ibarruri]

24. Please show him your support by e-mailing him. I did! nt

[mousie]

25. Thank you Senator Feingold!!!

[Le Taz Hot]

29. Those of us who support Senator Feingold for president

would be wise to have a strategy for Iowa and New Hampshire. Remember, had Californians, New Yorkers and millions of others been able to have a real input as to who the Democratic nominee would have been, Howard Dean would have been president now. As it was, the party bosses knew it was unnecessary to take their fight to all states -- they only had to take it to two.

It is vital to learn from the Dean experience and ensure that ALL DEMOCRATS throughout the country get a vote on who the nominee will be. The DLC-sponsored negative ads can be easily countered. It's the easily manipulated caucus system that must be closely scrutinized. As many Democratic candidates as possible must be kept alive and viable for the ENTIRE PRIMARY SEASON. We need to have a strategy in place to ensure we can counter the usual DLC dirty tricks.

[JetCityLiberal]

32. kick n/t

[Imagevision]

34. Feingold in 08 -- looking forward to debate w/ Feingold-Gore & Hillary?

[Voltaire]

39. Skip Iowa

As a Dean veteran of Iowa I say skip it entirely. Nothing against the people of that state, but the caucus system stinks.

[Le Taz Hot]

50. You're absolutely right

Hell, I WANT to see a floor fight. I want to see 2-3 candidates go neck and neck on the floor of the convention. THAT is a living Democracy.

[Lifelong Protester]

30. Yay Feingold!

I have emailed him several times already in a show of support. We in Wisconsin are truly proud of him and I for one truly think the man is ready for a bigger national role. We need him!!

[Lena inRI]

31. I finally figured out whom RF looks like. . .

the French actor,

Ives Montand

, nee Ivo Livi (French-Italian).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yves_Montand

Just a thought. . .more importantly, this Senator deserves our admiration and complete support as he joins Rep John Conyers toward slaying the Bushdragons.

They're are only hope so far.


:yourock:

[Trevelyan]

35. My letter to the NYT in support of Sen. Feingold:

Russ Feingold speaks for me and countless American citizens concerned about the runaway bush regime.

NYT needs to show as much courage as Sen. Feingold and do interviews with this courageous Senator and Americans who agree that Bushco needs not only CENSURE for NSA ILLEGAL DOMESTIC SPYING but that Rep. Conyers' Impeachment Inquiry bills also need to get started on taking back our country from the Nazis.

More articles on Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib, rendition and the recently released horrific torture photographs and videos and the Iran-Contra "Detention Camps" and the building of camps on the mainland USA by Halliburton Brown and Root using OUR TAXDOLLARS.

[Trevelyan]

36. K&R The only Senator to stand up to the Bush Regime's theft of our

democracy DESERVES OUR SUPPORT.

Please go to Russ For President and join the Forums.

Thank you.

[me b zola]

40. K & R

:applause:

[Laxman]

42. Keep Your Eye On The Ball

The most important message that Feingold's letter sets forth is to concentrate, not on some specious debate about why the administration was spying, but upon the illegality of the actions. Mr. Rove and his minions are brilliantly adept at framing public debate. They have succeeded in bringing the conversation regarding the illegal wiretaps and other constitutional transgressions into the realm of being some sort of scholarly debate over the separation of powers in our government and where its just a question of interpretation. Of course in these "grey" areas, we must err on the side of protecting our nation from the bogey men and other assorted evil doers out there waiting to do us harm. The real fact of the matter is that they never expected to get caught trashing those pesky legal technicalities in the Bill of Rights. When they were caught the misinformation machine was immediately turned to the spin cycle and we have this bogus debate over the inherent powers of the presidency. Now, even in the event that the Supreme Court decides against the president, it won't be an impeachable offense, just an honest disagreement over an interpretation of the Constitution that took the wise and learned judgment of the Supreme Court to settle. You've got to hand it to them, they really know how to manipulate public debate. Meanwhile, with the public having the attention span of a hyperactive golden lab puppy, a deliberate and cynically planned disregard of the restraints on government power go unchecked and unpunished. No matter what the political ramifications of Senator Feingold's censure motion may ultimately be, the questions need to be asked regarding just what took place. Hard as it may be to believe, if we don't, there will be some future administration even less enlightened than this one which will show up and show even more disregard for our liberties.

[mdmc]

43. nice post

welcome to DU

[lanah]

46. Go Russ

I wish more of our congresspeople would take a stand
"The president broke the law, and Congress must hold the president accountable."

end of story- do your jobs!

[Sugarcoated]

48. Hey lanah

Welcome to the DU! :hi:

What brought you here?

[IrishBloodEngHeart]

47. Feinstein, Bauh and Lieberman will soon issue a letter

standing up for the president, and telling Russ to wait and compromise.

[Sugarcoated]

49. You forget to put in the sarcasm thingy

I hope?

[Tyranny of Evil Men]

51. Wait, So I'm Lost Here

"I strongly support wiretapping terrorists to protect our national security, which current law allows."

Color me surprised but then what is he hoping to achieve with a censure motion if this is his position?