Senator Dodd Speaks in Opposition to FISA Bill on Floor of U.S. Senate »
Posted by: disraeli 2 months, 1 week agoThe text of Senator Dodd's speech in opposition to the legislation that would provide immunity to the Telecoms who participated in Bush's warrantless wiretapping of American citizens.
Read Full Story at dodd.senate.gov
Join the Discussion 
+ Add Comment
Comments So Far: 16
-
0%
disraeli2 months, 1 week ago
This is a very compelling speech and a damning indictment of both the legislation in question and the Bush administration in general.
I can't summarize my views of this legislation any better than Dodd's own words;
"And that ought to be the epitaph of this Administration: 'sacrificing liberty for no apparent enhancement of security.' Worse than selling our soul - giving it away for free!"
Reply -
0%
sumptuousdigs2 months, 1 week ago
Well it's good to see you. Now, back to my reading. So far Senator Dodd has wrapped the argument quite neatly, and forcefully.
Reply -
0%
sumptuousdigs2 months, 1 week ago
Compelling. Could any American read the remarks as prepared and not have a lump in their throat or a sense for the danger this country is in.
I dare anyone to parse it and refute it in detail. Take the shrill klaxon away, and the voice of reason rings true and clear.
Excellent post Disraeli, it's a must read for anyone interested in the rule of law...or their own freedom!
Reply-
0%
humemacdonald2 months, 1 week ago
Sump, this is such a heartfelt plea that even non-Americans could get a lump in their throat. It really is heartbreaking to think that the right to Habeas Corpus made it through the middle ages and the Inquisition, only to be tossed aside in such a blink of an eye by this administration.
How will we all be judged by future generations? I am sure that many Germans pondered the same question, and then turned a blind eye to that which they felt was not of their own personal doing. Unfortunately,history hasn't been so kind to this type of rationalizing behaviour.
Democracies require constant paticipation by their citizens-
cont'd
Reply-
0%
humemacdonald2 months, 1 week ago
My daughters, Grace and Christina, are six and three. They are growing up in a time of two great conflicts: one between our nation and its enemies, and another, between what is best and worst in our American soul. And someday soon, I know I am going to hear that question: "What did you do?" I want, more than anything else, to give the right answer.
That question is coming for every single one of us in this body. Every single one of us will be judged by a jury from whom there's no hiding: our sons, our daughters, our grandchildren. Someday soon, they'll read in their textbooks the story of a great nation, one that threw down tyrants and oppressors for two centuries; one that rid the world of Nazism and Soviet communism; one that proved that great strength can serve great virtue, that right can truly make might.
And then they will read how, in the early years of the 21st century, that nation lost its way.
Reply
-
-
-
0%
humemacdonald2 months, 1 week ago
Wow I can't believe that this story did not get more votes!!
This is one of the best submissions that I have seen on Propeller. Thanks for sending it my way Sump.
So many wonderful quotes-
I am here today because of a patternâ;;a pattern of abuse against civil liberties and the rule of law. Against the Constitutionâ;;of which we are custodians, temporary though that status may be.
Reply-
0%
tehranchik2 months, 1 week ago
You are right Hume---this belongs front and center. I'm not usually a fan of Dodds but this speech deserves recognition.
Reply -
0%
rightfromwrong2 months, 1 week ago
No one votes because of apathy. Americans are afraid to even protest such an assault on freedom....Apathy is evil!!!
Reply
-
-
0%
humemacdonald2 months, 1 week ago
It is a fairly lengthy piece so I want to add a few of my favourite excerpts
My father, Senator Tom Dodd, was the number two American prosecutor at the famous Nuremberg trials. And I have never, never forgotten the example he set.
As Justice Robert Jackson said in his opening statement at Nuremberg: "That four great nations, flushed with victory and stung with injury, stay the hand of vengeance and voluntarily submit their captive enemies to the judgment of the law is one of the most significant tributes that Power has ever paid to Reason."
Mr. President, what is the tribute that Power owes to Reason?
That America stands for a transcendent idea.
The idea that laws should rule, not men.
The idea that the Constitution does not get suspended for vengeance.
The idea that this nation should never tailor its eternal principles to the conflict of the moment, because if we did, we would be walking in the footsteps of the enemies we despised.
Reply -
0%
humemacdonald2 months, 1 week ago
My father, Senator Tom Dodd, was the number two American prosecutor at the famous Nuremberg trials. And I have never, never forgotten the example he set.
As Justice Robert Jackson said in his opening statement at Nuremberg: "That four great nations, flushed with victory and stung with injury, stay the hand of vengeance and voluntarily submit their captive enemies to the judgment of the law is one of the most significant tributes that Power has ever paid to Reason."
Mr. President, what is the tribute that Power owes to Reason?
That America stands for a transcendent idea.
The idea that laws should rule, not men.
The idea that the Constitution does not get suspended for vengeance.
The idea that this nation should never tailor its eternal principles to the conflict of the moment, because if we did, we would be walking in the footsteps of the enemies we despised.
Reply-
0%
humemacdonald2 months, 1 week ago
oops!! At first I thought I had no post, and now I have two-lol!
Reply
-
-
0%
engineer2 months, 1 week ago
That is one of the best and relevant speeches I have seen. It's time bring back our democracy for all Americans and to jail the evil in the White House and all his horde
Reply -
0%
rightfromwrong2 months, 1 week ago
There is a freedom march I believe in NYC this summer. Freedom from the tyranny of the America on it's way to fascism.
Reply
Submitted By:
disraeli
Also submitted:
Related Articles:
Why not submit a story?
Also Propping This Article
Groups Watching This
No groups are watching this story. Why not share it with your group?
