Call Your Senators

[tedivm]

"Republicans and Democrats in Congress reached a breakthrough compromise yesterday on a bill that would dramatically revamp the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Most significantly, the draft legislation makes legal the president's probably previously illegal National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance program. If signed into law, the

Comments

[mhaille]

Senator Kennedy is not voting on any issues currently, as he was recently operated on for a malignant brain tumor, so I would suggest not calling his staffers.

[tedivm]

Not true, he helped introduce a bill today.

"WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Edward M. Kennedy today introduced a bill to establish a senior position at the White House to coordinate, develop and implement strategies to more effectively address the plight of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons. Since the 2003 invasion, more than four million Iraqis have been displaced from their home or have become refugees. Senator Kennedy is Chairman of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Refugees."
http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsroom/press_release.cfm?id=a63d2f31-ee28-41de-98a3-fc4beb4d4e8c

[mhaille]

If you read it, it tells you that it was introduced on his behalf by the Senate majority leader. Kennedy has not voted on anything for almost a month now.

[tedivm]

Then perhaps its time he stepped down. No offense to the man, but if he can't do his job then someone needs to.

[mhaille]

Whether you feel he should step down for health reasons or not, my only point was that it is a waste of both your time and that of his staffers to urge him to vote on this matter.

[tedivm]

That may be the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

First off, I didn't even bring up voted. I said people should express their concerns to their government.

If he's introducing bills, which he clearly is, then why how is it a waste of time?

Your suggestion is both offensive and irresponsible. This country is founded on people voicing their concerns- its the FIRST amendment for a reason- and to try and convince people that they shouldn't bother, for whatever reason, is just plain stupid.

[mhaille]

He is NOT physically present in the Senate right now. The bill, which he wrote prior to hospitalization, was introduced on his behalf by the majority leader. Absolutely people should voice their opinions to their elected representatives. However, Senator Kennedy can do nothing in this particular vote because he is not present.

I am asking that the staffers not be deluged with emails from people expecting him to participate in this particular vote, so that they don't have to spend the next 48 hours explaining over and over that he will not be voting for health reasons. Nothing more, nothing less.

[tedivm]

Again, I never mentioned a specific vote. There isn't one even lined up yet.

If Senator Kennedy were to say "I don't support this bill, its bad, no one should support it" it would go a long way towards pushing other Senators who are on the line over. He could cosponsor a bill (just like he did today), and that would give it that much more significance. Hell, if he felt that people in his state really cared about this issue it could make him care about it that much more, and whether he's in recover or not he still has a lot of power.

I'm going to continue to disagree with you, strongly, on this. I will continue to think its irresponsible to tell people not to contact their elected officials, regardless of the reasons. I'm also going to disagree with your assessment that Senator Kennedy is powerless, because its clearly inaccurate. You can continue to respond, but I will not change my mind on that.

[mhaille]

I took "we can still stop this in the Senate" to mean that a vote had been scheduled, and for relatively soon- as is usually the case if it has already been up for a vote in the House

[tedivm]

and more importantly, if he's still able to work then why shouldn't people call him? If he can introduce bills then I see no reason why people shouldn't be able to call and talk to his staffers. I never brought up voting in my original post, but rather suggested that, as citizens, we should should call our elected officials and let them know our opinion.

[mhaille]

The bill was written long before he experienced symptoms from the tumor, and introduced on his behalf by his party. (The other co-sponsors are, as far as I know, all hale, hearty, and present.) I do agree that it is worthwhile to let his office know that you feel strongly on issues that are important to you, but he will not be present for the roll call prior to this vote. Encouraging people to call and ask him to try and block this legislation will not accomplish that end.

(And sorry for the anonymous comment above, I had closed the window and missed that I was signed out.)