The Hill reports that because of Sen. Russ Feingold’s (D-WI) objections to legislation overhauling the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Senate leaders have decided to push back consideration of the bill until after the Independence Day recess. Feingold, along with several other lawmakers, are fighting against granting immunity to telecomms that participated in the Bush administration’s illegal spying program.

That’s my baby, Russ. :)
June 26th, 2008 at 5:59 pmFeingold is a true patriot!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:59 pmI bet BushCo is shatting all over themselves about now.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:00 pmI hope Obama has that talk with him.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:00 pmRuss Feingold = American Hero!
June 26th, 2008 at 6:02 pmGod bless Russ Feingold and Chris Dodd. They are true patriots and American heroes.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:04 pmupside99 said:
I bet BushCo is shatting all over themselves about now.
It’s a little too soon to declare victory, blocking this bill as it stands is still an up hill battle but I applaud Feingold’s efforts, he truly is an American patriot along with Chris Dodd.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
June 26th, 2008 at 6:05 pmWhen we lament the spinelessness of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, and Dianne Feinstein and Steny Hoyer, Russ Feingold is our model of conscientious, progressive public servant, the figure to which we compare all of these lesser legislators.
Thank you, Wisconsin.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:12 pmThis provides an opening for oppostion to build. If you ever wanted to voice your opinion to your senator, now is the time. Anyone want to predict how long it will take for McConnell, Coburn and the rest of the Republican delay squad to demand that the vote happen immediatel?
June 26th, 2008 at 6:13 pmFor those who haven’t seen Russ Feingold’s campaign T-shirt from his last election:
It had the usual “Vote for Feingold” on the front…And…
June 26th, 2008 at 6:13 pmA Life size human spinal colum on the back. Says it all…
I’m beginning to believe that RF is the only honorable man in the Senate.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:14 pmNow is the time to pressure the daintycrats, when they go home to their districts for the holiday.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:15 pmFinally!
June 26th, 2008 at 6:16 pmI don’t understand why we can not block legislation when the repugs do it all the time!
Make that “states…”
June 26th, 2008 at 6:16 pmI guess that means you will vote for Barry this fall.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:25 pmpax Says:
Finally!
I don’t understand why we can not block legislation when the repugs do it all the time!
Democrats don’t vote as a block. The leadership in the Senate is against this bill. Republicans do as they are told by their masters.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:27 pmWhen I was sending out numerous and anger filled emails last week right before the house caved on FISA (worst were reserved for my personal hero Dick Durbin and Obama), I also sent one each to Dodd and Feingold thanking them for their patriotic efforts and decrying the gutless in the party that had caved and would cave (in the Senate).
I had thrown the towel in after the House vote, believing it was over.
God Bless Dodd and Feingold, who didn’t.
Kennedy’s “Profiles in Courage” needs to be updated.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:28 pmTanqueray Says:
shoeless Says:
I hope Obama has that talk with him.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Barry already has had “that” talk with him. Barry supports the bill.
No, he supports the parts that restate the need for a FISA warrant but does not support the telco immunity.
So, will you still be voting for him or do you not like the Constitution?
June 26th, 2008 at 6:29 pmNow it is up to us to use the extra time to show the Senate that the people support Sen. Feingold. Ideas for action here: http://firedoglake.com/ 2008/ 06/ 25/ fisa-anyone-up-for-a-bit-of-action/
June 26th, 2008 at 6:36 pmRuss Feingold has raised $245.00 from 7 supporters on Act Blue. That’s pathetic! He deserves a little more recognition from us.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:39 pmThere have never been enough people, of Feingold’s caliber, in government. But, there are a few. We The People just need to elect more. Let us hope that there are enough of them available to use the strengths in the system to stop, and reverse, the rot.
A few more like Russ, scattered in the House and Senate, will have to serve as the goads for the “players” which comprise the bulk. Fortunately those “players” all have to face reelection. And even they understand the significance of polls, votes and donations.
As frightening as the state of our nation is, it’s also exhilarating and full of hope. The potential for a real change for the better is there for our taking. We have an opportunity to effect political change like none before us. The first step is to put those few BEST candidates in office, then take to the streets, peacefully of course, if they fail the test.
BTW, I hope with every fiber of my being that we don’t have to include dragging a criminal administration, kicking and screaming, out of a bunker next February.
Sorry about the long rant. I feel better.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:40 pmI love it! I’m proud that Russ is my Senator, too. Maybe we need to buy an apron for Democrats that says, “Why not grow a pair?”
June 26th, 2008 at 6:49 pmTanq,
And he supports Feingold’s efforts and I am sure we will be hearing a lot more about this after the 4th recess.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:49 pmpax Says:
Finally!
I don’t understand why we can not block legislation when the repugs do it all the time!
———-
Frankly, I don’t know why it only takes ONE republican Senator to put a hold on a bill, but it takes 41 democrats to uphold a filibuster. Why can’t ONE democrat put a hold on a bill? REpukes do it all the time.
And SOMEONE allows these bills to be allowed to be voted on — on the floor of the house. Why even allow a vote? What the hell use is a dem majority if you can’t take advantage of it? Time to get those Blue Bush dogs OUT of there.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:52 pmHey Tanq and Zed,
Are you in favor of the SCOTUS ruling on the DC gun case?
And tell us why you feel the way you do?
June 26th, 2008 at 6:52 pmThe Democratic Leadership is purposely keeping Obama out of this, because the Reichwingers will use, no matter what he does, it as attack ammo.
And he has stated that he is not for the immunity of the telecoms on this.
They are being real careful about the attack dogs on the right ( I hate typing “the right” when they are so “wrong” )
June 26th, 2008 at 6:53 pmZed Lefflin Says:
Puhhhhleese, he’s got his speedo’s on just like Harry…and when he does he will faint drowning to save face ……. watch!
You must not know Feingold very well.
Check out the final Senate vote on the original Patriot Act. And keep in mind that vote was soon after 9/11.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:53 pm“Sen Obama will TRY…”
uh huh
June 26th, 2008 at 6:57 pmA ‘Change’ we can all believe in. So, when does the change begin?
No lokidog. No contrary facts pass through the bubble of delusion. You must remember that these are the kind who relish the fact that their Masters are killing Muslims. That’s all that really matters to the average trollish mentality.
Hack and burn. They plow through life like a speed freak playing Warcraft. They may claim they admire the courage they lack when it involves the shedding of blood. But ethical courage, much like intellectual honesty, is beyond their understanding.
But, they help for honing our arguments against all things “Right”. Only we learn from our exchanges while they just reinforce their fantasies. I am really looking forward to the death of the neocon/Psycochristian/Reichwing thug era. The last stubborn few just better hope we’re in a mood to accept their surrender at the end.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:07 pmBTW. We will never know how Obama would have reacted if Dodd and Feingold hadn’t taken the lead. And frankly, I can’t blame any candidate from marking out the all important center. I have a feeling he will lose fewer “far left loons” than he will gain rational Republicans who realize that Iraq has to end and McPander Bear has either lost his mind or his principles or both.
I actually though the guy had some admirable qualities before he started this campaign. And I take no joy in deciding that he’s “lost it”. Regardless of weather it’s age or power-lust.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:13 pmHeh! “Whether”. Spellcheck make me dumb.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:17 pmYay!!
June 26th, 2008 at 7:22 pmThe Democratic leadership of the Senate. Harry Reid. Dick Durbin.
Duh.
(Why must all of our trolls be sooooo dumb?)
June 26th, 2008 at 7:27 pmralph the wonder llama Says:
Potters Bottom Shelf Gin Says:
(Why must all of our trolls be sooooo dumb?)
Well, honestly, have you encountered a smart troll?
June 26th, 2008 at 7:38 pmOk folks, we have a little breathing room here. Let’s make it a habit to daily send e-mails or call all the Democratic Senators who are voting for this bill and let them know what you think of them, starting with Obama.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:09 pm#satirev Says:
Fact: THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN BARACK OBAMA DOING WHAT RUSS FEINGOLD, THE REAL PATRIOT, HAS DONE HERE. OBAMA’S MAKING SOME VERY CRITICAL ERRORS IN JUDGMENT RIGHT NOW, SADLY.
He may have made a fatal judgment. He turned down public financing because he expects his 1.5 million netroots contributors to continue to bankroll him. Well, I’m one of them who has withdrawn my financial support and I suspect that there are many more like me. He may just find himself at a financial disadvantage soon.
I will not give him another dollar or volunteer until such time as he does the right thing. Right now the money I would be sending to Obama is going to ActBlue and to Jeff Merkely.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:12 pmBilbo, satirev and others. I absolutely understand your position and wouldn’t dream of trying to change it. But (you knew there was a but, didn’t you?) I would like you to consider two things.
1. Obama will not make a stand on a critical issue he can avoid. That’s the safe strategy. Plus, he hasn’t actually voted either way on FISA.
2. The only hope for McCain and the neocons is “one issue voters” of all persuasions. This will become increasingly clear as the campaign continues and the charges get more desperate.
That’s all I ask. Cheers.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:26 pmYEA!!!
Can he put an anonymous hold on the bill, like some Republican Senators have done on other bills?
June 26th, 2008 at 9:08 pmRuss and Chris are Patriots of the highest order. Thank the gods that they are here when we need them! Obama needs to keep hearing the message, Not a dime more till you stand up for the constitution!
Actblue needs to direct full support to the democratic challenger of Pelosi. She must go and Steny can carry her bags home with her.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:11 pmTanqueray Says:
Maybe I can’t support him [Obama] now.
Something tells me Obama did not just lose a voter.
June 26th, 2008 at 11:06 pmI seriously doubt that most trolls vote, shoeless. I mean, they’d have to climb out of mom’s basement. Then they might have to mix with scary, different, People at the polls. Everyone knows that they are crawling with “libruls”.
June 27th, 2008 at 12:00 amThis November they will be.
June 27th, 2008 at 12:16 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Ok folks, we have a little breathing room here. Let’s make it a habit to daily send e-mails or call all the Democratic Senators who are voting for this bill and let them know what you think of them, starting with Obama.
Unlike Obama, Hillary said she would vote against this thing. Told you so, even if you were too closed minded from sniffing Zoo to hear it…
June 27th, 2008 at 12:21 amListen to yourselves. Eager to let McPander Bear win because Obama is playing politics. Rover is sipping champaign.
June 27th, 2008 at 12:53 amIt’s called leadership.
June 27th, 2008 at 1:40 amwhatever
June 27th, 2008 at 7:31 am“Mr. Feingold Goes to Washington”
June 27th, 2008 at 8:48 am