Have you contacted your Senators about Alito yet??

[Blue Belle]

When I see see that there are so many Senators on the fence, the time is now to let them know exactly how we feel about Alito and this Administrations overreach for power. I realize not everyone has time to pick up the phone, or may have trouble getting through, but there's still email and there's still the fax machine. Here is a copy of the email I sent to my Senators this afternoon:

Dear Senator Wyden/Smith

I write to you today with concern for the direction our Country is going. With the President side stepping the law and wire tapping US Citizens illegally, I fear to what depths this abuse of power extends. That is why I vehemently urge you to vote against Samuel Alito to replace Sandra Day O’Connor on the Supreme Court.

Oregonians value their civil liberties. If we feel that are freedoms are going to be denied we fight tooth and nail to keep them. You represent a state who was the first to vote for the use of Medical Marijuana, and have voted in the Death with Dignity law twice. Our right to privacy – for both making reproductive decisions and having our phone and email illegally monitored – lie in the balance when the possibility of adding Alito to the Supreme Court is concerned. Alito would not only fight to allow the executive branch more power, but also put strict limitations (if not overturn it all together) on abortion rights. This Administration needs oversight, and with Alito on the bench, they’ll continue to reach for more power and severely hobble the power of the legislative branch. I know I speak for a lot of Oregonians when I urge you to vote against Samuel Alito. Our freedom and civil liberties are at stake.

The time to act is now. Who cares if you are from a red state or blue state, Senators need to hear from their constituents - especially in an election year (for some). We can't complain about the lack of spine of our Senators if we are complacent about letting them know how we feel.

[NMDemDist2]

1. i voted yes, but the last answer was probably closer to the truth

my Senators being Kyl and McCain ......

[acmejack]

2. No kidding, I got KBH & Cornyn...

[efhmc]

5. Put off calling them because of the waste of my time and breathe but DU

asked and I responded (plus that tollfree number made it a piece of cake).

[pop goes the weasel]

9. same here

They don't even pretend to listen to anyone outside of their voting bloc. It's like having no Senators at all. No, wait. That would be better.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Yup ... called 'em both ... spoke with a human. Said my piece, which was

I want them to stand strong against Alito and a filibuster would be welcome news!

Mikulski and Sarbanes

[Innocent Smith]

4. yes

Contact my Senator last week.

[Pam-Moby]

6. Yes called them and yes emailed them as well.

[TriMetFan]

7. I wrote and called Smith.

I have been so pissed at Smith, that I even told him that he needed to stop acting like a Good German and start caring about us here in Oregon. I plan on calling his office again tomorrow. :mad:

[Blue Belle]

13. Right on.

I'm pissed at Smith too... after he back peddled on both Medicare and ANWR. His voting down party lines is going to be at his own peril on this one. With his re-election up on '08, he can't afford to piss off the civil libertarian leaning republicans in this state. Please, oh please, let Kitzhaber run against him.

on edit: spelling. (eek!)

[Dr.Phool]

8. I called both, but I sent Bill Nelson this fax.

January 18, 2006

Senator Bill Nelson
716 Senate Hart Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Nelson,

I am writing in regards to the confirmation hearing on Judge Sam Alito.

First, a little background on me. I am a political activist and a member of the Pasco County, Florida DEC. I was a candidate for Congress in Florida’s 9th District in 2004. I also worked extensively on the Kerry campaign, and am currently a campaign manager for John Russell for Congress in Florida’s 5th District.

I cannot urge strongly enough that you not only vote against this appointment, but also that you filibuster to block it. I have done much research on his written record in both the Justice Department, and the Court of Appeals, and have come to the conclusion that he is a dangerous, right-wing ideologue.

For the moment, forget the divisive abortion issue. Judge Alito’s judicial philosophy is more suited for the court of King George III or the Soviet Politburo. While in the Senate, you have consistently worked for environmental protections. Judge Alito has consistently ruled against environmental safeguards. With his Federalist Society interpretation of the Commerce Clause, working men and women have no rights or protections. Corporations are free to run roughshod over the populace. Citizens have no fourth amendment rights to privacy, or freedom from illegal search. Separation of church and state truly becomes a myth.

Most troubling are his views on the “Unitary Executive”, under which Congress and the Senate, or the Judiciary, have no role in the constitutionally mandated oversight of the Executive Branch. The President is free to interpret and violate laws as he sees fit, regardless of legislative intent. These views are fit for a monarchy, not our democracy.

I was nearly brought to tears watching Vice-President Gore speak on just how much is at stake. We can preserve our liberties and our way of life by rejecting this nominee. Every piece of social progress made in the 20th century, from the New Deal forward is at stake.

Please take the time to consider my thoughts, and good luck in your bid for re-election.

Sincerely,



Holiday, Florida 34690

[Blue Belle]

14. That's an excellent letter...

I sincerely hope it gets through to him.

on edit: I can't spell today. :eyes:

[Coastie for Truth]

10. Mine are DiFi and Barbara.

[beaconess]

12. Call them anyway!!!

They still need to hear from our side! Especially Feinstein who is shaky on the filibuster. Call her and tell her she MUST filibuster Alito!

[Coastie for Truth]

16. Did that after Alito testified.

[beaconess]

11. Hear, hear!

[annabanana]

15. I called them in Washington, I called the district offices..

I faxed and emailed..We HAVE to get this filibuster..
If the lawsuits about the spying go to the SC, and Alito is there...Warantless spying will be LEGAL.. so will rendition... so will unilaterally declaring an American citizen an "enemy combatant" and disappearing them

And the shiny new additions planned for the Patriot Act will allow for the roundup of protesters..

We can't afford to lose this one..

[tech3149]

17. forget the phone

I wrote a goddamned real paper letter and paid the money to get it there. I don't care if it's snarlin Arlen Specter, but once he takes the oath of office, he represents me. I covered the Gore speech and Alito in the same letter. I know Specter is a party bootlicker, but I also think that somewhere deep down inside, he's still got a heart.
I hope the effort makes some difference.

[geiger]

18. Have Al Gore call them...

...out.

Today I am really mad. Now they're hiding behind protocol and worthless scandal that doesn't amount to anything that matters: civil rights, opportunity, justice.

[politicat]

19. Faxed multiple times.

With one, it was possibly worth it - Salazar - with the other, it was a waste of good fax time: Allard.

Sigh.