Write to Feinstein

[DanCa]

http://feinstein.senate.gov/

Please ask her to reconsider her objections to an Alito fillibuster. Special thanks to DU'er Tspokely who gave me the email to begin with

[Rainscents]

1. Looks like, she didn't get enough of nasty emails!

I'll do it again!

[journalist3072]

2. Here is the text of an email I just sent to her

Sen. Feinstein:

I am writing to you, to express my extreme disappointment that you have spoken out against a filibuster on the nomination of Samuel Alito to be an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court.

Specifically, you said: "I do not see a likelihood of a filibuster. This might be a man I disagree with, but it doesn't mean he shouldn't be on the court."

Sen. Feinstein, there are several issues at work, which do indeed make the nomination of Samuel Alito filibusterable.

First, the Vanguard case. As you very well know, he promised the Senate during previous confirmation hearings, that as a judge he would recuse himself from any cases involving Vanguard. And you know that he failed to live up to that promise.

I was very disappointed when Sen. Chuck Grassley told Judge Alito not to "lose any sleep" over the fact that he lied to the Senate, and failed to recuse himself from the Vanguard case. I find it unacceptable that a United States Senator would tell a nominee for the Supreme Court to not "lose any sleep" over having lied to the Senate about recusing himself from certain cases.

Secondly, I believe that the issue of Judge Alito's membership in the Concerned Alumni of Princeton (CAP) makes his nomination filibusterable.

As you are well aware, Judge Alito bragged about his membership in CAP when he applied for a job in the Reagan Administration. During his confirmation hearings, he disassociated himself from the organization, and said he did not subscribe to their views.

If Judge Alito joined an organization without knowing full well what the organization was all about, but subsequently bragged about his membership in the organization to get a job in a conservative Administration, that clearly calls into question his integrity. Did he falsify a federal job application simply to gain employment?

Thirdly, I believe what makes Judge Alito's nomination filibusterable, is his failure to fully disclose his views on vital issues. He refused to say how he would have ruled on Bush v. Gore, a case that obviously has already come before the Supreme Court. He refused to answer whether or not he thought Roe v. Wade was the settled law of the land, a question that John G. Roberts answered during this confirmation hearings. He also refused to answer whether he thought an innocent person had a right not to be executed.

Sen. Feinstein, one of your colleagues, Sen. Arlen Specter, published a book in 2000 entitled Passion For Truth. In that book, he wrote:
“The Senate should resist, if not refuse to confirm Supreme Court nominees who refuse to answer questions on fundamental issues. In voting on whether or not to confirm a nominee, senators should not have to gamble or guess about a candidate’s philosophy, but should be able to judge on the basis of the candidate’s expressed views.”

I'd also like to remind you, Senator, that contrary to the talking points of many Republicans, and George Bush himself, the President of the United States is NOT entitled to an up or down vote on any nominee.

Sen. Feinstein, because I am not a constituent of yours, I do not expect to get a response to this message. But I felt compelled to write to you today. As a resident of the District of Columbia, I pay federal taxes just like every other American citizen. However, I have no representation in the United States Senate. I have no Senator from the District of Columbia, working on behalf of my interests, who I can write to and urge to vote against Samuel Alito.

Yet, if Judge Alito is confirmed, the decisions he makes on the Court will affect me just like they affect other American citizens who do have representation in the Senate.

Lastly, I am afraid that many Democrats are resisting a filibuster of Samuel Alito, for political expediency (fear of backlash from certain constituents). I believe many Senators know filibustering Judge Alito's nomination is the right thing to do, but fear backlash.

So I would like to leave you with these words from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and urge you to filibuster Samuel Alito.

"On some positions, cowardice asks the question, is it expedient? And then expedience comes along and asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? Conscience asks the question, is it right? There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

[DanCa]

4. Not from memory but i sent a letter out s aying

that while i am not from the fair state of california, i am a disability advocate and know a great deal of voters who would be hurt and angered by an alito judgeship. And I asked her to strongly reconsider her fillibuster stance.

[journalist3072]

6. Excellent. The more emails the better!!

[baby_bear]

14. nice turn of words, journalist3072; here's mine

This is my version for senators up for reelection this year, including Feinstein; I have a slightly different one for others. I sent 13 letters yesterday, on the same theme.

Dear Senator :

I urge you and the other Democratic senators to filibuster the Alito nomination. This is an extraordinary time calling for extraordinary measures.

I don't need to tell you why the prospect of Judge Alito as Justice Alito is frightening. But in addition to the very real likelihood that civil and privacy rights will suffer, while corporations and the executive branch will be afforded vast new powers in our society, there is the overriding issue of President Bush potentially having committed criminal violations of FISA. He should not be allowed to name a justice until this issue has been resolved. That is an eminently reasonable position for the Senate to take.

One other thing bothers me. I read an article in the Los Angeles Times today that seems to indicate that Democratic senators are unwilling to mount a filibuster solely because of fear that it might cause some of them to lose their reelection bids.

Here is a snip from the article (and its URL):
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/scotus/la-na-alito14jan14,0,8432.story?coll=la-news-politics-supreme_court

<quote>
It appears the only way Senate Democrats could block Alito's confirmation would be to mount a filibuster. Although some party activists are calling for one, Senate Democratic leaders have shown little enthusiasm for the idea, in part because it could create problems for party members facing reelection in Republican-leaning states.

"The fact is that a filibuster would put moderate Democrats from 'red' states and others up for reelection in a difficult position," said a senior Democratic aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity when discussing the party's strategic thinking on the Alito nomination.
<end quote>

I realize that you are up for reelection this year, and that it may be a tough battle. It would concern me that any senator would consider his or her own reelection to be more important than preventing the lifelong appointment of a Supreme Court justice who is likely to provide the pivotal vote that would adversely affect the democratic principles, including the rights of individuals, in this country for decades to come. Judge Alito’s deference to executive authority is equally troubling.

I trust that you agree that the decision whether to filibuster is one that transcends the aspirations of individual senators. I ask you to actively encourage all of your colleagues to seriously ponder the gravity of a decision to acquiesce to this appointment without at least an attempt to mount a filibuster.

This nomination, at this time, truly meets the definition of "extraordinary" in every sense.

Sincerely,

-----

b_b

[journalist3072]

25. Thank you, and excellent job on your letter!!!!

I truly hope that the Senators take our correspondence to them to heart.

[bear425]

20. wow. great letter. I hope she will seriously consider it. n/t

[journalist3072]

26. Thank you. I hope she will too. eom

[undeterred]

3. I sent her a nasty email

thanking her for being a midwife to fascism!

[David Dunham]

5. There are not the 40 votes needed to mount a fillibuster

[ananda]

email done

I just sent an email to Sen. Feinstein.

I can't get through to her on the phone till tomorrow or Tuesday during her regular office hours.

But I will.

Thanks for the link. This woman is driving me crazy!

Sue

[IndyOp]

12. Feinstein's contact -

All congress critters can be Googled...

Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94104
Or call [phone]
Fax [phone]

If you wish to phone or fax the Washington, D.C. office:
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
TTY/TDD: [phone]

[stillcool]

7. anybody got a zip?

[pstokely]

37. 90210

[stillcool]

38. Thanks...

:hi:

[Betsy Ross]

8. My email to DiFe

I am sorely disappointed at your statement that you will not fillibuster the vote on Judge Alito. It is my understanding the as a group the Democrats were remaining mum until they have caucussed on this matter. As such, your remarks are premature and show no party support. The only way we can restore America to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, is for the party which most closely represents the people to act together on this matter.

[Wilms]

9. Done. nt

[benburch]

10. email done nt

[Emit]

11. Done earlier today. n/t

[robinlynne]

13. sent this letter to Feinstein.

Dear Senator,
Thousands, if not millions of us are very upset with your statement that "I do not see a likelihood of a filibuster. This might be a man I disagree with, but it doesn't mean he shouldn't be on the court."
You are not representing your constituents!
I repeat. You are not representing your constituents!

This filibuster is extremely important. This is one moment where democratic senators can speak and be heard. You need to speak up against this nomination. Simply voting no is tantamount to sitting aside and doing nothing. These are EXTREME TIMES in our country. The president has been violating law after law. Our constitution is ignored. With Judge Alito on the supreme court, we are guaranteed many more years of this. And he will certainly legalize the activities which Americans now know are illegal. He appears to have lied under oath. He is necessary for the illegal wiretapping to continue.
Please do not think that helping the republican cause will get you more votes. these are extreme times.
We need you to stand up for our rights as American citizens. If you do not actively support the filibuster you do NOT represent us, your constituents. We are the people who vote for you.
sincerely,
Robin Gibson

[stevedeshazer]

16. Good letter

Welcome to DU :hi:

[DanCa]

15. Cmon people

Let's show them how "ineffectual" :sarcasm: Democrats are. Write her it'll only take ten minutes of your time. If nothing else it'll give you your chance to vent. Remind her that she works for you and not the other way around.

[stevedeshazer]

17. I'm in n/t

[BigBearJohn]

18. I just wrote to her telling her she has lost my support FOREVER

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. You too

I also sent mine to the DNC and the state party... they need to run somebody ELSE!

[toddaa]

19. Better yet, vote her out of office

If she won't represent the will of the party base, fire her.

[raysr]

21. I wrote to her

and told her I've read many of her constituents are going to vote her out because of her "republican" ways.

[ClayZ]

23. Our letter

Dear Senator Dianne Feinstein,

We are writing to urge you to oppose Judge Alito for his SCOTUS nomination.

We watched the entire hearing on c-span. We have read many articles about him in newspaper and elsewhere.

We believe that the direction the U.S.A. has taken since the Bush Administration was "selected" by SCOTUS has been nothing short of disastrous. Our standing in the World, our standing as a Nation, and our standing as Individuals, has been severely impaired. Many in the world have PROTESTED. My husband and I join many of our towns people at a weekly protest and have since 2000. We have signed petitions and written to Newspapers and Leaders in our country, voicing our outrage at most of the administrations policies. We have stood in candle light vigils and sent care packages to our troops in Iraq. We are good citizens, parents, and grandparents. Please hear our voice.

If Judge Alito is confirmed, we the people of the United States of America will have no legal remedy to stop the horrible, and many times illegal, choices this administration has made and continues to make. When a child makes a bad choice, like the one who was shot going over the fence after stealing $10.00, Judge Roberts sided with the police to SHOOT HIM! His 14 years as a due paying CAP member gives us a look into what ingredients make up his character.

Our country looks more and more like Nazi Germany! We feel terrorized by our own government, not the boogymen terrorists they pay the press to scare us with.

To select someone like Alito to fill the center seat on SCOTUS takes away all hope of balance. If we can not balance, we fall.

[shance]

24. Done. Thanks DanCa*

n/t

[jackpan1260]

27. I doubt she or her handlers read the entire email and

I doubt telling her "you are dead to me" or "f*ck off" is going to do any good.

However, I think the one thing the politicians can easily understand is something to the effect of

"If you do not support the fillibuster of Alito, I will not vote for you again."

[Im with Rosey]

28. Done

She will not be getting anymore support from me.

[DanCa]

29. See theres seventy thousand plus people on DU

imagine if she receives one letter from each of us. Then the Dinos would know that they are on notice.

[Mojorabbit]

30. Done n/t

[Emit]

31. Mine--from memory

While I am not a constituent of yours, I feel I must write. I have a lot of friends and family who reside in CA who are as concerned as I am about your recent comments on the Sunday morning talk show (1/15/06). You made an excellent point about what is at stake here with the Alito nomination. You made mention of potential imbalance of powers between the branches of our government (i.e., unitary executive that empowers the Executive) and then, almost in the same breath you said there was no glaring reason to filibuster Alito!

What a grave error you are making in not filibustering this nomination! You are essentially neutering (your own) Congressional authority if Alito is confirmed (not to mention, guaranteeing your own defeat, as I doubt your constituents will support you any longer if you don't filibuster).

If Alito, an advocate of unitary executive (as are Scalia, Roberts, Thomas and possibly Kennedy) is confirmed, you might as well kiss our democratic Republic goodbye and crown Bush as King of the United States of Fascist America.

Sincerely,
Emit

[Innocent Smith]

32. I wrote her a few days ago

Everything will be clear on Wednesday evening after Reid has his meeting. Look to what they say afterwards.

[Misskittycat]

33. Done. n/t

[ismnotwasm]

34. I just sent mine

I asked her to reconsider and also asked when she thinks the time for Democrats to speak up and show solidarity IS? I mean really, when? Alito is a disgusting POS and you can put the whole abortion issue aside and he STILL makes me shudder. He's a horror and I can't believe we're in this position. Well, yes I can. I just want to pretend I live in a sane political world.

[mom cat]

35. I just sent her the following:

Dear Senator Dianne Feinstein,

I wanted to compliment you on your strong questioning of Judge Alito during the Senate Hearings and to strongly urge you to support a filibuster of his nomination. His misuse of his judicial position in the Vanguard case sufficient reason to bar him from a higher position. His Vanguard holdings are a substantial part of his wealth and to not recuse himself is blatant conflict of interest. This is the time to stand up to the culture of corruption, and having judges who cannot set a stellar example is just what we do not need at this time!

[dapper]

36. Done and kicked

:kick:

[DanCa]

39. I got this wierd message from Feinstein are we getting thru?

Thank you for sending me your electronic mail message. I appreciate your
taking the time to share your thoughts with me.
It sounds like the Dino turned into a duck. Here's the complete message.

Dear xxxxx


Because of the volume of email that is received by my office, we can only
respond to email that includes a California postal address. Please resend
the text of your email message, including your postal address, and I will
respond to you as soon as possible.

Should you need additional information about the Congress, or my offices
in Washington and California, please visit my homepage on the World Wide
Web. The address is http://feinstein.senate.gov.

Thank you again for contacting me, and I hope you will continue to do so
in the future.

Sincerely,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

[DanCa]

40. kick (nt)