Dodd standing by fight for liberties

1/28/08
Sen. Christopher J. Dodd says he’s not interested in running for majority leader in the U.S. Senate. Given the performance by the position’s current occupant, maybe Dodd will reconsider.
During Dodd’s ill-fated run for the presidency, his support for civil liberties and the rule of law against an out-of-control White House and its corporate backers was viewed by critics as a cynical attempt to rile partisans to his candidacy. Well, he’s not running for president anymore, but Dodd has not given up on this fight. He is not going to allow this rampant lawbreaking to continue without a fight.
The argument is complex, but it comes down to this: In a blatant violation of federal law, a number of large telecommunications companies allowed the government— without a warrant or court oversight — access to information about their customers’ calling records. It was all defended as necessary for national security against the terrorists who are coming to kill us all, etc. etc. etc.
But, and it gets tiring to have to say this, the law is the law. If corporations committed crimes, they must face consequences. A number of lawsuits accuse the telecoms of wrongdoing, but President Bush, with the support of many Senate Democrats, wants to retroactively allow the companies’ actions, and remove any potential for finding the truth.
It’s really simple. If the companies were doing what was right, and they acted when the country demanded action, they should make that argument before a judge. That’s how we do it in this country. We don’t retroactively excuse breaking the law.
Dodd fought this insanity while still a candidate in the Iowa caucuses, and continues to fight it now. It’s frankly inconceivable that his opposition comes in the form of Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, who supposedly leads the Senate Democrats. Reid and his supporters are saying it’s just fine to break the law, invade people’s privacy, delve into their personal records — all without oversight — and get away with it. This has to stop.
Without the support of his leadership, Dodd’s actions may ultimately be futile. But he must keep up the fight. This country is so far gone from where we aspire to be, and it is our own doing. We have allowed our rights and responsibilities as citizens to be taken away, one at a time, right under our noses, all in the pursuit of some fantasy of perfect safety.
Sen. Dodd: Reconsider your stated desire not to seek the Senate leadership. More than ever, Americans need actual leaders. Show them such a person still exists in Washington.