tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134748402024-03-13T00:23:23.742-04:00Leave Us Alone!Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-84041989451287652422008-12-31T07:34:00.004-05:002008-12-31T07:43:23.285-05:00Happy New YearHere's hoping that 2009 will be happier than 2008. If anything, things probably won't get much worse. In addition to the bad economic news, the folks at Reason have put together a video compilation of things that were banned in 2008:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s4YbZ7iXFDA&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s4YbZ7iXFDA&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Link via <a href="http://www.reason.com/blog/show/130656.html">Hit and Run</a><br /><br />In lighter news, Santa Claus asks for a bailout:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sxBl9BXLom4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sxBl9BXLom4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Link via <a href="http://www.theagitator.com/2008/12/24/santa-needs-a-bailout/">The Agitator</a>Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-47452243612755211852008-11-03T23:07:00.001-05:002008-11-03T23:12:43.739-05:00Please vote NO on Issue 5!Ohio voters have an opportunity to overturn <a href="http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=127_HB_545">House Bill 545</a>, which would set the maximum interest rate on short-term loans so low that payday lenders would go out of business, by voting no on Issue 5.<br /><br />If an individual decides that $200 right now is worth more to him or her than $230 two weeks from now, that should be his or her free choice. It's none of the State of Ohio's goddamn business.<br /><br />Like all legislation that creates consensual crime, Issue 5 would have unintended consequences worse than the "harm" it is designed to prevent. If payday loans are made unavailable, Ohioans will pay more in late fees and overdraft fees. Merchants' losses from bounced checks will increase. <a href="http://thurbersthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/05/not-business-friendly-post-8-payday.html">Maggie Thurber</a> points out that "In both North Carolina and Georgia, the number of bad checks written went up after payday loans were similarly regulated."<br /><br />Some people, unable to obtain short-term loans from legitimate businesses, might even turn to loan sharks. The state can make a product or service illegal, but it can't eliminate the demand for that product or service, and black marketeers will step in to satisfy the demand. Issue 5 would create yet another revenue stream for organized crime.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please vote NO on Issue 5. </span>Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-24998848963297929172008-10-31T20:10:00.002-04:002008-10-31T20:28:40.683-04:00Mom in the NewsMy favorite elected official has been traveling throughout southern Ohio awarding banners to all the excellent school districts in the 10th State Board of Education District, including, among others, <a href="http://www.peoplesdefender.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=83&ArticleID=128029&TM=40123.78">Adams County/Ohio Valley</a>, <a href="http://www.tcnewsnet.com/main.asp?SectionID=18&SubSectionID=263&ArticleID=148988&TM=61352.3">Beavercreek</a>, <a href="http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x577254805/South-Point-Schools-earns-Excellent-rating">South Point</a>, <a href="http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/articles/2008/10/18/news/1news_burg.txt">Wheelersburg</a>, and <a href="http://www.wnewsj.com/main.asp?SectionID=49&SubSectionID=156&ArticleID=170592&TM=28632.3">Wilmington</a>.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-27863640808212187852008-09-17T07:00:00.001-04:002008-09-17T13:02:37.516-04:00Celebrate Constitution Day with the ACLU!Today is the 221st anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. Click on the image below to join the ACLU's "Constitution Voter" effort to get federal politicians to pay more attention to the Constitution that they've ostensibly sworn to protect.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://aclu.org/constitutionvoter/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpOcdhnMwSa5rRHJPYap2HHhWYL43l5f673i4nwrasJlDlcQblBDIhRDjAeorK-gFbtTWhTKYkIk_Pcy_RBM8nF5MxtEV6TL3aBxuIVZyqihq1B-LYmrNvNakw2XrolM2l04G/s320/constvoter_button4.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247034930276738418" border="0" /></a>Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-88519244526292056322008-08-08T05:08:00.002-04:002008-08-08T05:24:08.612-04:00Accountability NowLast month, so-called "Democrats" in Congress caved in to the Bush administration and enacted the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FISA</span> Amendments Act of 2008. In response, a diverse coalition of liberals, conservatives, and libertarians has formed the <a href="http://accountabilitynowpac.com/">Accountability Now PAC</a> to hold the politicians accountable for their failure to uphold the rule of law. Today, August 8, is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">moneybomb</span> day for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Accountability</span> Now. <a href="http://www.actblue.com/page/accountabilitynow">Please go here today to give securely through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Actblue</span>.</a> At <a href="http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/07/14/accountability/">Salon.com</a>, Glenn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Greenwald</span> explains Accountability <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Now's</span> strategy and rationale.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-46589835229557523122008-07-31T23:15:00.002-04:002008-07-31T23:17:16.121-04:00Mom's ColumnI was remiss in not linking to my favorite elected official's most recent newspaper column. Luckily, it's still available through the <a href="http://www.clermontdems.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/1178338">Clermont County Democratic Party</a>.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-90431518578535216292008-06-19T06:02:00.000-04:002008-06-19T06:03:08.335-04:00Urgent: Act Now to Stop the FISA Capitulation!<a href="http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/hoyer-hopeful-on-fisa-resolution-2008-06-18.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Hill</span></a> reports that so-called House Democratic "Leader" Steny Hoyer is trying hard to capitulate to the Republicans on legislation that would expand the government's power to spy on Americans and grant retroactive amnesty to the telecommunications companies that helped Bush violate the law:<br /><blockquote><p>House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Wednesday he remains hopeful that the House and Senate can finish the contentious overhaul of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) this week. </p>The House could vote on the bill Friday, Hoyer said.</blockquote><br />Mona at <a href="http://www.theartofthepossible.net/2008/06/18/aclu-announces-the-strange-bedfellows-alliance-a-project-right-up-this-sites-alley/">The Art of the Possible</a> and Glenn Greenwald at <a href="http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/06/17/hoyer/index.html">Salon.com</a> have more.<br /><br />Please contact your members of Congress today and tell them to vote NO on any bill that would direct federal courts to grant amnesty to the lawbreakers, or that would allow for warrantless wiretaps of Americans' international calls and e-mails, or both. The <a href="https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=975&page=UserAction&JServSessionIdr009=ti39zwcwu5.app26a">ACLU's action alert</a> makes it easy to contact your members of Congress. <a href="http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/141">Democrats.com</a> also has an on-line petition.<br /><br />Now, there's something else you can do. The <a href="http://www.actblue.com/page/fisa">Blue America PAC vs Retroactive Immunity</a> is dedicated to holding Hoyer and the other so-called "Democratic" traitors accountable for their capitulation. Please go <a href="http://www.actblue.com/page/fisa">here</a> and give what you can, then <a href="http://www.actblue.com/page/fisa/asks/new">pass the message on</a> to any friends you have who might care about freedom, privacy, and the rule of law.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-83344814698843077832008-05-12T20:55:00.003-04:002008-05-12T21:42:43.701-04:00Tell Your State Senator to Vote NO on House Bill 545The Ohio General Assembly appears poised to create yet another consensual crime. The House of Representatives recently passed <a href="http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=127_HB_545">House Bill 545</a>, which would set the maximum interest rate on short-term loans so low that payday lenders would go out of business.<br /><br />If an individual decides that $200 right now is worth more to him or her than $230 two weeks from now, that should be his or her free choice. It's none of the State of Ohio's goddamn business.<br /><br />Like all legislation that creates consensual crime, H.B. 545 would have unintended consequences worse than the "harm" it is designed to prevent. If payday loans are made unavailable, Ohioans will pay more in late fees and overdraft fees. Merchants' losses from bounced checks will increase. <a href="http://thurbersthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/05/not-business-friendly-post-8-payday.html">Maggie Thurber</a> points out that "In both North Carolina and Georgia, the number of bad checks written went up after payday loans were similarly regulated."<br /><br />Some people, unable to obtain short-term loans from legitimate businesses, might even turn to loan sharks. The state can make a product or service illegal, but it can't eliminate the demand for that product or service, and black marketeers will step in to satisfy the demand. H.B. 545 would create yet another revenue stream for organized crime.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please tell your state senator to vote NO on House Bill 545. </span> <a href="http://www.mychoiceohio.com/">MyChoiceOhio.com</a> makes it easy to contact your senator, and provides a sample letter. Another sample letter is available from the <a href="http://www.ntu.org/main/letters_detail.php?letter_id=589">National Taxpayers' Union</a>.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-13980670725776224252008-05-04T22:44:00.000-04:002008-05-04T23:07:47.524-04:00There's Something I Kind of Have to Admire about Anthony GutierrezLet me first say that I don't condone drunk driving. Nor do I condone reckless use of state property. And I certainly don't condone sexual harassment. I can't emphasize that last point enough.<br /><br />And yet, there's something I kind of have to admire about Anthony Gutierrez. Take a look at this passage from a <span style="font-style: italic;">Plain Dealer</span> article:<br /><blockquote>The same woman says in her complaint that weeks later, Gutierrez fell asleep drunk at the wheel of a state-issued Chevy Suburban and struck a guardrail. She told an investigator that Gutierrez showed up at work the next morning, reeking of booze and with vomit caked on his nose.</blockquote>(entire article <a href="http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/04/dann_follow.html">here</a>)<br /><br />That's right. He <span style="font-style: italic;">showed up for work</span> with vomit caked on his nose. A lesser man who had vomit caked on his nose might take a sick day or two. Heck, just <span>feeling</span> like I <span style="font-style: italic;">might</span> vomit is enough for me to call in sick, let alone having my face encrusted in the stuff.<br /><br />Sure, Mr. Gutierrez is a sleazeball, but I have to give the devil his due. The guy survives a car accident, has vomit caked on his nose, and still shows up for work the next morning, ready to do the people's business. That's dedication.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-23264806240163364492008-04-30T22:41:00.002-04:002008-04-30T22:54:58.041-04:00FISA Immunity Deal - Tell your Representative to Say NOAt <a href="http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/30/is-a-rockefellerhoyer-fisa-immunity-deal-imminent/">Firedoglake</a>, Jane Hamsher reports a rumor of a deal in the works between Sen. Jay Rockefeller and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to grant retroactive immunity to administration officials who violated FISA and their accomplices in the telecommunications industry:<br /><blockquote>According to the ACLU, there is rumor of a backroom deal being brokered by Jay Rockefeller on FISA that will include retroactive immunity. I've heard from several sources that Steny Hoyer is doing the dirty work on the House side, and some say it will be attached to the new supplemental.</blockquote><br />At <a href="http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/here-we-go-again-by-digby-i-have-to.html">Hullabaloo</a>, Digby adds:<br /><blockquote>They [the telecom companies] really, really want this to go through. In fact, their insistence is becoming so desperate that there is simply no more reason to doubt they are hiding something. Nobody works this hard if all it would take would be a couple of court cases to publicly clear their names. These corporations must be knee deep in spying on Americans and their corrupt congressional puppets must know it.</blockquote><br />Please contact your U.S. representative today, and tell him or her to vote against any legislation that includes amnesty for the FISA violators. The ACLU makes it easy to <a href="https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?JServSessionIdr007=yilukt2oj1.app25a&pagename=homepage&id=839&page=UserAction">contact your representative</a>.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-63693666267160643142008-03-31T21:37:00.002-04:002008-03-31T21:41:31.470-04:00Mom's ColumnThe <a href="http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080327/EDIT/803270312/1061/RSS1003"><span style="font-style: italic;">Community Press</span></a> has the latest edition of my favorite elected official's quarterly column. The <a href="http://www.clermontdems.org/ht/d/sp/i/816232/pid/816232">Clermont County Democratic Party</a> has all of her columns for the last two years, in case you missed any of them.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-66981064920046594352008-02-24T21:40:00.002-05:002008-02-24T21:54:29.089-05:00An Opposing View on FISAIn this video, an administration spokesman argues for telecom amnesty and continued warrantless wiretapping:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dxKYG6KTK-M&rel=1&border=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dxKYG6KTK-M&rel=1&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />(link via the innominate one at <a href="http://grylliade.org/node/1851">Grylliade.org</a>)Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-22247569813629989572008-02-18T22:07:00.002-05:002008-02-18T22:18:14.959-05:00FISA Update: Tell Pelosi and Hoyer to Stand FirmHere's the latest <a href="https://secure.aclu.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=Pelosi_Hoyer_FISA_thankyou&s_s=taf">action alert</a> from the ACLU:<br /><blockquote>TELL HOUSE LEADERS: KEEP STANDING UP TO BUSH<br /><br />We will deliver your letter and comments next week to House Leader Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and representatives who stood up to President Bush. <br /></blockquote>Please go <a href="https://secure.aclu.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=Pelosi_Hoyer_FISA_thankyou&s_s=taf">here</a> to sign the petition.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-60356654188280732832008-02-10T21:40:00.000-05:002008-02-10T21:52:12.905-05:00FISA fight moves to HouseFrom an e-mail I (along with the rest of the ACLU's mailing list) received from Caroline Fredrickson of the ACLU:<br /><blockquote><p>Only bold, decisive action from a sizable bloc of House members -- led by the Congressional Progressive Caucus -- can stop warrantless wiretapping of Americans and telecom immunity from becoming the law of the land.</p><p><a href="https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=803&page=UserAction&JServSessionIdr004=x6e86tzxg2.app26a">Tell your representative to oppose telecom immunity and warrantless wiretapping.</a></p> <p>Then, because time is short, <a href="http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=vGyPV9dQo9wERB_OcPVAWg..">follow up with a phone call.</a></p> <p>If the House caves, a bill that ignores the Constitution, condones overreaching executive branch power grabs and provides immunity to phone companies that sold out our privacy will soon reach President Bush’s desk.</p> <p>If that happens, you can rest assured that the minute Mr. Bush reaches for his pen, ACLU lawyers will be headed to court. Because wherever this fight leads us, we will not let unconstitutional violations of our due process and privacy rights go unchallenged.</p> <p>Now, though, is no time to concede defeat in Congress. </p> <p><a href="http://action.aclu.org/site/R?i=HJATaEjKOAI2UhsaMYcsww..">Demand your representative uphold the Constitution and the rule of law.</a></p></blockquote>Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-21874185638452907842008-02-10T21:34:00.000-05:002008-02-10T21:40:33.352-05:00Mom's ColumnMy favorite elected official's quarterly newspaper column recently appeared in newspapers throughout southern Ohio, including the (Hillsboro) <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.timesgazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=149868&TM=36869.67">Times Gazette</a> and the <a href="http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20080102/EDIT/801020354/1061/COL02"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cincinnati Enquirer</span></a>. I neglected to link to her September column, but it's still available at the <a href="http://www.clermontdems.org/ht/d/sp/i/816232/pid/816232">Clermont County Democratic Party's</a> site.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-63733241966590526162008-02-03T13:53:00.000-05:002008-02-03T14:04:33.836-05:00If You're Assaulted in Stark County......you might want to think twice before calling 911.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=82519&provider=top">WKYC</a>, Stark County sheriff's deputies responded to an assault call by taking the <span style="font-style: italic;">victim</span> to the Stark County Jail, where she was brutally strip-searched by both male and female deputies and left naked in a cell for 6 hours without medical attention or even a blanket. WKYC has a <a href="http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=82519&provider=top">full report</a>, including chilling video footage of the attack. (Link via <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.theagitator.com/2008/02/02/disorderly-conduct/">The Agitator</a>)<br /><br />The perpetrators of this outrage report to the Honorable <a href="http://www.sheriff.co.stark.oh.us/">Timothy Swanson</a> (D-North Canton) who, according to the <a href="http://www.co.stark.oh.us/internet/docs/boe/clpri08.pdf">Stark County Board of Elections</a>, has a general election opponent. I almost always vote Democratic, but I can think of at least one Democrat I'd vote against if I lived in Stark County.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-86292004331326807132008-01-29T22:12:00.000-05:002008-01-29T22:23:59.571-05:00More FISA LinksIn this video clip, Sen. Russ Feingold concisely makes the argument against warrantless international wiretaps:<br /><object height="373" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QDlYcn5HEs8&rel=1&border=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QDlYcn5HEs8&rel=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="373" width="425"></embed></object><br />(link via <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3508">Open Left</a></span>)<br /><br />Julian Sanchez makes an important point:<br /><br /><blockquote>Recall here that since we're breaking down the old "wall," information gathered as part of a foreign intel sweep—without a warrant or meaningful oversight if the intel bill passes—can be passed on to domestic law enforcement for use in plain vanilla criminal prosecutions.<br /></blockquote>(entire post <a href="http://juliansanchez.com/notes/archives/2008/01/rogering_the_constitution.php">here</a>)Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-10993372452154163532008-01-27T19:35:00.000-05:002008-01-27T19:54:26.949-05:00FISA LinksTim Tagaris of <a href="http://openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3410"><span style="font-style: italic;">Open Left</span></a> reports that a cloture vote is scheduled for tomorrow at 4:30 pm:<br /><blockquote><p> There will be a cloture vote at 4:30 on Monday. There are two potential outcomes here.</p><p> a.) Republicans get 60 votes. In which case, there will only be one amendment pending to the final bill, and that is Feingold/Dodd on blanket warrants, I believe. That will get tabled quite easily (much like Judiciary was today), and then the Intelligence Bill as we know it will get a a vote for final passage.</p><p> b.) We stop Republicans from getting 60 votes, and we're right back where we left off today -- with no agreement on whether or not there is a 50 or 60 vote threshold to pass amendments.</p><p> Why is this a big deal?</p><p> Well, because there are a number of amendments out there that would serve as "poison pills," forcing a presidential veto. One or two of those might even get 50 votes (Feinstein's call to make FISA the exclusive means of electronic surveillance).</p></blockquote><br /><br />Julian Sanchez has more at <a href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080125-fisa-cloture-vote-pending.html"><span style="font-style:italic;">Ars Technica</span></a>:<br /><blockquote>While cloture would pass if it garnered the support of all those who voted to kill the alternative FISA reform bill, produced by the Judiciary Committee, at least some Democrats who crossed the aisle for that vote seem unwilling to close off debate just yet. If cloture is defeated, an extension of the Protect America Act seems likely. Meanwhile, any legislation passed by the Senate must still be reconciled with the RESTORE Act approved in the House last year, which contains provisions establishing tighter restrictions and more oversight on surveillance, and lacks the immunity grant for telecoms.</blockquote><br />At <a href="http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/01/26/immunity/index.html">Salon.com</a>, Glenn Greenwald notes that victory seems possible:<br /><blockquote>Even just a two-week or one-month extension will allow more time to marshall the opposition to telecom immunity and a new FISA bill and to do what's possible to encourage the House to stand firm behind their bill -- in exactly the way that the Dodd Delay in December prevented quick and easy resolution. The longer this drags on without resolution, the more possible it is to push the opposition to a tipping point, and sometimes unexpected developments or even some luck (such as McConnell's overplaying his hand on Thursday) can prevent it all from happening.</blockquote><br /><br />Please keep the pressure on your senators to do the right thing and kill any bill that provides for telecom immunity or wiretaps without warrants based on individualizes suspicion. Once again, here's a link to the <a href="https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=722&pg=makeACall&page">ACLU's action alert</a>.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-4917640032022477832008-01-24T21:58:00.000-05:002008-01-24T22:13:31.782-05:00FISA Update 1/24The U.S. Senate voted today to table the Judiciary Committee's version of the bill to amend FISA, thus defeating an attempt to strip the telecom immunity provision from the bill. In looking at the <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00002">roll call</a>, I noticed a couple of prominent names. Senators Clinton and Obama couldn't be bothered to do their jobs. They were too busy <a href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/tracker/dates/2008/jan/24/">pandering to South Carolinians</a>. If these two won't show up to vote on the most important issue to face the 110th Congress, then I'm wondering why I should show up to vote for either of them.<br /><br />Please keep the phone calls coming to your senators. The <a href="https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=722&pg=makeACall&page">ACLU</a> makes it easy to find your senators' phone numbers, and provides talking points.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-30933849386034900212008-01-23T22:42:00.000-05:002008-01-23T23:33:12.017-05:00FISA UpdateOnce again, the Senate is taking up legislation to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and, once again, so-called Democratic Leader Harry Reid is doing all he can to help the other side. <a href="http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/01/23/reid/index.html">Glenn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Greenwald</span></a> has the details.<br /><br />I don't understand why the so-called Democrats in Congress are so eager to do Bush's bidding on this legislation. According to a <a href="http://www.aclu.org/images/general/asset_upload_file47_32189.pdf">poll</a> conducted for the ACLU by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mellman</span> Group, solid majorities oppose <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">warrantless</span> wiretapping of Americans' international telephone calls and oppose immunity for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">telecom</span> companies that helped Bush break the law, yet Reid and company are standing firmly against the will of the people and against the rule of law.<br /><br />Senator Chris <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dodd</span> (D-Ct.) has pledged to filibuster Reid's legislation to gut <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">FISA</span>, and <a href="http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3388">Tim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Tagaris</span></a>, formerly of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Dodd</span> campaign writes " I wouldn't bet on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Dodd</span> backing down if a bill contains retroactive immunity."<br /><br />Senator <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Dodd's</span> actions on this bill have been admirable, but he needs other senators to back his filibuster. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Please call or e-mail your U.S. senators, and tell them to vote against cloture on any bill that allows <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">warrantless</span> wiretaps without individualized suspicion, or that provides for retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies, or both. </span> The ACLU makes it easy to <a href="https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=722&pg=makeACall&page">contact your senators</a>.<br /><br />Additionally, Senators Hillary Clinton and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Barack</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Obama</span> need to do their jobs and vote against cloture on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">FISA</span> bill. Back in December, Senators Clinton and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Obama</span> <a href="http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004890.php">signed onto a letter</a> supporting Senator <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Dodd's</span> efforts, but couldn't be bothered to show up for work to vote against cloture because they were too busy shaking hands with Iowans. Please contact Senators Clinton and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Obama</span>, and tell them that if they want your presidential vote, they'll be there in the Senate to stop this legislation. Senator Clinton can be contacted <a href="http://clinton.senate.gov/contact/">here</a>. Senator <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Obama</span> can be contacted <a href="http://obama.senate.gov/contact/">here</a>.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-27384539012669096562007-12-17T07:00:00.000-05:002007-12-17T07:23:45.156-05:00Urgent - Tell your U.S. Senators to Filibuster S. 2248<span style="font-weight: bold;">Please call your U.S. senators this morning and tell them to vote NO on the cloture motion on S. 2248. Your senators' contact information is available </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><br /><br />I misjudged Harry Reid. After Congress voted "temporarily" to gut <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FISA</span> back in August, I merely thought he was weak and useless. But, no. The "Democratic" leader isn't just failing to stand up to the traitors in the Bush administration. He's actively helping them. Glenn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Greenwald</span> summarizes:<br /><br /><blockquote>...there were two competing bills which Reid could have brought to the floor -- the Senate Intelligence Committee version engineered by Jay Rockefeller and Dick Cheney which gives the administration most of what it wants, and the Senate Judiciary Committee, which does not contain <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">telecom</span> amnesty and contains far more extensive oversight protections. Reid could have brought the bill to the floor using whatever process he wanted, and he has decided -- contrary to weeks of assurances -- that the SIC bill will serve as the "base" bill, meaning that improving it (by removing amnesty and increasing oversight) will require 60 votes, rendering such efforts virtually impossible. In doing so, Reid is brazenly ignoring the demands of 14 Senators -- including all of the Democratic presidential candidates -- to have the Judiciary Committee bill be the base bill.<br /><br />Worse still, Reid is completely disregarding the "hold" placed by Chris <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dodd</span> on any amnesty bill -- simply refusing to honor it, even as he respectfully honors literally scores of "holds" from GOP Senators such as Tom <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Coburn</span>.</blockquote><br /><br />Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Greenwald</span> further states:<br /><blockquote>The criticism isn't that Harry Reid is being insufficiently aggressive in opposing the White House. It's that he's doing what he can to support the White House, serving as their key ally. I suppose one option is to cheer on Democrats anyway, no matter what they do. But I can't understand how anyone who actually believes in anything other than partisan power for its own sake would consider that option to be an attractive one.<br /></blockquote><br />(entire post <a href="http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2007/12/14/reid/index.html?source=rss">here</a>, link via <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://highclearing.com/index.php/archives/2007/12/14/7562">Unqualified Offerings</a></span>)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please call your U.S. senators this morning and tell them to vote NO on the cloture motion on S. 2248. Your senators' contact information is available </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span>Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-6184652365255210932007-12-15T18:00:00.000-05:002007-12-15T18:06:30.848-05:00Freedom CartoonsHere are a couple of cool animated cartoons for Bill of Rights Day:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fhDgnzEAmvY&rel=1&border=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fhDgnzEAmvY&rel=1&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ABKLirW24LE&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ABKLirW24LE&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Links via<a href="http://www.grylliade.org/node/1052">dead_elvis</a> and <a href="http://ftp.grylliade.org/node/1390">Randolph Carter</a> of <a href="http://grylliade.org/">Grylliade.org</a>.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-63353974923030945842007-11-30T23:01:00.000-05:002007-11-30T23:13:45.382-05:00Happy Holidays!December is almost here, and with it, my two favorite holidays. No, not Christmas or New Year's Eve, but Repeal Day and Bill of Rights Day.<br /><br />Next Wednesday, December 5, is <a href="http://www.repealday.org/">Repeal Day</a>, which commemorates the ratification of the 21st Amendment, which repealed the prohibition of alcohol.<br /><br />Bill of Rights Day, which commemorates the ratification of the Bill of Rights, is on December 15, two weeks from tomorrow. <a href="http://www.jpfo.org/filegen-a-m/bord.htm"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JPFO</span></a> has more information on Bill of Rights Day.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-68551340899973532192007-10-28T20:23:00.000-04:002007-10-28T20:24:20.812-04:00Open Letters to Charles Schumer and Chris Van HollenSenator <a href="http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm">Charles Schumer</a> (D - New York) is the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democrats to the U.S. Senate. Here's a copy of an e-mail message I sent to Senator Schumer:<br /><br /><blockquote>Dear Chairman Schumer:<br /><br />Every year I make contributions, totaling several hundred dollars, to various Democratic candidates and committees, including the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. However, I was extremely disappointed in the Democratic leadership's bringing the so-called "Protect America" Act to a vote, and Senate Democrats' failure to filibuster it, back in August.<br /><br />The so-called "Protect America" Act will soon come up for renewal. If Congress sends President Bush a bill that either allows for warrantless wiretapping of Americans without individualized suspicion, or provides retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that participated in Bush's illegal, warrantless wiretapping scheme, or both, then I will not contribute to the DSCC for the 2008 election cycle. Furthermore, I will withhold all contributions from congressional Democrats in general election campaigns, and instead contribute to primary challengers who run against Democrats who vote to gut FISA.<br /><br />There aren't many issues that are absolutely non-negotiable as far as I'm concerned, but this is one of them. If you want me to continue to contribute to your effort to elect a Democratic Senate, then you will make sure that Congress does not capitulate to Bush on either of these two points.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Jason Sonenshein<br /><br />cc:<br />The Honorable <a href="http://reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm">Harry Reid</a>, Majority Leader<br />Mr. <a href="http://www.dscc.org/content?content_item_KEY=1442">J. B. Poersch</a>, Executive Director</blockquote><br />Senator Schumer's counterpart in the U.S. House is Representative <a href="http://vanhollen.house.gov/HoR/MD08/Contact+Information/Web+Contact/Contact+Form.htm">Chris Van Hollen</a> (D-Maryland), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Here's a copy of an e-mail I sent to Rep. Van Hollen<br /><blockquote>Dear Chairman Van Hollen:<br /><br />Every year I make contributions, totaling several hundred dollars, to various Democratic candidates and committees, including the Democratic Congressionial Campaign Committee. However, I was extremely disappointed in the Democratic leadership's bringing the so-called "Protect America" Act to a vote, and House Democrats' failure to defeat it, back in August.<br /><br />The so-called "Protect America" Act will soon come up for renewal. If Congress sends President Bush a bill that either allows for warrantless wiretapping of Americans without individualized suspicion, or provides retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that participated in Bush's illegal, warrantless wiretapping scheme, or both, then I will not contribute to the DCCC for the 2008 election cycle. Furthermore, I will withhold all contributions from congressional Democrats in general election campaigns, and instead contribute to primary challengers who run against Democrats who vote to gut FISA.<br /><br />There aren't many issues that are absolutely non-negotiable as far as I'm concerned, but this is one of them. If you want me to continue to contribute to your effort to elect a Democratic House, then you will make sure that Congress does not capitulate to Bush on either of these two points.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Jason Sonenshein<br /><br />cc:<br />The Honorable <a href="http://www.speaker.gov/contact">Nancy Pelosi</a>, Speaker<br />Mr. <a href="http://www.dccc.org/action_center/contact/">Brian Wolff</a>, Executive Director</blockquote><br />My contributions alone won't matter much to the DCCC and the DSCC. However, there probably are others who believe as I do. If you're a Democratic contributor, or a potential Democratic contributor, and you agree that another FISA cave-in would be a deal breaker, please let Senator Schumer and Representative Van Hollen know.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13474840.post-2485845937720379322007-10-15T07:02:00.000-04:002007-10-15T13:14:36.802-04:00General Assembly Rushes to Halt Skill Game EmergencyIn its continuing quest to stamp out fun in Ohio, the Ohio House of Representatives approved emergency legislation to ban skill games. Jim Siegel and James Nash of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Columbus Dispatch</span> report:<br /><blockquote>The Ohio House voted overwhelmingly yesterday to put an immediate end to the proliferation of slot machine-like games in the state. <p>The bill would ban games with cash payouts or prizes with values of more than $10. It also bans tournaments, such as those for Golden Tee Golf machines, darts or pool, in which the house takes a cut of the proceeds.</p><p>[...]</p>If enacted, the law will be "devastating" to bars and other businesses that draw in customers with pool and dart tournaments and games such as Golden Tee Golf and Silver Strike Bowling, said David P. Corey, executive vice president of the Ohio Coin Machine Association. Many of those bars already are losing business because of the statewide smoking ban, he said.<br /></blockquote><br />(entire article <a href="http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/10/11/NoSlots4U.ART_ART_10-11-07_A1_B685D2F.html?sid=101">here</a>)<br /><br />But wait, it gets worse. Mr. Nash also reports:<br /><blockquote>As written, the bill declares illegal any "mechanical, video, digital or electronic device" that pays out any amount of cash or merchandise with a wholesale value of $10 or more. It also bans tournaments in which the house takes a cut of the proceeds.<br /><br />The restrictions alarm some bowling-alley proprietors, who say it's not hard to conceive of authorities defining a bowling alley as a mechanical device and a tournament purse as a cash payout. Several bowling operators are lobbying state senators to explicitly exempt them from the proposed law.<br /><br />"This legislation appears to be extending way beyond just the skill-game issue," said Lee Zavakos, who owns a Dayton bowling alley and is an officer with the Bowling Proprietors Association of America. "They claim they're not coming after us, but there's language that's definitely going to hurt us."<br /><br />Nearly all bowling leagues issue cash prizes to winners, said Jo Dimond, manager of the central Ohio chapter of the U.S. Bowling Conference.<br /></blockquote>(entire article <a href="http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/10/15/AMUSEMENT.ART_ART_10-15-07_B1_K2860H4.html?sid=101">here</a>)<br /><br />That's right, under this legislation, nearly all bowling leagues in Ohio could be illegal. This is emergency legislation, meaning that it would take effect immediately and opponents would not have the opportunity to collect signatures for a referendum to repeal it.<br /><br />Our last chance to stop this legislation may be in the Ohio Senate. No Fun Ohio has <a href="http://nofunohio.org/wp/2007/10/11/call-your-senators/#comment-19">an action alert</a>, with contact information for your state senator. However, the correct bill number is 177, not 117, as No Fun Ohio states.* <b>Please call or e-mail your state senator today and ask him or her to vote NO on Amended Substitute House Bill 177. Please also contact <a href="http://www.governor.ohio.gov/ContactUs/tabid/69/Default.aspx">Governor Strickland</a> and ask him to veto H.B. 177.</b><br /><br />In its rush to curb the gambling menace, the General Assembly is poised to outlaw bowling, dart, and pool tournaments. Meanwhile, the West Virginia Lottery Commission recently approved 24-hour-a-day <a href="http://www.wtov9.com/news/14329494/detail.html">table game</a> operations at three locations, including two on Ohio's shores.<br /><br />* Update: No Fun Ohio has since corrected the bill number.Jason Sonensheinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08974742966503776194noreply@blogger.com1