This week has crucial implications for the future of this country where civil liberties are concerned. I wrote a post on Tuesday talking about Congress taking up the FISA bill yet again, and some of the problems that I had with the wiretapping that the gummint has been conducting– illegally, I might add. At the time, I was cautiously hopeful that perhaps the groundswell from liberals, progressives, and others who support civil liberties in this country might actually prevail. But the pragmatist in me knew that it probably wasn’t going to happen; as such, I dreaded what I saw as the potentially inevitable outcome.

True to form, Congress appeared ready to cave in earlier today– a deal was apparently reached between the Senate and Smirk, and the Senate Intelligence Committee handed over power and looked the other way approved immunity for the telecoms, in effect allowing them to escape legal consequences for breaking the law. Apparently our Congressfolks aren’t interested in upholding the law, in oversight, or in doing much of anything. It really doesn’t matter who’s in power: they deserve the low poll numbers they’re getting. The Senate Judiciary Committee is making some noises, but it looks like they’re just talking, as usual.

But, wait! Hold the wire(tapping)! Who’s that riding in from stage left? It’s a Connecticut Yankee, and he has declared that he’s going to put a hold on the legislation. There isn’t much in the news yet about this, and looking at tomorrow’s papers online, there isn’t a lot of buzz yet, but there should be. Civil liberties are important for all of us, and constitute the foundation of what it means to be American.

Civil liberties are what this country has been about. If we lose them, we are no longer the United States as it has been historically known. True patriots must stand now to protect civil liberties, or forever hold their peace. I’m hoping that Dodd has truly submitted a hold, and I hope that he stands steadfast in the face of the opposition he’s sure to have. Those of us who support and wish to uphold the law and what it means in the United States of America need to support people like Dodd, because right now, they’re all we have.

I still haven’t made up my mind who I’ll support in the primaries, let alone the general election. But if Dodd follows through on walking the walk when it comes to civil liberties, it’s very possible I’ll be casting my ballot for him.

So hold the wires– here’s Senator Christopher Dodd! I wish there were more like him.