Malkin brings us the phone numbers, once again.Public pressure is mounting on Capitol Hill Democrats to include the John Doe provision into a written conference report of the final 911 Commission bill.
The provision would protect the public for reporting suspicious behavior that may be terrorist connected, and is the result of a current lawsuit against U.S. Airways and John Doe passengers filed by a group of imams who were kicked off a flight.
Democrats have been backed into a corner by public outrage over their efforts, so we are seeing these Democrats publicly say they support it in principle, but behind the scenes they are working to kill it, said one Republican leadership aide close to the conference process.
There are powerful Democrats in the House and Senate trying to kill this provision, the aide said.
Keeping the pressure on to include the provision are Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut Independent and chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, the committee's ranking member, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine whose efforts last week fell three votes short of passing the provision to an education bill, and Rep. Pete King, New York Republican and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee and an author of the provision.
Congress switchboard: 202-224-3121
Nancy Pelosi’s office: 202-225-4965
Harry Reid’s office: 202-224-3542
[End Update]
Keep calling, keep faxing, keep emailing, then do it all over again.
The Email I received from the Center for Viligant Freedom, calls for action, yet again. When we have taken action, the most recent example being the immigration reform idiocy, we have been heard, LOUDLY.
It is time to be heard again.
YOUR URGENT ACTION REQUESTED.
The “John Doe” amendment still has a chance, and your calls to your Senators and House members TODAY can help. We think this will be settled one way or another by COB TODAY - tomorrow at the latest.
Many of you have your own blogs or organizations. An alert to your readers or members today is crucial. We have a chance here but we need to keep the message reaching Congress to support “John Doe." Thanks for your help on this urgent request!
Regards, Christine
Below is some suggested language for an email alert to your friends, members or readers:
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In Washington, a House-Senate conference committee on a homeland security bill is considering whether to include a measure to protect, from lawsuit, Americans who report suspicious behavior. The so-called "John Doe" measure comes in response to a lawsuit by six imams who were booted from a plane that was about to fly from Minneapolis late last year because they were acting very suspiciously, refusing to sit in their assigned seats, asking for metal seat belt extenders, and speaking loudly and disparagingly about the United States. The imams plan to sue not only the airline but the passengers who reported their behavior -- a step that, if successful, could have a chilling effect on whether other Americans come forward to report such behavior or whether they decide that doing so isn't worth the legal fees. Without this protection, Americans would have no reason to follow the motto of law enforcement agencies: "If you see something, say something."
Separately, the "John Doe" legislation passed both the House and Senate by overwhelming margins. But key Democrats are trying to drop it from the homeland security bill, which would kill it. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson isn't enthused about it, and Senate Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy spoke against it on the Senate floor. The conference committee is meeting and will make a final decision on this vital legislation in the coming days.
If you agree Americans should be encouraged to report suspicious behavior, if you agree they should not be intimidated by the threat of a lawsuit that could bankrupt them, now is the time to act. Call or e-mail your own Senator and your House member. You can find their contact information at http://www.congress.org - just enter your zip code. Tell them to insist that the conference committee include "John Doe" protection in this bill. And after calling or e-mailing your own Senator and House member, contact Congressman Thompson and Senator Leahy. Also contact House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Senate Assistant Majority Leader Richard Durbin.
Don't leave Americans who do the right thing by reporting suspicious behavior out in the cold. Don't let Americans be intimidated into keeping quiet. In the war on terror, there's too much at stake for all of us.
Related:
They Prove Once Again they Don't Care About Keeping Us Safe: UPDATED, They Killed It.
Quick Update on the John Doe Amendment
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