EDIT # 3 (the "no one is reading this diary entry anymore edit"): Not only have I cooled off, but I've sent $25 more into the Obama campaign. Still, the original entry is there -- if only to remind me to "count to ten" before posting a diary entry when I'm angry.
NOTE: Two days later and I've cooled off a bit. While I still stand by what is said in the "open letter" below (with exception to the last sentence), I do recognize that we must unify behind Barack Obama if we want to win this thing in November. And, contrary to the comment made in the heat of the moment while typing the last sentence, the only way I'd vote for Nader is if my only other options were Clinton and McCain.
Dear Mr. Obama,
A candidate for "change" would have voted against a bill to broaden the government's spy powers and to give legal protection to phone companies that cooperated in President Bush's program of eavesdropping without warrants.
A candidate against "politics as usual" would have made a point to fly into D.C. to vote against this slap in the face to the Constitution and would have bravely held a press conference stating that the civil liberties of Americans are worth giving up a couple of hours of campaigning to save.
A candidate who gets his money from people like "me" wouldn't have been too damned cowardly to vote against the final bill and lose the huge amount of money he possibly has and certainly will receive from the telecommunication giants.
I guess that's probably for the best, as a person like me will not be giving another penny to your campaign and I wish I could have the money I have given to your campaign refunded. I contributed to a candidate who wasn't afraid to stand up for what's right, even when it's hard. Obviously that wasn't you.
Yes, the vote would have been largely symbolic, but symbolism is all the media understands. All that will be reported now is that the bill passed 68-29 and that neither Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton could be bothered to take the time to vote one way or the other.
You, of all people, should know this. You've been attacked time and time again for voting "present" in the Illinois Senate. You have tried to explain your reasons, but the media (and Hillary) only sees in black and white and ignores any grey area that may lead them to reporting something more than a soundbite.
You have the spotlight right now, Senator Obama. You're running on the power of words to lift up a nation and bring people together. You know that symbolism can be a powerful thing -- as can a symbolic vote and a speech on the Senate floor. In a line or two, you could have brought this to the attention of millions of Americans who hadn't heard a thing about it before.
I expected this kind of move from the Clinton Waffle Machine, but not from that courageous upstanding young man with the inspiring words. Thanks for the disillusionment. Looks like I'll be voting for Nader in the fall ... Again.
EDIT: Apparently I didn't make this clear enough in my diary/open letter. Barack Obama did NOT vote on the final bill. He voted earlier in the day to oppose immunity on a motion to end debate. That is more than Hillary did but just isn't enough on a bill that is this important. I do have a tip jar buried somewhere under a thread that was started by a user who couldn't have possibly had time to read my actual diary.