This suggestion originally came from Dawn Teo on the email list and has evolved from there. Please get involved!

Most Americans do not understand FISA. They've been told by Bush and Giuliani (and all of the other 9/11 parrots) for the last however-many-years that FISA is necessary to catch terrorists and to prevent acts of terrorism. It's the old stop-the-bogeyman defense. We need to educate ordinary nonpolitical people all across America on this issue, and we need to do it fast. With this in the news right now due to Obama's "compromise," we have the perfect opportunity to be heard. Newspapers everywhere will be looking for OpEds and LTEs on this issue in the coming days.

So, please consider taking some time out of your holiday to write an LTE (250 words or less) or an OpEd (700 words or less), and submit it to your local paper. We need to cover newspapers across the country on Sunday and Monday before the vote. The more people we can educate, the more public opinion will move. A single piece in a major newspaper like NYT can move public opinion by as much as 4%. But peppering papers across the country... that can do ever more.

No local paper is too small, no local paper is too big. Do not be intimidated by this task. There are also people on this list who are experts in either communication/writing or in FISA/law. These people can help you polish your writing and ensure total accuracy if you're feeling a little intimidated. Together, we can make this happen.

So, if you're willing to write a letter or oped, start writing. If you're also willing to act as a legal/expert reviewer or proofreader, please add your name below and send mail to the list with a subject of LTE: I can help so that people know they can email you for assistance. Thanks!

If you'd like some help, please see the list of people who have offered to help.

If you've got a draft that you'd like feedback on, please send it to the list with a subject that starts with LTE DRAFT ... with 4000 readers, somebody is likely to step forward!

Want some help?

Dawn Teo writes: "If anyone wants to write but is unsure which paper to submit to or how to submit or wants some proofreading, I am happy to volunteer to help you. Just email me off list for assistance."

anybody else want to volunteer?