Ladies and gentlemen, it's over!

Today, a courageous and bipartisan effort was made to protect telecommunications companies from the American people.

The Dodd amendment stripping retroactive immunity from the FISA bill failed 31-67. The Republican bloc marched lockstep, opposing the amendment 49-0. Eighteen Democrats joined the Republicans.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

**UPDATE**

You may recall that I mentioned that the version of the FISA bill passed by the House was quite different from the Intelligence Committee bill which will today be passed in the Senate. The good folks over at Firedoglake have a petition going that implores the members of the House to stand firm and not pass a new bill which mirrors that of the Senate. Take a moment to sign it.