The Thomas Tamm Legal Defense Fund

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images5.thumbnail.jpegAs Mike Isikoff has related in Newsweek, Tom Tamm was the critical tipping point behind Eric Lichtblau and Jim Risen’s New York Times expose the Bush Administration domestic surveillance program.

Marcy pointed out yesterday, the FBI/Justice Department has now been upending Mr. Tamm’s life for years now and, it appears, has been stringing out the matter seeking to get past Vaughn Walker’s consideration of the Constitutionality of the retroactive Congressional immunity grant in the consolidated cases in the Northern District of California (and, presumably, get past the five year statute of limitations on many of the Administration’s actions):

Delaying the decision until the Obama administration takes office would do more than dump the problem into Obama’s lap (just like the Gitmo detainees, of course). It would also delay the time when Tamm testified publicly about what he knows of the domestic surveillance program until after Vaughn Walker issues a ruling on immunity for the telecoms.

By coming forward now, Tamm has told Walker something–in no uncertain terms–that the government won’t tell him.

DOJ recognized that this program was illegal.

The bottom line is that Tom Tamm blowing the whistle is probably the linchpin behind us knowing what we do about the egregious unconstitutional and illegal actions of the Bushies. Tamm coming forward at this time may also prove to be critical in forming Judge Walker’s mind on his review of the immunity assertion.

A lot of readers have asked about how to donate to Tamm’s legal defense fund. In that regard, I contacted Mr. Tamm’s attorney, Paul Kemp and obtained the information; here is the response:

Hi [bmaz]. Thanks for your inquiry. The address of the defense fund
is:

Thomas Tamm Legal Defense Fund
Bank of Georgetown
5236 44th Street
Washington, DC 20015.

Tom appreciates your support and that of your readers. [Some
unrelated chit chat on another matter redacted]

Paul F. Kemp

Irrespective of his precise personal motivations, Tom Tamm has done the Constitution, the Fourth Amendment, the rule of law and all of us a favor by exposing the rank lawlessness of the elected leaders of this country. If you see fit, send him a few bucks to lighten the load he has taken on.

I don’t know about you, but if the wingnuts can pony up hundreds of thousands for the traitor Scooter Libby, I am sure as heck going to ante up a little to thank Tom Tamm for doing the right thing.

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26 replies
  3. GregB says:

    P.S.

    Stopped by the town library which is open and running as is most of the center part of Milford NH.

    Thanks all.

    Talk to you soon.

    -G

  5. PersonalFailure says:

    Yes, my check will be symbolic, too, (I work at a law office, so I know that $20 buys you about 2 minutes) but maybe Mr. Tamm will be happy to know that people support him.

  7. goodremo says:

    I just sent my donation! This is one time I am happy to send money! Go get em Tom! We need more patriots like you!

  9. KatWisconsin says:

    Please tell Mr. Tamm’s attorney that he needs to make it VERY easy to donate. He’ll get a much better response with a simple website and a PayPal account.

  10. oldoilfieldhand says:

    Thank you bmaz! I agree with K.W. TT needs to open a Paypal account. We’re sending money to the Tamm Legal Defense Fund in memory of The Founding Fathers and in defense of the United States Constitution. Please ask your Representatives and Senators to insist the USA rejoin the International Criminal Court in President Obama’s first term.

    • LabDancer says:

      I think that “rejoin” should be “join”.

      In either event, Tamm looks like the real deal: a true American go-to-work fight-the-enemy-because-someone-has-to hero, in the mold of what Gary Cooper and James Stewart used to portray – and hopefully there are enough who can see this as plainly as bmaz has put it here, and others are putting it at the Mothership and over at the Great Orange Satin and elsewhere across the human parts of the ’sphere that the pains that Tamm has been put to are eased and his example receives its just reward.

  11. wmd1961 says:

    Note that today is the 217th anniversary of the Bill of Right’s being ratified. This makes it a perfect day to donate – perhaps a money bomb could be ginned up quickly?

  13. nextstopchicago says:

    I’m in. I was about to send an e-mail asking Marcy if she knew these people well enough to think that sending cash was safe, because I AM a little worried about having a check with my name on it cashed by a guy who has brought down the wrath of the security state on his head (god, that sounds like purple prose except it’s real.)

    Then I realized, hell, they’d probably have the e-mail to Marcy anyway, so what’s the eff-ing point!

    My parents’ phone always had weird little beeps during the mid-80’s, when my dad was a member of Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador. How long do I have to wait before requesting his file and finding out whether we were surveilled? And where would I ask?

    I remember a great story. Somehow, I found myself in the backyard of Studs Terkel at a long ago birthday party (because of a woman whose campaign I worked in — sheer luck, and not because I knew the Terkels.) Anyway, Studs and Ida had just requested their FBI files (I think it had just become legal and possible to do so), and much to the chagrin of the great socialist and spurner of all that is right-wing, his wife’s file turned out to be much bigger than his.

    Anyway, going to get my checkbook – $100. It’s my standard Christmas charity check.

  14. nextstopchicago says:

    Heh. I also hadn’t yet noticed that it wasn’t care of is attorney, but simply going to the Bank of Georgetown. I guess it’d probably get deposited, but no, I don’t think I’ll just send cash.

  15. watercarrier4diogenes says:

    Mr. Tamm was on The Rachel Maddow Show tonight. When you go to that link, check out the Thomas Tamm Legal Defense Fund info just to the right of Ms Maddow’s smile. You can watch the video clip there.

    After watching their exchange live, I was delighted to find this discussion here. Check’s on its way in tomorrow’s mail (as long as we don’t get more Midwest snow… here in Portland, OR. Our high was freakin’ 23°F today!!!!)

  17. gcozette says:

    Tom, thank you for upholding the Constitution by exposing the illegal surveillence by the Justice Dept ordered by President Bush. It is Mr. Bush who should be prosecuted, not you. You are a true American patriot. I heard about your defense fund in the Newsweek article. I add my $250 contribution to the others. I also struggled through depression, but have found positive results after consulting with my physicians and others who have gone through it. Keep you spirits up. We respect and appreciate you.

  18. gorjan2 says:

    I suspect Mr. Tamm would cringe a little at being called a patriot but he certainly is. The minute I can send some financial support on a secure website, it will be on its way. I only hope he will realize how many people respect what he’s going through.

  19. GloryDays says:

    I signed up just to say…please, please, please create a Paypal or some such secure location where we can send money!

    I am a single mother to 4 children and would consider this the best money spent in a long time! :o)

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