Dems caving on FISA
Posted by Rick on June 19, 2008
I respect the fact that we need some type of FISA bill to deal with the thorny issue of surveillance. I can also appreciate the fact that we need more compromise and less polarization in Congress. Having said that, it is my view that granting immunity - even packeged as limited immunity - to the telecom companies for their role in illegally spying on American citizens, is reprehensible. Anyone who votes for this measure should be ashamed of themselves.
Once again, Congressional Dems forgot why the American people gave them control of the legislative branch in 2006. It would be nice if they would figure it out.
Deal Reached in Congress to Rewrite Rules on Wiretapping
By ERIC LICHTBLAU
Published: June 20, 2008WASHINGTON — After months of wrangling, Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress struck a deal on Thursday to overhaul the rules on the government’s wiretapping powers and provide what amounts to legal immunity to the phone companies that took part in President Bush’s warrantless eavesdropping program after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The deal, expanding the government’s powers in some key respects, would allow intelligence officials to use broad warrants to eavesdrop on foreign targets and conduct emergency wiretaps without court orders on American targets for a week if it is determined important national security information would be lost otherwise. If approved, as appears likely, it would be the most significant revision of surveillance law in 30 years.
The agreement would settle one of the thorniest issues in dispute by providing immunity to the phone companies in the Sept. 11 program as long as a federal district court determines that they received legitimate requests from the government directing their participation in the warrantless wiretapping operation.
