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Tag(s): Corporations- Telecoms; Domestic Surveillance-Wiretapping; FISA; FISA; FISA; Obama-Barack; Surveillance; Telecom Immunity; US Govt Surveillance-Wiretapping Intl
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June 22, 2008 at 11:29:00

Obama Vowed To Support Filibuster of Telecom Immunity Bill

by Gustav Wynn Page 1 of 1 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Obama recently issued a statement that the "compromise" FISA bill had to be passed to ensure our safety, despite the fact that it included immunity for telecoms. Telco immunity has been opposed by a majority of Americans in national polls since January.

But Obama's spokesman, Bill Burton, back in September, vowed that Obama would "support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies." So we need to know how Obama suddenly would condone retroactive lawbreaking. You can email Mr. Burton here to ask that Obama keep his commitment firm against telecom amnesty:

bburton@barackobama.com

Also be sure to let your Member of Congress know you're watching how they voted. My Congressman, Eliot "Lieberman Lite" Engel again stuck his wagon to George Bush on this one, all but begging to be unseated in November. See how Congress voted here.

Here's what I wrote to Obama's spokesman:

Dear Mr. Burton,

I have been a strong Obama supporter so far. I am an active political blogger and I cannot fathom or stomach that Mr. Obama just gave immunity to telecoms.

I agree with the many Constitutional scholars including Johnathan Turley who saw existing FISA laws sufficient to ensure the safety of Americans. The eavesdropping done as part of Bush's NSA program should be adjudicated in the courts, who have ruled the program illegal already.

The Democratic cave-in we just saw has angered and energized large swaths of the blogosphere. The most reprehensible part is that it signals Democratic weakness and fear: even with the law and Constitution on their side, the Democratic leadership has endorsed these crimes instead of prosecuting them. In doing so, they become complicit themselves and this is not missed on the public.

There is no doubt that Obama's quest for the White House will result in a dramatic showdown with the former administration. I can understand why Obama wants to delay this, but eventually "Mr. Change" will need to define what change actually means. Mr. Obama should not be fearful in taking an aggressive stand against lawbreaking by the Bush administration.

I feel Obama's ethics-reform stances are the basis for his support by Americans who strongly disapprove of President Bush, but disapprove of the current Congress even more. It smells like fear, Mr. Burton. I would appreciate a response for OpEd News.

UPDATE: It has been correctly brought out that Obama's statement did specify he'd support a filibuster of telco immunity. This statement was made in the context of Sen. Chris Dodd's good work on the issue last fall.

Strategy-wise, I'd say Obama was choosing not to proactively assemble the filibuster himself for this "line item" because it would distract from his larger 50-state campaign itinerary, become a lightning rod for criticism on an issue many voters do not fully comprehend, and perhaps make him seem un-presidential in doing a "Senators" work at this point.

There must be an eventual showdown between Bush's years of Constitutional violations and an incoming Obama administration. This means Obama should already be ruminating about an Attorney General and an articulated position on impeachment, the mother of all investigations to rule them all and bind them.

Avoiding this is to Obama's benefit for now, but the spineless Democrats are not making it easy as Bush tries to walk off with the store. So many have hammered Obama on the telco immunity issue and as we were waiting to see if the problem could be mitigated, we see this from today's Politico:

Senate Democratic aides said that Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) may introduce an amendment striking the provision, though it appears highly unlikely the amendment would get the 60-votes necessary to pass.
A cloture vote on the housing bill is set for Tuesday morning, while Senate Democratic aides said the FISA vote could come as early as Wednesday.

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19 comments

Richard Mynick is a US citizen who, despite the best efforts of the corporate media, noticed something disturbing about how the 2000 election was decided, & felt it augured poorly for democracy.
Richard MynickRichard Mynick is a US citizen who, despite the best efforts of the corporate media, noticed something disturbing about how the 2000 election was decided, & felt it augured poorly for democracy.

Your letter to Burton is pretty good, but I think it must be

recognized that this was an immense (& likely terribly damaging) sellout of principle on Obama's part. It's going to cost him, and rightly so.

It's futile to demand that "Obama must stick to his commitment to filibuster telecom immunity," because the damage has already been done. If Obama now reverses once again on this issue, he'll look like a double flip-flopper, instead of a single flip-flopper, a charge he already has no defense against. In a campaign fueled by hundreds of millions of dollars, he's not going to reverse course yet again & risk looking like a complete fool.

What the incident proves is not that Obama has made a mistake that can be fixed by his changing position yet again. Rather, it's that neither the Democratic nor the Republican candidate favors defending the Constitution. Anyone who values that will have to look outside the two big business parties.

by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 3 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1168 comments) on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 1:08:39 PM

GW is a proud American from NY State, concerned about media manipulation and overconsumption. He believes in fiscal responsibility, small government and strict ethics. He recently changed careers to become an inner city schoolteacher. A firm proponent of international adoption and curbing overpopulation, he hopes to adopt a third child and enjoys history, "honest" music and art and obscure vinyl records.
Gustav WynnGW is a proud American from NY State, concerned about media manipulation and overconsumption. He believes in fiscal responsibility, small government and strict ethics. He recently changed careers to become an inner city schoolteacher. A firm proponent of international adoption and curbing overpopulation, he hopes to adopt a third child and enjoys history, "honest" music and art and obscure vinyl records.

Undoing the damage

He would not be reversing himself if he fought to undo JUST the telecom immunity portion of this bill from his Senate seat. As his statement read, he objected to that part of the overall bill and claims he will begin to fight it after passage. In the middle of a general election, this seems unlikely.

This has been a good opportunity, however, for Obama to hear from the left. He should know that despite our desire for change, there are lines that should and shouldn't be crossed, and trashing the Constitution by excusing and condoning illegal acts is definitely crossing the line.

by Gustav Wynn (60 articles, 38 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 283 comments) on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 7:56:22 PM

American Expat in Asia
pftAmerican Expat in Asia

He Figures

He has us over a barrel. We have 2 choices, McCain or Obama. On a bad day, I say I will vote for McCain just to give the treasonous Dems a lesson. On a good day, I say I just won't vote. It seems clear the ruling elite have chosen. Follow the money. If you still want Obama, then at least read Dreams From My Father before you vote.

by pft (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 466 comments) on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 5:41:07 PM

For a living, I manage the design and construction of renewable energy projects. My hobby is sandwich repair; I also swap for parts.
JonmarkPFor a living, I manage the design and construction of renewable energy projects. My hobby is sandwich repair; I also swap for parts.

Tell Obama: No spying on us, no telecom immunity

Dear Mr. Burton:
You know as well as I do that the US, which spends more money making war than all other nations combined, is under no credible threat from any external quarter. The threat to America is from the use of fear to consolidate political power by gutting our Constitution and Bill of Rights. If, as President, Mr. Obama would spy on us and provide immunity to those who have done so illegally in the past, then he must be stopped. It's as simple as that.
JP

by JonmarkP (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 67 comments) on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 5:54:31 PM

10 year Navy veteran,former Federal employee with various agencies,
Gallaher10 year Navy veteran,former Federal employee with various agencies,

Obama is not to be trusted.

You really trust Obama?

by Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 608 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 12:28:36 AM

Having lived six decades now, I've had a lot of experiences! Grew up in a family often oppressed because of our faith - we stood for peace and against war, and for the rights of all regardless of ethnic background. Active from youth in peace and civil rights. Vietnam-era draft resister. Worked for a while for peace and social justice groups, and then became a civil servant. Felt a call to a consistent life ethic, and am currently serving as President of Consistent Life. All this is out of Chr...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Bill SamuelHaving lived six decades now, I've had a lot of experiences! Grew up in a family often oppressed because of our faith - we stood for peace and against war, and for the rights of all regardless of ethnic background. Active from youth in peace and civil rights. Vietnam-era draft resister. Worked for a while for peace and social justice groups, and then became a civil servant. Felt a call to a consistent life ethic, and am currently serving as President of Consistent Life. All this is out of Chr...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Politician

Before you seemed politically advantageous for him to take a progressive position on this. Now it does not. His see-saw between trying to be a candidate of change and trying to reassure the establishment that he would not rock the boat is largely over. Now the latter dominates, because he no longer feels much of a need to make overtures to progressives, judging that most are going to treat it as a 2-person contest, and see McCain as unacceptable. We can defeat this cynical opportunism only be voting for a 3rd party or independent candidate.

by Bill Samuel (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 278 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 3:43:07 AM

NOBODY WITH TO MUCH TRUTH IT HURTS
RICH SHANOBODY WITH TO MUCH TRUTH IT HURTS

ITS ALL OVER BUT THE TALKING ABOUT

IN 2000 ELECTION WE THOUGH THERE WAS SOMETHING FISHY GOING ON, BUT LET THAT GO. IN 2004 WE NEW THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING ON AND LET THAT GO.

NOW IN 2008 ELECTION IS THERE ANYBODY HERE THINKS THIS ELECTION IS NOT FIXED. WHAT SAY YOU.

by RICH SHA (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 106 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 4:06:10 AM

Rick Wise is an industrial psychologist and retired management consultant. For 15 years, he was managing director of ValueNet International, Inc. Rick was a Vietnam-era Navy Hospital Corpsman.

Rick holds PhD and M.Ed. degrees from Penn State. His BS is from West Chester University. He completed post-doctoral work at Rensselaer, Northwestern, University of Colorado, and Harvard. A native of Pennsylvania, Rick now lives in New England.
Richard WiseRick Wise is an industrial psychologist and retired management consultant. For 15 years, he was managing director of ValueNet International, Inc. Rick was a Vietnam-era Navy Hospital Corpsman.

Rick holds PhD and M.Ed. degrees from Penn State. His BS is from West Chester University. He completed post-doctoral work at Rensselaer, Northwestern, University of Colorado, and Harvard. A native of Pennsylvania, Rick now lives in New England.

After Public Flip-Flops on Hoyer/FISA and

public campaign financing, it appears the only thing Obama really plans to change is his mind. Some change. We can get this much change from Harry Reid or Joe Lieberman.

His campaign says Obama will "support" a filibuster. What good is that? If Obama had said he would LEAD a filibuster, then he would have my respect and my vote. As it now stands, he gets neither.

Watch this guy. I have never been convinced that Obama was in this race for anything more than himself. With decisions like these, the evidence mounts.

by Richard Wise (23 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 52 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 5:40:25 AM

I am a 53 year old citizen on Social Security Disability for Major Depression and spend all my time online collecting news and commentary.
Mark WelkieI am a 53 year old citizen on Social Security Disability for Major Depression and spend all my time online collecting news and commentary.

Thank you

I wasn't aware of Sen. Obama's pledge but, after reading the article, I emailed Mr. Burton and said the following, "I am an Obama supporter who is strongly opposed to the amnesty for telecommunications companies provision in the FISA reauthorization bill and who hopes that Sen. Obama will not only oppose it but, as he promised, filibuster it as well.

by Mark Welkie (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 51 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 8:34:48 AM

I'm a concerned, middle aged blogger and member of the ACLU. I hail from the Bay Area. I Lobbied congress with the ACLU over the more unconstitutional elements of the USA Patriot Act. Marched in peace protests, lost a former school chum in the world trade center on 9/11.
Michael ShawI'm a concerned, middle aged blogger and member of the ACLU. I hail from the Bay Area. I Lobbied congress with the ACLU over the more unconstitutional elements of the USA Patriot Act. Marched in peace protests, lost a former school chum in the world trade center on 9/11.

I say screw the flip-flop analogy

This is a question of either keeping one's word or breaking it. If Obama wants my vote in November he better keep his word. I would also point out the only people in government worth supporting are all of those who voted nay to this capitulation and thankfully my own representative, Sam Farr is among the honorable rather than the complicit and the cowardly! And no Nader is not the answer! Perhaps an all out rebellious effort to write in a candidate in November rather than choose any of the stooges on the ballot. How about Wexler, Gravel, Feingold or Kucinich? A Russ and Dennis ticket sounds good to me.

by Michael Shaw (7 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 330 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 8:37:51 AM

Here's my letter

Dear Mr. Burton,

As a lifelong democrat and supporter of Barack Obama I must say I am rather puzzled by the recent change of events concerning telecom immunity. Didn't you promise that Obama would filibuster any bill that would take the telecoms off the hook and grant them immunity? Now I see Obama is supporting this travesty and calling it necessary to protect Americans. But which Americans? Bush and the telecoms broke the law by illegally spying on us. Is it necessary to protect them rather than our own Constitution? If so it might be necessary for me to support another candidate, someone who realizes the Constitution protects all of us, rather than the few who see fit to ignore it.

Sincerely,

Michael Shaw

by Michael Shaw (7 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 330 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 9:29:44 AM

NOBODY WITH TO MUCH TRUTH IT HURTS
RICH SHANOBODY WITH TO MUCH TRUTH IT HURTS

YES I AGREE

BUT WE ONLY GET TWO GLOBAL ELITE PAWNS TO PICK FROM, WITH THE MEDIA MASS DECEPTION AT ITS BEST.

by RICH SHA (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 106 comments) on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 2:40:09 AM

And Richard

my flip flop comment wasn't aimed at you. I agree with you wholeheartedly.

by Michael Shaw (7 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 330 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 9:43:36 AM

I am a 58 year-old, straight, white, male. I have been a Green (of the German kind) since 1968. I like to discuss(?) politics. I am into music (rock n roll) from about 64 to 70 with special emphasis on psychedelica. I have a cat and live on SSI.
ed krinerI am a 58 year-old, straight, white, male. I have been a Green (of the German kind) since 1968. I like to discuss(?) politics. I am into music (rock n roll) from about 64 to 70 with special emphasis on psychedelica. I have a cat and live on SSI.

Just do it

Forget all this writing and petitioning and bewailing; just strike and boycott this entire thing. The election means nothing.

The fuel used to oppress and repress is MONEY. Strike at your jobs and at the malls.

Refuse to play along with a scam called elections.

by ed kriner (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 27 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 10:42:18 AM

Well Ed

I understand your anger, but lets not forget those who voted against this Bush/ telecom immunity and who are openly speaking out against it and condemning it. They deserve our full support.

by Michael Shaw (7 articles, 1 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 330 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 11:01:32 AM

editor of ThomasMc.com
Thomas Mceditor of ThomasMc.com

America has failed

I suspect Obama is just another trojan horse. Once elected, he'll be about as "democratic" as Pelosi and Reid, supporting the GOP agenda.

He and McCain are both pretending to be people they aren't.

Politics today is all about conning the voters into picking people they never would if they knew the truth about them.

America has failed.

by Thomas Mc (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 10:43:04 AM

Accountant, Life Coach, activist, civil libertarian (sometimes not so civil).
David BlockAccountant, Life Coach, activist, civil libertarian (sometimes not so civil).

Obama's office: "I support FISA bill, but NOT immunity."

I just called Obama's office at 5pm EDT. I was read a statement by Obama, which I did not copy down word for word. The gyst of it was that Obama supports the bill, but not retroactive immunity, and would work to do what he could to remove retroactive immunity from the bill.

The person I spoke with had no answer to the obvious question: If Obama could not remove the retroactive immunity language, would he still vote in favor? We don't know. But his public statement said the above, and you can call his office yourself to confirm that.

Bottom line: Obama has given lip service to the idea that national security is important by supporting the bill, and has given lip service to his base and to civil libertarians by announcing that he will work to remove the objectionable language.

When the vote is finally cast, we will see where he lands.

by David Block (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 4:22:56 PM

I am not sure what to write hear since I just established a profile. I will come back later to add something.
Laura KayI am not sure what to write hear since I just established a profile. I will come back later to add something.

Why Isn't the Issue Warrantless Wiretaps

Several months ago during a vote on immunity for telecoms, Senator McCaskill, D-MO, stated it was not fair to the telecoms because they had been told the wiretaps were legal.

I do not understand why people are not more upset about allowing warrantless wiretaps rather than telecom immunity. I assume a fear tactic of not time to get a warrant was used.

It seems like the telecom immunity would be a mute issue if warrants were required before allowing any wiretaps.

by Laura Kay (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 35 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 10:50:49 PM

Becoming president for real

While it's nice to be among like-minded souls, remember the US is about 30% left, 30% right and 40% somewhere in the middle. To get anything changed, we need to stop whining and complaining and bring over support from one of these other groups.

This is what Obama, considered left of Hillary Clinton, is doing right. Doing this while keeping your principles intact is harder still, if not impossible in the current landscape.

So without forgiving him for it, I can understand why Obama isn't leading a filibuster in the Senate himself. (See update above).

That said, it's time to see the Democrats stand up again on this issue, just like Sen. Dodd did the first time he beat them back. Keep emailing Obama's spokesman and your Senators to keep this issue alive.

The activism was important this weekend and it noticeably brought out how fearful and weak Congress looked.

by Gustav Wynn (60 articles, 38 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 283 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 11:51:50 PM