Congress appears to be on the verge of reaching agreement on some aspects of the so-called Protect America Act, or the "spying bill," which grants immunity to telecommunication companies accused of turning over private customer records to the National Security Agency. (WaPo)
The legislation which aims to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act such that warrants are now optional with the vehicle will make an appearance before the Senate next week where it is expected to pass. And, this bill is as much about protecting America as the Iraq war is about bringing democracy to the Middle East. The only ones being protected here are those who continue to break the law under the guise of national security. From the presidential veto, it's obvious that this administration isn't interested in granting immunity from prosecution to parents who are unable to pay their children's medical bills. .
What's more, when was the last time you've heard of a White House giving an order to any company, let alone a communications company, which has tens of millions of customers, not to testify in court under a state secrets law that has yet to be written. But, what the hell, if one can grant retroactive immunity, why not enforce a law that isn't on the books? Oh, and why not cook the books, too, while we're at it as the Downing Street Memo clearly proves.
If nothing else, the past six years proves that not only does crime pay, but it pays handsomely--for the upper one percentile of the population of this country, that is. There are more carcinogens trying to pose as laws, coming out of Congress, these days, than on any freeway in America.
Let your Senators, whose salaries you and I pay, hear now whether you're willing to have your personal phone calls, and e-mails, intercepted as those of tens of millions of Americans already have, and whether it's okay with you for those telecommunication behemoths like A T & T, and Verizon, to be granted immunity from prosecution for breaking the law that protects your privacy.
Look at it this way, would you grant immunity unless you thought that a crime was committed? The Constitution isn't the only casualty of the "war on terror;" common sense is, too.
http://ladyjaynestahl.blogspot.com
Widely published, poet, playwright, essayist, and screenwriter; member of PEN American Center, and PEN USA. Jayne Lyn Stahl is a Huffington Post blogger.
..that while the telecommunications executives that sold out Americans by colluding with the Bush Administration to violate Federal privacy laws, the one guy who stood up to our Government by refusing to comply with Federal requests to illegally hand over private records, former Qwest CEO Joseph Nacchio, is on bail pending appeal of a Federal conviction for insider trading.
Those who commit crimes on behalf of our Government are rewarded with immunity, and those who refuse get rewarded with a prison term.
"Fascist", as an adjective to describe the Bush regime, no longer qualifies as hyperbole.
by
Robert Sargent (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 26 diaries, 303 comments)
on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 12:23:51 PM
Just because he did one good deed doesn't mean he didn't do insider trading. Therefore your assertion is a little premature. The two crimes are seperate under the law(in the absence of facts time etc ) one need to be circumspect less your argument is 'still born'
Not withstanding under the law the presumption is for innocence untill proven otherwise in a court of law.
That of cause doesn't reduce the appalling lack of privacy(human rights) afforded by this administration. Now the safety wall has has been breached will the Dems build a better wall, mop up the mess or is this the new reality?
by
Andris (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 531 comments)
on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 8:00:30 PM
... I have become reacquainted with General Smedly Butler and his courageous acts in stopping in 1933 the fascist militant overthrow of our democratic/republic.
Anyone not familiar with General Smedley Butler, a two time Medal of Honor Award winner, please do. The more I read about this man the more interesting he becomes.
Anyway the only obstacle between the overthrow of our government at that time was that the General had no intention of going along with the coup and FDR wasn't a fascist.
When the General blow the whistle on the plot it fell apart, When NO ONE was every brought-up on charges of any kind, let alone treason. Butler hit the roof! Going public and all his evidence and proof of treason were never brought to justice because those that plotted the overthrow were some of the wealthiest families/ corporations in America.
Gee, the more things change ...
Anyway, good article and although it didn't turn me into an optimist it made it nice to know there are some out there.
by
Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 1401 comments)
on Sunday, October 21, 2007 at 4:05:56 AM
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