Time to start contacting "our" elected officials about FISA

[dflprincess]

How many times do we have to go through this?

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0608/FISA_Deal_c...

Negotiators reached a deal Thursday morning on long-stalled electronic surveillance legislation, with a House vote likely to be held on the measure on Friday, Democratic leadership aides confirmed.

The deal represents a major breakthrough on the long-stalled updated to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which has been stuck in Congress for most of the year.

While talk of a pending deal had intensified throughout the week, as late as Wednesday night, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) cautioned that some details were still being worked out.

However, Democratic aides told Politico Thursday morning that all major differences had been ironed out and that the bill would hit the House floor shortly.

The centerpiece of the compromise is a provision that would allow a federal court to decide whether to provide retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that participated in the program and are facing lawsuits from civil liberties organizations.

[Eric J in MN]

1. It passed the House. We should contact...

....Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Norm Coleman to ask them to vote against "The FISA Amendments Act of 2008."

No to expanding wiretap powers. No to retroactive immunity.

[lojasmo]

2. done and done. Thanks.

[Minnesota Raindog]

3. Toll-free phone numbers for Congress

Courtesy of Firedoglake.com...

1 (800) 828 - 0498
1 (800) 459 - 1887
1 (800) 614 - 2803
1 (866) 340 - 9281
1 (866) 338 - 1015
1 (877) 851 - 6437

[MNWild]

4. I called Amy and Normie both this AM

I was informed by a staffer that Sen. Coleman was undecided but seeking input. I stated that I was seldom a single issue voter, but that in this case, anyone who voted for retroactive immunity for criminal activity would NEVER receive my vote, or a single penny in contributions EVER.(I never said I WOULD contribute, did I?) This is the same conversation I had with a staffer for Senator Klobuchar, by the way. She apparently voted for immunity early on and then against it after considerable pressure from constituents.

Senator Coleman's office also indicated that they were taking a lot of calls on this issue, and I got the feeling that most of them were opposed to immunity.

I remain hopeful that this may be one issue where both of our Senators may do the right thing if backed into a corner. Drop a dime and make a call.