can't he just pardon them

[Johonny]

President Bush said Wednesday that he will not sign a new eavesdropping bill if it does not grant retroactive immunity to U.S. telecommunications companies that helped conduct electronic surveillance without court orders.

Why again shouldn't congress force Bush to pardon these companies if he wants them to get away with previously violating the law? Frankly I could not care less if congress passes a new eavesdropping bill the president doesn't like. Heck if they can't override his veto too bad no bill Mr. President. Boo hoo. You can't spy on American citizens legally. Boy I'm all worked up about that. One would think if this program WAS really important he might not be using it for purely political capital against the Democratic congress. Since once again he can just pardon those involved in the previous transgressions. There no way THAT part of the bill should bother him at all.

[Deep13]

1. My thoughts exactly.

Since when is immunity up to Congress? That has always been an executive function.

[TwilightGardener]

2. He wants immunity for them so that suits can't be brought which will

bring to light the criminality of the surveillance, and thus the criminality of the Bush administration. It's not about protecting the telecoms--it's about protecting himself.

[Johonny]

4. I always imagined

he was pardoning every single person that worked in the administration on his last day in office. Basically the only one at risk is himself. But I seriously doubt any new administration would criminally prosecute a former executive because the ramification would be to great. That and the fact he'll be safe and sound in some palace in Saudi Arabia if that ever happens.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Not Saudi--Paraguay.

[northzax]

3. he can only pardon criminal activity

and since these would likely be civil suits (at least that is what the bill is directed at) he has no power to do anything.