Congress votes to immunize lawbreaking telecoms, legalize warrantless eavesdropping

[madfloridian]

Senate voted to immunize lawbreaking telecoms, terminate all pending lawsuits against them, and vest whole new warrantless eavesdropping powers in the President.

The Democratic-led Congress this afternoon voted to put an end to the NSA spying scandal, as the Senate approved a bill -- approved last week by the House -- to immunize lawbreaking telecoms, terminate all pending lawsuits against them, and vest whole new warrantless eavesdropping powers in the President. The vote in favor of the new FISA bill was 69-28. Barack Obama joined every Senate Republican (and every House Republican other than one) by voting in favor of it, while his now-vanquished primary rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, voted against it. John McCain wasn't present for any of the votes, but shared Obama's support for the bill. The bill will now be sent to an extremely happy George Bush, who already announced that he enthusiastically supports it, and he will sign it into law very shortly.

We should not excuse this vote away. It was wrong.

With their vote today, the Democratic-led Congress has covered-up years of deliberate surveillance crimes by the Bush administration and the telecom industry, and has dramatically advanced a full-scale attack on the rule of law in this country. As I noted earlier today, Law Professor and Fourth Amendment expert Jonathan Turley was on MSNBC's Countdown with Rachel Maddow last night and gave as succinct an explanation for what Democrats -- not the Bush administration, but Democrats -- have done today.

More on what Jonathan Turley told Rachel Maddow.

"The Democrats have learned well from Bush," Turley said in amazement. "They're just going to change the rules. ... It's otherworldly. ... I am completely astonished by Senator Obama's position -- and obviously disappointed. All of these senators need to respect us enough not to call it a compromise. It's a cave-in."

"It's like all those stories where someone is assaulted on the street and a hundred witnesses do nothing," continued Turley. "In this case, the Fourth Amendment is going to be eviscerated tomorrow, and a hundred people are going to watch it happen because it's just not their problem. ... There's not an ounce of principle, not an ounce of public interest in this legislation."

Turley added that even though the telecoms could still be prosecuted criminally, it's unlikely to happen. "The fix is in," he concluded. "Tomorrow night, there's going to be a lot of celebrating among telecom lobbyists. ... What we will lose tomorrow, it's something very precious."

I think if those of us who spoke against it were not constantly admonished now that it is a done deal...it would be more pleasant here.

I make no apologies for speaking up. I know that 28 groups I respect from many both sides of the aisle were organizing against it as well.

It is done now, but it is not a good thing to have happened. The minute Steny Hoyer started talking about party "purists"...we should have been on guard.

[Mike Nelson]

1. Sad,

very

[Yes We Did]

13. Yes, but here is the bigger picture.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3590299

[Jakes Progress]

17. There is no bigger picture.

Here is a summary of my reply to the post you cite:

bush will pardon the telcoms for any criminal offenses before he leaves office. This bill was needed to keep the telecoms from civil litigation which george can't stop. Screw the telecoms. The point to this bill and its immunity is that now there will never be a trial. No trial - do discovery or testimony under oath. Therefore, bush and company get away scot free. That was the part they wanted in the bill. Giving them carte blanche to wire tap anyone, anywhere was just icing on the cake for them.

[ColbertWatcher]

19. Can the President pardon a company?

Isn't it reserved for individuals?

[Dr.Phool]

20. Haven't you heard?

Ma Bell is people.

Corporations are people.

People ain't people.

[kenny blankenship]

21. And the President can do anything he wants

[ColbertWatcher]

24. Considering that The Party controls our government, yeah, I guess he can. n/t

[rpannier]

40. If this is the first time

Which it may be, then chances are it will stick, especially with this court.

It would be interesting if this is the first time it's ever been tried by a President.

It would also be very telling because I think lots of people would want to know why

[midnight]

2. I guess the constitution is a tool that needs to be applied if

is going to work. Instead the tool that is being applied is criminality. Hows that for They're just going to change the rules. ... It's otherworldly. ...

[Marblehead]

3. is it time

to grab the pitch forks???

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. I don't know about the pitchforks, but,

I do know that when a politician is sodomizing you, the last thing you want to do is send him money so he can have enough to buy viagra.

Obama may get my vote, but, he doesn't get my money.

[Dr.Phool]

23. They called me yesterday.

I said all my donations were made.

Some to Kucinich for Congress

Some to Jan Schneider for Congress

And their share went to the ACLU. Don't call me again.

He'll get my vote, by default. Not my money.

[MrCoffee]

4. The minute Steny Hoyer opens his piehole we should all run for cover.

[BeHereNow]

5. "Otherworldly" Perfect summary Mr. Turley

Otherworldly is perhaps the best adjective yet
to describe the experience of watching our
constitution be tossed into the garbage with the
help of both democrats and republicans.

BHN

[madfloridian]

28. It was a good descriptive word to use.

In fact that has been how our country has been since 2001.

[VP505]

6. Sad indeed,

that now not only has the 4th Amendment been rendered meaningless but we will never know exactly what information has been or will be used, by who and for what.

[cascadiance]

7. So THIS is the important stuff we should do instead of impeachment! UGGGH!!!!!!!

UGGHH!!!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. What a pathetic bunch of chickenhawks.

Eeek!! Somebody might think I'm not "tough on Terra"! Quick! Another Flag Pin!

[madfloridian]

10. Here is the Maddow/Turley video from Countdown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dotDveXReM8

Powerful and moving.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

14. When I saw that segment last night, I broke down crying.

I thought of my grandfather, father and oldest brother. The sacrifices they made to fight for this country in WWI, WWII and Viet Nam have just been rendered useless and forgettable.

I am sick about this, but at least Sen. Dick Durbin from IL had the guts and balls to vote against it. From the bottom of my heart, I thank him and the other 27 Democratic Senators that voted Nay today.

But as for Barack, he'll get my vote by absentee. I've decided to spend all of October and the first week in November in Ireland. My husband and I own a home there and there some work that is needed to be done to it. I'd rather spend my time in Ireland than listening to all the BS that will be on the corporate media 24-7.

[madfloridian]

15. So true. Our military has fought to protect those very freedoms.

The freedoms so easily sold out today.

[madamesilverspurs]

11. George Bush once asserted

that the Constitution was just "a damn piece of paper." How sad that it's Democrats who are making it possible for him to be right about something.

[madfloridian]

12. ACLU is suing...just announced.

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/35928prs20080709.html

"WASHINGTON – Today, in a blatant assault upon civil liberties and the right to privacy, the Senate passed an unconstitutional domestic spying bill that violates the Fourth Amendment and eliminates any meaningful role for judicial oversight of government surveillance. The FISA Amendments Act of 2008 was approved by a vote of 69 to 28 and is expected to be signed into law by President Bush shortly. This bill essentially legalizes the president’s unlawful warrantless wiretapping program revealed in December 2005 by the New York Times.

“Once again, Congress blinked and succumbed to the president’s fear-mongering. With today’s vote, the government has been given a green light to expand its power to spy on Americans and run roughshod over the Constitution,” said Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union. “This legislation will give the government unfettered and unchecked access to innocent Americans’ international communications without a warrant. This is not only unconstitutional, but absolutely un-American.”

The FISA Amendments Act nearly eviscerates oversight of government surveillance by allowing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) to review only general procedures for spying rather than individual warrants. The FISC will not be told any specifics about who will actually be wiretapped, thereby undercutting any meaningful role for the court and violating the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable search and seizure."

I stopped some monthly donations we have made for years....and we are heading the ACLU site to donate.

http://www.aclu.org/

[Patriot Abroad]

18. God Bless the ACLU!

I love writing that, because it is guaranteed to send any Freepers that wander in here and read it into a rabid fit.

[kenny blankenship]

26. thanks for mentioning it - it reminded me to make a donation

to the ACLU. As a group we can disagree at times about candidates and tactics, but I can't imagine how there could be anybody posting here who has a good excuse not to support this historically indispensable organization, provided they have some disposable income.

[madfloridian]

32. We donated today to the ACLU...

They have earned every penny of it this year....fighting for the constitution.

[Captain Hilts]

36. Do they have standing to file the case? I don't think so. nt

[madfloridian]

38. Link and video....they sure do think they do. Perhaps you should question them.

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/nsaspying/faachallenge.html

[balantz]

16. Will Websters Dictionary be making a new entry yet?

"The spelling of "Democracy" in America has been changed this year.

It will now be spelled: F-A-S-C-I-S-M."


Bush says thank you democrats for showing your true allegiance.

[Individualist]

22. DLC has succeeded

They've turned the party into a submissive branch of the republican party.

[ellie]

25. What the fuck?

Like I have been saying:


AMERICA IS OVER.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

27. It's terribly confusing. Supposedly, the 'goverment' can be sued for violations,...

,...but, suing the government is like bottling a rainbow.

What's most concerning is the fact that, this administration with the cooperation of the telecoms most CERTAINLY UNCONSTITUTIONALLY VIOLATED innocent citizens and, yes, congress critters rights and privileges.

I can only imagine that the agreement to grant immunity to the telecoms could reveal such criminal activities.

We will see.

[dixiegrrrrl]

29. You got kids in school?

Demand the school board stop using textbooks that talk about our Rights.
and Democracy.
And Fair elections.
and just representation from elected Congress critters.

They wanna strip the Bill of Rights?
Then make them do it across the board: books, posters, the whole 9 yards.

Let's all stop pretending.


NOTICE: Due to Presidential Executive Orders, the National Security Agency may have read this posting or e-mail, without warning, warrant, or notice. They may do this without any judicial or legislative oversight. You have no recourse nor protection.

[paparush]

30. Goddamnit! Now I have to listen to Bushitler lie through his teeth about how safer

this will make Uhmerika.

UGH! It makes my stomach turn just to think about it. That slimy, lying, sadistic bastard. I can't fucking believe he's going to get away with this.

Congress has proven its worthlessness. Its time for the general public to be brave and take back the power that's been taken away from us.

[bertman]

31. WE CAN ALL FIGHT BACK. HERE'S HOW:

At least ten times a day during a phone call or an email or a post on a blog such as this

SAY OR TYPE IN:

I heard that President Bush and Karl Rove are having anal sex with Al Qaeda detainees at Guantanamo.

Or, did you know that Laura Bush and Bay Buchanan are gay lovers in a love triangle with Elliott Spitzer?

Or, it has been confirmed that Diane Feinstein and Arnold Schwarzenneger are selling California raisins to the Iranian Republican Guard.


That oughta keep a few NSA types occupied for a day or two.

Now, excuse me while I go see who that is banging on my front door.

[azul]

33. Another milestone clicked off on our descent into fascist police state USA.

And most folks didn't even see it, or didn't get the importance at all, when it was mentioned on the news for about 3 seconds today. I think the subliminal message on this subject is nod and blinking.

I keep hearing the people get the government that they deserve: we must be a party-boat load of dumb-asses, cause we're being Shanghaied to the prison farm while we keep saying over and over, with gusto, "I'm loving it".

[hardtoport]

34. The ACLU just got my little bit of leftover cash.

I think I might have to dump Verizon for a local broadband provider and cell phone service. It's not making me feel much better, but it's something.

[madfloridian]

35. We have donated more the last two years to the ACLU

than we have in all preceding years. Not sure what that says about a Democratic majority. :shrug:

[CrispyQ]

37. I wrote my annual check to the ACLU last week.

I'll write another one today for the sake of our democracy.

I'm embarrased to admit I waited this long, but this week I dumped my Sprint cell & my ATT broadband account & moved all my service to Qwest.

[bertman]

39. Two more excellent posts on this topic today on Huffington Post

by David Bromwich and Dailykos by Smintheus. Both are worth the read.