Think Progress

New wiretapping bill dubbed ‘repugnant’ and ‘a capitulation.’

Under a “compromise” wiretapping bill the House is expected to approve tomorrow, U.S. phone companies that cooperated with President Bush’s warrantless wiretapping program after Sept. 11 “could be shielded from lawsuits” as long as “there is written certification that the White House asked a phone company to participate and assured it” of the program’s legality. However, as critics of the deal have noted, there isn’t much to the bill that constitutes a “compromise”:

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI): “The proposed FISA deal is not a compromise; it is a capitulation. … Allowing courts to review the question of immunity is meaningless when the same legislation essentially requires the court to grant immunity.”

Marcy Wheeler: “All it takes to get off scott free, in this bill, is for the President to have said the program was legal, regardless of whether it was or…whether the telecoms should have questioned whether the directives were legal.”

Glenn Greenwald: “[W]e’ll have a new law based on the premise that the President has the power to order private actors to break the law, and when he issues such an order, the private actors will be protected from liability of any kind on the ground that the Leader told them to do it — the very theory that the Nuremberg Trial rejected.”

Referring to the bill’s text, Greenwald added, “Seeing the words in print, though, adds a new dimension to appreciating just how corrupt and repugnant this is.”

Update Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office released this statement: “Senator Reid believes this version is better than the bill the Senate passed in February and much better than the Protect America Act signed by the President last summer, but he remains opposed to retroactive immunity and is reviewing the bill in its entirety.”


82 Responses to “New wiretapping bill dubbed ‘repugnant’ and ‘a capitulation.’”

  1. Zooey says:

    Anything coming from the White House is repugnant.

    Just sayin’…


  2. RUCerious says:

    Yesterday I emailed Congressman Inslee, asking him to vote no, and to reply to my email with his vote result. We’ll see if that helps.


  3. RUCerious says:

    Looks like I need to email Senator Reid’s office as well…


  4. Abu Ben Hussein Leporello says:

    Have We, The People, sunk so low as to allow this? Its bad enough that the current Executive is continuing his lifelong tradition of failure, upon failure, but to allow him to drag the Nation down with him? I’m all for impeaching Cheney and Bush, but most of Congress should go along with them. Somebody break out the seismographs, ’cause the Founding Fathers are rotating in their graves!
    Impeach Cheney, Bush, Then Most of Congress and Save the Constitution!


  5. RUCerious says:

    So, all you Constitutional scholars out there:

    Does the executive branch have the authority to order private corporations to break the law? And, upon violating the law upon request of the executive, have immunity under the law for violating the rights guaranteed the citizenry under the Constitution?
    Inquiring minds need to know.


  6. And Yet... says:

    And the question remains- why does the Dem majority feel the need to bring this to the floor at all right now. This haste to enact retro immunity legislation reeks, & not of a somewhat dirty compromise, either.


  7. StratRat says:

    All the words in the world do nothing Reid…This takes some action on your part Reid. No ‘reviews’ as you have had Steny Hoyer keeping you updated on the content of the bill. Action is what needs to happen, Mr. Reid.

    BTW, Kings tell private actors to break the law; Presidents who have taken an oath of office cannot do that, for they have then broken their oath. Are we a nation of laws or not?

    Folks, this is gonna pass and we are going to have to move out all who voted for it – ALL OF THEM. Why have an opposition party if that party is doing the bidding of the bush administration?

    Fu(k you, senator Reid.


  8. Paul W says:

    To give you an idea of just how unbelievable the Democrats are, just read this, also from Glenn Greenwald’s post on the subject,

    I’d like to underscore the fact that in 2006, when the Congress was controlled by Bill Frist and Denny Hastert, the administration tried to get a bill passed legalizing warrantless eavesdropping and telecom amnesty, but was unable. They had to wait until the Congress was controlled by Steny Hoyer, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to accomplish that.

    And the changer Barack Obama has been completely silent. Yes, he’s issued strong statements in the past on this subject but now that it’s going to actually happen, not a word.

    Just who in the hell are we supposed to vote for anyway?

    http://progressiveworldreview.com


  9. StratRat says:

    Just who in the hell are we supposed to vote for anyway?

    Man, is that a great question or what? I don’t know…Seems they are all as bad as the others. We need to better screen our employees and act swiftly if they don’t do as we say.

    Fu(k you senator reid.


  10. JosephP says:

    Steny Hoyer denied all day Tuesday that he was doing this. I know because I called his office multiple times. Only by Wednesday morning did his office finally admit it was so. He didn’t need to actively and secretly conspire with Kit Bond and the White House on this—but he did anyway. Whatever the Telecoms are paying him better be good, because I will never forget. I am dedicating my life to see that he is removed from Congress. Even a Republican would be better than this weasel, who pretends to be on your side then betrays you.


  11. po says:

    If Reid remains opposed to immunity, why is he bringing a bill containing immunity to the floor? Doesn’t being Majority Leader bring with it certain perks and responsibilities – on e of these being bringing only responsible legislation up for a vote.


  12. blogenfreude says:

  13. trollsbwild says:

    Call your congressman NOW. The vote is scheduled fo tomorrow.


  14. hanshiro says:

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office release this statement: “Senator Reid believes this version is better than the bill the Senate passed in February and much better than the Protect America Act signed by the President last summer, but he remains opposed to retroactive immunity and is reviewing the bill in its entirety.”

    Wait, Harry, don’t tell me, “Let’s not throw out the good because it isn’t perfect,” right? Is that the bongwater you’re hinting at????

    Could Reid be a bigger bag of boneless fetid pus? Feingold, Kucinich and a scant few others are the only ones standing between us and the republican wet dream of complete corporate-mandated government.

    Pelosi and Reid are nothing but loyal bushies…


  15. Bob says:

    This seems to be unconstitutional, but apparently that doesn’t mean anything anymore. How did we end up here? This doesn’t seem at all like the United States of America I’ve lived in my whole life. What happened? This seems more like the old Soviet Union stereotyping where no one has any rights, the government controls everything and not very well.


  16. And Yet... says:

    I called & also faxed Hoyer & Rockefeller. Lines were busy for quite a while. Wanted to help jam up their phone & fax lines. This is BushCo crap they’re trying to make us eat:

    Steny Hoyer:
    Phone – (202) 225-4131
    Fax – (202) 225-4300

    Jay Rockefeller:
    (202) 224-6472
    (202) 224-7665 Main Fax


  17. hanshiro says:

    Oh, and bear in mind that Jimmy-Boy (Macaca jr.) Webb has pushed for telecom immunity both through his previous cloture vote and the last immunity bill that was perpetrated attempted.

    Yet another loyal bushie…


  18. Zimzone says:

    As a Liberal, Bush makes me sick.

    As a voter, I place honor & integrity WAY over Party.

    As an American citizen, I say Hoyer, Pelosi & Reid MUST go.

    Shame on ALL of you. We will NOT forget this in November!


  19. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong says:

    Just got off the phone with the Obama Campaign, (866) 675-2008 [Dial 6, then 0, on the menu]

    He’s Supporting a BlueDog that has been one of the WORST Bush enablers and one of the pushers of the amnesty bill for Telecomms, Also just called Speaker Pelosi’s office and Steny Hoyer’s (for the 2nd time in as many days.

    Obama’s Campaign seemed Genuinely interested and the guy I spoke with said that the Phones have been ringing of the hook over this issue. If you haven’t called, please do so. If you have, Please do so AGAIN! This is the single most important issue facing our country today.

    BTW, told hoyers help to tell Hoyer to look for a new line of work because he is no leader if he can’t keep this abomination of a bill from coming to the floor or rallying the caucus to vote against it as he’s now claiming is the case.


  20. lokidog says:

    Nixon said (paraphrasing) “If the president say’s it’s all right, then it MUST be legal…”.

    It was correctly pointed out that he was full of sh*t.

    Except to the cowardly Democrats, who now say: If Nixon had only put his illegal orders into writing, it would have been legal.

    Gutless US Constitution hating, criminal enabling f***s.


  21. Uncle Ho says:

    Reid; GO PHUCK YOURSELF!


  22. GeeDubs says:

    Reid is all for having ‘comity’ in the Senate. Even when it sells out the American public, as long as he doesn’t step on any toes and does things by the book, then that’s all that matters. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF THEM? They look at this stuff as an academic exercise instead of the real world consequences of their actions. They ALL need to be recalled, impeached, and imprisoned.


  23. Red Pill says:

    “Senator Reid believes this version is better than the bill the Senate passed in February and much better than the Protect America Act signed by the President last summer, but he remains opposed to retroactive immunity and is reviewing the bill in its entirety.”

    In other words, he’s not going to do a GODDAMNED THING. We betrayed, friends, yet again, by those we thought we could trust.


  24. Zimzone says:

    Hasturd & Frist couldn’t get this through congress, but Hoyer, Pelosi & Reid can?

    Jesus Christ, if you exist we sure could use you right now…


  25. Uncle Ho says:

    Paul W; I don’t know about you, but I’m voting GREEN. The HELL with the Democrat party.


  26. Bob says:

    They ALL need to be recalled, impeached, and imprisoned.

    June 19th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

    How in the fck do we do that?


  27. burro says:

    It’s quick and easy to make the calls. Let ‘em know what you think:

    Call Barack Obama and urge him to make a public statement reiterating his opposition to telco amnesty. His opposition could kill this deal: Phone (202) 224-2854, Fax (202) 228-4260

    Call Steny Hoyer and tell him this is a bad deal: Phone (202) 225-4131, Fax (202) 225-4300

    Call Nancy Pelosi and urge her to pull the bill from the House schedule: Phone (202) 225-4965, Fax (202) 225-8259

    Call your representative and tell them to vote no on the FISA rewrite tomorrow.


  28. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong says:

    Reid’s Line rings 3 times then goes busy?


  29. RUCerious says:

    Doesn’t it take only 40 Senators to hang this out to dry?
    Which Democrats would like to take the lead on building a 40 Senator coalition?
    Hillary? Dodd? Russ?


  30. hanshiro says:

    26. Bob Says:

    They ALL need to be recalled, impeached, and imprisoned.

    June 19th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

    How in the fck do we do that?

    It will boil down to costing them/the government/special interests money….either by anarchy and riots/protests or by refusing to spend or contribute.

    Or revolution….


  31. hanshiro says:

    31. rogerse Says:

    so who’s to blame for this one?.who controlls congress again?.

    That’s easy: Corporate conglomerates. They’re the only ones who can afford ‘access.’


  32. StratRat says:

    Fu(k you rogersesessswese.


  33. hanshiro says:

    …and in case there are still some who think I’m being unfair to Macaca jr. Webb…look at his votes on funding for the Iraq war (he voted for them all along with his republican buddies), Webb voted against redeployment every time, Webb voted for the FISA screwing, Webb voted for telecom immunity (both in cloture and actual vote last time), Webb voted with Lieberman for the idiotic MoveOn resolution…

    …and while Webb has advanced a decent GI bill, such bill does more to up new recruitment than to return the present troops home where they belong!

    Something Webb has consistently voted against!


  34. Red Pill says:

    You can forget Lincoln and Pryor from Arkansas. They both supported the Bond-Rockefeller abomination, and their aides knew less about the legislation and its consequences than I do. Apparently, they find the Bush teat all too sweet.

    Two possibilities: they don’t have a fu(king clue about the bill, and should therefore not vote for it; they do understand what it will do, and are all in favor of it, in which case their fascist asses should get the boot next cycle.

    DAMMIT!


  35. lefttown says:

    Please go to:

    thestrangebedfellows.com

    “Ron Paul supporters, the ACLU and liberal blogs are uniting”

    Over $211,000 has been raised so far to fight this bill. Glenn Glenn Greenwald, Jane Hamsher, and many, many more people are banding together to try to get this stopped.


  36. DutchHenry says:

    Zooey Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    Anything coming from the White House is repugnant.

    Just sayin’…

    *******No! it’s not coming from the WH.It’s coming from the Dem House leadership i.e Pelosi & Hoyer, let’s start holding the corrupt Dems accountable too.Just sickening,Now they will go & wrap themselves(Pelosi,Hoyer & Reid) with Obama & pretend they stand for change.Obama ought to stay as far away from the corrupt leadership or some of the sh.t will get on him too.Any denunciation from Obama yet ? afterall,he is now the leader of the Dems.Sickening indeed.


  37. lefty says:

    I just made a donation to target the Bush Dog Democrats who are making this gutting of the very Rule of Law possible today. They’re over 200k now. This is the first time I have ever contributed money to a political organization. I can’t take it anymore. Please join me in fighting back.

    http://www.actblue.com/page/fisa


  38. drago says:

    Proof positive that the United States of America now truly suck ass.



  39. impeachcheneythenbush says:

    We all had such high hopes that the result of the 2006 vote, resulting in majorities in both the Senate and the House (the House especially) would really change things for the better. Including impeachment of Cheney and Bush. While there have been many more investigations and attempts at oversight, nothing has really come of them. And now, this most recent capitulation to this administration regarding Telecom immunity. Ralph Nader, while running in the 2000 election, stated…and continues to state…that there is little to no difference between the two parties. They are both beholden to the corporations, and sell their soul to them for campaign contributions and their own power.

    The bottom line as I see it is that the Dems will be the ones that finally cause either a revolution or civil war in this country. A sense of betrayal does that to people.


  40. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong says:

    StratRat Says:

    Fu(k you, senator Reid.

    Nothing further to add, just thought this needed a little something extra.


  41. bonzo 1958 says:

    Telecom immunity
    going
    going
    sold to the highest bidder.

    I’d like to underscore the fact that in 2006, when the Congress was controlled by Bill Frist and Denny Hastert, the administration tried to get a bill passed legalizing warrantless eavesdropping and telecom amnesty, but was unable. They had to wait until the Congress was controlled by Steny Hoyer, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to accomplish that.


  42. Bob says:

    impeachcheneythenbush Says:
    The bottom line as I see it is that the Dems will be the ones that finally cause either a revolution or civil war in this country. A sense of betrayal does that to people.

    They haven’t taken the 2nd Amendment yet, have they?


  43. StratRat says:

    TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong Says:

    StratRat Says:

    Fu(k you, senator Reid.

    Nothing further to add, just thought this needed a little something extra.

    I don’t normally get emotional like that, but this is too much. There is absolutely no reason for the captitulation by the Dems. Nothing to gain at all – and everything to lose (like their seats in Congress). I ma going to have a very, very good memory and vote out all who supported this.

    Democracy is a sham; This just proves it.


  44. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong says:

    Guido the Loving OBGYN Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    asfdlkjarqriualsksfjvnafviuquernrviquierrnq;er

    Ok, I give up… Huh?


  45. hanshiro says:

    46. StratRat Says: Democracy is a sham; This just proves it.

    It isn’t democracy that’s a sham, it’s sham democracies…


  46. hanshiro says:

    47. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong Says:

    Guido the Loving OBGYN Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    asfdlkjarqriualsksfjvnafviuquernrviquierrnq;er

    Ok, I give up… Huh?

    My guess is, words fail him….but the frustration needs venting….


  47. lokidog says:

    Stratrat -

    I’m right there with you.

    My son and I served this country honorably only to have the Democrats sell us and the rule of law out. I expect the Republicans to do that, not my party (former).

    My Senators are Durbin and Obama. I’ve contacted both – but told Obama’s people he’s going to pay the price for what the other gutless dems are doing here.

    I’m not even sure I can vote anymore – for anyone.

    This is truly a dark, dark day in our country.


  48. bogtrotters says:

    The last two Congresses have been every bit as courageous as was the Italian Army in North Africa.


  49. army193 says:

    We have lost the Excective Branch and Congress has been lost and the courts is unable to perform the rule of law…Is’t time for States to remove themselfs from the Union? We have no functional Federal Goverment.


  50. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong says:

    StratRat Says:

    Your emmotions are more than justified. I didn’t get two words out of my mouth on the peedonme call and her aids dumped me in to a record a message line. I think they could hear in my voice the rage I was about to dump on them. So I dumped it on her voice mail. Every last one of them should be recalled!

    Earlier today I was all set to call her about the Taguba story (calling this administration war criminals) and demand that she put Impeachment back on the table but this has me soo consumed that I can’t even think about any other issue until we stop this amnesty for law breakers from happening!


  51. bogtrotters says:

    army193 Says

    * * *

    That’s the most intelligent comment I’ve heard in months.


  52. RUCerious says:

    We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.


  53. bogtrotters says:

    RUCerious Says:

    * * *

    That’s the most intelligent comment I’ve heard in years.


  54. impeachcheneythenbush says:

    Bob, I was thinking more along the lines of non-violent action. I’m not sure how long any of the corporations would last if at least half the country stop participating in the economy. Course…that takes a lot of courage. And self-sacrifice. Not sure any Americans are up to such a challenge anymore. Check out intentional communities – especially those who are off the grid. It’s an option.


  55. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong says:

    hanshiro Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    47. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong Says:

    Guido the Loving OBGYN Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    asfdlkjarqriualsksfjvnafviuquernrviquierrnq;er

    Ok, I give up… Huh?

    My guess is, words fail him….but the frustration needs venting….

    Oh, in that case, I completely understand! I am so #%$$## MAD I could Scream right now and it’s really a good thing that I’m in Pittsburgh and not Philly right now or I would absolutely be on my way to DC. right now. Unfortunately, the drive is so far from here that I’m sure my rage would dissipate before I got to Breezewood!


  56. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong says:

    RUCerious Says: But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.

    The time has come. It’s time to let them know!


  57. paleolib says:

    So the Democratic “leadership” is willing to endorse a bill that allows the administration that gave us the Torture Memo and Gitmo to provide blanket immunity to their willing accomplices by telling them that running the 4th amendment through a shredder is perfectly legal. This is beyond betrayal. If Nancy Pelosi still has a job after the next election cycle then San Francisco better find something to replace its liberal reputation. Too late for Harry Reid’s spine transplant as well. The John Adams character in 1776 was right: one worthless man is called a disgrace, two form a law firm and three or more constitute a congress.


  58. bogtrotters says:

    It’s probably inappropriate to e-mail Reid and demand that he “grow a set,” huh? Too late.


  59. orionATL says:

    glen greenwald,

    whom think progress cites above,

    explains to a layman like me why this telecom immunity bill is such an abominable piece of legislation:

    glenn sez -

    [...Perhaps the most repellent part of this bill (though that's obviously a close competition) is 802(c) of the telecom amnesty section. That says that the Attorney General can declare that the documents he submits to the court in order to get these lawsuits dismissed are secret, and once he declares that, then: (a) the plaintiffs and their lawyers won't ever see the documents and (b) the court is barred from referencing them in any way when it dismisses the lawsuit. All the court can do is issue an order saying that the lawsuits are dismissed, but it is barred from saying why they're being dismissed or what the basis is for the dismissal.

    So basically, one day in the near future, we're all going to learn that one of our federal courts dismissed all of the lawsuits against the telecoms. But we're never going to be able to know why the lawsuits were dismissed or what documents were given by the Government to force the court to dismiss the lawsuits. Not only won't we, the public, know that, neither will the plaintiffs' lawyers. Nobody will know except the Judge and the Government because it will all be shrouded in compelled secrecy, and the Judge will be barred by this law from describing or even referencing the grounds for dismissal in any way. Freedom is on the march...]

    got that?

    “…so basically, one day in the near future, we’re all going to learn that one of our federal courts dismissed all of the lawsuits against the telecoms. But we’re never going to be able to know why the lawsuits were dismissed or what documents were given by the Government to force the court to dismiss the lawsuits…”

    how can our congress allow this to happen?

    authoritriansim


  60. bogtrotters says:

    These guys would pass the 1933 Enabling Act about as quickly as they’d approve an Arbor Day resolution.


  61. abarts says:

    We were snookered in 2006. Vote them ALL out and start over. Reid and Pelosi and their “stern letters” have made me ill.


  62. pete says:

    I can’t help but wonder who is, and what is said, on the tapes Bushco obviously has squirreled away. One would think that they are the perfect tools for blackmail. And, for those without skeletons in their closets? Maybe a picture of their child, asleep in bed, with a bullseye faintly glowing on the forehead?


  63. rmwarnick says:

    I’m starting to think everyone in Washington has no shame. It is impossible for them to feel embarrassed.


  64. Wayne says:

    Phuck the Bush lapdogs,democrat and republican that vote for immunity for lawbreakers.

    Time to start voting all these asswipes out


  65. Buckie Boy says:

    Uh, isn’t this what Fascist Dictators do?


  66. Paul W says:

    rogerese said:

    so who’s to blame for this one?.who controlls congress again?.

    As I pointed out in my post, Democrats are pushing this through. But what is your point? Are you against this bill? If so, do you realize that it’s Bush who broke the law in the first place and it’s Bush who’s been pushing for this bill to cover his and the telecom’s tracks?

    That’s the difference between you and most of the people on this site. With you it’s about loyalty to your party. For us it’s about loyalty to the Constitution.

    http://progressiveworldreview.com


  67. Bob says:

    impeachcheneythenbush Says:

    June 19th, 2008 at 5:01 pm

    I believe non-violent action is the best solution. As you point out, the Consumer (Lazy) American isn’t likely to support any sort of lasting boycott on corporations. Americans are generally not willing to make sacrifices that curtail personal indulgence. I don’t think (today’s)Americans can collectively make such a sacrifice. International communities may indeed be the answer. I have thought that if this continues, I’ll either revolt or move out of the country, but I’m not sure I could leave that way. Keep in mind that the people we are fighting believe that violence is the only solution. They believe that freedom will be welcomed at the point of a gun. Will they understand non-violent opposition? I think not. I just want my freedoms and my country back.


  68. dixie blood says:

    This needs repeating….

    Fu(k you senator reid.


  69. dixie blood says:

    And you too NANCY P0LL-LOSER.

    A TRULY WORTHLESS DEMO – RAT!!!

    The first women speaker turns out to suck like a worthless REPugniScum!!!


  70. Zooey says:

    DutchHenry Says:

    Zooey Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    Anything coming from the White House is repugnant.

    Just sayin’…

    *******No! it’s not coming from the WH.It’s coming from the Dem House leadership i.e Pelosi & Hoyer, let’s start holding the corrupt Dems accountable too.Just sickening,Now they will go & wrap themselves(Pelosi,Hoyer & Reid) with Obama & pretend they stand for change.Obama ought to stay as far away from the corrupt leadership or some of the sh.t will get on him too.Any denunciation from Obama yet ? afterall,he is now the leader of the Dems.Sickening indeed.
    June 19th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    You’re right, Dutch Henry. I gave it too quick of a read earlier.

    Actually, now it’s even more repugnant. I’m just sick about this…


  71. nycbassist says:

    I just called Hoyer, Rockefeller, and emailed Reid to let them know that what ever funds I have would be going towards any progressive running against them.


  72. nycbassist says:

    Oh, by the way.. can any hero, like Chris Dodd phillabuster this again?


  73. questioneverything says:

    And amazingly enough documents will be presented “proving” that the president authorized such spying. Can you say forgery? We have no such documents of anything that went on in the white house related to Valerie Wilson or to the Cheney energy meetings, but funniest thing, they’ll produce all the evidence they need to cover their butts on illegal wiretapping. I am nauseous and very pissed.


  74. jondor says:

    Over at humanevents.org there are Republican posters screaming that Congress’s stalling on this bill has meant that the government hasn’t had terrorist surveillance capabilities these last few months. As long as this level of ignorance exists this country is screwed.

    http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27078


  75. Witch1 says:

    I am livid over this betrail by the Dem’s once again…They aren’t really dem’s ofcourse they are liebermen type’s..We and our country have been sold out, time to clear out the house, senate and white house I reckon….Seem’s I have written this before, ah yes I did when I found our the madam of our whore house knew before 9/11 about the wire tapping…

    You all do as you please and I won’t fault ya for it…..I’m dumping them big time, gonna get all my food stock, water, gas and bullett’s in order….Blessings


  76. Max-1 says:

    .

    It’s an APPEASEMENT to a Fascist Regime that HATES our FREEDOMS.

    .


  77. Max-1 says:

    .

    R E M E M B E R:
    THEY(sic) HATE US FOR OUR FREEDOMS…
    … And so THEY(sic) attempt to legislate away those FREEDOMS.

    The MCA of 2006 was such an attempt, later corrected by the SCOTUS as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL maneuver by CONGRESS! Now we have the usurpation of the People’s FREEDOM to be secure from their Government.

    U N C O N S T I T U T I O N A L!

    ANY member of Congress that attempts to usurp the People’s Rights and FREEDOMS should be thrown in jail for TREASON!

    To purposefully undermine the Nation, it’s People’s Constitution, or harming the way of life is an act of TREASON!

    T R E A S O N!

    Arrest them when we vote them out!

    America has been CONNED by their CONgress.

    .


  78. Max-1 says:

    .

    TREASON:

    1. the offense of acting to overthrow one’s government or to harm or kill its sovereign.
    2. a violation of allegiance to one’s sovereign or to one’s state.
    3. the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.

    OATH of OFFICE:

    The oath of office required by the sixth article of the Constitution of the United States, and as provided by section 2 of the act of May 13, 1884 (23 Stat. 22), to be administered to Members, Resident Commissioner, and Delegates of the House of Representatives, the text of which is carried in 5 U.S.C. 3331:

    “I, AB, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

    Dereliction:

    1. deliberate or conscious neglect; negligence; delinquency: dereliction of duty.
    2. the act of abandoning something.
    3. the state of being abandoned.
    4. Law. a leaving dry of land by recession of the water line.

    I would say that dereliction is the course of sworn Officials… NO?

    How else are THEY(sic) supporting and defending the Constitution of the USA and the People’s FREEDOMS when THEY(sic) purposefully evade and demonstrably show mental reservations to upholding THEIR(sic) Oath of Office and hold THEMSELVES(sic) accountable and the White House accountable for actively seeking to undermine of Liberty and FREEDOM?

    .


  79. Max-1 says:

    Glenn Greenwald makes an astute point…

    When will America apologize to the Nazi’s for prosecuting their saint, Hitler?


  80. Nashoba nowa says:

    The Constitution MEANS nothing to the Whitehouse and to the Majority of the Members of Congress. We are seeing the demise of our country with our very own eyes. When are the American people going to finally say enough is enough? THIS IS SICKENING………………….. Pure apathy on behalf of the majority of all Americans, when the Bill of Rights is gone it will be too late to launch a protest……………


  81. Chocolate Jesus says:

    >Does the executive branch have the authority
    >to order private corporations to break the law?

    they cannot authorize a consitutional violation, that much, i know. however, for the life of me, i cant think of a valid constitutional argument about why exactly that is the case.
    ive queried many law professors but none seem to have an answer.

    but if the government could just hire private persons to violate the constitution to get around the constitution, the constitution wouldnt even matter. my only speculation is that by acting on behalf of government, the private actors become de facto state actors..



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