Senate Passes FISA Bill, Gives Telecoms Immunity

Bowing to President Bush's demands, the Senate sent the White House a bill Wednesday overhauling bitterly disputed rules on secret government eavesdropping and shielding telecommunications companies from lawsuits complaining they helped the U.S. spy on Americans.

The relatively one-sided vote, 69-28, came only after a lengthy and heated debate that pitted privacy and civil liberties concerns against the desire to prevent terrorist attacks. It ended almost a year of wrangling over surveillance rules and the president's warrantless wiretapping program that was initiated after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The House passed the same bill last month, and Bush said he would sign it soon.

Opponents assailed the eavesdropping program, asserting that it imperiled citizens' rights of privacy from government intrusion. But Bush said the legislation protects those rights as well as Americans' security.

"This bill will help our intelligence professionals learn who the terrorists are talking to, what they're saying and what they're planing," he said in a brief White House appearance after the Senate vote.

* * * * * *

The LA Times reported in late June that only 23 percent of registered voters approved of the job the President is doing:

Seven months before the end of his term, President Bush's approval rating is at an all-time low.

In the just-released Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll, the president won approval from 23% of all registered voters -- including 3% of Democrats and 58% of Republicans. Those numbers are down from February, when he had an approval rating of 35%. His high mark, according to the poll, was in November 2001, just after the 9/11 terror attacks, when the president's popularity rating among registered voters was at 85%.

* * * * * *

Sen. Barack Obama voted for the compromise while Sen. Hillary Clinton voted against it.

Watch a video about the money trail surrounding the bill from the American News Project. Read more about the bill here.

Comments

[Bendersky]

Thanks, dems. Even if you don't have the courage to stand-up for what's right, you've just helped me find the courage to stand -up for my own convictions. I'll vote Obama, but in all other elections, I'll be going Green or Liberal-Indie.

You all have a majority (albeit a slim one) and still can't find it within yourselves to go after our criminal president. What would it take to move you? Bush receiving oral pleasures in the Oval Office?

[deadbolt]

How could you possible vote for Obama or Obush after this. He has demonstrated that he cannot be trusted and is no different that McCain. They both symbolize what is rotten and broken in our government.

Nader/Gonzalez 08!

[Laserbeam]

As a woman, I will respond to your question: because McCain wants to outlaw both abortion AND birthcontrol. Obama will not.

However, be that as it may, I have reached my limit with the Democratic Party over this FISA vote. They have the support of 70-80% of this country and they STILL couldn't bring themselves to do the right thing. Beyond criminal, beyond surreal.

[Drjimmy72296]

He's not even gonna be on the ballot in all 50 states. Hasn't he only gotten on in something like five so far?

Any talk of Nader or Bob Barr or any third party at this point is just a silly waste of time. And for the love of God, don't give them any money. Give it to the ACLU or EFF, which actually has the ability to put it to use.

[pigsatthetrough]

This is the old 'now you see it now you don't game'.
A vote for Obama is the same as a vote for McCain
A vote for McCain is the same as a vote for Bush
Overheard at the strategic planning meeting for the Democrat National convention, "In order to win we must lose".

[j0em0mma]

well, not quite the same. IT will be the "Thousand Points of Light", "Kinder/Gentler" fascism. First they give us horror (Bush) then they give us the Good-cop wunderkind to "restore faith" and give everyone that "feel good" moment, but who won't actually change anything. Thus, they get the public back on their side and keep their ill-gotten gains from the first guy. I first saw this plot in Frank Herbert's "Dune." We had Count Rabin, now we get Feyd Rautha... Imperialism SUCKS.

[kahn10]

"This bill will help our intelligence professionals learn who the terrorists are talking to, what they're saying and what they're planing,"

Planing? Is this a 9/11 reference or just a typo?

[j0em0mma]

R.I.P. America

"The world is a darker place." lamented several saddened and tearful citizens. "I have known America my entire life, she knew my parents and my parent's parents and I am speechless with grief. We did all we could. I can't believe she is gone."

America passed away today after a long fight with cancer; cancer of the congress specifically. Her ten year battle for survival endured two presidencies and several false remissons. She nearly capitulated her struggle in 1998 during the Clinton Impeachment hearings, but somehow she managed to push through.
.

And so on the afternoon of July 9th, 2008, America, like so many great and admirable entities in history, passed into and became a part of history. She went gently into her goodnight. Many of her citizens did not even know that she was ill, never mind that she had passed. Upon seeing the deep sadness and fear from some of their fellow citizens who DID know and cherish her, many of these reacted with shrugging disdain at the "over-reaction", thinking that they had known her too, but in reality had, in foolish complacence and naivete took her for granted--even in death refusing to admit to themselves she was gone. " --mikey666

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/9/151815/6955/297/548893

[OsamaBushLadin]

United States of America
R.I.P.
July 4, 1776 - July 9, 2008
"Nice Try"

[OsamaBushLadin]

Everybody should read this, especially those that think Obama should be given a pass on this vote.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/07/09/alharamain_lawsuit/
On July 3, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District Court in California made a ruling particularly worthy of the nation's attention. In Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation Inc. v. Bush, a key case in the epic battle over warrantless spying inside the United States, Judge Walker ruled, effectively, that President George W. Bush is a felon.
At the end of the piece is this
"Meanwhile, Congress is on the verge of killing the pending lawsuits against the telecommunications carriers with a grant of retroactive immunity from liability. The 9th Circuit has not yet decided the AT&T case, evidently waiting to see whether Congress gives the carriers retroactive immunity. Other lawsuits against the government have been thrown out or are in danger of being thrown out for lack of standing -- since the plaintiffs in those cases have no proof that they were actual victims of the warrantless surveillance program. The Al-Haramain case is likely to become the last -- the only remaining hope for a determination of the legality of the president's extrajudical spying program and for Supreme Court review of the "unitary executive" theory. "

[OsamaBushLadin]

Everybody should read this, especially those that think Obama should be given a pass on this vote.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/07/09/alharamain_lawsuit/

On July 3, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District Court in California made a ruling particularly worthy of the nation's attention. In Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation Inc. v. Bush, a key case in the epic battle over warrantless spying inside the United States, Judge Walker ruled, effectively, that President George W. Bush is a felon.

At the end of piece is this

"Meanwhile, Congress is on the verge of killing the pending lawsuits against the telecommunications carriers with a grant of retroactive immunity from liability. The 9th Circuit has not yet decided the AT&T case, evidently waiting to see whether Congress gives the carriers retroactive immunity. Other lawsuits against the government have been thrown out or are in danger of being thrown out for lack of standing -- since the plaintiffs in those cases have no proof that they were actual victims of the warrantless surveillance program. The Al-Haramain case is likely to become the last -- the only remaining hope for a determination of the legality of the president's extrajudical spying program and for Supreme Court review of the "unitary executive" theory. "

[uhappytoo]

And as we saw, Democrats just don't give a damn that Bush lost this case, nor that he is guilty of a felony. Barack Obama let the pass? Well he did, so now what does that make him?

[Retrofuturistic]

I guess we won't be able to plan the revolution on the telephone....

[j0em0mma]

Yep, won't be televised, but will definitely be recorded.

[scootmandubious]

Because of Obama's vote, I am taking a break from supporting him in forums and blogs like the NY Times and Washington Post, not to mention countless other forums, where I defended him from attacks from GOP partisans. I also have decided to not support his campaign with money at this time.

I will vote for him...we really have no choice.

And I will attack McCain when he makes his outrageous statements.

But until I see somebody who does not behave like a typical politician, somebody who has the cojones to take on the BS tactics of the GOP, and not capitulate to them out of fear as being branded unpatriotic, I am taking a break.

Obama and his handlers should be ashamed of themselves. He did NOT need to do this to avoid being attacked by the GOP. In fact, as can already be seen, this emboldens them with claims of flip-flopper. In this matter, they are spot on.

[deadbolt]

You have a choice -- Nader/Gonzalez. A vote for Obush is a wasted vote. He's a liar and a fraud.

[UltraClassic]

It's all so simple. What we are talking about is job creation for plaintiff lawyers. Good on congress for calling a spade a spade.

Good for the president and congress to recognize this. Attempting to hammer companies for cooperating with the government's war on terror serves no one but the looniest on the left's fringe.

[ouroborous]

Well, it also serves the interest, of, well, you know -- trying to figure out WHAT THEY DID so we can undo it.

But that's just a trivial, Constitutional, rule-of-law kinda thing. You're right. Not important; more important that we keep money out of the hands of the greedy lawyers!

[Canaris]

Did that kool-aid taste good?

You should know that this is the wrong place to regurgitate Bush talking points.

The issue is acountability, the Constitution, and the rule of law, not trial lawyers making money.

I'm sure you're easily distracted by shiny things, but 75% of America isn't falling for it any longer.

[dantanna]

can this law be challenged in court? it is so devastating to know that the guy of "hope" blew this opportunity to show us that he really, honestly, care for the rule of law and accountability as well as protecting america. so on this major issue he was on bush's and nccain's side. way to go!

[TellitLikeItIs]

Go to the ACLU website and make a donation today. They are filing a lawsuit against this as soon as BushBoy signs it. There is a $100,000 match to donations made now.

I also agree that Obama made a poor choice in voting for the final bill. He did vote yes on the Dodd amendment stripping telecom immunity, but that amendment was defeated. He should have voted against the bill and EXPLAINED to the People why he did so. Scr*w the right wing talking heads, scr*w BushCo, etc. They are going to attack Obama no matter what he does, so he should forget about playing the game and do what's right! That will earn much more respect and many more voters.

[JRandomPoster]

Et tu, Barack?

[OsamaBushLadin]

PALPATINE: In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society, which I assure you will last for ten thousand years.

(There is a loud, sustained cheer from the Senate. Bail Organa and Padme sit, dumbfounded.)

PALPATINE: An empire that will continue to be ruled by this august body, and a sovereign ruler chosen for life . . .

(The Senate cheers again. Bail and Padme are devastated. Padme begins to cry.)

PALPATINE: An empire ruled by the majority . . . Ruled by a new constitution . . .

(The Senate applauds.)

PADME: So this is how liberty dies, to the sound of thunderous applause . . .

[ImForLogic]

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/palpatine_lieberman.jpg

[FCBarca]

Spineless and downright typical of a politician like Obama to vote for this after all the rhetoric...Hey Barack, you're losing your base

[Caddisfly]

This is how we sign our own death warrant as a free society. We have become an absolutley spineless society.

[1proudinfidel]

And the lefties lose another.....

BHO may indeed gain the white house, but as of now he is looking like "Bush's third term"

Better corral your candidate people, he is going right faster than a backwards nascar race!!!

[TellitLikeItIs]

The most cynical thing about it is that I KNEW Hillary would vote against it---- now that she's no longer in the race. What a joke!