Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Okayed By Court: Immunity For Telecoms In Wiretap Case

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal appeals court says a law granting telecommunications companies legal immunity for helping the National Security Agency with an email and telephone eavesdropping program is constitutional.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its opinion Thursday, affirming a lower court ruling that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, passes constitutional muster.

The appeal consolidated 33 cases filed against various telecom companies, including AT&T, Sprint Nextel and Verizon Communications Inc. filed on behalf of these companies' consumers.

The ruling continues a legal case stemming from new surveillance rules passed by Congress in 2009 that included protection from legal liability for telecommunications companies that allegedly helped the U.S. spy on Americans without warrants.

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Comments

[jsgaetano]

07:18 PM on 01/02/2012

This bill alone proves conservative's agenda is for a police state.

[loki]

11:34 PM on 01/01/2012

hows that American style Oligarchy going for us ? we are not a democracy. We are not a republic. We are owned beatches at the mercy of the ruling class pimps.

[strangetimes]

04:56 PM on 01/01/2012

Ok, GOP labels the 9th district radical judges, Newt says he would have them arrested.

Then they turn around and agree with a clear violation of privacy.

[jsgaetano]

07:19 PM on 01/02/2012

Conservatives don't believe in privacy. That's the linchpin claim holding their opposition to Roe v. Wade together.

[phatemu]

12:55 PM on 12/31/2011

Telecom Companies Granted Immunity in Wiretap Case

Brian Walker, News Report: This Thursday, a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a previous lower court ruling which maintained that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a part of which granted retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies accused of providing warrantless eavesdropping assistance (both foreign and domestic) to the National Security Agency (NSA).

[Thruthseaker]

11:49 AM on 12/31/2011

Is this the police state trying to firm his grip? People need to wake up to this reality and start to pay attention to the politicians in their districts and state vote. In our governament there are two parties It's not left or right but rather Globalist vs Constitutionalists (the few senators left courageously fighting and losing ground in congress). The globalist controll everything via media, education, food, banking system, energy and medicine. Their goal is a global government and complite control over the population of the planet. They have been working on this for a long long time, Learn the truth for your self and wake up. We can't afford willful ignorance any longer. When the Huffington post and other newspapers stop accepting comments you will know that they got a little closer to their evil agenda.

[Sheldon archer]

08:03 AM on 12/31/2011

Big Brother is watching you...More than ever

[jsgaetano]

07:19 PM on 01/02/2012

Thank a conservative!

[Sheldon archer]

07:28 PM on 01/02/2012

Wonder what they conserve? :-)

[WeRthe99]

08:04 PM on 12/30/2011

Guys this is not about the left or the right, that doesnt even exist anymore. Its all about the Globalists who go back and forth between whichever party or position that suits them. and THEY are the ones behind it all. This is not a democracy anymore, it is a PLUTOCRACY(rule by the rich) and the politicians are just their fools that take the blame, we are all being played.

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty
to purchase a little Temporary Safety,
deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"

[admiralwrongway]

04:17 PM on 12/30/2011

We became a police state right after 9/11/01. Out government has traded our liberty for security. Pretty much a cowards choice but it always keeps our politicians safe and well funded. I had hoped for some adjustment from President Obama but he has continued the war on our constitution and bill of rights in lockstep with Bush and Cheney policies. It will be very difficult to change things related to the bill of rights now or in the future. A nation for the rich by the rich with corporations declared citizens and the constitution and bill of rights pretty much shredded beyond recognition for us lessor citizens. Our elected representatives are not interested in our welfare and are pretty much all multimillionaires and few see things from the average citizens point of view anymore. The passing of time has only made things worse. It does not bode well for our citizens in the future.

[webwzrd]

01:27 PM on 12/30/2011

Land of the meek and home of the lame. Free and brave constitutes false advertising.

[butterfly218]

12:49 AM on 12/31/2011

The FCC is not doing their job . They are allowing the Americans airways to be used for transmitting lies that distort the voting process . Why won't they clean up Fox ?

[jsgaetano]

07:20 PM on 01/02/2012

There's no way America can ever be free so long as conservatives are treated as though they have credibility.

[feelingdisposable]

10:49 AM on 12/30/2011

Creepy in the extreme.

[Calilover Calilover]

10:02 AM on 12/30/2011

Not one person on the left BRAVE ENOUGH TO EVEN MENTION THE Obam administration

WOW!!!

WORRIED WHAT YOUR LEFTIST BUDS WILL THINK IF YOU! instead of caring about the country you live in

[monilove42]

12:22 PM on 12/30/2011

Who opened the door in the first place?

[webwzrd]

01:26 PM on 12/30/2011

This was a Bush bill.

[Calilover Calilover]

07:00 PM on 12/30/2011

I love it

keep talking :)

[montanason]

09:27 AM on 12/30/2011

If the original intent as stated was to be a representative government is true
then I submit it is exactly that as evidenced by the never ending defense and
(re) election of politicians that breaks down along party lines regardless of
actual service, instead of holding each and everyone of them accountable in
casting a ballot.
The defenses and excuses we see throughout this forum speak to exactly
that, and this election will be further proof. The greatest con of all is to have
created this air of voting for the lesser of evils and how quickly it has become
the mantra, the excuse.
To do so is not a free will option-it isn't much more than coercion wrapped
in a crafted illusion.
At the moment legislative voting records remain public-read them for a change.

[jo smith456]

06:44 AM on 12/30/2011

The oligopolistic TELECOM PROVIDERS (ATT, VERIZON, MCI, SPRINT, etc.) CAN NOW MORE EASILY work with the govt (Federal and local) to snoop, poke, record our private and confidential communications (email, phone conversation, internet chatting, faxes, etc.) with impunity. (Not to mention, that these telecom providers are some of the biggest political lobbyists for our money-controlled ELECTIONS!!!!.)

OMG, WE ARE ABOUT TO LOSE MORE OF OUR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM!!! May God Help Us.

[Calilover Calilover]

10:00 AM on 12/30/2011

not one mention of the POTUS in your post?

any cred you had just went bye bye

[Sheldon archer]

08:06 AM on 12/31/2011

If you are relying on God, you might as well join Perry

[strangetimes]

04:59 PM on 01/01/2012

Or Bachmann, she also talks to GOD.

[KsAPigButt]

01:11 AM on 12/30/2011

Police state getting closer and closer.

[Sheldon archer]

08:06 AM on 12/31/2011

Haha. Getting? Better reread "1984."

[KsAPigButt]

01:21 PM on 12/31/2011

How about 'progressively' getting worse? :)

[apathyman]

11:02 PM on 12/29/2011

It's okay to spy on American citizens, but the want to lock Bradly Manning for spilling their dirty little secrets.