FISA: It's Time For Some Accountability

Just two short years ago I wrote an essay collection entitled Someday We'll All Be Free. That book included a piece about the 2004 presidential election, another about Hurricane Katrina, and a third about September 11th. Like many Americans I was profoundly affected by the events of that fateful day. In that September 11th essay I made it a point to talk about democracy, terrorism, and war. It is an expansive piece because I know American history and know full well what we have lost as a country each time we've chosen to ignore our own words about justice for all. And I was and remain very clear that we as Americans should not allow anything or anyone to manipulate any great tragedy into the elimination of our civil rights and civil liberties. Furthermore, as a progressive who has committed the last quarter century of his life, since I was a teenage youth activist, to movements for truth and social equality, I cannot sit idly by and watch Congress cut backroom deals on warrantless wiretapping. Real freedom and real democracy should never be compromised, and I urge all Congresspeople of conscious to reject any compromise bill that would grant big telephone companies immunity, retroactively and going forward, even though many broke the law.

Additionally, America's telecommunications companies and executive branch need to be held accountable for breaking U.S. law and violating the U.S. constitution. The FISA court as it was established in 1978 gave the government sufficient powers to respond to immediate threats to our nation's security while establishing some oversight of judicial, investigative and police powers. There have been no tangible benefits stemming from the illegal spying perpetrated on U.S. citizens by their phone companies and their government. The Bush administration has a long track record of wanting to strip its citizens of their privacy and limit free speech. Illegal spying by the government with the cooperation of unaccountable corporations violates our freedoms and threatens the foundations of our democracy.

Comments

[Daisy1111]

This just in from Newsday blogs.

Hillary Clinton's office reports she has NOT decided how she will vote on FISA this Friday.

Well, at least she's thinking about it.

Obama rolled over.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/06/fisa_passes_house_li_reps_yes.html

[jackie4444]

Clinton rolled over, INCLUDING the immunity provision, on the PREVIOUS version of the bill, so I wouldn't hold my breath. Nor would I find a change of position at this juncture particularly
credible.

You know what's the most disgusting thing of all? Its not like the public is out there crying out for immunity for corporations who commit crimes (or the government officials who ask them to), now is it? This is also coming from WITHIN CONGRESS, being done by elected 'stewards' acting only in service to THEMSELVES and the powerful interests they serve. As far as the American people, its the Marie Antoinette approach - 'let them eat cake'.

[HST]

"The FISA court as it was established in 1978 gave the government sufficient powers to respond to immediate threats to our nation's security while establishing some oversight of judicial, investigative and police powers."

Will someone tell this to my ignorant rep. in congress, Nancy Pelosi. I saw her on the news today claim that if the immunity law is not passed then we "won't have any law on the books to protect America in the GWOT".

Cindy Sheehan just won my vote in the next election.

[lbrillante]

I am very disheartened and disappointed by what the democratic leadership has done with this 'compromise' FISA bill. I am equally disappointed to hear that Senator Obama will support it even though it includes immunity. I am writing to EVERY senator this evening to express my views on this bill and the effect this is immediately having on voters. This administration had been perpetrating lies, crimes, and atrocities against the american people. Not only will the democratic leadership in congress NOT consider impeachment but to add insult to injury, they will give them some immunity. Do they have any idea what they are doing? The american people have been 'taking it' for years now and this congress has been complicit. This bill is like telling the rapist that they can go free without consequences because a 'deal' had been struck with the congress.... nevermind the victims of the crimes. We are just expected to keep 'taking it'. I feel ashamed of the congress and the administration today. The democrats keep trying to use the phrase 'we can do better'. HA! PROVE IT!!

[FullChat]

Remember J Edgar Hoover
Remember Nixon
Don't give politicians access - to anything!