We Need to Know the Truth About the NSA Spy Program

One of the most basic tenets of our freedom is justice, and at the heart of justice lies the search for truth.

Throughout history, whenever the United States government has violated the trust of the American people, we have always worked to regain that trust by seeking the truth and allowing for a full examination of the abuses of government power.

Unfortunately, the FISA legislation the Senate will soon consider falls short of that standard.

The bill would not only deny the Court the ability to finally make a determination as to the legality of the NSA program and the extent of the spying, but would effectively guarantee immunity for the telecommunications companies who violated the privacy of their customers. This provision will prevent us from finding out the truth.

We can indemnify the telecom companies, but we should not shut down the legal process.

I know that many of my colleagues in the Senate think we know enough about this program. But we do not know enough. The Bush administration trampled on the Constitution, and we are not doing anything in the bill to provide real accountability.

If we vote for this FISA legislation, we are perpetuating a cover-up.

I want to be clear -- I support giving our government every tool necessary to track down terrorists and protect our citizens. But we also have a responsibility to uphold the constitution and the rights of our citizens.

We should remember, as former Justice Thurgood Marshall said, "History teaches us that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem too extravagant to endure."

Our constitution is not an extravagance. It is not something we can hold up when it suits us, and set it aside when it hinders us. It is the centerpiece of our democracy.

I just spoke on the Senate floor about the FISA bill. You can view the speech here, and I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback.

Follow Sen. Barbara Boxer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Barbara_Boxer

Comments

[Bluedanube]

It's time for Democratic members of Congress to exercise their oath of office to "protect and defend" the Consitition, including the 4th Amendment. House Democrats that passed the FISA "compromise" have dishonored the memory of those who fought and died defending the Constitution. The Senate must act accordingly and stop the passage of this legislation to insure the rule of law is the basis of our country.

[klosskid]

We need to know the truth? Well, the simple truth seems to be that they're spying on you, Senator, and they're spying on me. And they're spying on everyone else. The Democratic leadership in the Senate can put a stop to this bill in a heartbeat. The question is... will they have the guts to do so? Judging from their performance over the past 18 months, I doubt it.

[drblack]

Senator Boxer,
Anyone who likes Freedom and the Rule of Law would vote no to any change in FISA untill after the election and after the full extent of the Bush spying on Americans is revealed.
We in the Progressive movement will no longer support Public Servants who destroy American Freedom and the Constitution.
The so called "Patriot" Act and Military Commissions act must go as well if the USA is to be a Free country.
The laws were in place on 9-10-00 to stop terrorist attacks on the US,laws made since then have made us less Free and less safe and need to go.
I am glad that you support Freedom and the US Constitution :many of your fellow Congress people do not.

[DougNTexas]

Sen. Boxer the entire Patriot Act should never been passed much less extended. The Democrats in Congress need to stand up for once and show some courage. Congress needs to quit passing bills they have never read at warp speed. The side stepping of the FISA Act is criminal. That stuff makes me sick. Either Congressmen and women of both branches swore to defend the Constitution of they lied under oath. Great harm had already been done to freedom and liberty in the office of the POTUS and the VPOTUS. Those men need to be on trial. Also the people who outed Valarie need to be brought to justice ASAP.

[syolles]

i am relieved that you have finally spoken out.
I hope you will lobby your colleagues to join you, including the other California Senator Dianne Feinstein. I know she has been against us on this issue for a long time, but I have a drop of hope that she may be coming around.
Thank you.

[Give Peace A Chance]

Senator Boxer,

The Democrats are so afraid of appearing weak because Bush says they are. So Pelosi takes impeachment off the table. How does letting Bush eviscerate the Constitution make Democrats look strong?

Over the years, the FISA issued 18,748 warrants and denied 5. Bush claims getting a warrant is too difficult and the Democrats cave in.

[bgregs]

Actually, it was more than 20,000 warrants issued and five denied.

[Oldtimer]

Honorable Senator Boxer,
As your constiuent in Long Beach I urge you to filibuster this legislation until
it has teeth to bring accountability.
God bless you.

[cafemocha]

Please add me to this "Oldtimer's" request, and FILIBUSTER the current bill please.
...From another constituent - in Northern California.

All the best to you Senator!

[BigSid]

THANKS TO OBAMA'S SUPPORT OF TELECOM IMMUNITY..­.

...we may never know the extent of the injustice. Just another thing Obama sold the country out on...and if that doesn't bother you...don'­t worry there's selling out more to come.

[WAstateliberal]

BigSid:

You are McCain supporter. Your past comments praise McCain, and reveal that you strongly resent Senator Obama because he is black.

Also, why do you care if Obama votes yes when your candidate supports it too? Was the point of this comment to mislead Senator Boxer into thinking you are a progressive? Or even an Obama supporter who has now changed his mind?

You do know, BigSid, that we can look at your past comments, right? Or perhaps you are an unbelievable sh-t head.

[amiblueyoubet]

Liar.

[leftLibertarian]

Sorry but Senator Obama voted for the bill. You must admit that Bush and Cheney are criminals and must be impeached. I am waiting for the Democrats to grow a spine.

[seewhy]

congress should not capitulate and allow the telecom companies immunity from prosecution.
"We can indemnify the telecom companies, but we should not shut down the legal process."
i wish you would explain this to us. how does such indemnification result in any benefit to the people? why is it needed?
i'll tell you, i've been so deeply disappointed the last two years. what does it mean to have an opposition party that doesn't oppose anything? that continues to give the bush administration everything they ask for? we didn't elect you people to triangulat­e/strategi­ze or balance corporate concerns with our concerns. you are there to represent our interests, solely.

[DeMaria]

Senator, I've respected you for years, even though I don't live in your state. However, all of us who have half a brain and aren't completely paralyzed have suffered through almost 8 years of the most egregious offenses to the Constitution, to our system of checks and balances, and to humanity at the hands of people I consider to be not only criminals, but traitors to this country.

I know that the majorities you won in 2006 were not sufficient to overcome vetoes and to control your destiny entirely, but we need you to stand up against these tyrants. At this time, as we enter a new election cycle with a good chance of winning, you could strengthen our resolve by strengthening your own. Stand up for what is right and don't let yourselves be bullied anymore.

And if you have a secret plan to bring these criminals to justice, I hope you'll implement it at the soonest possible moment, because I can see no other reason to delay impeaching them and bringing their crimes to the light of day and to the close scrutiny they must at some point endure. Because this country has been wronged, repeatedly, and it's time to do something right.

Thank you.

[ObamaEdwards]

I couldn't say it any better than DeMaria. And I completely agree. If we are a nation of justice, then for ourselves, for our Constitution, and for our relations with other nations throughout the world, we must investigate and pursue the truth about this administration. Don't make the mistake of the 1970s, when our government let Nixon off with a resignation and replacement. That mistake demoralized this country, and we are still seeing the result in the lingering apathy of voters, especially blue collar and low income voters who wonder if there is American justice for anyone who isn't born rich. Will the money and power of Cheney and Bush keep them safe from justice and truth? I want my Congress to answer that question.

[Jason357]

It's a simple choice, does the US have justice, or does it just have subjective enforcement?

[research]

As Cheney said "we must become a nation of men, not laws"

But who cares? Pelosi and Rahm say impeachment is off the table!

[NoFactsJustTruth]

IF the ultimate conclusion, Senator, is that hands are thrown in the air in an 'oh well, we tried' manner, while not enough votes were found to vote down a cloture of the filibuster, I'll have no problem voting against ANY supporting member in my state or district ...whether demican or republicrat. I'll support NO incumbent that spits on OUR Constitution, the Bill of Rights and their oaths to defend it.

[blueshield]

Senator, we are going to ask for your courage, to stand with clear resolve in defense of the Constitution.

The immunity provision of the FISA bill is just one corner of a much larger pattern of transgressions. That broader outline can be found in the flood of Presidential signing orders; the dismantling and methodical disemboweling of our federal agencies; and the wholesale politicization of positions, 'granted' to the party faithful.

It can be seen in the defiance of Congress by Administration officials intent on obstructing investigations into actions were apparently intended to subvert the government and mislead the American people. The Attorney General of the United States has declined to act upon the contempt citations.

I realize your message was directed to the FISA legislation. But I hope you understand the American people see it in the context of a much larger, and more dangerous pattern. In combination, these and other transgressions look like a calculated assault on the balance between the branches of government as established in the Constitution, on American's civil liberties, for the unilateral expansion of Presidential power without accountability.

That is why we request that you not capitulate in this matter.

The FISA bill is a bellweather test of whether our leadership will restore the rule of law, and the Constitution, to its proper place, in an America of hope.

[mrbadmood]

Much as I agree with you Senator, it seems quite likely now that everyone's waited until it's just too late. As I recall, a senate majority voted to accept nearly the same legislation last winter (yes, at least one American voter doesn't have the attention span of a fruit fly), and now it's on your plate all over again.

Through sheer cowardice the Bush dog democrats are about to allow an openly corrupt government headed by the most unpopular president in history to have broader surveillance powers than ever before. And just like this newly emerging debacle with the Justice Dept's illegal hiring practices, all it will most likely generate from the ostensible 'opposing majority' is a strongly worded letter of disapproval.

And when the new FISA bill passes, I doubt few, if any, will say it is the fault of the Republicans that the government shielded the rich and powerful while gutting the Fourth Amendment. No, the blame for the collapse of Constitutional Government will fall upon the craven, sycophantic DEMOCRATIC majorities(!) of both houses, who abrogated their responsibility to defend the Constitution and the rights of their citizens, just because some right-wing loudmouths called them 'chicken' and dared them to make a stand for the rule of law. Edmund Burke was right: all that is necessary for evil to prevail is that good people do nothing.

Ain't that, of all things, a kick in the head?

[Zankee]

"Zankee's Pick"....

[timemagician]

We need you to protect our Constitution and the 4th Amendment!
Please, filibuster till your face is blue. We need you.
We cannot see why this is so hard to understand. Don't give away our Civil Liberties! Why would you do this? You need to fight to preserve the Constitution, just like ALL you Senators pledged to do!
Obama has betrayed us. He MUST change his mind and fight too.
We are in despair. What more do we have to say? I have written and faxed and called for days now already. We need help. Please fight for us!