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

[Raven]

With all due respect, Senator Boxer, speeches are fine and great - but we need more.

There is no prize to keep our eye on. America is alreadythe prize. If we lose it so that craven politicians can pretend they've done something, well, that's not keeping our eyes on anything is it? We've already lost our reputation in the world - and a part of our soul that can never be restored.

Save your speech for the filibuster. That is, of course, if you actually plan to do something to save the prize that we already have.

Senators Dodd and Feingold need your help. And so do the rest of us.

[Zankee]

Senator Boxer:
I applaud your expressed concerns and your attempts to acquire "Just" address to this latest threat to Constitutional provisions and protections.
However, I believe, your efforts to impact or alter the course of this impending "pardon" will prove fruitless, and; I predict the "pardon" will eventually find it's way to approval..­, and, thereby, verifying the Coup's success in their endeavours to defy the Republic's historically established standards,­.. all the while using the Constitution as toilet paper.... Traitors have no loyalty or respect, to any standards outside their own self-centered designs to control; which is void of concern or sympathy, to impact or cost on the oppressed and enslaved..­..

You should know these things.., and, if you don't.., ...you should know these things....

[3dtrix]

Thank and God bless you, Senator Boxer! I too am a Californian and proud to be your constituent. Elbow your colleague Senator Obama in the ribs and let him know that if he wants to be president, this would be a good time to show some presidenti­al-caliber leadership.

This issue has rubbed a lot of the glitter off his halo - the internet (remember - the instrument of his astonishing fund-raising?) is abuzz with this, and millions of eyes are on him. The posts to date are not flattering, to say the least.

[WAstateliberal]

True, the posts to date have not been flattering. Obama should vote no. But by constantly harping on his impending vote, IMHO, we are giving everyone else in Congress a free pass. They are all equally responsible for this!! Obama has no higher duty than Feinstein, Boxer, or anyone else to stop this. They all owe it to us.

If Senator Boxer should be elbowing anyone it is her fellow Californian, Dianne Feinstein, who has been an active saboteur of the Democratic Party for years and is responsible for the abomination that is Michael Mukasey. Senator Feinstein is to the right of center and has no business calling herself a Democrat.

As a progressive Californian, I hope and expect you will work to defeat Senator Feinstein at your next opportunity. She is a cancer to the party and an embarrassment to the beautiful state of California.

[PKSSK]

Now here is a chance for women in the Senate to stand up to the patriachal system and show who the real leaders are!!!! Get Clinton, Feinstein, Landau, Murray and all the female senators to stand up and show us what they are made of, afterall, Clinton said she is ready to be commander and chief on day one so let's see if she can be a senate leader on day one of her return!!! Let's see some real women leadership in Congress!!!!

[WAstateliberal]

Well, Feinstein is a Bush Democrat, so I wouldn't expect much from her.

Murray is currently in constituent avoidance mode, so I am assuming she is going to vote yes. Has anyone else heard otherwise? I haven't heard what Cantwell is planning.

Anyone heard what Klobuchar is planning to do?

[TeddySanFran]

Why is this even coming to the floor of the Senate?

Can't "Leader" Reid stop this nonsense if he opposes it?

What benefit does our Democratic majority get us as Americans?
Has the war been ended?
Are gas prices coming down?
Has the unwarranted eavesdropping -- and attendant blackmail -- stopped?
Are subpoenas even honored?

The cure is impeachment.

[Raven]

Why, indeed.

But, of course, you know the answer to your own questions Teddy.

This is a game of pretend. The Dems pretend that they're doing all they can - even as they ram the treasonous act through Congress at record speed.

They have operated as the elite decision makers with no regard for constituent demands for so long, they don't think they owe us a thing now.

Impeachment is the only way. Everything else is craven political window dressing and nothing more.

[WAstateliberal]

I share your questions!

As Olbermann recently pointed out, this can't be about campaign contributions because the telecoms will not withhold contributions from the majority party no matter what they do.

Also, I wish telecom immunity were being taken up separately. I have seen lots of posts which posit that Democrats in Congress support telecom immunity (which will result in dismissal of the lawsuits and no discovery of what happened) so they can cover up their own actions. If true, then presumably they might not vote for the FISA part of this equation were it being considered separately. Unless, of course, they are just fans of illegal spying, which I don't believe. After the prosecution of Don Siegelman, I have to believe that no Democrat relishes in the thought of illegal wiretapping by an amoral President who gets off on prosecuting high level politicians for no other reason than they are Democrats.

[Ono4Hoopono]

Thank you Senator Boxer. You have been a true champion of the Constitution and Liberty.

For the feedback you ask for, I'd like to make two points:

1) Anyone who is unsure about their position on this bill should consider which document you really think will keep America safer for future generations, our Constitution as it is now,having stood the test of time, forged by patriots far more courageous than any of us? Or a rushed rehash of the FISA bill, crammed through Congress in a contentious election year under heavy fear-mongering and lobbying pressure from the Telecommunications industry?

2) I agree with your tone that we should not be vindictive or we take our eyes off the prize, which is our beloved country and our freedoms intact. We can fix anything else. To that end, we can reasonably "indemnify" violators through their willing participation in a "Truth and Reconciliation" commission like South Africa had, after the election, preserving reasonable redress for those violated. I don't want to see anybody imprisoned. The climate was intentionally inflamed, and we all participated to a degree by either action or inaction. The bad guys can have their spoils and move to Dubai or South America. Just leave us the Constitution and we'll roll up our sleeves and clean up their mess and make America truly secure again, if sadder but wiser.

Tough medicine, but as much as our government failed us, we failed each other.

[JackLivigni]

Absolutely! As an Obama supporter, I am 100% behind denying immunity to telecom, and I hope this issue does not become one we have to negotiate. This is too slippery a sloap to be able to cut deals.

[kellygrrrl]

Thank You, Senator Boxer!

You make CA proud!!!

keep fighting for US!

[Lemeritus]

Senator Boxer,

I've given you my vote.
You've earned my respect.
And I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you.

[Ravoon]

Senator Boxer, I am so proud of you for your principled stands on issues that affect all of us. I only write when I need something, which makes me a little abashed to be writing to you now, but thank you. Please continue to stand up for the legions of Americans who believe that damage to the Constitution damages EVERYONE!
You have my prayers and support.

[CamJam]

Bravo Senator Barbara Boxer!
Thank you for speaking out on this. We need more like you in office that has "We the People" in mind.

This may be a bit off, and just from a TV show, but this all sort of reminds me of a bit from an episode of "Boston Legal" years ago...
It mentions how the executive branch has been conducting massive illegal domestic surveillance on it's own citizens.
http://www.disclose.tv/viewvideo/2292/Stick_It/

My favorite part in the bit of clip:
"... the book contained a speech by Adlai Stevenson. The year was 1952. He said: "The tragedy of our day is the climate of fear in which we live and fear breeds repression. Too often, sinister threats to the Bill of Rights, to freedom of the mind are concealed under the patriotic cloak of anti-Communinism. Today, it's the cloak of anti-Terrorism. Stevenson also remarked, "It's far easier to fight for principals than to live up to them."

Thank you for fighting for our rights and living up to them Senator Boxer!
Because of your excellent speech, I have written to my Senators and will also send an email to Sen. Obama.

Stand your ground Sen. Boxer! We are there for you as you are there for us!

[mgloraine]

Hold that line! Block that kick! Fil - i - buster!

[wavpeac]

Senator,

It's not just the immunity. From what I understand this bill Broadens presidential powers and may even leave americans at risk of having our information sold globally to foreign countries or entities. There are many problems with this bill.

Without the constitution, without accountability what does America really have to give the world.

Please do whatever you can to fight this bill. I think it will take more than filibuster. And please work on Senator Obama who may lose many of his followers to an independent like Nader if he cannot see that his position is EXACTLY what is wrong in washington. The American people see it.

Not only is the emperor Bush wearing no clothes but much of the congress and senate is naked as jaybirds right now. We see the problem and we are hell bent on fixing it, even if it means we have to forego a vote for Obama.

[Dogvane]

Can you put a bug in the ear of Sen. Feinstein? She never listens to me.

[WAstateliberal]

Does she listen to anyone but George Bush?

[ceu]

Support Senators Dodd & Feingold in filibustering this bill and tell your colleagues to do the same. We, the people, deserve much better than this.