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
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After the house has alread caved in and handed over the rights we once had does it really look like anyone is going to do us justice or do anything int he name of justice? I will believe it when I see it.
Senator Boxer:
I am a Democratic voter in California. Thank you for representing your state with a "NO" vote on this egregious bill.
I do not agree with "indemnifying" the telecoms. There was a federal law on the books covering wiretapping; the 1978 FISA law. The Bush Administration AND the Telecoms KNOWINGLY VIOLATED that law. And regardless of what law is passed, amended or re-written; without the the certainty that those who VIOLATE the LAW WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, the law is MEANINGLESS. They'll just violate the law again. (see: "Presidential Signing Statements")
Senator Feingold has delineated several other problems with this Senate bill, beyond "Telecom Immunity", that makes it bad law, and Unconstitutional to boot. But as one of your constituents, I am satisfied with your "NO" vote for what ever reason you choose.
There are enough Democrats in the Senate to ensure that this egregious "compromise" bill never becomes law. I'm counting on you to ensure, that whatever measures necessary are taken, to assure that it never does.
Senator Boxer:
Thank you for supporting the Constitution and the rule of law. Please do all that you can to develop a coalition of like-minded Senators to get this flawed and illegal bill killed.
Ms. Boxer,
Your support for enacting better legislation than the current House version of FISA is deeply appreciated. We really do need to know what happened.
Why, though, if the 4th Amendment requires a warrant for searches, can a law be written to negate the Amendment without amending the Constitution itself?
Every Senator that takes their oath of office seriously will join the filibuster against this bill. Every Senator who does not filibuster is complicit in a crime against this nation and the Constitution (Are you hearin' me Obama?)
Thank You Senator Boxer for a clear position that we can all understand and support. Let the Congress restore it's rightful role of providing oversight to the executive branch --- no matter who the President is.
I and 100% of everyone that has written to me are in agreement with you.
Filibuster this legislation if necessary but do everything you can to prevent granting any of the Telecom companies immunity.
Also, when are you going to investigate why the CEO of Quest, the only telecom company that refused the Bush Administration’s demands, was placed under a witch hunt and throw in jail for ‘unrelated’ charges?
Coincidence?
Anthony Congiano
Senior Editor & Founder
www.manual
Senator Boxer, please do the Constitution a favor and join Senators Dodd and Feingold in supporting a filibuster of the egregious bill. The nation will thank you.
If the Senate approves the latest FISA bill, giving the telecom companies immunity for their crimes, then every senator who votes YEA will be performing a crime. The passage of this law will erase the 4th Amendment. Passing the measure is an act of tyranny by Congress. If Obama knows what's good for him, he will join Feingold and Dodd, and lead a filibuster.
Wow! Obama supporting this domestic spying bill is a complete shock. He just effectively removed a great issue for this campaign. How do you accuse the Republicans of destroying our civil liberties when you vote for a bill like this. Do you say, we're only against domestic spying when we're not in power?
Thomas Jefferson said "Ours is not a system based upon trust, but one of suspicion.
That is a direct reference to the very design of our system and it's checks and balances..
This was due to their wisdom of human nature itself, and the eternal abuses of government
Sadly our Legislative Branch has all but forsaken their duty and responsibility in this regard..
The Legislative Branch is the people's branch...e
Senator Boxer,
As one of your constituents, I want you to know I fully support your opposition to this legislation. There MUST be accountability for this illegal spying program. The administration has admitted that it committed a felony by violating FISA, and yet no one in Washington seems to care. I urge you to continue your fight against this legislation and to do everything in your power (including filibustering it) to ensure that it never becomes law.
I hope that someone will have the guts to fillibuster this bill. Furthermore I believe that Sen. Barbara Boxer should be the next majority leader. She truly is my hero in congress.
Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney must be held accountable. Any other position is indefensible.
Senator Boxer, while I appreciate your effort to stand up for the Constitution it's pretty clear that the Democratic leadership (including Senator Obama) are not only going to vote for this horrible bill but they are eager to do so before Independence Day. How ironic that at this time in 1776 the country was poised to declare their independence from a Brittish monarch and now in 2008 our Congress is poised to give our president monarchial powers over the objections of the people..
Mark my words that this treachery by our Congress to allow our president to coverup his past crimes and committ new ones will be remembered for years to come and may ultimately be the catalyst that unravels the Democratic Party for good. What's next? A bill that will provide immunity for those who committed war crimes ?
I remember a time when our Congress and our Media stood up for the rule of law and proudly held a president accountable for his crimes. Sadly, our current Congress and media, to their shame, have allowed a corrupt, manipulative administration to scare them into believing that we must give up our liberty for the illusion of security.
Thank you for all you have done. We hope you are successful.
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