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Public Opinion: Should Telecommunications Companies Get Immunity as Part of the FISA Overhaul?

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One of the most important rights to our form of government is the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. That is a right which cannot be lawfully infringed. One of the methods of petition is through the court system. There are cases pending before the courts for redress of the grievances against the telecoms. By granting immunity to the telecoms, particularly before knowing the details of what happened, Congress and The President have infringed our right to petition for redress. In attempting to interfere with the court system's prerogative to rule on whether a law has been infringed, they have also violated separation of powers.
Without the ability to petition for redress, this is a hollow "democracy" indeed.

Robert Bushman of CA 2:54PM July 14, 2008

all the dems that changed their vote got an average of $8000 from the telcoms. now we have no chance of knowing what information the nsa collected because the injured parties can't have it known in court. welcome to tyranny. here in NC i emailed all of my state lawmakers asking them to oppose the real id. "your papers please" checks and balances are things of the past. it's a new american century. thanks kristol!

no rights richie of NC 1:10PM July 11, 2008

Who is in favor of this bill? What are the merits of this bill that justify the need for retroactive immunity to ANYTHING?
Why did this bill pass when it appears to have little or no public support?

Jim of PA 11:26AM July 11, 2008

Bush and his administration have broken more than our trust, they have broken the law. The communications companies, having colluded with them in breaking the law, are just as guilty. They all knew what they were doing, and they all knew it was wrong. There are no excuses for what they did, and continue to plan to do. It is a blatant misuse of power. This "in your face" commitment of felonies, while hiding behind executive privilege and fabricated immunity is the height of criminal arrogance. We should all be ashamed for letting them get away with it.

Rick Brooks of NC 8:56AM July 11, 2008

My Rep voted no. My Senators spit. I told them how I felt, before and after their vote. I don't know what else to do. McCain? Obama? I don't trust either of them. What's it going to take to get my country back? My right have eroded.My taxes are going up, the dollar is falling, my neighbors are dying in Iraq, My phone is tapped, Flying sucks. I'm most afraid of my fellow citizen's who haven't a clue as to what's happening to our country. I thinks its going to be Bob Barr for me. I've had enough of this BS. I'm OUTRAGED!

OUTRAGED of CA 3:48AM July 11, 2008

Hey Washington,
Where is my get out of jail free card?

Lis of CA 2:57AM July 11, 2008

Our rights have steadily declined as every administration has taken them bit by bit. This administration has been the worst and most blatant. The President and his cronies have not even tried to cover up what they are doing and the people who support them try to tell those of us who oppose the loss of our rights that we are un-American. This is pure idiocy in it's purist form.

Steve Medlock of MO 1:16AM July 11, 2008

Business leaders and entrepreneurs must grasp the real risks of FISA: FISA Facilitates Fraud
Competitors (or Foreign Governments) who want trade secrets, R&D plans, bid details, intellectual property or copies of confidential communications can hire well placed private contractors to obtain them.
60-70% of our $60 billion annual national intelligence budget is paid to private contractors. Private contractors help monitor (copy and record) all telephone and internet communications for the federal government.
Some of these private contractors are corrupt or have weak internal controls. They all have their own agendas.
The information is already assembled, they are part of law enforcement, they can sell it with impunity.
There is no independent oversight, control or accountability over private intelligence contractor activities.
Do you want copies of your confidential communications falling into your competitor's hands? It's much easier with FISA.
FISA presents dangerous intellectual property security issues that threaten our nation's ability to compete effectively.
For links to respected resources discussing the risks of private government contractor abuse see http://HappinessHacker.com
Happiness Hacker ~ Atlanta

Happiness Hacker of GA 12:14AM July 11, 2008

Business leaders and entrepreneurs must grasp the real risks of FISA: FISA Facilitates Fraud
Competitors (or Foreign Governments) who want trade secrets, R&D plans, bid details, intellectual property or copies of confidential communications can hire well placed private contractors to obtain them.
60-70% of our $60 billion annual national intelligence budget is paid to private contractors. Private contractors help monitor (copy and record) all telephone and internet communications for the federal government.
Some of these private contractors are corrupt or have weak internal controls. They all have their own agendas.
The information is already assembled, they are part of law enforcement, they can sell it with impunity.
There is no independent oversight, control or accountability over private intelligence contractor activities.
Do you want copies of your confidential communications falling into your competitor's hands? It's much easier with FISA.
FISA presents dangerous intellectual property security issues that threaten our nation's ability to compete effectively.
For links to respected resources discussing the risks of private government contractor abuse see http://HappinessHacker.com
Happiness Hacker ~ Atlanta

Happiness Hacker of GA 12:13AM July 11, 2008

The Nuremeberg defense where the accused pleads, "I was only following orders"was not allowed for war crimes. Neither should it be allowed for Big Telecoms. By pardoning those companies for illegal spying, the precedent is set to do it again. Condoned spying is dangerous because it will be used beyond its original intent of listening in on terrorists and will be used for political purposes.

Pat of CA 10:17PM July 10, 2008