Congress Votes Out 4th Amendment, Senate Agrees

Microsoft sent out a security update which crashed my computer. I am purchasing a Mac today and am currently typing on a borrowed computer. I only have a brief opportunity to comment on what just transpired with the Democratic lead Senate passing FISA.

The cynical side of me isn't surprised, the American in me is appalled. Barack Obama said he was going to support this bill and his forums exploded. He opted not to vote. This man is not a valid candidate for President. He has shown that he will not defend the Constitution! Who is? Let me know.

The Senate approved a bill (previously approved by the house) to retroactively immunize the telecom companies, end all pending suits against the, and allow the government warrantless wiretapping and data tapping. The vote? 69-28 with 3 abstentions. You can see how everyone voted here.

George Bush's words on July 4th are chillingly prophetic:

To my fellow citizens to be: We believe in free speech in the United States of America!

While he is saying that, someone who just called him a war criminal is being hauled off by the CIA or Secret Service. They then hand her off to the Police.

Warrantless wire tapping and free speech in America.
This is a dark day in American history. My hope is that this is the spark that ignites the American public into taking responsibility for what is happening!

No matter what you think of the ACLU, I expect they will get a gold star for their defense of the Constitution in the coming battle. Click here to see to see how they plan to challenge this as soon as it is signed into law.

Voting Out the Constitution?

You say that you feel politically involved after the election runoff?

Here's something even the not-so-politically-involved can sink their teeth into. The New FISA bill would give immunity to the telecom companies for violating U.S. citizens' Constitutional rights (an unconscionable precedent to set) and then would allow for data-tapping,wiretapping and tracking without any sort of warrant!

Please get involved and write a letter or two to your representatives. If you don't know your representatives, click here.

The following video is of Senator Russ Feingold speaking of his opposition of FISA and explains what happens next.

I teased some of my colleagues and said we can celebrate the Constitution on July 4th and maybe when we come back
you'll decide not to tear it up.

-Russ Feingold on FISA

Billboard Liberation Front

This is a real billboard (after "advertising improvements") in SanFrancisco.

The Billboard Liberation Front, on the 28th of February, announced a new advertising improvement campaign executed on behalf of clients AT&T and the National Security Agency.

The BLF spokesperson, Blank DeCoverly, said:

"This campaign is an extraordinary rendition of a public-private partnership. These two titans of telecom have a long and intimate relationship, dating back to the age of the telegraph. In these dark days of Terrorism, that should be a comfort to every law-abiding citizen with nothing to hide."

Do you know how your rep is going to vote on FISA? Does your rep think that search warrants are important? Is your rep going to say it's OK to throw away the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? The FISA vote is right around the corner!

Find and contact your representative here.

FISA is Outdated?

George Bush held a press conference to reassure us all that our rights have been protected and will continue to be. Then he demanded that we give retroactive immunity to telecom companies and not hold them responsible for violating the rights that he says are being protected. He basically said that allowing Americans recourse to having their Constitutional rights violated would be "patently unfair".

So...did anyone else know that one can take classes in how to speak Orwell at Yale?

I found the Olbermann video after I had started this entry. If you only have time for one video, I'd watch his.



Apparently, Keith Olbermann feels like I do.

"It was legal, but it was the kind of legal for which you still need immunity just like it wasn't legal."

FISA is out of date?

Bush Holding FISA Hostage for Telecom Immunity?

During his State of the Union address last week, Bush demanded an extension (permanent) of the FISA law. As he mentioned in his address, he wants complete immunity for telecom companies. I can't believe we even have to discuss such issues.

I thought you might enjoy Keith Olbermann's views:

We appreciate you Keith.

Cheney Wants Retroactive Immunity for Telecom Companies

Does it concern anyone else that the Vice President of the Unites States is asking that corporations who (may have) violated the rights of Americans and others be given retroactive immunity?

Dick Cheney spoke at the Heritage Foundation yesterday and asked that we update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and make the temporary "Protect America ACT of 2007" PERMANENT? On top of that he is requesting that Congress give telecom companies and their execs complete retroactive immunity.

The introduction, given by Edwin Feulner, president of the Heritage Foundation is a telling prelude:

"...you are always and will always be welcome at the Heritage Foundation. Mr. Vice president at heritage, we firmly believe that congress should not impose restrictions on the ability of the executive branch to carry out one of its primary constitutionally mandated functions. Namely, protecting Americans from acts of war by foreign enemies."

In his speech, Dick Cheney declares that,

"The relative safety of the 6 years and 4months since 9/11 is not an accident, but an achievement."

AND

"Liability protection, retroactive to 9/11 is the right thing to do...It's the right way to help us prevent another 9/11 down the road."

If you are going to give immunity for an illegal action, do it beforehand. Otherwise, it can only be viewed as a corporation colluding with the United States government in illegal activities.