Silvestre Reyes Indicates He Is Now Fine With GOP Telecom/FISA Bill
By Nicole Belle Tuesday Jun 03, 2008 8:20pm
I swear, there are days I wonder if the Democrats realize they are the majority party.
National Journal (subscription req'd.):
The House Intelligence Committee's top Democrat disclosed late Tuesday that he is ready to accept a Republican-brokered deal to rewrite the nation's electronic surveillance laws, signaling that a long-running congressional impasse could soon be coming to an end.
House Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes told CongressDaily that he is "fine" with language offered by Senate Intelligence ranking member Christopher (Kit) Bond and other Republicans to overhaul the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Notably, the GOP language, which was offered a day before the recent congressional recess, would leave it up to the secret FISA court to grant retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies that have helped the Bush administration conduct electronic surveillance on the communications of U.S. citizens without warrants.
About 40 civil lawsuits already have been filed against the companies. The administration, Bond and other Republicans had backed a Senate-passed FISA bill that would have shielded the telecom firms from the lawsuits upon enactment.
"It's about finding middle ground and we have middle ground," Reyes said of the compromise offered by Republicans. "It's not going to please everyone but let's get on with it."
Reyes said he believes enough Democrats will support the proposal to pass it in the House.
But he said House Majority Leader Hoyer told him that House Democratic leaders want to have the liability of the telecoms reviewed in federal district court as opposed to the FISA court.
A senior Reyes aide clarified his boss' positions by saying that while Reyes thinks Bond's proposal is a positive one, he remains supportive of Hoyer's efforts to improve on it.
Why on earth would Reyes do this? As Digby says:
There just isn't enough money at stake to explain this. Nobody's suing for the money, they are suing for the discovery. Something bad happened here and the Democrats are helping the Republicans cover it up.
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"Middle ground", my ass. Reyes is a sellout. These corrupt Dems have got to go.
No. It's not about finding middle ground. It's about growing a pair and doing the correct thing. And maybe some of that following the law and accountably stuff too.
something smells in denmark.........maybe there are players from both sides involved...yaa think.."why people hate washington" trying to watch fox news it's brutal
Simple answers for simple questions here.
Why on earth would Dems do this?
Because they were in this up to their complicit little eyeballs. Maybe not in a legalistic sense, but if the truth comes out it will I imagine be very, very embarrassing for the Dems especially the leadership.
They were briefed in and chose to just "go along" at the time. This whole deal is one big Kabuki dance. The rethugs know the Dems don't want it ever known they actually had a chance to stop this and DID NOTHING.
It's pure CYA.
Sen. Obama? Would you like to say something? Now would be a really good time.
Simply another example of how, as Gore Vidal has pointed out, there are two major parties in this country, the extreme right wing party and the right wing party, with little to distinguish between the two.
Senator Obama, please make your first act of leadership as the presumptive nominee of the Democratic party for President in 2008 to tell Rep Reyes (and Rep Hoyer and Rep Emmanuel and Sen Rockefeller) that YOUR Democratic party does not reward corporations or individuals for spying on US citizens without warrants and that there will be NO retro-active immunity for ANYONE.
"As Digby says:
There just isn’t enough money at stake to explain this. Nobody’s suing for the money, they are suing for the discovery. Something bad happened here and the Democrats are helping the Republicans cover it up."
If those suits really are only for discovery, then it seems to me that the issue is not that "something bad happened here" -- rather something bad is still going on here.
Mr. Obama, it is time to weigh in.
Say what?!?!?! Leave it to the courts?
Why do we even have a congress anymore?
ATT threatened to disconnect his phone if he didn't play ball.
Okey you Texans on this website, do as I have already done...write Reyes(A Texas
Congressman) and let him know your objection to his new position...and as well write your respective Congressperson.
Reyes, if you recall his gaffe, did not know the difference between Shia and Sunni when he first took over the intelligence committee in 2006! Previously Pelosi had publicly wavered about giving him the chairmanship because of his laziness and lack of intellect. Reyes is much too lightweight for a chairmanship of the stature of the intelligence committee. He flat out simply doesn't understand this whole Telecom/FISA issue just like he didn't understand Shia/Sunni dynamics. He's in way over his head.
So is he for real or just another talking head? Looks like we're going to find out soon.
This telecom matter has failed any number of "smell tests" from early on.
In essence the law was broken and those who broke it should be paying a price.
It is this simple unless USA now runs with third world conduct of blatant law breaking when it suits those who can do it and the rule of third world money "put the fix in" politics.
Rule of law in America now made invalid by those who wish to illustrate that breaking laws is OK for greased power players or money politics gamers but for other "lessers" prepare for your day in court and the prison you will be sent to.
Again...the Democrats are proving full well that they are far too often no better than the Republicans in WashingtonDC affairs.
One is left to wonder is it a matter of poor character or lack of decency or are they just this stupid (all of these?)to play this go along,get along and take the money.
It is certain the money is big part of this charade in "what law?" and "where is the crime?".
Smell test anyone? Hacks and hucksters.
One day there will be a revolution.
Again.
I hope within my lifetime too.
Follow the campaign donations, they'll take you just about anywhere you want to go. I don't know but I wouldn't be shocked if telecoms are among his best friends.
What needs to be remembered is that the Bill of Rights protects the citizenry from the government, Democratic or Republican. So, it is the natural tendency of government to erode those rights.
I think the issue being covered up here is internet consolidation into a duopoly between cable and dsl, with an eye towards bandwidth limitations and an end of net neutrality, so as to cause the corporate media to regain its monopoly on the mind control in this country. ($29.95 a month for a 5GB cap won't give you much streaming media.)
Therefore, I don't think this issue should be resolved until and unless there is public disclosure on any concessions made by federal regulators or other monetary gains received by the wiretapping corporations in exchange for this cooperation with the government. There's no disclosure of classified information in that. I think the public has a right to know whether or not the telcos (and maybe cables) were acting altruistically.
it's time to put this horse out to pasture and
tell these bastard democrats who are helping the
neocons rewrite the constitution by removing
the citizen's civil rights and removing any
hope of judicial action for corporate crimes,
that we are watching and come the 2008 elections
they will be replaced with those who will
protect the constitution and the laws of the land.
Hmm... When does Mr. Reyes come up for re-election?
So, in other words, the Congress of People's Deputies is helping the General Secretary cover up the KGB's fuck-up? Cuz this whole nonsense has seemed like a story out of the USSR, not the USA.
I've said it a hundred times, it ain't about parties, its about ideas. When the system is designed to corrupt, you get corruption. Generally speaking, for most of these politicians, its about power, not making a difference. A "D" sometimes makes no difference whatsoever.
Gutless fool. Resign your post we can't stand you anymore. You are a Bush tool [Deleted-Sitemonitor]
Unity.
What say you Obama?
“It’s about finding middle ground and we have middle ground,” Reyes said of the compromise offered by Republicans. “It’s not going to please everyone but let’s get on with it.”
He's the Yellow Reyes of Texas.
Can you say "Tobacco settlement?"
Wow, either they found the skeleton in Reyes' closet, or they came up with enough cash, or both.
Why would he do this?
My guess: the check cleared.
Get Rid of them ALL and begin again. The 2006 elections should have been a wake up call, instead we were duped. I'd hard not to be cynical.
thier all sellouts the whole dam party!
Time to flood Pelosi and Hoyer again with no, no, no, no, no!
Flat out TRAITORS.
I've sent a spotlight to Olbermann and 9 others. These people make me sick, and never a peep from the MSM.
Digby's take seems to be solidly in the right direction. They could let this languish until next Congress if they wanted; definately something else here.
MAYBE it might be time for the democrat cheerleaders and obama cultists to wake up and realize...these arent liberals. the republicans arent conservatives.
THE COUNTRY IS BEING RUN INTO THE GROUND BY GLOBALISTS
who only care about their corporate (and in many cases eugenic) interests.
but probably not.
"go back to bed america..." -bill hicks
and remember to drink 8glasses of sodium fluoride a day.
wouldnt want to get sick
meh @ 34:
Or develop to your full physical-mental potential.
Brad @ 35:
A Clinton policy to fluoridate all our water by 2000, btw
The Bilderberg Group, which meets from time to time to discuss the affairs of the world, is meeting this week in Chantilly Virginia. They will be at the Westfields Marriott this Thursday through Sunday. No mention will be in the mainstream news most likely. Unbelievably because 125 of the most elite people in the world will be meeting there. Bill Clinton has admitting to attending one these meetings. Leaders from numerous countries show up at these secret meetings. Might be worth looking into if you are into those mystery kind of things or solving anomalies of what politicians due and what their motivations might be.
This is no conspiracy. Bill Clinton admitting to being invited to one of these meetings.
Those of you who say the Dem leadership was in on it from the beginning are right.
They are corrupt as is the rest of our militaristic society.
Watch Senator Jay Rockefeller scramble to cover his butt.
They've sold us to the highest bidders.
Rabbit
anyone thats backing obama needs to pay close attention to how he handles this.
rhetoric or action? whats it gonna be barry?
Simply put, if Kit Bond approves of the deal, it has to be f%&#ed up!
SHHHH
u tryna get our IP's banned from C&L?
Is it time to bring back the guillotine yet?
I have officially gotten to the point where if some alphabet-agency FUCK knocks on MY door, I don't believe I could stop myself from becoming violent. Just at the sight of the bastard. Living in Fascist-ica is now more frightening than death.
Obama better do something to stop this, otherwise he is going to be the first black president to preside over a nation-wide riot, and mass mob murders of (s)elected officials, complete with total revolt by the military. But at least once the violence peters out, we will have our republic back.
“It’s about finding middle ground and we have middle ground,” Reyes said of the compromise offered by Republicans. “It’s not going to please everyone but let’s get on with it.” ~ the most disappointing quote I've heard all day. "let's get on with it" sounds like absolutely no intelligence was put into this decision. Just make the corporate masters happy.
karl @ 3:
You're right. Mounting evidence of failure to hold Bush accountable means the Dems knew.
Contact your Congresspeople, and be proactive and contact your Senators as well. Don't allow this to go through without voicing yourself to those who are elected to represent you.
dadams @ 18:
We are going to have to educate a lot of people in order to make this happen.
And not just on the internet either.
We are going to have to break into the mainstream media and make community outreaches as well.
It's worth it though.
those that are elected to represent us are the ones passing this BS off as middle ground.
"...everythings under control" -bill hicks
At first I thought, why are the Dems caving on this? They have to know that telcom testimony would surely lead to the scope of the program and ties directly to the white house. So why would they be protecting the white house? Then it dawned on me that for the only time I can recall during his presidency, Bush may have told the truth when he said that some democrats were briefed on the program. So, I guess they're not protecting the President, but themselves.
Critics say the Bilderberg Group promotes the careers of politicians whose views are representative of the interests of multinational corporations, at the expense of democracy. ~ "Inside the secretive Bilderberg Group", BBC. (wikipedia)
I got this yesterday from Rob Wexler so I don't know what Reyes means.
I am sending the post only minus my name, but it is addressed to me.
Thank you for contacting my office regarding the proposed retroactive immunity for telephone and Internet service providers who may or may not have been complicit in handing information over to intelligence agencies under the President's illegal domestic wiretapping program.
While I am sympathetic to the difficult position telephone and Internet service providers, who thought they were doing their patriotic duty, may be in, the fact remains that I simply cannot support offering retroactive immunity. When the House Judiciary Committee, of which I am a member, considered the Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen Reviewed and Effective (RESTORE) Act of 2007 on October 10, 2007, an amendment was offered that included the retroactive immunity. I voted in opposition to that amendment, which failed by a vote of 21 to 14. I have had the opportunity to view some of these documents, and I can say that my position on this subject is unchanged.
Most recently, the House crafted a compromise bill that preserves the appropriate court review of all surveillance of US citizens and gives judges the discretion to review all the necessary documents related to telecom lawsuits without offering blanket immunity. On March, 14, 2008, the House passed this compromise by a vote of 213 to 197 with my support. This legislation is now awaiting action in the Senate.
Thank you again for taking the time to write. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions you may have or anytime I may be of assistance to you. If you would like to be updated on these and other issues, please stop by my website (www.wexler.house.gov) and sign up for my electronic newsletter. I hope you will find these tools to be valuable resources in keeping up with events in Washington and South Florida.
With warm regards,
Robert Wexler
Member of Congress
RW:em
Confirmation# 10062427
Please do not reply to this email address. Instead, please send all e-mail messages (including replies) through: http://wexler.house.gov/email.shtml or simply follow the links on my website.
If the telecom employees who knowingly engaged in un-warranted surveillance and the government officials who authorized the illegal activity are not imprisoned there'll be hell to pay! And hell might be closer to them then they think.
Mike20169 @ 13:
he knows where his money comes from. I'd like to know, too.
Is Texas simply the dumbest. most corrupt state in United States History?
Old School Patriot @ Says:
I have officially gotten to the point where if some alphabet-agency FUCK knocks on MY door, I don’t believe I could stop myself from becoming violent. Just at the sight of the bastard. Living in Fascist-ica is now more frightening than death.
Them and GOP campaigners too for me.
Silvestre Reyes at congresspedia:
# 1.2 Contradicting opinions on the ability to add troops to Iraq
After the President's January 10, 2007 announced plan for a troop surge however, the Rep. Reyes told the El Paso Times that a 21,500 troop increase was unthinkable. "We don't have the capability to escalate even to this minimum level"
# 1.3 Confusion on terrorist groups in 2006 CQ interview
* Reyes incorrectly identified al Qaeda as having a mix of Shiites and Sunnis, but predominantly Shiite. As Stein noted:
"He couldn’t have been more wrong... the extremist Sunnis who make up al Qaeda consider all Shiites to be heretics. Al Qaeda’s Sunni roots account for its very existence. Osama bin Laden and his followers believe the Saudi Royal family besmirched the true faith through their corruption and alliance with the United States, particularly allowing U.S. troops on Saudi soil."
* Reyes was unable to identify Hezbollah as Shiite or Sunni (it is a Shiite group).
# 1.4 Alleged nepotism and defense contracts
* 1.4.1 PAC Money
Howard @ 48:
dems include pelosi and rockefeller
FOLLOWING THE MONEY
2007 - 2008 Cycle Fundraising
Raised: $636,085
Spent: $577,595
Cash on Hand: $98,746
Debts: $0
Last Report: Monday, March 31, 2008
Top 5 Contributors
Digital Fusion $18,000
Duty Free Americas $17,900
PMA Group $16,500
General Dynamics $13,150
SAIC Inc $10,250
Top 5 Industries
Defense Electronics $52,150
Defense Aerospace $49,800
Lawyers/Law Firms $40,933
Computers/Internet $31,250
Lobbyists $31,030
Some of the leadership would be liable. That's the only way I read these stories. They are all trying to CYA. That's also the reason we aren't currently holding impeachment hearings against Cheney. I hope that before I die some of the truth comes out and somebody pays the price.
I would like to take a moment to thank Pelosi for giving this ass-hat the opportunity to prove the Peter Principle, by giving him the chairmanship.
Gee, thanks much, Nancy. /sarcasm
Albatross @ 26:
Right on! What I want to know is where is Pelosi and Reid on this one? Also if, as has been previously noted in comment # 52 Reyes was given the chairmanship even though Pelosi knew he was incompetent, could it be that is precisely why she gave him the gig? Seems to me Emptywheel noted that Pelosi was privy to the illegal surveillance well before it was conducted and signed off on that. I personally want to see Pelosi gone from her position. Off the table my ass. If they flip flop on this issue for no apparent reason that indicates to me they will never go after the Chimp and his Organgrinders. So yes Mr. Obama lets straighten out the Democratic hierarchy now. The American People want Justice.
This incompetent fool should never have been given the intelligence committee in the first place. Looks like his placement there, which many people raised the alarm about in the first place, is going to bite us in the ass.
Thank God Obama is not as incompetent as the rest of his party.
"Thank God Obama is not as incompetent as the rest of his party."
he voted to fund the ILLEGAL war and reauthorize the patriot act.
ho-hum
I thought there was some sort of unwritten rule of Congress that if you've brought up a matter two or three times, you don't get to bring it up anymore because it's obviously not going to pass. Is Reyes not following that?
In other news, time once again to CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN CONTINUOUSLY EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR TO TELL HIM TO SHOOT THIS FUCKING ABOMINATION DOWN WITH A GODDAMN CRUISE MISSILE.
Steve E @ 59:
pelosi, rockefeller and another Dem were given information under penalty of charges of Treason. they pretend that the presnitwit can charge them when there is law the explicitly protects whistleblowers. they have sat on their hands and made boosh iii a king.
How many non-terrorists were nabbed by this domestic spying?
The law is fairly clear on this -- if the authorities were looking for terrorists, and found evidence of non-terrorist drug smuggling, then they can prosecute for drug smuggling. The same is true if they have a warrant to search your house for X, and find Y instead -- if Y is illegal, then they can go after you for it -- even though the warrant was for X.
Steve E @ 59:
apologies. proper credit begins with post #13.
CoIntelPro against Repug DoucheBaggery @ 52:
I think they're in contention with Alaska.
slippy hussein toad @ 65:
do you think (s)he'll be in DC for Hillary's private exit party?
slippy hussein toad @ 67:
then again -
there is Az - mcAssjacket
and also Cn - LIEberdouche
but who's counting.
Howard @ 44:
Its also the reason they haven't impeached Chimpy for his blatant myriad of crimes! They were in on most of it.
Lying two-faced pig bastards!
Nancy Pelosi put this idiot POS in charge of this committee because she had a personal feud with the woman from Cal who should have gotten the chairmanship. I remember the news conference when this guy was given the post instead. I thought to myself at the time, "this guys seems dumb enough to be a republican!"
And why would any dem agree with anything Kit Bond would propose? Bond is one of the most right wing batshit crazies in Washington. WTF!
I wonder if the republicans will include immunity for themselves regarding their blackmailing members of congress.
Immunity for criminal activity is at stake - and a lawmaker, I"ll repeat that - a lawmaker - is offering absolution to those that violated that lawmakers work product.
They obviously 'have' him.
He needs to be called out and exposed. He is selling us all down to save himself.
meh @ 61:
Very well said.
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 70:
I personally believe that the republicans (social darwinists) played to position 'favorable' democrats in places they couldnt place republicans. I think that explains a lot of things - from Hoyer (over Murtha, who was prepared to disembowel the Bush Administration) to Reid. (Lets not forget Lieberman and in my district Giffords).
I asked a republican I know why he thought it was ok to mess with the internal structure of the democratic party - his response was it was our fault for allowing it.
I hadn't paid attention to what state Reyes was from. When I read the intro to this thread the first state that came to mind was Texas. I have said it before and on many occasions, the Texas Hispanics (oh how I hate that word, but it applies unequivocally to them) are a strange lot. Racist to the bone. They love to hate blacks down there in Texas. Sorry to say it but, in my opinion, and nothing in the last 30 years since I was stationed there has occurred to change my view. Reyes apparently is the epitome of Texas Hispanics. They would rather emulate than fight for change.
anon @ 73:
Perhaps this is what was meant when the Repubs said they would have a permanent majority. Just seed Dem positions with Repubs pretending to be Dems.
Would government officials use secret information gathered through illegal surveillance to play the stock market?
Bought and sold, bought and sold, bought and sold! This isn't a blue/red, Dem, Repub deal. This is an us/them deal. The House and the Senate have become comfortable with years of telecom money. Only a loud backlash from the American people will get them to stir. RETROACTIVE IMMUNITY IS UNAMERICAN. (202) 224-3121 is the U.S. House switchboard. Call all day. Ask to be connected to Reyes' office. The American people are angry at his disregard for the rule of law. It's an aggressive phone campaign, or a donation to or the fucking guillotine. We're chimps, we're in a zoo, and we're rattling our cages! Please let us believe we still have recourse to the law.
I Like Pie @ 76:
Probably.
Error--I get all frothed up and forget to include the link. It's www.actblue.com
CoIntelPro against Repug DoucheBaggery @ 52:
No, TX is #4, after MS, AL, & LA.
This is bat shit crazy. Reyes better watch his step or he'll be back working Border Patrol. Not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, he's known for missing votes and not knowing whether al-Qaeda or Hezbollah are Sunni or Shiite. Let's hope Reyes synapses are misfiring and act as if they are not.
Telecom immunity is inappropriate. Period. It's doubly inappropriate to grant secret courts the power to make this type of unconstitutional decision.
-AF
Andrew Sullivan Is Fraud
The original asshole from El Paso.
Well now there is a presumptive Democratic nominee who needs for us to write him and tell him that if he doesn't take a stand and come out against this "compromise" his chances of getting elected will decrease. If this is how the supposed opposition party behaves, then I don't see much difference in who gets elected this fall.
CoIntelPro against Repug DoucheBaggery @ 52:
Yes? Next question?
Tomorrow morning, everyone who reads 80 some posts should have enough tenacity to call the switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and tell Reyes and your local rep, for that matter, that retroactive immunity is unAmerican. Program the number in your phone and call him throughout the day. Nobody will be listening in to your calls--this is America.
how can i be on the firing squad , is this like the draft ,
Wars should only be fought by old men with rusty swords .