Jonathan Turley comes on KO once again to blast the umpteenth version of the compromise FISA bill that is being shoved down our throats. This time the Hoyer/FISA rollover bill is attached to the new GI Bill and extending unemployment benefits bill. Please don’t forget to chip into our FISA Actblue page so we can take a stand against all atempts at subverting our rights. Anyway, it’s being debated today so we’ll let you know what happens.
Download | Play 
Download | Play
Turley: They repeatedly tried to cave it in to the White House only to be stopped by civil libertarians and bloggers and each time they would put it on the shelf, wait a few months, they did this before, reintroduced it with Jay Rockefeller’s support and then there was another great dust up and they pulled it back. I think they’re simply waiting to see if public’s interest will wain and we’ll see that tomorrow because this bill has no quite literally public value for citizens or civil liberties. It is reverse engineering. Th type of thing the Bush administration is famous for and now the Democrats are doing. That is to change the law to conform to past conduct. It’s what any criminal would love to do.
As usual Russ Feingold isn’t happy.
“The proposed FISA deal is not a compromise; it is a capitulation. The House and Senate should not be taking up this bill, which effectively guarantees immunity for telecom companies alleged to have participated in the President’s illegal program, and which fails to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans at home.
Allowing courts to review the question of immunity is meaningless when the same legislation essentially requires the court to grant immunity. And under this bill, the government can still sweep up and keep the international communications of innocent Americans in the U.S. with no connection to suspected terrorists, with very few safeguards to protect against abuse of this power. Instead of cutting bad deals on both FISA and funding for the war in Iraq, Democrats should be standing up to the flawed and dangerous policies of this administration.”
Sen. Chris Dodd,
I cannot support the so-called ‘compromise’ legislation announced today. This bill would not hold the telecommunications companies that participated in the President’s warrantless wiretapping program accountable for their actions. Instead, it would simply offer retroactive immunity by another name.
“As I have said time and time again, the President should not be above the rule of law, nor should the telecommunications companies who supported his quest to spy on American citizens. I remain strongly opposed to this deeply flawed bill, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in supporting American’s civil liberties by rejecting this measure.”
No Trackbacks To “Turley on new FISA bill: ‘It’s what any criminal would love to do.’“
Filibuster?
Once again, the Dems need a Psychological Advisor, on Their Weakness for FISA.
Turley for AG!
It would kill Bush to do anything positive for the people of the United States of
America.
Here we go again.
Rep. Steny Hoyer is leading a “compromise” on the FISA reauthorization bill that would ultimately let the Bush administration and their friends at AT&T and Verizon off the hook for illegally spying on innocent Americans.
Last night, this so-called compromise was voted out of committee and as early as this morning the bill may be brought to the House floor for a full vote.
Speaker Pelosi can still stop this bill.
As Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi can pull the bill from the floor and refuse to call a vote.
Call Speaker Pelosi right now and demand she stand up to President Bush and stop telecom immunity.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
(202) 225-0100
Suggested Script:
“I’m calling to tell Speaker Pelosi I am depending on her to pull any bill from the floor that will ultimately grant immunity to telecommunications companies who illegally spied on Americans. Can I count on Speaker Pelosi to stand up to President Bush?”
PLEASE REPORT YOUR CALL BY CLICKING HERE http://www.democracyforamerica.....pelosi-now
Speaker Pelosi has stood up to the President’s fear mongering on illegal spying before, she can do it again. But she needs to hear from you to know where you stand.
Here is what Senator Russ Fiengold said about this bill last night:
“The proposed FISA deal is not a compromise; it is a capitulation. The House and Senate should not be taking up this bill, which effectively guarantees immunity for telecom companies alleged to have participated in the President’s illegal program, and which fails to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans at home.”
Senator Leahy also made his position clear:
“I will oppose this new FISA bill when the Senate votes on it next week. We must do everything we can to protect Americans from the Bush-Cheney Administration’s erosion of our civil liberties and callous disregard for the rule of law — and this new FISA bill fails that test.”
You and I remember that the Senate has passed retroactive immunity before. But working together, we can make sure that the Senate never has a chance to pass this bill by stopping it in the House today. Call Speaker Pelosi right now.
Thank you for taking action.
-Charles
Charles Chamberlain, Political Director
Democracy for America
the dems are pissing me off. the worst kind of collaboration with the worst kind of evil.
the twilight of a once great nation, tainted by greed and fear
and our own party is culpable.
when will it end.
makes me dream of the ancient organization called the Minute Men, and a little town called Concord MA.
Pelosi should be ashamed of herself for allowing this to come to a vote. She has shown zero leadership in curtailing Bush’s illegal activities. She should be called Nancy “Play-Dough” Pelosi — She’s putty in Bush’s hands. 100% compliant and no backbone to get in the way.
The dems in general should also be ashamed for even considering this atrocity, let alone actually supporting it.
Looks like the dem leadership were briefed on this crime and are covering their asses.
Kucinich gave the best speech and is credible.
Can O’ Whoopass @ 4:
he thinks he’s helping us. It’s a “save us from ourselves by caging us” mentality
The Dems have sold out the American people. They are complicit in crimes against the American people. They are as disgusting as GWB now. Great job!
Well, there goes the November election.
pelosi’s line is busy!!!
I foolishly allowed myself to get excited by this Congress and voting for Obama this November. I foolishly had contributed my hard, hard, hard earned money to Dems this year. And what do I get is what I’ve always gotten. Come November I will have the American privilege of voting for the lesser of two evils.
Open Note to the Democratic Party: You will have my vote this November only because you are the lesser of two evils, but you won’t get my money. My tiny $ contribution has already been given to you by the likes of Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, and others. I can see you work for them and not for me. Working for me would be to defend the Constitution and the rule of law. This Congress and this President has sold the inspiration, the sacrifice, and the blood of generations of patriots to the highest bidder. Enjoy your retirement you traitors.
Can anyone enlighten me about what the hold-criminals-accountable “side” got in this “compromise”?
Or is this just another in too, too long series of Republican “compromises” that consist of doing what the Repubs want and everybody else can go f*ck themselves?
Pelosi’s line is busy? She’s calling the bank to see if the check has cleared.
marko @ 12:
Yep. I’ve been trying and all I get is a busy signal. I hope those calls that do get thru are reading her the riot act. This is an outrage that with all the promises of reining in Bush’s illegal activities in 2006 have all been forgotten.
The democrats cave again. Surprise surprise.
isn’t this a kinda “ex post facto” law?
Another sad day in what was once a country called America. See ya Fourth Amendment.
The Constitution has really bitten the dust.
I don’t even know what to say other than this totally sickens me. All I can say at this point is donate to Russ’s Progressive Patriot’s Fund. Keep a tally of who votes for this unconstitutional piece of crap and give them hell on a daily basis and do what you can to get them out of office. My money will not being going to anyone, it will be going against any Democrat who hates the constitution. And thanks Russ for doing what you can, how you keep from literally exploding and losing your mind is beyond me.
McCain the Liar @ 17:
EXACTLY.
So when is the government going to come to remove the doors from our privies?
everytime this comes up, you can hear the tumbleweeds blowing thru the democrats, Obama and FISA make a wonderfully silent backdrop for the chirrping of crickets.
Bend Over, we’ll drive
ysbaddaden @ 22:
No need when they install cameras in our asses.
This good cop bad cop two party system is all we have for now. I think the most realistic option at this point is to take over the spineless party with progressives. I would start by targeting Reid, Pelosi and Hoyer. Send the cowards a message loud and clear and kick their asses to the curb. And anyone else who wants to suck up to the Neocon cowards can follow them.
The right wing party and the ultra right wing party have compromised.
Government of the corporations, by the corporations, for the corporations… and their buddies.
And don’t you forget it, peasant!
When the Republicans are in the majority they control the show. When the Democrats are in the majority, the Republicans control the show, thanks to “Republicrats” in our party. They need to be targeted and kicked out of the Democratic Party.
Who’s the ummm, Libertarian candidate again ?
Bob Barr is the Libertarian candidate.
FEINGOLD WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!!
Well,
That was a nice bit of theater….
Hope you all enjoyed the show on the Congressional floor today….
The dems are doing to the liberals, what the bush and rove did to the evangelicals.
McCain: Close Guantanamo Bay vs. McCain: Guantanamo Ruling One of the ‘Worst Decisions’ in History
http://georgebushsthirdterm.bl.....ccain.html
http://georgebushsthirdterm.bl.....ccain.html
It’s official Now
The People’s House Of TRAITORS
Nancy+ Steny+ Harry = nothing. Proving time after time that you can learn to like sodomy.
just another reason why i am a proud independent.
the democratic party, with some exceptions, is just as bad as the GOP.
Gregg @ 33:
Excellent!
Can O’ Whoopass @ 4:
Shouldn’t you also consider the proximity of the elections and the telco’s ablity to enable or throttle throughput in so many subtle ways? And surely backups exist. And then there’s Pointdexter’s TIA 2.0.
Half the dems votesd yes.
Amazing unity for corporate amnesty.
This is why I have not drank the Obama kool aid.
His silence on this issue is failed leadership.
Well on the bright side, think of all the money you’re going to save this summer! When the phone rings during dinner, or when you’re watching some shitty reality show this summer, and the voice on the other end is asking you to contribute or volunteer for the Democrats, all you have to say is: “I have one word for you, FISA, good bye and don’t call me again.” Then just hang up.
FeingoldFan @ 30:
*pulls lever for Barr*
:(
I’m yelling at my own Dems (watching FISA debate) and cheering on a Republican (McClellan at hearings).
What’s the world coming to?
DEMS in DC. Who’s side are they are on? It’s getting so that I can no longer tell the good from the bad anymore. Which does not leave me with a comfortable feeling.I’m so tired of the Dems holding committees that offer no resolve or accountability. I’m tired of their gutless approach while the world burns. Either the Bush Adm has got a lot of dirt on them, or they to are a very large part of the problem(s) especially when it comes to our civil rights.
Mississippi Goddam Nina Simone
“Oh but this whole country is full of lies
Youre all gonna die and die like flies (I’m not advocating anyone die, it’s just part of the lyrics. But they do resemble a swarm of DC flies)
I dont trust you any more
You keep on saying go slow!
Go slow!”
It’s going so slow, that we are actually going backwards. They’ve killed Democracy and now they’re lowering the casket with each and every Bill they shove down our throats. I’m so tired of choking on their BS.
Samson- @ 37:
Yep.
getalife @ 40:
According to Harper’s Index, members of congress have a combined $150 million spendolis invested in defense contractors.
I just use the BarackObama.com feedback page to inform them that I will make a significant donation to the Obama campaign if Obama acts to defeat the FISA bill in the Senate — as I donated to the Dodd campaign after Dodd’s filibuster in the fall — and that I will not make any donation if he does not act.
It’s within Obama’s power to engineer the defeat of this bill, an doing so would show the kind of leader he can be in the White House.
Gregg @ 33:
True bipartisanship - both parties moving to the great center - our not-so-fledgling CORPORATOCRACY!
obama (and, yes, i know he is in the senate) should have come out against this capitulation. he should used his role as ‘leader of the party’ to put pressure on the corporate lackeys (hoyer, pelosi, etc.).
he didn’t.
unless he steps and shows where he stands on these CRUCIAL issues i am going to wonder if the dems made a huge mistake.
obama wtf are you? (w = where)
*writes in kucinich*
{ Deleted, sorry but we don’t allow people to post in all Caps or in all Bold lettering. Site Monitor]
Exotic Blue Lensman @ 3:
You “Fristed” me on my standard Turley comment. I just e-mailed Senator Obama that, as he is considered a constitutional expert as much as Turley and now the leader of the Democratic Party, he needs to lead the fight against this Hoyer “compromise”, a.k.a. abortion, and reiterated what Turley said that this bill would eviscerate the 4th Ammendment. A true American and Democrat does not compromise on the Constitution. I know there was collusion here, but the Democrats can at least dodge t