FISA Compromise Still Backdoor Immunity for Telecomm Providers

by: RepHildaSolis

Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 12:33:03 PM PDT

(Rep. Solis is one of the good ones. - promoted by David Dayen)

I share the concern raised by many on this blog about the FISA Amendments Act, especially the immunity it provides telecomm providers. That I why I voted against the bill on Friday. Below is my official statement.

"Today, the House of Representatives passed the FISA Amendments Act, which I voted against. I am deeply concerned the legislation will provide an enormous loophole for those telephone companies that participated in the Bush Administration's warrantless wiretapping program. We cannot allow backdoor immunity for telecommunications providers who spied on Americans and broke the public trust.

"The constituents of the 32nd Congressional District and many more from around the country have spoken loud and clear that any form of immunity for telecommunications providers is unacceptable and I wholeheartedly agree. We must work harder to not only fight against terrorism and threats to our country but also to respect our constituents' civil liberties and the values upon which country was founded."

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RepHildaSolis :: FISA Compromise Still Backdoor Immunity for Telecomm Providers

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FISA Compromise Still Backdoor Immunity for Telecomm Providers | 2 comments

CONTACT SENATORS TIME_PDLA's letter to Feinstein (8.00 / 1)

As we all know the "COMPROMISE" isn't one. It's a SELL OUT!!! Another in the long list of capitulations of our so-called "leadership" of the Democratic party. A letter like this needs to go to every senator in every state. PDLA is delivering this to Senator Feinstein tomorrow.///

June 23, 2008

Senator Dianne Feinstein
c/o District Director Trevor Daley
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 915
Los Angeles, CA

Dear Senator Feinstein,

We are writing with great concern regarding reports the Democratic leadership has struck a deal which will further erode civil liberties by circumventing the original FISA laws, and we ask that you not only oppose this new FISA bill but that you filibuster its advancement in the Senate.
We are deeply disappointed in our Party and its leadership for capitulating to the Bush administration with this utterly unnecessary legislation--but you are our Senator, from the great and progressive state of California, and as your constituents we have a right to expect better leadership from you.
We wish to note that in an official statement regarding a previous FISA bill, you defended the telecom industry, stating they had no choice but to break the law--but in this you were incorrect: They did have a choice, proven by the fact Qwest chose to obey the Constitution rather than wiretap without proper FISA warrants. We would also remind you the telecoms' illegal activity began well before the attacks of 9/11.
We need better answers and better representation from our senior Senator. It was with great pain that, last year, we moved several California Democratic Party caucuses to censure you for your approval of an Attorney General who condoned torture, and for your previous support for telecom immunity. We would prefer not to censure you again, but to instead applaud you for doing what is right and protecting our Constitution rather than protecting corporations and the Bush administration. We ask you to stand with the vast bulk of your constituents who side with the rule of law.
Thank you,
Yours,
Michael Jay, Delegate, California Democratic Party, 42nd Assembly District
Ricco Ross, California Democratic Party, 42nd Assembly District
Co-Chairs, Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles
Linda Sutton, CDP Delegate, 41st AD, Vice Chair of Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles
If you wish to sign on to this letter, post a comment under this with your name and zip or assembly district. Or send one of your own directly to Senator Feinstein.

by: lindasutton @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 07:42:18 AM UTC

FEINSTEIN FAX NUMBERS (8.00 / 1)

Today's the day you can make a difference, possibly, that is. She's disappointed us big time before...actually many times...and she was censured by several of the caucuses of the California Democratic Party last year.

To let her know how you feel about granting the big telecoms (who contribute to MOST of the incumbent Dems) IMMUNITY from the CRIMES they committed at the behest of the Bush administration, FAX to 202-228-3954 (DC), 310-914-7318 (LA), 415-393-0710 (SF-this one is jammed and busy much of the time, 619-231-1108 and 559-485-9687.
You can also log onto her website and sent e-mails.
DO IT NOW.
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by: lindasutton @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 17:48:13 PM UTC