What if Congress said 1 million dollar damage limit per telecom IF telecoms cooperate?

If the telecoms didn't do anything illegal, they have no worries.

If the telecoms didn't turn over the records and conversations of millions of people w/o warrants or proper legal protections, they have no worry. If they are subject to massive penalties, it's because they committed massive invasions of privacy. There's no justification for turning over millions of records ... unless you're of the opinion that there's millions of Terra-Ists in the Yoo Ess of Aye just waiting to trash the country that need to be be uncovered and exposed ... and locked up....

Cheers,

This issue, more than any other issue, is vital for the future of this nation. I signed the ACLU Petition and sent an e-mail to both Anthony Romero (Exec. Director, ACLU) and Moveon.org, to get them to organize a massive e-mail campaign directed at two-faced Reid. (says one thing and does the opposite) I also sent the following letter to Senator Reid, with copies to my own Senators:

January 23, 2008

VIA FIRST CLASS MAIL AND E-MAIL

Senator Harry Reid

U.S. Senate Majority Leader

Bruce R. Thompson Courthouse & Federal Building

400 South Virginia Street, Suite 902

Reno, NV 89501

Re: BRING THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE BILL TO THE FLOOR

Dear Senator Harry Reid:

I am writing you as the Senate Majority Leader, and the person who has direct responsibility over which bill is presented to the Senate for its consideration.

I am a former attorney, having practiced law for nearly 25 years, and consider myself reasonably well-versed in constitutional law.

You have a chance to redeem yourself from the awful behavior that you demonstrated in December. I watched, on C-Span, the “debate” on the warrantless wiretapping bill issue, including your absolutely shameless handling of Dodd’s “hold” on the Intelligence Committee bill, simply ignoring it, while honoring the countless holds on other bills by Senator Stevens and others.

Your staff person told me that you issued a statement on December 14, stating that you were “against” retroactive immunity. If you truly are “against” retroactive immunity, why don’t you simply honor Dodd’s hold on the Intelligence Committee bill, and bring the Judiciary Committee bill instead to the Senate Floor for consideration? Those that desire retroactive immunity can then bring amendments to the floor for consideration, which Dodd can then filibuster.

By ignoring Dodd’s hold on the Intelligence Committee bill, and bringing it to the floor instead of the Judiciary Committee bill, on the obscure basis that it was “first” in time, or that it had more “yes” votes than the Judiciary Committee bill, you make a mockery of the Senate traditions, and give lie to your statement that you are against retroactive immunity.

Put your money where your mouth is, Senator Reid. Honor Dodd’s hold on the Intelligence Committee bill, and bring the Judiciary Committee bill to the floor for consideration.

Thank you for your time.

Very truly yours,

"farbie"

cc: Senators Boxer and Feinstein (via e-mail only)

Just went to Roskam's website and found the following Op-Ed:

Terrorists Call for Truce?

Roskam Op-Ed

Washington, Jan 23 -

After years of waging war on America terrorist organizations across the world have decided to put down their weapons, set aside their goals of America and Israel’s destruction, and have vowed to work with America and our allies in spreading democracy and peace throughout the world. This historic accord goes into effect February 1 of this year, making any and all foreign intelligence gathering needless.

Nonsense you say? Well I agree, and so would nearly every American. However, in just eight days the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, better known as FISA, is set to expire, leaving our intelligence community blind to foreign threats. The very real danger presented by terrorist organizations, however, will not go away on February 1. That is why we can’t afford to lose the tools our intelligence officials need to stay one step ahead of the enemy. The lack of legislative action by this Congress on FISA is another clear example of how Washington is broken.

FISA, which was enacted in 1978, is a crucial intelligence tool that gives U.S. agents the authority to listen in on conversations between foreign nationals who represent a terrorist threat. Following the events of September 11, 2001, Congress moved to further protect America by amending FISA to allow for the collection of intelligence between foreign terrorists without the need for a warrant, even if the call was rerouted through American communication systems.

Unfortunately, this amendment was overturned in early 2007. According to the Washington Post, U.S. intelligence agencies lost almost two-thirds of their ability to track terrorist communications as a result of this irresponsible change in strategy. Recognizing the critical intelligence gap, Congress passed a six-month extension of the law this past August. Now due to expire, Congress still has not passed another extension, while greatly threatening our security.

Partisanship once stopped at the waters edge. As of late, partisanship seems to fester here at home, and abroad. We as a Congress must work together to secure our homeland, an issue I think we should all agree on regardless of party affiliation. I am optimistic that we will extend FISA, I just hope that we do it before it’s too late.

Winston Churchill once famously said that the United States will invariably get things right, but “only after having exhausted every other alternative."

The breadth of lies in these few paragraphs is truly staggering. It sounds as though FISA will come to an end next Friday and we will be unable to monitor any communications outside the United States. Also, apparently before FISA was passed in 1978 the U.S. government could not collect foreign intelligence outside the U.S., when of course FISA was passed to regulate the ability of the United States to gather intelligence which involved a U.S. Citizen in the United States as a result of the abuses of the Nixon Administration. I could go on, but I think I would exceed the 1000 word limit.

I called Roskam's office last week regarding any speaking engagements in the district but received no response. I called again today after seeing the above and discovered that he will be appearing at the Northwest Suburban Cook County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner tomorrow evening in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. I also called his campaign and left a message to inquire about any speaking engagements or appearances between now and the Illinois Primary on February 5. Since I made it sound like I was interested in contributing money, I hope to hear back soon.

I will not be able to make it to the Lincoln Day Dinner tomorrow night, unfortunately, but I am still looking for an opportunity to discuss FISA face-to-face with Roskam.

I am curious if something similar has gone up on the websites of other Republican representatives or senators.