The FISA bill explained on Randi's show didn't sound too bad

[barack the house]

Well it's not perfect at all but the bill of rights does allow for spying if they have a warrant. On Randi's show it was explained that since August the GOP have had the right to spy without warrants. Now that is reinstated. It is messed up that immunity is still in it but it can be overhauled under a Democratic president and the spying program. So it ain't great but it isn't the worst bill ever passed considering all we have seen in the last 7 years.

[ananda]

1. Wrong.

It's a bad bill in every way.

Even with a little FISA oversight, it's still
way too easy to spy without compunction or
accountability... on anyone, including your
homeland dissenters and those who still believe
in free speech and assembly.

[barack the house]

2. The alternative seems to of been zero accountability from all I heard though.

[SidneyCarton]

4. Listening to Jonathan Alter...

One comes to understand that under the current situation, we are acting in an unconstitutional state. By returning the FISA court, at the very least the constitutional provisions are returned. We cannot be as myopic as the Republicans, our desire to impeach and punish President Bush cannot trump the restoration of rule of law.

[grantcart]

3. the main substantive change is that it allows warrantless wiretapping

on domestic to foreign phone calls

not good but not as dramatic as the hysteria crowd gets.

In terms of domestic electronic surveillance there is no substantive change in procedures.