Could telecom immunity lead to charges against this administration?

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

:shrug:

Now, those companies can't be held accountable for what the administration demanded they do (for national security reasons, of course). So, NOW, only the Bushite/Neocon actors must take the heat.

Right?

:shrug:

[gateley]

1. Senator Leahy, just a few minutes ago on Air America,

doesn't think that will be possible with a new provision that was added to this "compromise". A get out of jail free card, he said.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

6. That card is for the telecoms, not the administration,...right?

Every member of the administration who authorized unconstitutional invasions ARE STILL SUBJECT to the laws of this land.

Correct?

[gateley]

7. No -- for the administration.

He said that people who said "it's okay to break the law" would get off scott free.

When the host (in for Rachel on AA) said that John Dean felt there would be some wiggle room through which to indict, Leahy felt it would be very difficult to do.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

8. Okay. Fuck it. I give up.

I've invested all I have into notions of "democracy" (e.g. equality FOR ALL).

I quit, now.

Why invest in a fiction,...especially one that always leads to oppression?

I quit.

[gateley]

9. Don't --

because don't you believe that Obama won't be pulling any of this shit when he's in office?

Our rights and protections will begin to be restored. America and its people will become important again. We'll be learning from our mistakes and making the best future we can.

I'm furious about the vote today, but I truly believe we're in for a turn back to what we want and need (and who we are as a nation) when Obama gets in the WH.

Even though I could wring his neck right about now.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

10. He's certainly better than what we've had,...

,...and I know he's not in this fight for merely his own self-interests or circle.

Besides, I never demanded perfection,...just a smidgen of hope toward a more equal existence. That's all it takes,...a smidgen.

[gateley]

11. I just heard (again on AA)

that both Feingold and Leahy have confidence in Obama. As the host said, they've earned our trust, so he trusts their feelings on this.

[ColbertWatcher]

15. "Our rights and protections will begin to be restored."

We're going to need to make a list...

[old guy]

13. Much easier to convict in a civil court than a criminal court.

This is really what the telecoms were afraid to face. No one will ever be convicted in a criminal court for all the laws broken and the lies that have brought us to where we are today. If believing that justice will ever be served to these people helps one get through the day, I say go for it. I see no reason to believe that but to each their own. As for Obama going after them when he is President, not going to happen. He will simply let bygones be bygones and in the interest of unity let the past be the past.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. But can it happen under a GOP administration? n/t

[Clovis Sangrail]

3. that'll be happening right after Fitzmas /nt

[mmonk]

4. Don't buy the spin.

[KansDem]

5. Yeah, here's a photo of Bush "taking the heat"

FUCK YOU, American people...
FUCK YOU, US Constitution...
FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU...

[TexasObserver]

12. telecom immunity does not change the exposure to criminal charges of administration officials

I still expect Bush to issue blanket pardons to everyone involved in all his administration's illegal activities, including pardoning Cheney and himself.

But unless Bush does so, Obama's new Justice can and should pursue criminal investigations regarding the misuse of the telecoms by Bush. I'd start with Qwest, which alone should take down many Bushies. They went after the Qwest for refusing to go along, so that cannot be affected by the telecom immunity bill.

[Clovis Sangrail]

14. I think it lessens their exposure

... no more worry about unpleasant facts coming out in civil suits

If Bush issues a blanket pardon to people involved in the warrantless wiretap they can't be touched.
Civil suits are already off the table.

[leftofthedial]

16. yeah! and maybe, just maybe,

it will make monkeys fly out of my butt when I fart too!

Won't that be cool?