Justice Department Moving to Immunize Snooping Telcos

[babsbunny]

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/09/justice-departm.html

By David Kravets EmailSeptember 12, 2008 | 7:01:42 PMCategories: Surveillance

Nsa_col_logo Two months ago, President Bush won congressional approval to immunize the nation's telecommunications companies from lawsuits accusing them of helping Bush funnel Americans' electronic communications to the National Security Agency without warrants -- all in the name of national security following the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

But the telecoms, facing 36 lawsuits commingled as one in a San Francisco federal court, still haven't been granted immunity in the lawsuits alleging they breached their customers' Fourth Amendment right to privacy. On Friday, however, Justice Department special counsel Anthony Coppolino said the government would comply with the immunity bill's procedural hurdles by Sept. 19 to seek blanket immunity on behalf of the companies.

[hootinholler]

1. Sadly this will be lost in the electoral noise. n/t

[Piewhacket]

2. Noted.... but later

Those concerned about this,

A top issue, very serious, but it has enormous inertia and if we try to
mess with it now we will not solve it and will distract from THE top issue,
the election.

They are moving now exactly for that reason. No opposition.
But there will be legal challenges, ACLU for one.

We will therefore have to go after these MF later.
(Obama voted for it, btw. I plan to mention it to President Obama, you better
believe it. He doesn't "get" civil rights, that's what I think. )
But please make sure I get that chance?

For now, don't be discouraged if this gets limited attention.
We can get it later when we might make a difference.
Keep it on the back burner.

The "MSM", the "free press" has abandoned their post.
I hope they pay a big price for that.
But for now it is up to us, the custodians of our country, our liberty.
We are the list keepers, the conscience, the goad, the prod, the bringers of light.
Keep a list. Document the obvious. That is what must be done.
Who. What. When. Where. Why. Information is a weapon. Sun Tzu.

We have a long road ahead to un-f%&&^ this country and world.
There are many problems. Obama will be only of limited help solving them.
A desperate struggle, a marathon that will certainly run out your life.
It is therefore your children and grandchildren and beyond that you fight for now.
But be not discouraged. Keep running. The exercise is good for you.

50 days. Focus.



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Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
In a democracy, who guards the guardians?