Bush Wants Phone Firms Immune to Privacy Suits

[kpete]

Bush Wants Phone Firms Immune to Privacy Suits

By Ellen Nakashima
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 4, 2007; A14



The Bush administration is urging Congress to pass a law that would halt dozens of lawsuits charging phone companies with invading ordinary citizens' privacy through a post-Sept. 11 warrantless surveillance program.

The measure is part of a legislative package drafted by the Justice Department to relax provisions in the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that restrict the administration's ability to intercept electronic communications in the United States. If passed, the proposed changes would forestall efforts to compel disclosure of the program's details through Congress or the court system.

The proposal states that "no action shall lie . . . in any court, and no penalty . . . shall be imposed . . . against any person" for giving the government information, including customer records, in connection with alleged intelligence activity the attorney general certifies "is, was, would be or would have been" intended to protect the United States from terrorist attack. The measure, which has not yet been filed, is contained in a proposed amendment to the fiscal 2008 intelligence authorization bill.

The immunity measure has stoked controversy following public uproar over news reports of warrantless access to both telephone conversations and records as part of the administration's post-Sept. 11 counterterrorism policies. It is part of a larger debate about the proper balance between guarding national security and civil liberties and the extent to which private companies have acted as an arm of the federal government. In March, the Justice Department inspector general found that the FBI had secret contracts with three telephone companies to obtain Americans' phone records, claiming "exigent circumstances," when, in many instances, none existed.

more at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/03/AR2007050302323_pf.html

[Buzz Clik]

1. He wants to preserve his layer of insulation.

If the phone companies aren't liable, neither is he. This kind of manipulation is exactly why he keeps Gonzo around -- to cover his totally exposed butt. The bastards.

[acmavm]

2. We need to watch this vote VERY CLOSELY...

we'll see exactly what kind of Americans we sent to Washington.

[DawnIsis]

3. against ANY person? Man that is vague.

Couldn't the government argue that a database of all phone calls and records "could" help ward off a terrorist attack?

[DawnIsis]

10. Couldn't they also claim listening to the MSM and Democrats phone calls could prevent a terrorist

attack? The administration already claims the MSM and the Democrats damage their ability to fight the "War on Terror".

Anyone who votes for this is absolutely crazy. It can mean anything they want it to mean.

[rodeodance]

4. Of course he does-as that allows HIM to do what he wants!

[Vincardog]

5. Bush wants immunity for all Corporations, total awareness of all citizens and Government freedom in

everything.

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. If they are not actively violating privacy laws, why shield them?

Crimeny, the Junta isn't even trying to be subtle anymore. :eyes:

[havocmom]

7. Bribing corporations to do criminal acts with being immune from laws

Yep, the crooks are running the prisons, in inmates are in charge of the asylum.

[C_U_L8R]

8. Don't repukes say "Let the free market decide"

Well how about this... Any telco, ISP or other service (bank, credit card, etc..)
who will not absolutely guarantee our privacy should not have our business.

I'm voting with my wallet.

[Matariki]

9. Oh, as long as the 'ATTORNY GENERAL' certifies it...

:rofl: