In a move that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, the house decided to pass the update to the FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) which would give retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies who had conspired with the government to conduct illegal wiretapping. The bill is called a "compromise" because it closes some loopholes to allow the continuation of further wiretaps and calls for increased oversight and regulation but permits the immunity.
I don't agree with the deal one bit. These companies willingly handed over information without taking it to the courts to decide if it stood the legality test. That is treason in my mind against the American public. Secondly, it sends a signal to companies that further aiding and abetting of the government will not only be tolerated, but be under legislative precedence.
Some people argue the government should be able to wiretap because it protects us from terrorists and foreign nationals who would do our country harm. I counter by saying, the allowing of wiretapping without warrants, is one step closer to a KGB/Soviet Union state where political dissenters are spied upon and watched. In the best quote of the afternoon, Nancy Pelosi defended the bill saying it would shift authority from the president to the FISA, saying: "There is no inherent authority of the president to do whatever he wants. This is a democracy not a monarchy."
No comments:
Post a Comment