How did we let THIS happen: "Senate Passes Bill to Expand U.S. Spying Powers"
By ERIC LICHTBLAU
WASHINGTON — After more than a year of heated political wrangling, the Senate handed the White House a major victory Tuesday by voting to broaden the government’s spy powers after giving legal protection to phone companies that cooperated in President Bush’s warrantless eavesdropping program.
The Senate rejected a series of amendments that would have restricted the government’s surveillance powers and eliminated immunity for the phone carriers, and it voted in convincing fashion — 69 to 29 — to end debate and bring the issue to a final vote. That vote on the overall billwas an almost identical 68 to 29.
The House has already rejected the idea of immunity for the phone companies, and Democratic leaders reacted angrily to the Senate vote. But Congressional officials said it appeared that the House would ultimately be forced to accept some sort of legal protection for the phone carriers in negotiations between the two chambers this week.
The Senate debate amounted to a proxy vote not only on the president’s warrantless wiretapping program, but also on a range of other issues that tested the president’s wartime authority, from secret detentions to wiretapping issues. The discussion in effect presaged the debate over national security that will play out this year in the presidential and congressional elections.
Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, who spoke on the Senate floor for more than 20 hours in an unsuccessful effort to stall the wiretapping bill, said the vote would be remembered by future generations as a test of whether the country heeds “the rule of law or the rule of men.”
But with Democrats defecting to the White House plan, he acknowledged that the national security issue had won the day in the Senate, even among many of his Democratic colleagues. “Unfortunately, those who are advocating this notion that you have to give up liberties to be more secure are apparently prevailing,” Mr. Dodd said. “They’re convincing people that we’re at risk either politically, or at risk as a nation.”
With resistance led by Mr. Dodd and Senators Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, critics of the administration’s plan argued that it effectively rewarded phone companies by providing them with legal insulation for actions that violated longstanding law and their own fiduciary responsibilities to their customers. Immunity would protect the phone companies from some 40 lawsuits now pending that charge the firms broke the law by taking part in the program.
But supporters of the plan said the phone carriers acted out of patriotism after the Sept. 11 attacks in complying with what they believed in good faith was a legally binding order from the president. Republicans were able to garner the support of 19 Democrats and Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut. Democratic leaders charged that the tactics the Republicans used smacked of fear-mongering.
“This, I believe, is the right way to go for the security of the nation,” said Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, the West Virginia Democrat who leads the intelligence committee and who was a pivotal supporter of the White House-backed plan approved Tuesday.
Beyond the immunity provision, the Senate measure would also widen the executive branch’s surveillance powers by allowing the National Security Agency and intelligence agencies to use broad orders — without getting court orders in advance — to eavesdrop on groups of overseas targets, rather than using individualized warrants.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/washington/12cnd-fisa.html...
THIS IS DESPICABLE!!!!!!
anyone notice that mccain voted yea
hillary and obama didn't vote.
Hillary and Obama didn't
Hillary and Obama didn't vote? Oh, that's right - supposedly great leaders don't vote. My bad. I must have misunderstood the part where leaders are the ones who are supposed to be capable of making difficult decisions. Hillary and Obama are definitely off that list.
...
The most corrupt institutions
Well here is the proof that the Left or Right, no difference besides their logos, are just corrupted to their bones. Their oath of office, to protect the Constitution..., is the last thing on their mind. The rule of law has been suspended. And more of your liberties are again disappearing. SAD. SHAME. MAD. Your elected officials have betrayed you. You must immediately do something, don't let this illegal vote just get by without any resistance. Remind them who's in charge!!
Taomaster
what it boils down to...
is what my wife said to me when she found the node and sent it to me. "It grants immunity to companies for illegal wiretapping"
The main problem is not that "we" or anyone else for that matter allowed it to happen and not that it grants immunity for illegal wiretapping.
There were far too many legislations passed after 911 in the way of national security that never should have been passed. Why were they? Panic, Fear, uncertainty, ect
I'd like to think we could look to our elected officials and see that they voted the way "I" would have liked them to, but the fact of the matter is that it's a vote. That vote is up against more votes. Some think that the votes do not matter any longer.
THAT'S THE EXACT REASON THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE US ON THIS BOARD AND AROUND THE COUNTRY....SUPPORTING RON PAUL.
We should not have let this
We should not have let this happen.... we are so busy with the campaign that they are just doing these things under our noses....
Remember, whether Dr. Paul is elected or not, we are a Movement.... we need to act as such.... we need to rise up together against these injustices against our freedoms (of course, it would be so grand if the good Dr. were at the helm! And it's not over till it's over- we need to continue the fight to get him in the White House...) But nevertheless, we need to move as One....
This should wake us up to what we need to do: be vigilant against all threats to our freedoms and take action together....
I'm looking forward to this!
NONE BUT PAUL!
How to impeach senators
Does anyone know how to do this?
We let this happen by
electing these corrupt politicians into office. It's quite simple actually.
Wilmington NC LOVES Dr. Paul
Wilmington NC LOVES Dr. Paul
Unfortunately, "we" didn't let this happen...they did
But maybe we can fix it?
Peace,
Betsy
"To create a great evil you must pervert a great good"
It is time for the tar and
It is time for the tar and feathers!It is traditional.
1st of all
we did not let this happen. Second the people who voted for this should be remembered and voted out as traitors to the United States constitution!
www.ronpaul2008.com
There is life at the end of the tunnel my friends!
***********Ron Paul for POTUS 2012***********
*************Obama Is A Communist!************
**********Repeal the 17th Amendment**********
Double the size of the House of Representatives
$$$$$$$$$AUDIT THE FEDERAL RESERVE$$$$$$$$$$
What now?
Fill up the inboxes of the House members?
Sorry, I'm a newb to the legislative process and have never followed this stuff. I think I may remember something about it from "Schoolhouse Rock" during Saturday morning cartoons many years ago......
The more I learn, the more depressed I get.
Yeah Dodd said he just
Yeah Dodd said he just couldn't muster a filibuster today (yeah sure). Said he had hopes of Conyers doing something about it in the House (wink wink).
Which means nothing changes.........
Puppets come and puppets go but the world's stage is getting cluttered.
The Congress Does Not Have the Authority
The Congress does not have the authority to grant immunity to themselves nor the president, let alone private companies for violating the rights of American citizens. As far as I know, there is still a law in the Federal Code making it a felony for any government official (public servant) to violate the rights of the people.
The fact that lawless politicians pass laws giving themselves, or other immunity from the restraints of the Supreme Law of the Land, only goes to indicate their contempt for the Constitution, and the American people.
If and when we have Constitutional government restored, these people will have to answer for their actions.
I Watched Their BS Debate on Floor of Senate
Complete immunity for the law breakers and no FISA oversight.
In the end Dodd gave a speech.
I say we arrest every darn one of them.
Don't forget to bring your tear gas mask to rally.
Deb
Just an absolute outrage
In Christ,
Dave
www.lionandlambministry.com
(New videos and added daily..have a look)
www.lionandlambtv.com
(Streaming Video and Radio have a look)
www.myspace.com/thelionandlamb
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ;
Dave
"where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty." 2 Cor. 3:17
http://www.lionandlambministry.com
bump
In Christ,
Dave
www.lionandlambministry.com
(New videos and added daily..have a look)
www.lionandlambtv.com
(Streaming Video and Radio have a look)
www.myspace.com/thelionandlamb
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ;
Dave
"where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty." 2 Cor. 3:17
http://www.lionandlambministry.com
Looks like we gotta go
Prepaid. Amazing there was a Rockefeller who was pivotal in getting this brought to the table. Those fn Rockefellers.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must. like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.-Thomas Paine
The R3volution requires action, not observation!!!!
Here's more on Rockefeller's involvement...CREEP!
http://www.nowpublic.com/politics/bush-presses-congress-give...
In Christ,
Dave
www.lionandlambministry.com
(New videos and added daily..have a look)
www.lionandlambtv.com
(Streaming Video and Radio have a look)
www.myspace.com/thelionandlamb
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ;
Dave
"where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty." 2 Cor. 3:17
http://www.lionandlambministry.com