Comments on: FISA for Dummies http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:17:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: bmc http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-446042 bmc Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:56:12 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-446042 This bill is such a breathtaking breach of the Constitution. It's stunning that the American people will sit back and take this. We are a dying nation. This is nothing less than fascism. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-hedges11-2008jul11,0,1553314.story <blockquote>From the Los Angeles Times Stop the new FISA Allowing the new surveillance law to stand would seriously cripple our free press. By Chris Hedges July 11, 2008 If the sweeping surveillance law signed by President Bush on Thursday -- giving the U.S. government nearly unchecked authority to eavesdrop on the phone calls and e-mails of innocent Americans -- is allowed to stand, we will have eroded one of the most important bulwarks to a free press and an open society. The new FISA Amendments Act nearly eviscerates oversight of government surveillance. It allows the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to review only general procedures for spying rather than individual warrants. The court will not be told specifics about who will be wiretapped, which means the law provides woefully inadequate safeguards to protect innocent people whose communications are caught up in the government's dragnet surveillance program. The law, passed under the guise of national security, ostensibly targets people outside the country. There is no question, however, that it will ensnare many communications between Americans and those overseas. Those communications can be stored indefinitely and disseminated, not just to the U.S. government but to other governments. This law will cripple the work of those of us who as reporters communicate regularly with people overseas, especially those in the Middle East. It will intimidate dissidents, human rights activists and courageous officials who seek to expose the lies of our government or governments allied with ours. It will hang like the sword of Damocles over all who dare to defy the official versions of events. It leaves open the possibility of retribution and invites the potential for abuse by those whose concern is not with national security but with the consolidation of their own power.</blockquote> This bill is such a breathtaking breach of the Constitution. It’s stunning that the American people will sit back and take this. We are a dying nation. This is nothing less than fascism.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-hedges11-2008jul11,0,1553314.story

From the Los Angeles Times
Stop the new FISA
Allowing the new surveillance law to stand would seriously cripple our free press.
By Chris Hedges

July 11, 2008

If the sweeping surveillance law signed by President Bush on Thursday — giving the U.S. government nearly unchecked authority to eavesdrop on the phone calls and e-mails of innocent Americans — is allowed to stand, we will have eroded one of the most important bulwarks to a free press and an open society.

The new FISA Amendments Act nearly eviscerates oversight of government surveillance. It allows the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to review only general procedures for spying rather than individual warrants. The court will not be told specifics about who will be wiretapped, which means the law provides woefully inadequate safeguards to protect innocent people whose communications are caught up in the government’s dragnet surveillance program.

The law, passed under the guise of national security, ostensibly targets people outside the country. There is no question, however, that it will ensnare many communications between Americans and those overseas. Those communications can be stored indefinitely and disseminated, not just to the U.S. government but to other governments.

This law will cripple the work of those of us who as reporters communicate regularly with people overseas, especially those in the Middle East. It will intimidate dissidents, human rights activists and courageous officials who seek to expose the lies of our government or governments allied with ours. It will hang like the sword of Damocles over all who dare to defy the official versions of events. It leaves open the possibility of retribution and invites the potential for abuse by those whose concern is not with national security but with the consolidation of their own power.

]]> By: fif http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-441266 fif Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:57:53 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-441266 ooooohhhh, tough talk from Obambi. I'm sure Iran is really worried. This isn't really happening right? Wake me when it's over and Hillary is getting sworn in. ooooohhhh, tough talk from Obambi. I’m sure Iran is really worried.

This isn’t really happening right?

Wake me when it’s over and Hillary is getting sworn in.

]]> By: Factcheck2 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-440953 Factcheck2 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:29:07 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-440953 Sen. Boxer doesn't deserve the accolades. She's influential among progressives, as we all know, but the woman sat on her hands throughout the primaries as Clinton was being bludgeoned to death by the media and the left. (And on June 4th she even swtiched teams and endorsed Obama.) More importantly, Boxer sits on the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees the F.C.C. and corporate ethics. In 2003 this committee under John McCain held a hearing on the radio boycott of the Dixie Chicks. So a few months ago, I spoke with Boxer's office and later sent a three-page letter, asking that she push for a similar hearing on the 2008 election media bias, inviting the presidents of all the major broadcast networks, as well as Time and Newsweek. There are violations of anti-trust law and F.C.C. regulations, perhaps even a criminal conspiracy in the way Clinton has been piled on and Obama's past (especially his connections to Iraqi agents) has been left unreported. When I heard nothing back from the senator, I started a campaign targetting the entire committee, which is still ongoing. http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/MediaPushbackCampaign.html Now if Boxer had stood up for Clinton months ago and made this a different race in the eyes of progressives, Clinton would be seen as the leader of the party right now, not Obama, and this horrible capitulation to the Bush Admin would not have happened. For more on the Obama-Bush ties, here's a new article. http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Summer08/BushThirdTerm.html Sen. Boxer doesn’t deserve the accolades. She’s influential among progressives, as we all know, but the woman sat on her hands throughout the primaries as Clinton was being bludgeoned to death by the media and the left. (And on June 4th she even swtiched teams and endorsed Obama.)

More importantly, Boxer sits on the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees the F.C.C. and corporate ethics. In 2003 this committee under John McCain held a hearing on the radio boycott of the Dixie Chicks. So a few months ago, I spoke with Boxer’s office and later sent a three-page letter, asking that she push for a similar hearing on the 2008 election media bias, inviting the presidents of all the major broadcast networks, as well as Time and Newsweek. There are violations of anti-trust law and F.C.C. regulations, perhaps even a criminal conspiracy in the way Clinton has been piled on and Obama’s past (especially his connections to Iraqi agents) has been left unreported. When I heard nothing back from the senator, I started a campaign targetting the entire committee, which is still ongoing.

http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/MediaPushbackCampaign.html

Now if Boxer had stood up for Clinton months ago and made this a different race in the eyes of progressives, Clinton would be seen as the leader of the party right now, not Obama, and this horrible capitulation to the Bush Admin would not have happened. For more on the Obama-Bush ties, here’s a new article.

http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Summer08/BushThirdTerm.html

]]> By: Bigtime http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-440272 Bigtime Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:03:52 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-440272 Don't worry, he is coming to woo you . Hillary 08!!!!! Don’t worry, he is coming to woo you .

Hillary 08!!!!!

]]> By: JozefAL http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-440269 JozefAL Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:02:56 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-440269 Look back at your history, for just a moment. The last time that Israel launched a "targeted strike" against a nuclear facility was in 1981--AGAINST IRAQ. The ONLY reason the Islamic world did not react violently was the major Islamic agitant didn't demand it. That major Islamic agitant? The Ayatullah Khomeini, who was the effective leader of Iran. And Iran, in 1981, was in the midst of a war with Iraq (a conflict which would continue until 1988). (A few Arab neighbors, especially Saudi Arabia, weren't thrilled with the UNPROVOKED--one could say "terrorist"--attack, since their own security was threatened, but they also largely recognized Saddam's ambitions, long before the Reagan administration, which was eager for a counterweight against Iran, ever did.) Don't forget that it was, largely by Khomeini's accusations, that led to several Muslim attacks and demonstrations at US embassies in largely-Muslim states (Pakistan's being most notable) after the attack on the Kaaba in Mecca (something which Saudi authorities quickly pinned on Shi'ite "pilgrims" from Iran). If an attack were done against ANY Iranian facility (especially by Israel), you would see *official* relief on the part of a number of Arab governments, but the calls from the Muslim clerics--not just Shi'ite but Sunni as well--would swell the ranks of groups like al-Qaeda. Also, the small number of groups opposing the central government in Tehran would be completely undone as they would ALL take offense that an "outsider" had dated attack THEIR country. (If you'll remember the outrage of 9/11 and how ALL Americans rallied behind Dubya, regardless of their own political opposition to him, you'll have some idea of how an attack anywhere in Iran--especially by "the Zionists"--would be met. The big problem, of course, is that outside Iran, many other Muslims would declare "We are also Iranians", the same way many Europeans made a similar statement of support with America.) Look back at your history, for just a moment. The last time that Israel launched a “targeted strike” against a nuclear facility was in 1981–AGAINST IRAQ.
The ONLY reason the Islamic world did not react violently was the major Islamic agitant didn’t demand it. That major Islamic agitant? The Ayatullah Khomeini, who was the effective leader of Iran. And Iran, in 1981, was in the midst of a war with Iraq (a conflict which would continue until 1988). (A few Arab neighbors, especially Saudi Arabia, weren’t thrilled with the UNPROVOKED–one could say “terrorist”–attack, since their own security was threatened, but they also largely recognized Saddam’s ambitions, long before the Reagan administration, which was eager for a counterweight against Iran, ever did.)
Don’t forget that it was, largely by Khomeini’s accusations, that led to several Muslim attacks and demonstrations at US embassies in largely-Muslim states (Pakistan’s being most notable) after the attack on the Kaaba in Mecca (something which Saudi authorities quickly pinned on Shi’ite “pilgrims” from Iran).
If an attack were done against ANY Iranian facility (especially by Israel), you would see *official* relief on the part of a number of Arab governments, but the calls from the Muslim clerics–not just Shi’ite but Sunni as well–would swell the ranks of groups like al-Qaeda. Also, the small number of groups opposing the central government in Tehran would be completely undone as they would ALL take offense that an “outsider” had dated attack THEIR country. (If you’ll remember the outrage of 9/11 and how ALL Americans rallied behind Dubya, regardless of their own political opposition to him, you’ll have some idea of how an attack anywhere in Iran–especially by “the Zionists”–would be met. The big problem, of course, is that outside Iran, many other Muslims would declare “We are also Iranians”, the same way many Europeans made a similar statement of support with America.)

]]> By: Bigtime http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-440257 Bigtime Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:59:58 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-440257 Hillary voted against the FISA bill, voted yes on amendments to strip out telecoms immunity. Hillary voted against the FISA bill, voted yes on amendments to strip out telecoms immunity.

]]> By: PaganPower http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439726 PaganPower Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:50:52 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439726 Sweet talkin again I see Uppity. Sweet talkin again I see Uppity.

]]> By: kcfromtx http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439656 kcfromtx Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:33:21 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439656 The same thing could be said for Obama grandfather, grandmother, mother, and all those Kansas relatives. The same thing could be said for Obama grandfather, grandmother, mother, and all those Kansas relatives.

]]> By: Mandelay http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439655 Mandelay Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:33:20 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439655 <em> The vote: as posted on FoxNews (is this the only place I can find for info? apparently so! go figure!)</em> U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 2nd Session as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate Vote Summary Question: On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 6304 ) Vote Number: 168 Vote Date: July 9, 2008, 02:47 PM Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Bill Passed Measure Number: H.R. 6304 (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 ) Measure Title: A bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes. Vote Counts: YEAs 69 NAYs 28 Not Voting 3 Vote Summary By Senator Name By Vote Position By Home State Alphabetical by Senator Name Akaka (D-HI), Nay Alexander (R-TN), Yea Allard (R-CO), Yea Barrasso (R-WY), Yea Baucus (D-MT), Yea Bayh (D-IN), Yea Bennett (R-UT), Yea Biden (D-DE), Nay Bingaman (D-NM), Nay Bond (R-MO), Yea Boxer (D-CA), Nay Brown (D-OH), Nay Brownback (R-KS), Yea Bunning (R-KY), Yea Burr (R-NC), Yea Byrd (D-WV), Nay Cantwell (D-WA), Nay Cardin (D-MD), Nay Carper (D-DE), Yea Casey (D-PA), Yea Chambliss (R-GA), Yea Clinton (D-NY), Nay Coburn (R-OK), Yea Cochran (R-MS), Yea Coleman (R-MN), Yea Collins (R-ME), Yea Conrad (D-ND), Yea Corker (R-TN), Yea Cornyn (R-TX), Yea Craig (R-ID), Yea Crapo (R-ID), Yea DeMint (R-SC), Yea Dodd (D-CT), Nay Dole (R-NC), Yea Domenici (R-NM), Yea Dorgan (D-ND), Nay Durbin (D-IL), Nay Ensign (R-NV), Yea Enzi (R-WY), Yea Feingold (D-WI), Nay Feinstein (D-CA), Yea Graham (R-SC), Yea Grassley (R-IA), Yea Gregg (R-NH), Yea Hagel (R-NE), Yea Harkin (D-IA), Nay Hatch (R-UT), Yea Hutchison (R-TX), Yea Inhofe (R-OK), Yea Inouye (D-HI), Yea Isakson (R-GA), Yea Johnson (D-SD), Yea Kennedy (D-MA), Not Voting Kerry (D-MA), Nay Klobuchar (D-MN), Nay Kohl (D-WI), Yea Kyl (R-AZ), Yea Landrieu (D-LA), Yea Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay Leahy (D-VT), Nay Levin (D-MI), Nay Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Lugar (R-IN), Yea Martinez (R-FL), Yea McCain (R-AZ), Not Voting McCaskill (D-MO), Yea McConnell (R-KY), Yea Menendez (D-NJ), Nay Mikulski (D-MD), Yea Murkowski (R-AK), Yea Murray (D-WA), Nay Nelson (D-FL), Yea Nelson (D-NE), Yea Obama (D-IL), Yea Pryor (D-AR), Yea Reed (D-RI), Nay Reid (D-NV), Nay Roberts (R-KS), Yea Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea Salazar (D-CO), Yea Sanders (I-VT), Nay Schumer (D-NY), Nay Sessions (R-AL), Not Voting Shelby (R-AL), Yea Smith (R-OR), Yea Snowe (R-ME), Yea Specter (R-PA), Yea Stabenow (D-MI), Nay Stevens (R-AK), Yea Sununu (R-NH), Yea Tester (D-MT), Nay Thune (R-SD), Yea Vitter (R-LA), Yea Voinovich (R-OH), Yea Warner (R-VA), Yea Webb (D-VA), Yea Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea Wicker (R-MS), Yea Wyden (D-OR), Nay The vote: as posted on FoxNews (is this the only place I can find for info? apparently so! go figure!)

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 2nd Session
as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate
Vote Summary
Question: On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 6304 )
Vote Number: 168 Vote Date: July 9, 2008, 02:47 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Bill Passed
Measure Number: H.R. 6304 (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 )
Measure Title: A bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes.
Vote Counts: YEAs 69
NAYs 28
Not Voting 3
Vote Summary By Senator Name By Vote Position By Home State

Alphabetical by Senator Name
Akaka (D-HI), Nay
Alexander (R-TN), Yea
Allard (R-CO), Yea
Barrasso (R-WY), Yea
Baucus (D-MT), Yea
Bayh (D-IN), Yea
Bennett (R-UT), Yea
Biden (D-DE), Nay
Bingaman (D-NM), Nay
Bond (R-MO), Yea
Boxer (D-CA), Nay
Brown (D-OH), Nay
Brownback (R-KS), Yea
Bunning (R-KY), Yea
Burr (R-NC), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Cantwell (D-WA), Nay
Cardin (D-MD), Nay
Carper (D-DE), Yea
Casey (D-PA), Yea
Chambliss (R-GA), Yea
Clinton (D-NY), Nay
Coburn (R-OK), Yea
Cochran (R-MS), Yea
Coleman (R-MN), Yea
Collins (R-ME), Yea
Conrad (D-ND), Yea
Corker (R-TN), Yea
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea
Craig (R-ID), Yea
Crapo (R-ID), Yea
DeMint (R-SC), Yea
Dodd (D-CT), Nay
Dole (R-NC), Yea
Domenici (R-NM), Yea
Dorgan (D-ND), Nay
Durbin (D-IL), Nay
Ensign (R-NV), Yea
Enzi (R-WY), Yea
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Graham (R-SC), Yea
Grassley (R-IA), Yea
Gregg (R-NH), Yea
Hagel (R-NE), Yea
Harkin (D-IA), Nay
Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Johnson (D-SD), Yea
Kennedy (D-MA), Not Voting
Kerry (D-MA), Nay
Klobuchar (D-MN), Nay
Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea
Landrieu (D-LA), Yea
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay
Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Levin (D-MI), Nay
Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea
Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Martinez (R-FL), Yea
McCain (R-AZ), Not Voting
McCaskill (D-MO), Yea
McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Menendez (D-NJ), Nay
Mikulski (D-MD), Yea
Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Nay
Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Obama (D-IL), Yea
Pryor (D-AR), Yea
Reed (D-RI), Nay
Reid (D-NV), Nay
Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
Salazar (D-CO), Yea
Sanders (I-VT), Nay
Schumer (D-NY), Nay
Sessions (R-AL), Not Voting
Shelby (R-AL), Yea
Smith (R-OR), Yea
Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Specter (R-PA), Yea
Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Sununu (R-NH), Yea
Tester (D-MT), Nay
Thune (R-SD), Yea
Vitter (R-LA), Yea
Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Warner (R-VA), Yea
Webb (D-VA), Yea
Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
Wicker (R-MS), Yea
Wyden (D-OR), Nay

]]> By: AnninCa http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439597 AnninCa Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:19:30 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439597 Heck, does anyone get through the legal process these days? Something like 9 years on a list and then get turned down in the end. It's not an option right now anyway. Heck, does anyone get through the legal process these days? Something like 9 years on a list and then get turned down in the end.

It’s not an option right now anyway.

]]> By: Mandelay http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439581 Mandelay Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:16:32 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439581 <em>I think McCain was not there for the vote!</em> I think McCain was not there for the vote!

]]> By: Mandelay http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439564 Mandelay Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:12:27 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439564 <em>Yes, this would make sense. The amendments would have addressed the provision in the FISA act that gave telecommunications companies immunity to lawsuits brought by us citizens by stripping or delaying such immunity.</em> Yes, this would make sense. The amendments would have addressed the provision in the FISA act that gave telecommunications companies immunity to lawsuits brought by us citizens by stripping or delaying such immunity.

]]> By: Uppity Woman http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439557 Uppity Woman Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:09:46 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439557 <blockquote>As an “Obama Follower” as you call it, I have: 1. No problem with him dropping out of public financing, it only made sense. 2. No problem with FISA, I am uncertain it is the telecom guys we should be blaming. 3. No problem with im adapting his position as the circumstances change in Iraq.</blockquote> Translation: I've know I've been Hoodwinked. Bamboozled. Led astray. But I will never admit it.

As an “Obama Follower” as you call it, I have:

1. No problem with him dropping out of public financing, it only made sense.
2. No problem with FISA, I am uncertain it is the telecom guys we should be blaming.
3. No problem with im adapting his position as the circumstances change in Iraq.

Translation: I’ve know I’ve been Hoodwinked. Bamboozled. Led astray. But I will never admit it.

]]> By: Mandelay http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439549 Mandelay Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:08:17 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439549 <em>The FISA related voting today was in regard to three separate amendments to the FISA act. </em> From the Hartford Courant today: (begin quote)Dodd Anti-Immunity FISA Amendment Shot Down By Jesse A. Hamilton on July 9, 2008 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) The amendment that Sen. Chris Dodd has been pushing to strip lawsuit immunity from an update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was -- as expected -- trounced in a Senate vote this afternoon. It pulled in 32 votes against 66 in opposition. In a post-9/11 anti-terrorism program, the federal government sought and received the cooperation of telecommunications companies in tapping the communications of its customers without warrants. Dodd -- sharing his amendment with Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis. -- thinks the customers should have a right to sue those companies Sen. Joe Lieberman, who has been on the opposite side from Dodd on this issue, was among those cast votes against Dodd's amendment. The FISA bill -- an update to the 30-year-old surveillance act -- is expected to speed quickly toward passage.(end quote) ---------- and ----- from the Washington Independent today (begin quote) FISA Amendments Flail and Die By MIKE LILLIS 07/09/2008 02:57PM The Senate has postponed a vote on its eavesdropping bill while lawmakers enjoy a short luncheon, but the chamber did already get around to killing the three amendments that would have held the phone companies into account for any illegal acts they may have committed under the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program. A quick run-down: The Christopher Dodd amendment, which would remove telecom immunity altogether, fell 66 to 32. The Arlen Specter amendment, which would have the courts determine the constitutionality of the wiretapping program before immunity could be granted, fell 61 to 37. And the Jeff Bingaman amendment, which would delay immunity until an investigation into the program was complete, fell 42 to 56. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was in town and supported all three. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is on the road. Final vote to follow within the hour. That popping noise you hear is the folks at AT&T enjoying a champagne shower.(end quote) --- <em>Had these amendments passed, it would be possible/easier to sue the telecom companies who cooperated under FISA. With the failure of these amendments (the nays outnumbered the yeas), bringing suit against the telecom companies is not possible. (If I understand this correctly, I would have wanted my representative to vote "yes" (i.e. yes, you can sue the telecoms, we strip them of immunity) on all 3 amendments. However, the big vote, on the FISA compromise (recently passed in the House) is yet to come.</em> Please, anybody, clarify if I have posted wrongly here and thanks. The FISA related voting today was in regard to three separate amendments to the FISA act.

From the Hartford Courant today:
(begin quote)Dodd Anti-Immunity FISA Amendment Shot Down
By Jesse A. Hamilton on July 9, 2008 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
The amendment that Sen. Chris Dodd has been pushing to strip lawsuit immunity from an update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was — as expected — trounced in a Senate vote this afternoon. It pulled in 32 votes against 66 in opposition.

In a post-9/11 anti-terrorism program, the federal government sought and received the cooperation of telecommunications companies in tapping the communications of its customers without warrants. Dodd — sharing his amendment with Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis. — thinks the customers should have a right to sue those companies

Sen. Joe Lieberman, who has been on the opposite side from Dodd on this issue, was among those cast votes against Dodd’s amendment.

The FISA bill — an update to the 30-year-old surveillance act — is expected to speed quickly toward passage.(end quote)
———- and —–
from the Washington Independent today
(begin quote) FISA Amendments Flail and Die
By MIKE LILLIS 07/09/2008 02:57PM
The Senate has postponed a vote on its eavesdropping bill while lawmakers enjoy a short luncheon, but the chamber did already get around to killing the three amendments that would have held the phone companies into account for any illegal acts they may have committed under the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. A quick run-down:

The Christopher Dodd amendment, which would remove telecom immunity altogether, fell 66 to 32.

The Arlen Specter amendment, which would have the courts determine the constitutionality of the wiretapping program before immunity could be granted, fell 61 to 37.

And the Jeff Bingaman amendment, which would delay immunity until an investigation into the program was complete, fell 42 to 56.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was in town and supported all three. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is on the road. Final vote to follow within the hour. That popping noise you hear is the folks at AT&T enjoying a champagne shower.(end quote)
—
Had these amendments passed, it would be possible/easier to sue the telecom companies who cooperated under FISA. With the failure of these amendments (the nays outnumbered the yeas), bringing suit against the telecom companies is not possible. (If I understand this correctly, I would have wanted my representative to vote “yes” (i.e. yes, you can sue the telecoms, we strip them of immunity) on all 3 amendments. However, the big vote, on the FISA compromise (recently passed in the House) is yet to come. Please, anybody, clarify if I have posted wrongly here and thanks.

]]> By: Uppity Woman http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439544 Uppity Woman Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:06:17 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439544 Same here Fred! Same here Fred!

]]> By: Uppity Woman http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439542 Uppity Woman Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:05:37 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439542 It's like they know he is conning them, but they like it because it FEELs so gooooooood. It’s like they know he is conning them, but they like it because it FEELs so gooooooood.

]]> By: AnninCa http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439528 AnninCa Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:00:12 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439528 That's fabulous news! Word is also out that Obama's big doners refused to help her. They sounded like the obamabots apparently. Raised only 100,000. Paltry amount. Shoot, the Dems do better than that on state races when they retire opponent's debt. I say Hillary should take a clue and fade away from helping him. She's due to help him at another fund raiser. He's thumbing his nose at her. Time for her to join Bill and just let him sink. That’s fabulous news!

Word is also out that Obama’s big doners refused to help her. They sounded like the obamabots apparently. Raised only 100,000. Paltry amount. Shoot, the Dems do better than that on state races when they retire opponent’s debt.

I say Hillary should take a clue and fade away from helping him. She’s due to help him at another fund raiser.

He’s thumbing his nose at her. Time for her to join Bill and just let him sink.

]]> By: fred http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439507 fred Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:55:44 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439507 Hello Uppity Pleasure To See You Always Hello Uppity Pleasure To See You Always

]]> By: fred http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439502 fred Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:54:30 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439502 Thank You Hillary Clinton For Standing UP For The Constitution and the American People Thank You Hillary Clinton For Standing UP For The Constitution and the American People

]]> By: Lou http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439487 Lou Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:52:31 +0000 http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/09/fisa-for-dummies/#comment-439487 Word is out that we retired half of Hillary's debt on July 4th..YOOHOO. Thanks everyone. Word is out that we retired half of Hillary’s debt on July 4th..YOOHOO.
Thanks everyone.

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