[privacy] [PRIVACY Forum] Democrats Continue Spineless Course on Wiretapping Bill

[Gregory Hicks]

I dont write 'em I only forward 'em.

Democrats Continue Spineless Course on Wiretapping Bill

http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000319.html

Greetings.  Just to update, Democrats in Congress continue their
disgraceful march toward selling the American people down the river, by
rolling over and playing dead for the Bush administration on the
wiretapping bill ( http://tinyurl.com/379ae6 ).

I expected such attitudes and games from the GOP of course, but the
Democrats' performance on this matter is abysmal, even given that their
majority in the Senate is very thin.

Not only are the civil liberties and basic rights of *Americans* being
put at risk by these Congressional actions, in a manner more fitting of
the old Soviet Union than the United States, but Congress seems ready
to grant retroactive immunity to the telephone giants for their
blatantly illegal handing over of customer records and related clearly
illicit activities.

Crafting a wiretapping bill that would be effective against foreign
targets without decimating American rights is certainly possible.  But
Congress doesn't have the fortitude or ethical compass for protecting
*our* rights any more.  Just say the word "terrorist" and everything
else goes out the window in a blast of political oneupmanship.

I do hope that you'll remember Congress' actions in this regard come
the next election.

--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren at vortex.com or lauren at pfir.org 
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren 
Co-Founder, PFIR
   - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org 
Founder, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com 
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com