Wait, did I hear right? Amnesty for illegal Wiretapping?

[johnaries]

Maybe I hear it wrong. I had the TV on in the background and really wasn't paying much attention, so I may have heard it wrong. But it sounded like there was a bill coming up that would give telecomm companies a free ride for being complicit with the illegal wiretapping by Bush's NSA.
OK, in a way I can understand this since the telecomm's involved were probably coerced (strong-armed) into being complicit.
HOWEVER
we need to consider "precedent".
If a government administration asks a private company to do something illegal, that private company needs to be able to say "no". The only recourse the company has is to able to sue the government agency. In order to sue, the company must prove damages. If there are no damages to the company if they are complicit, then they have no choice but to be complicit.
However, if the government makes a request that could lead to the company being sued, then the company can sue the government. Which means if the government asks the company to do something illegal, the company has a basis to refuse and recourse if the government tries to force them to be complicit.
Hopefully, I just heard wrong. But if I heard right, we need to stop this action NOW. Our privacy and civil rights are at stake!

[BuyingThyme]

1. ..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2075261

[EST]

2. You heard right, but the details are wrong.

They were not strong armed, they rolled over and capitulated, mostly, holding the rope and tieing themselves up, joyously and enthusiastically.

[ixion]

3. exactly... there is no opposition party

only weak-kneed capitulators. :grr: