Bush, Congress face showdown over warrantless eavesdropping

[The Sushi Bandit]

Source: Chicago Tribune

WASHINGTON - President Bush, demanding "flexibility" in the pursuit of suspected terrorists, insisted Wednesday he would not sign a new domestic spying bill if it unduly limits the administration's authority to eavesdrop without warrants.

The president is demanding corporate immunity from lawsuits against telecommunications companies that have aided the National Security Agency in a controversial warrantless wiretapping program, as well as authority to secretly monitor suspect communications that pass through the United States.

But congressional leaders, insisting on court oversight of the administration's surveillance, are not willing to give the president the latitude he is seeking. And they are reluctant to release companies from liability for their roles in the government's program without learning much more about the details of this surveillance.


Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-071010nsa,0,3162932.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout

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Say NO to corporate immunity!!!

[Atman]

1. Headlines like this always make me laugh. Before I cry.

I laugh because they're so downright comical...Bush, Congress in a SHOWDOWN? How about calling it for what it will be...another SMACKDOWN. There is no SHOWDOWN when one side knows the other will simply cave like an unregulated coal mine. What a fucking joke. Bush has nothing to worry about, and he knows it.

.

[dickbearton]

3. Corrupt Republicans plus some turncoat Democrats does not lead to a veto proof Congress.

There is no showdown, when there is no chance for a veto proof
Congress. Sad but true. 

[bullimiami]

2. i heard that if no bill is passed it will all sunset and revert to the original fisa legislation.

[BootinUp]

4. I believe thats correct and you would think

that gives us the upper hand. Howver, the battle would then be over the old FISA being a block to monitoring communications with new technology. Not a battle the Dems are sure to win.