The Wiretap This Time - op-ed by Studs Terkel - NY Times

[BridgeTheGap]

Op-Ed Contributor
The Wiretap This Time - by Studs Terkel - NY Times - 10/29/07

EARLIER this month, the Senate Intelligence Committee and the White House agreed to allow the executive branch to conduct dragnet interceptions of the electronic communications of people in the United States. They also agreed to “immunize” American telephone companies from lawsuits charging that after 9/11 some companies collaborated with the government to violate the Constitution and existing federal law. I am a plaintiff in one of those lawsuits, and I hope Congress thinks carefully before denying me, and millions of other Americans, our day in court.

During my lifetime, there has been a sea change in the way that politically active Americans view their relationship with government. In 1920, during my youth, I recall the Palmer raids in which more than 10,000 people were rounded up, most because they were members of particular labor unions or belonged to groups that advocated change in American domestic or foreign policy. Unrestrained surveillance was used to further the investigations leading to these detentions, and the Bureau of Investigation — the forerunner to the F.B.I. — eventually created a database on the activities of individuals. This activity continued through the Red Scare of the period.

In the 1950s, during the sad period known as the McCarthy era, one’s political beliefs again served as a rationale for government monitoring. Individual corporations and entire industries were coerced by government leaders into informing on individuals and barring their ability to earn a living.

I was among those blacklisted for my political beliefs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/opinion/29terkel.html?th&emc=th

[hwmnbn]

1. Studs is still going strong at 90....

clear-headed with outspoken with solid opinions. What a history and what a treasure!

[acmavm]

2. Too bad our dem reps apparently don't read his column. They

don't give a rat's ass how we're treated as long as they collect that salary and get those perks.

[groovedaddy]

4. Some do actually care and we should support them for their efforts

i.e. Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich & others.

[acmavm]

5. You're right. So does Edwards. But they're NOT PASSING

legislation and giving the bush** admin a free pass on everything, are they?

[BridgeTheGap]

7. As a whole, no, they aren't...but we still have to support the ones

who truly represent us.

[grasswire]

6. don't forget Ron Paul

He's been at it for years.

[druidity33]

8. actually

Studs wrote the forward to Kucinich's book A Prayer for America. A fellow Clevelander i believe and strong supporter of Unions, just like DK.

:)

[BridgeTheGap]

10. Born in New York, NY

moved to Chicago when he was 2 and raised there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studs_Terkel

[pansypoo53219]

3. i can't see this as legal

without a fucking warrant. just extend the needed time for one, but there HAS to be a warrant.
or would it be impossible to achieve one therefore, it's all bullshit.

[Solly Mack]

9. Go Studs!

"Some in Congress argue that this law-breaking is forgivable because it was done to help the government in a time of crisis."