Feingold: "This is about the bulk sucking-up of information by the government."

[sabra]

http://www.newsweek.com/id/107851

As the Senate prepares to debate a series of amendments to the PAA over the next two weeks, NEWSWEEK's Seth Colter Walls spoke to three-term Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, a leading critic of the legislation. Excerpts:

Many Americans feel the PPA doesn't have an impact on them, since they don't make international phone calls or e-mails. And after 9/11 some people think it's reasonable to trade away some domestic civil liberty protections. How do you make the case that the PAA might actually affect them?
FEINGOLD: I really don't believe that most Americans regard international communications—when you consider both telephone calls and e-mails—to be something that doesn't relate to them. When I was a kid a simple long-distance phone call to a town 25 miles away meant everyone had to be quiet in the hallway; it was a big deal. Now it's a fundamental form of communication. Families with loved ones in Iraq would like privacy in their communications over there. Those with kids traveling in Europe, or studying abroad, or those who do business overseas all have an enormous interest in their own privacy. Whenever I present this to citizens, they understand the stakes and begin to consider it quite outrageous that those conversations are subject to government intrusion. When it's framed correctly, I think it shocks people when they realize the enormity of it. They think it only applies if you're talking to a terrorist. This is not that at all. This is about the bulk sucking-up of information by the government.

How has the debate overall come to be framed so incorrectly, as you suggest?
One reason is that there's been an inadequate response to the Bush-Cheney scare tactics. They've been successful every time—in the Iraq War, with the Patriot Act—(in saying) "If we're not given these powers immediately, we will be attacked." These are bogus claims. The problem is with many people, including Democrats, who fail to stand up and say, "We feel just as strongly as you do. And we don't want you invading our privacy without any court review."

Supporters of the PAA say that if these calls and e-mails were subject to the regular FISA court, it would take hundreds of lawyer and analyst hours to prepare them for the appropriate review.
Listen, a criticism like that just shows no understanding of what's going on here. Every time a foreign conversation runs through a transmitter in L.A., there was an archaic technicality in the law that would require individualized warrants (in order for the government to intercept them). We all said, fine, we agree with changing that, but in cases when the program ends up impacting Americans, there has to be some oversight.

[malaise]

1. Are you listening to the debate on

CSpan2?

http://www.cspan.org/watch/cs_cspan2_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS2

[sabra]

2. yep, many don't even know it's going on...

[Javaman]

3. another reason why morons* admin is like the...wait for it...

the Hoover administration!!!

:spray: :rofl:

Thank you! thank you! I'll be here all week!!

[DianaForRussFeingold]

4. K&R- Will the only Constitutional scholar in the race take a stand ?

Will Obama take a stand on retroactive immunity for the telecoms?
PLEASE, Wake up!
No one should have unconditional devotion to any candidate!

Will Obama ever, take a real stand on an important issue, like this??? I think not!
Obama's positions, amount to whichever way the political winds, may blow...

:dem: Email from John Edwards:


" Martin Luther King III to John Edwards: I challenge all candidates to follow your lead"
'…I appreciate that on the major issues of health care, the environment, and the economy,
you have framed the issues for what they are - a struggle for justice. And,
you have almost single-handedly made poverty an issue in this election."

Don't compromise,,, you can still vote for the only true progressive, Democrat! :kick:

John Edwards is on the ballot, and your votes will count!

This is grassroots democracy, let's keep the Edwards message alive!

[slipslidingaway]

5. Some votes on the FISA amendments could take place tomorrow

http://cboldt.blogspot.com/2008/02/fisa-and-economic-stimulus.html


"... 20:48: Senator Sanders adjourns the Senate until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. An hour of morning business, followed by resumption of consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.5140, economic stimulus package.

Senator Reid intends to ask consent to proceed to consideration of FISA, notwithstanding the pending motion to proceed to the consideration of the economic stimulus bill, and advises Senators to be available for roll call votes."