Scare Tactics and Our Surveillance Bill

[marmar]

from WaPo:



Scare Tactics and Our Surveillance Bill

By Jay Rockefeller, Patrick Leahy, Silvestre Reyes and John Conyers
Monday, February 25, 2008; Page A15

Nothing is more important to the American people than our safety and our freedom. As the chairmen of the House and Senate intelligence and judiciary committees, we have an enormous responsibility to protect both.

Unfortunately, instead of working with Congress to achieve the best policies to keep our country safe, once again President Bush has resorted to scare tactics and political games.

In November, the House passed legislation to give U.S. intelligence agencies strong tools to intercept terrorist communications that transit the United States, while ensuring that Americans' private communications are not swept up by the government in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

Almost two weeks ago, the Senate passed similar legislation. The Senate bill also contains a provision to grant retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies that assisted the executive branch in conducting surveillance programs after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

While the four of us may have our differences on what language a final bill should contain, we agree on several points. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/24/AR2008022401668.html

[ixion]

1. my civil liberties are FAR MORE IMPORTANT to me than 'safety'

I've had about all I can stand of the government trying to make me safe.

[slipslidingaway]

2. K&R although this statement is questionable...

"Almost two weeks ago, the Senate passed similar legislation. The Senate bill also contains a provision to grant retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies that assisted the executive branch in conducting surveillance programs after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks."