McCain Willing To Grant Telecoms Immunity After They Say They’re Sorry»

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/23/mccain-immunity/

McCain Willing To Grant Telecoms Immunity After They Say They’re Sorry»



In a new interview with Wired, Chuck Fish, a full-time lawyer for Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) campaign, says that the senator opposes immunity for telecoms that aided the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program — unless they first offer a heartfelt apology for their actions:

As president, presumptive Republican nominee John McCain would not support immunity for the telecoms that aided the Bush administration’s warrantless spying program, unless there were revealing Congressional hearings and heartfelt repentance from those telephone and internet companies, a campaign surrogate said Wednesday. <…>

“First, we need to be explicit we are not talking about granting indulgences,” Fish said, clarifying that he meant forgiveness must be matched with repentance.

Basically, McCain wants to give telecoms nothing more than a slap on the wrist. If they publicly say they’re very sorry for what they did, all can be forgiven.

more...

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/23/mccain-immunity/

[Pavulon]

1. While obnoxious

you can rest assured that whom ever is on control of the congress or executive office the operational aspects used by the NSA will NEVER see discovery proceedings..

If they do you will just end up paying for a system to replace the one that is compromised, ie tens of billions of dollars.

[gratuitous]

2. Sorry for what, Senator Straight Talk?

I mean, if they've done nothing wrong, as we have been repeatedly assured by the telecoms and the Bush administration, they have nothing to apologize for, do they? And they hardly need immunity for failing to act in a criminal manner. Unless, of course, they have.

So is the emergence of a McCain Doctrine of Law and Order? You're off the hook, no matter what you've done, if you just say you're sorry. If the telecoms and this administration are guilty of committing crimes, call me draconian, but I'd like to know what we're absolving them for before getting out the immunity blanket.

What crimes have been committed, Senator? If you don't know, then how do you know an apology is sufficient expiation for the crime? And if you do know what crimes were committed, don't you think the victims of those crimes deserve some say in whether the telecoms receive a Get Out of Jail Free card?

Like shooting fish in a barrel, isn't it?

[annabanana]

4. BINGO!!

I'm sorry for anything you think I might have done, but in fact I might or might NOT have done, I'm not confessing anything here you understand.. but I'm sorry If anyone is upset...


McC: "There, there.. It's OK. Just do/don't do it again"

[Kutjara]

3. How can a company be "sorry"?

Does it have perceptions? Sensibilities? Emotions? I think not. So how can a company be "repentant?" How can it feel remorse? Does every single one of its employees have to simultaneously burst into tears and begin rending his or her clothes? Or does the headquarters building just have to feel a bit depressed for a few days and refuse to open its window-blinds?

Honestly, I thought the idea that corporations have "human rights" was disgusting. This shit just trumps all.