Yes, there’s the problem of national security vs individual rights. But what about the govt intervention that comes with all of these programs designed to “help” us? Do you really want the govt holding your health information? We’re losing our rights indeed, but look beyond FISA. More govt = less freedom.

The change we need is less govt across the board. Slash away. Then we’ll start to get our rights back.

This is exactly how I see it too.

Recently, the House of Representatives passed a bad bill that would have the effect of granting immunity to telecommunications companies that participated in illegal wiretapping activities. The bill included provisions that seemed to protect civil rights, but in fact set up a blind procedure that accepts at face value presidential assurances of legality, thus depriving the FISC or any other court of oversight review. This has the effect of removing from the courts any review of the legality of the presidential orders, and the culpability of administration officials in approving illegal wiretaps.

The Senate is scheduled to consider this legislation soon. I fervently urge that you
(*) Oppose any bill granting immunity that does not involve full and independent court review of the legality of the orders;
(*) Oppose any bill that does not include “minimization” assurances comparable to the provisions in the original FISA bill that has been the law for years;
(*) Oppose any bill that does not include an “exclusivity” provision equal to the provisions in the original FISA bill that has been the law for years;

This issue is of special interest to me. We can have security *without* sacrificing civil rights. The so-called “compromise” bill approved by the House is not really a compromise at all, but caves in to administration demands for retroactive approval of its illegal actions. I will be following your votes on this matter with considerable interest.

Oops! I forgot to add that no bill was better than a bad bill, and that as you pointed out, delaying consideration was a good idea.

I share your passion on this subject, and I’m traveling, so I depend on your summaries and recommendations!

Bob in HI
Temporarily in Madison, WI

this is supposed to be a representative government……..