Democrats Cave to Bush on Telecom Bill - Chris Dodd (D-sanity) to the Rescue
Seriously -
There are better write-ups on national blogs (like this one on Americablog) but this use of rules illustrates the importance of checks and balances and protection of minority voices.
So in the rules committee, Senator Rockefeller brokers a deal to reauthorize the domestic spying bill - this time with immunity - retroactive immunity to telecom companies who gave up records to the government w/o a warrant.
Some rule in the Senate allows a Senator to hold the bill and it requires 60 Senators to push it through. That is 60 Senators ON THE RECORD to giving big companies immunity for handed over information with out a warrant. Why do they need immunity? Well - per the constitution what they did is illegal.
Hats off to Dodd.
Senators Clinton and Schumer you know where we expect you to come down on this issue.
Local tie in? Well - We have been railing on the lack of process our Monroe County Legislature has used to pass the F.O.U.L plan. Imagine if there were rules that would allow alternative voices to be heard?
Imagine that.
Related posts:
- Telecom immunity? the Dodd filibuster
- Call your Senators today and Remind them about the Constitution
- Breaking: FISA Bill w/ retroactive immunity to telecoms is tabled until after Holiday Break
- Chris Dodd’s bill - Equity stake in exchange for bailing out failed management
- Are House Dems Still Caving to Bush on FISA?
“Imagine if there were rules that would allow alternative voices to be heard?”
Well, that just wouldn’t be F.A.I.R.
Hopefully he’ll use the time gained from this temporary measure to take his case to the American people.
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