FISA update
Jun. 15th, 2008 11:33 amIf this report is accurate, we've lost. Retroactive immunity, for the telecoms; through this, the shut-down the only functional investigation into the Bush administration, for the Bush administration and the political class; warrantless wiretapping, use of illegally-obained evidence, and no effective requirement to stop wiretapping when ruled illegal, all for the authoritarians. It's everything a corporatist authoritarian establishment in small-r republican drag could want, and it is a purely bipartisan effort; do not pretend otherwise.
There's an ACLU factsheet here. Glenn Greenwald talks about it here. It's not over until the Chief Executive signs an actual bill, but if the Democratic leadership is behind this effort - as it appears to be - then, well, the 10% or so of Congress who actually aren't part of the game simply aren't going to matter.
I have, as usual, received no response to my latest letters to my supposed representatives in Congress, nor at this point do I expect any - tho' you never know, a completely irrelevant taxpayer-funded form letter is always possible. But my commentary, after all, is irrelevant; they might as well be alphabetising it and sending it back to me for all the context I'll see in response.
There's an ACLU factsheet here. Glenn Greenwald talks about it here. It's not over until the Chief Executive signs an actual bill, but if the Democratic leadership is behind this effort - as it appears to be - then, well, the 10% or so of Congress who actually aren't part of the game simply aren't going to matter.
I have, as usual, received no response to my latest letters to my supposed representatives in Congress, nor at this point do I expect any - tho' you never know, a completely irrelevant taxpayer-funded form letter is always possible. But my commentary, after all, is irrelevant; they might as well be alphabetising it and sending it back to me for all the context I'll see in response.