Topic: Patriot Act
Senate Votes for Immunity One step closer to a police state.by Kipper Mathews
(libertarian)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Today the US Senate unanimously voted 67 to 31 in a filibuster proof majority to grant retroactive immunity to telecoms that helped the government to illegally wire-tap the communications of the American public. This will put an end to the 40 or so lawsuits pending against the companies.
The house version of the bill, in which President Bush has vowed to veto, does not allow immunity.
US law says that telecommunication companies can't wiretap your phone or net traffic . The bill not only states that they are immune for breaking the law but would also limit what we can and will know about their involvement.
Although Sen. Chris Dodd temporarily stopped the bill it has been re-introduced.
Over the last few years the Bush Administration has repeatedly claimed to be above the law and went as far as to help his cronies to avoid prosecution. This is just another example of how close America is to becoming a police state. Where politicians create laws that give them the power to break the law and not be prosecuted for otherwise felonious crimes.
The Bill in which the Bush wants to make sure passes before the lawsuits can begin, would automatically stop any and all discussion about it. If someone wants to "try" to stop it they would have to do this in the next day or so.
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The views expressed in this
article are those of Kipper Mathews only and do not represent
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Well, it puts an end to the Senate's supposed responsibility to uphold the Constitution. Who were the Senators who opposed and supported. Where did Clinton, McCain and Obama stand?
Obama voted nea, McCain voted yea, and Clinton...wasn't there. There is a list somewhere of how all the senators voted, but I don't remember where it is. All I remember is that all the opposed senators were democrats.
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