Freedom, truth, love, beauty.

12 Mar, 2008 9:30pm
  • Me (in so many words): Dear Senator Conrad, please support the rule of law. Do not pass a bill that allows the warrant-less spying of United States Citizens. Do not pass a bill that grants amnesty to telecommunications companies that illegally assisted President Bush and his administration in the warrant-less spying of United States Citizens.
  • United States Senator Kent Conrad: Thank you for contacting me regarding the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). It was good to hear from you.
  • As you know, the Senate recently debated the FISA Amendments Act of 2007 (S.2248). This legislation would put in place a new set of rules regarding wiretapping for national security. S.2248 would also include a variety of provisions that would improve oversight of the program and expand the judicial review process.
  • I understand your concerns in regard to this legislation. Many individuals feel that it infringes on civil rights and violates the Fourth Amendment's guarantee against unreasonable searches. Many individuals are also strongly opposed to granting immunity to companies that have participated in unauthorized wiretapping activities at the behest of the Bush Administration.
  • The FISA process needs reform to account for modern information technology, current patterns of communication, and the nature of the threats faced by our nation. Yet, we also need to safeguard the constitutional rights of American Citizens. S.2248 is not a perfect bill, but various amendments were approved during floor debate to strengthen oversight and privacy protections. I also voted a substitute bill that did not provide immunity for telecommunications companies, as well as for unsuccessful amendments that would have further strengthened FISA court oversight, placed stricter limits on targeting Americans, and shortened the time period after which the new authorities would expire. Finally, I supported an amendment that would have allowed the FISA court to determine whether immunity is appropriate after hearing arguments from those suing the telecommunications companies rather than Congress taking the matter away from the courts completely.
  • At the end of the day, this bill makes modest improvements in privacy protections. Although I am concerned about the immunity provisions, I joined a bipartisan majority in voting 69-29 to send the bill to negotiations with the House or Representatives. The House version of the bill does not provide immunity. It is my hope that these negotiations will produce a better bill. Please know I will keep your thoughts in mind as this process moves forward.
  • Me: To get this straight, even though your constituents are strongly opposed to domestic spying and telecom immunity, even though the final version of the bill doesn't include most of the oversight and privacy protections you wanted, even though the final version gives immunity to the telecoms, you voted for it? And now you hope your mistake is fixed by the House?
  • United States Senator Kent Conrad: Uh, when you put it that way it sounds bad.
  • Me: United States Senator Kent Conrad is United States President George W. Bush's bitch.
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