Friday, June 6, 2008

Uh-oh!

Are Dems caving again?
From Crooks and Liars:
The House Intelligence Committee’s top Democrat disclosed late Tuesday that he is ready to accept a Republican-brokered deal to rewrite the nation’s electronic surveillance laws, signaling that a long-running congressional impasse could soon be coming to an end.

House Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes told CongressDaily that he is “fine” with language offered by Senate Intelligence ranking member Christopher (Kit) Bond and other Republicans to overhaul the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Notably, the GOP language, which was offered a day before the recent congressional recess, would leave it up to the secret FISA court to grant retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies that have helped the Bush administration conduct electronic surveillance on the communications of U.S. citizens without warrants.
[emphasis added]
I sent Reyes $$$ after his spirited letter to W rejecting telecom immunity.

Sigh.

Which word don't they understand?
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The U.S. Constitution used to be the law of the land.

Yes, I know, it's a quaint, historical document... but to my knowledge it is still the basis of our government. Did I miss something?

I readily, freely, joyfully confess: what I know about government I learned in 8th-grade Civics. (I hope 8th-graders are still taught this stuff!)

Can I ask for a refund from Rep. Reyes (D-TX)?

Stop the madness!

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