And I now have the proof!
Last week, on June 20, the House of Representatives approved a compromise bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA). The bill sets new electronic surveillance rules that effectively shield telecommunications companies from lawsuits resulting from the government’s warrantless eavesdropping on phone calls and viewing of emails of private citizens in the U.S. Approximately 40 lawsuits have been filed with potential damages totaling in the billions of dollars.
On March 14 of this year the House passed an amendment that rejected retroactive immunity for phone carriers who helped the National Security Agency carry out the illegal wiretapping program without proper warrants. Ninety-four House Democrats voted in favor of this measure--rejecting immunity--on March 14, then ‘changed’ to vote in favor of the June 20 House bill--approving immunity.
Yes, they DO deserve answers. It’s strictly against the Constitution to put a law on the books that’s retroactive.
US Constitution, Article 1, Section 9: No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
So, this “law” that they just passed for retroactive immunity for breaking the law and violating EVERYONE’s privacy is unConstitutional.
However, let’s take a look at the proof:
Comparing Democrats' Votes (March 14th and June 20th votes):
Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint gave PAC contributions averaging:
$8,359 to each Democrat who changed their position to support immunity for Telcos (94 Dems)
$4,987 to each Democrat who remained opposed to immunity for Telcos (116 Dems)
88 percent of the Dems who changed to supporting immunity (83 Dems of the 94) received PAC contributions from Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint during the last three years (Jan. 2005-Mar. 2008).
That’s right, coming in at number 7 is Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House.
So, let’s take a look at Nancy’s activities:
The Senate has already passed a FISA measure that includes the retroactive immunity provision, and Senate Republicans have vowed not to compromise on the issue. Bush has also promised to veto any legislation that reaches his desk that doesn't include immunity. On Thursday, he said a vote for the House bill "would make our country less safe."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rebuffed him, saying: "The president is wrong, and he knows that."
Well, that sounds like Nancy’s lying right? But, here’s where it gets REALLY interesting:
Beyond the FISA bill's evisceration of the rule of law, the Fourth Amendment and surveillance safeguards, what has always been so striking with this controversy has been how transparently sleazy and corrupt it reveals the Congress to be. Right out in the open, telecoms have just led Congressional supporters of telecom immunity around like little puppets. It's just amazing -- though extremely common -- that while negotiations over the bill occurred in total secrecy, with civil liberties groups and the public at large being completely excluded, Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer "negotiated" directly with the telecoms over how the telecoms' amnesty bill should be written.
Wasn’t she the one who said she would “get rid of the culture of corruption”? It’s pretty clear that not only did she not, she became a part of it, and sold out American’s Constitutional rights.
Now, I have many, MANY liberal readers, and I get a lot of hate mail from them, but tell me, where’s your screams for justice? Are you so blinded by Bush hatred that you can’t see corruption within your own ranks? Why do you suppose she isn’t doing anything about Dodd’s cozy relationship and sweetheart deal with Countrywide, all the while, he’s pushing for a $300 BILLION DOLLAR BAILOUT of them and other companies who made poor business judgements?
Call for her impeachment, otherwise you’ll all look like hypocrites and you’ll be getting the Congress you deserve.
Travis
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