tagged w/ Telecom Immunity
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Seven years after 9/11, the supposed mastermind behind the attacks is still at large, and the nation is entrenched in multiple wars in the Middle East. Is Bin Laden the evil behind the attack or a mere front man in a larger picture, a Bogeyman? Fabled Enemies is unlike any 9/11documentary ever put together. Rather than focusing on the physical anomalies at the World Trade Center and Pentagon, this film follows the intelligence ties of Osama Bin Laden, the alleged hijackers, and those who were actually detained on 9/11. The movie delves deeply into the roles of seperate Nations that were involved in supporting the 9/11 attacks. From Israel to Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, and even the United States itself, no one is spared in this scathing expose that pulls no punches. Sit back and get ready to learn how members of the FBI had their investigations into Bin Laden obstructed and shut down, how the hijackers were trained at US bases, that military drills crippled our defense and facilitated the attacks, how the Shadow Government was actually activated that day, and much much more.Seven years after 9/11, the supposed mastermind behind the attacks is still at large,... more
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“IT AIN’T OVER ‘TIL IT’S OVER” - We're going to court again but we need everyone's help.
http://www.aclu.org/safefree/nsaspying/faachallenge.html
An unconstitutional F.I.S.A. bill passed the last real obstacle by a Senate vote of 69-28.
68 Senators INCLUDING Barack Obama signed on to again shred both the fabric and the sanctity of our constitution.
We must do two things:
We must express our discontent with our Senators (yes, even with Obama!) AND also help the ACLU fight this law as being unconstitutional.
The ACLU needs our political clout and they need our donations and for us to stand beside them as they have so often stood beside the rights of each of us in the past!!!!!
From the ACLU website:
“The bill essentially grants absolute retroactive immunity to telecommunication companies that facilitated the president’s warrantless wiretapping program over the last seven years by ensuring the dismissal of court cases pending against those companies. The test for the companies’ right to immunity is not whether the government certifications they acted on were actually legal – only whether they were issued. Because it is public knowledge that certifications were issued, all of the pending cases will be summarily dismissed. This means Americans may never learn the truth about what the companies and the government did with our private communications."
“With one vote, Congress has strengthened the executive branch, weakened the judiciary and rendered itself irrelevant,” said Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. “This bill – soon to be law – is a constitutional nightmare. Americans should know that if this legislation is enacted and upheld, what they say on international phone calls or emails is no longer private. The government can listen in without having a specific reason to do so. Our rights as Americans have been curtailed and our privacy can no longer be assumed.”
Senate vote results page:
http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00168
Here are the Senators who voted FOR the unconstitutional bill.
You’ll find them listed alphabetically along with their Washington phone numbers.in the next two posts.
YEAs --- 69
Alexander (R-TN) (202) 224-4944 (not seeking re-election in 2009)
Allard (R-CO) (202) 224-5941 (not seeking re-election in 2009)
Barrasso (R-WY) (202) 224-6441 (Term runs through 2013)
Baucus (D-MT) (202) 224-2651 (Democrat seeking re-election)
Bayh (D-IN) (202) 224-5623 (Democrat term runs through 2011)
Bennett (R-UT) (202) 224-5444 (Term runs through 2011)
Bond (R-MO) (202) 224-5721 (Term runs through 2011)
Brownback (R-KS) (202) 224-6521 (Term runs through 2011)
Bunning (R-KY) (202) 224-4343 (Term runs through 2011)
Burr (R-NC) (202) 224-3154 (Term runs through 2011)
Carper (D-DE) (202) 224-2441 (Democrat term runs through 2012)
Casey (D-PA) (202) 224-6324 (Democrat term runs through 2012)
Chambliss (R-GA) (202) 224-3521 (Seeking re-election in 2009)
Coburn (R-OK) (202) 224-5754 (Term runs through 2011)
Cochran (R-MS) (202) 224-5054 (Seeking Re-election in 2009)
Coleman (R-MN) (202) 224-5641(Seeking Re-election in 2009)
Collins (R-ME) (202) 224-2523 (Seeking Re-election in 2009)
Conrad (D-ND) (202) 224-2043 (Dem. seeking Re-election in 2013)
Corker (R-TN) (202) 224-3344 (Seeking Re-election in 2013)
Cornyn (R-TX) (202) 224-2934 Up for re-election (512) 494-8535)
Continued below“IT AIN’T OVER ‘TIL IT’S OVER” - We're going to... more
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I am so damn proud of Hillary. I can't tell you how happy I am.
Dear Obama supporters, if you are reading this, it is not to late. Hillary can still be our President!
News from the blogosphere
"This is too good. Having once promised to filibuster any FISA bill with telecom lawsuit protection that reached the Senate Floor, Barack Obama today voted in favor of the compromise FISA bill pushed by President Bush. The left-wing base of the party is beside itself, as expected, but there is another interesting wrinkle to this story.
Hillary voted no. Captain Ed raises the delicious question: is she setting herself up for a netroots push at the convention? Please let it be so! (from Jim-Rose)"
"Okay. The Obama folks won’t like the reaction that Obama’s hypocritical vote on telecom immunity will spawn. My prediction is that this will spawn a movement to put Hillary back on the ticket. Don’t think so? If you don’t think so you are underestimating the damage that Obama has done to his shiny new brand for “change.” This is not change it is just doing the same thing as the rest of the gutless and complicit Democratic leadership. Read the following article if you underestimate the damage that this vote has done to the country and perhaps Obama’s campaign. And my Obama friends, if you think “hypocritical” is too strong a word, read the actual record of the statements that our hero has made.
Glenn Greenwald - Salon.com
I am so damn proud of Hillary. I can't tell you how happy I am.
Dear Obama... more
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Follow the link to vote!
June 23, 2008
Issues-Advocacy:
Should anyone be immune from our laws?
By Paul Kruger
http://www.opednews.com
Poll
Should anyone be immune from our laws?
The House passed the FISA bill which, in part, grants immunity to telco's for spying on Americans whenever Bush asks them to. There is only one reason Bush or the telephone companies would want or need immunity; they have already or intend to break the law and illegally spy on Americans' private communications and feel they should be above the law.
Should Congress grant immunity knowing that the above is the only reason anyone would want immunity? Should they even be permitted to grant immunity for anyone who has or openly intends to break the law and violate a constitutional right?
Follow the link to vote!
June 23, 2008
Issues-Advocacy:
Should anyone be immune... more
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Congress has confirmed once again that they represent major corporations, and not the people who elected them. Congress has confirmed once again that they represent major corporations, and not the... more
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"After its first secret session in a quarter-century, the House on Friday rejected retroactive immunity for the phone companies that took part in the National Security Agency’s warrantless eavesdropping program after the Sept. 11 attacks, and it voted to place greater restrictions on the government’s wiretapping powers.""After its first secret session in a quarter-century, the House on Friday... more
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"The Democratic plan would allow telecommunications companies to be sued for their role in the administration's much-disputed warrantless surveillance program .
The bill now goes to the Senate, but both the Senate and President Bush have made it clear they will not support the bill without the immunity provision."
We need more Democrats in office, people! Obama or Clinton, let's get this thing moving!"The Democratic plan would allow telecommunications companies to be sued for... more
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...and retroactive immunity for telecoms. Video produced by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the People for the American Way....and retroactive immunity for telecoms. Video produced by the Electronic Frontier... more
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THURSDAY Feb. 21: "You are Not a Lap Dog!" Call-In Day
Call Speaker Pelosi at 202-225-0100 and Majority Leader Hoyer at 202-225-4131. Tell them to stay strong against warrantless wiretapping and $102 billion more for Iraq.
In a surprising and long-overdue display of courage, the House Democratic leadership last week stood up to Bush and refused to bring to the floor a bill that would allow Bush to continue to spy on the people of this country without a warrant. Also every Democrat but one voted to hold Harriet Miers and Josh Bolton in contempt of Congress. Can this newfound Democratic courage last?
We need Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to continue to stand strong against domestic spying and telecom immunity. And we need them to learn that they do have power if they choose to use it, and apply this lesson to ending the occupation of Iraq. Pelosi and Hoyer can start by simply refusing to allow Bush's $102 billion Iraq war funding request to come up for a vote.
Thursday Feb. 21: Join United for Peace and Justice, Democrats.com, AfterDowningStreet.org, Progressive Democrats of America, and other groups in a Massive National "You are NOT a Lap Dog*" Call-In Day!
Call Speaker Pelosi at 202-225-0100 and Majority Leader Hoyer at 202-225-4131. If you don't get through to a person, leave a voicemail.
Talking points:
1. Thank you for standing up against Bush's warrantless wiretapping, and keep standing up.
2. Stand up against Bush's new $102 billion Iraq war funding request by refusing to bring it to the floor for a vote.
In addition to your call, please sign our petition to your own Representative and Senators: No More Funds for Iraq
http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/124
This Democratic Congress was elected to end the war, but they have given Bush one blank check after another, most recently for $70 billion on January 16. But 42 Democrats and 4 Republicans finally said no in January, so our calls and emails are making a difference, and we need to keep up the pressure.
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll011.xml
And we must do more than call and email - we must take to the streets and put pressure directly on our Representatives. Here's a flyer you can hand out in front of your Representative's office today:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/outofiraq-wanted-flyer
Connect with other Democrats.com members in your Congressional District (login required):
http://democrats.com/local
Look down to your Congressional District, read past posts and add your comments, or create a new post with your ideas and plans.
In mid-March, UFPJ member groups and allies around the country will mobilize for a wide range of powerful actions marking the 5th anniversary of the war and occupation in Iraq. Join us in March to say, 5 YEARS TOO MANY!
http://resistinmarch.org
THURSDAY Feb. 21: "You are Not a Lap Dog!" Call-In Day
Call Speaker... more
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List of senators who voted to protect telecom companies from litigation for aiding government eavesdrop programs.
According to Senate.gov, Senators Clinton and Obama did not vote on the bill.
The Bill passed 68/29
List of senators who voted to protect telecom companies from litigation for aiding... more
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Despite criticism of his attendance, Obama votes against immunity, while Hillary doesn't even bother to show up.Despite criticism of his attendance, Obama votes against immunity, while Hillary... more
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khsing
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added this
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4 years ago
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New email from DFA: Dear Angelina,
What is wrong with our Senate leadership?
Three times now, DFA members like you and me have made phone calls demanding Senators stand up to the Bush administration and pass a FISA bill without granting immunity to telecommunication companies who spied on innocent Americans.
Each time, Washington insiders predicted that we would fail to stop it. And because of you, each time the insiders were wrong.
But President Bush is determined to get telecom immunity passed before he leaves office because he knows the lawsuits against AT&T and Verizon are America's last chance to hold the Bush administration accountable for spying on you. He's even promised to veto any FISA reform bill that doesn't let his cronies off the hook.
How many Americans will die in Iraq while the Senate spends another worthless day fighting over a flawed bill that only the President and his friends want passed? How many children will continue to go without health insurance because the Senate is too busy helping AT&T instead of fighting to expand S-CHIP or provide health care for all?
Why is a "get out of jail free" card for Verizon more important than stopping global warming?
It's time to take FISA reform off the table until America elects a new President next November. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could end this once and for all -- today.
Call Senator Reid right now and demand: No new FISA reforms while President Bush is still in office.
Democratic Majority Leader
Senator Harry Reid
(202) 224-3542
Suggested Script:
"Take telecom immunity off the table. Pull the FISA reform bill and extend current law until President Bush leaves office. The U.S. Senate has more important work to get done than figure out how to let AT&T get away with spying on Americans."
Please report your call here:
www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/reportfisacalls
Wait! Don't stop there. Contact your senators too! They need to know where you stand. Senator Reid is more likely to stand strong if your senator stands with him. Please call your senators now:
Senator Barbara Boxer
(202) 224-3553
Senator Dianne Feinstein
(202) 224-3841
Don't forget to report how your calls went here:
www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/reportfisacalls
Washington insiders say we can't stop this bill. Maybe they are right, but we've heard it before. Let's see what they are saying after you and I and our progressive community make thousands of calls today.
We will stand up to President Bush today. Together, we'll demand the Senate follows our lead.
Thank you for everything you do,
-Charles
Charles Chamberlain
Political Director
New email from DFA: Dear Angelina,
What is wrong with our Senate leadership?... more
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Don't just tell Congress to stop the spying -- show them.
Countless citizens have told Congress to reject telecom immunity, but the Senate is still threatening to pass a bill giving immunity to lawbreaking phone companies. It's time to get creative and move beyond words. Let's show our elected representatives who supports the rule of law -- ordinary Americans from across the country. We'll deliver your multimedia messages to lawmakers to drive the point home: no immunity for lawbreaking telecoms!
Don't just tell Congress to stop the spying -- show them.
Countless citizens... more
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Clinton and Obama should be leading the fight to stop telecom immunity! They should vote no! They should be leading the Filibuster! If they aren't willing to stand up and stop telecom immunity, American voters need to know why? It's too important to all of us to be ignored! Clinton and Obama represent our voices today in their current elected positions. We need their voices today! We need their votes today! Stop Telecom Immunity!Clinton and Obama should be leading the fight to stop telecom immunity! They should... more
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Senator Dodd spoke passionately tonight on the Senate floor, detailing the abuses of the Bush administration and the danger of allowing any American corporation to be put above the rule of law. Who will stand with him?Senator Dodd spoke passionately tonight on the Senate floor, detailing the abuses of... more
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khsing
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added this
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4 years ago
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Yesterday afternoon Matt Browner-Hamlin sat down with AT&T whistleblower Mark Klein. Hes the technician who revealed that the NSA has secret rooms for sweeping up massive amounts of electronic communications on the internet.
Klein is calling on the Senate to not grant telecommunications companies retroactive immunity. He's also testifying to the scale of the Bush administration's electronic surveillance:
"Everything you could imagine you use the internet for flows through these cables. It's not only international traffic, but a huge amount of domestic traffic too."
Watch the video of Klein talking about why he opposes retroactive immunity.
Help Oppose Telecom Immunity
The first step is to make sure retroactive immunity doesn't make it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee -- where it will be considered shortly.
If we can get it stripped there, it will have to be offered as an amendment to the overall bill where it will be a lot easier to get 41 votes against retroactive immunity than 41 to sustain my filibuster if necessary.
Take a moment and call up members of the Judiciary Committee and ask them whether they will oppose any legislation that includes retroactive immunity. Let us know what they said, and join others in tracking our progress in stopping the provision in the Committee.
http://chrisdodd.com/immunityYesterday afternoon Matt Browner-Hamlin sat down with AT&T whistleblower Mark... more
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