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Phone Companies Refuse to Give Congress Data on Spy Program

Posted by Zonk on from the would-be-unamerican dept.

JohNNy1+4 writes "Several US telephone communications firms are refusing to answer the questions of a congressional panel about spying on American citizens. The panel is making an inquiry into Bush administration tactics in the years since 2001, but has been stymied by the administration's claim that releasing that information would be illegal. As a result Verizon, AT&T, and Qwest have declined to answer the panel's queries. '"Our company essentially finds itself caught in the middle of an oversight dispute between the Congress and the executive relating to government surveillance activities," AT&T Inc. General Counsel Wayne Watts said in a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee that was released today by the panel.'"

6 of 279 comments (clear)

  1. What oversight dispute? by IgnoramusMaximus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Isn't the US Constitution clear on the point of oversight, giving Congress the ability to investigate and even remove the president, but not the other way around?

    Or is the US truly near its nadir and soon "el Presidente" will be running everything, unopposed.

  2. Anyone else... by Jarjarthejedi · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Anyone else find it amusing that they'll give information on everyone else to the government, but not themselves? That game me a little, sad, chuckle

    --
    There are two kinds of fool One says 'This is old therefore good' Another says 'This is new therefore better'- Dean Ing
  3. In other words... by sweatyboatman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Our lawyers are pretty sure we broke the law and complied with an illegal order. But they're also pretty sure that Congress doesn't have the balls to confront the White House about this. So, complain all you want, but we'll being skiing in hell before we testify before Congress about this.

    --
    It breaks my pluginses, my precious!
  4. What a convenient time to become moral by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why yes I raped you, but telling that to the jury would just violate your privacy, so I won't. Ain't I a nice guy.

    These companies violated the law, and now claim that confessing to that, violates the law?

    I shot you in the head, but I won't take you to the hospital in a car because well, I don't have a driving license and I don't want to break the law.

    The sooner this US goverment is taken down and replaced the better. I guess it is clear how republicans think, screw a girl IMPEACH, screw the nation, you are a hero!

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

    1. Re:What a convenient time to become moral by Obsidian+Butterfly · · Score: 5, Funny

      All we have to do is get somebody to give Bush a blow job.

      Any Republican congressman want to volunteer?

  5. Big surprise by smashp · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The Phone Companies are letting the government use their equipment to spy on Americans. In Return they mega corporations will get support from certain members of congress and the executive for supposed "Pro Business" regulations. These "regulations" will cement these corporations and give them government supported monopolies and allow the Telecoms to govern and regulate themselves. In Essence, they have entered into an unholy alliance with the US government. Greed is enabling, Power is corupting. You are witnessing the Rise of Pure Fascism in the US.