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House Votes For Telco Immunity; Obama Will Support?

We discussed telecom immunity yesterday ahead of the House vote. It passed by 293 votes to 129. Only one Republican voted against the bill; Democrats were evenly split. It now goes to the Senate. Reader Verteiron points out that Glenn Greenwald has up a post titled "Statement of Barack Obama supporting Hoyer FISA bill." It says that Obama will try to get the immunity provision removed, but failing that will vote for the overhauled wiretapping bill anyway. I couldn't find this on Obama's official site. Anyone seen a position from the McCain camp?

7 of 436 comments (clear)

  1. Hope and Change by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Perhaps that slogan only really means that we can hope all we want for some change, 'cause we're never going to get it.

  2. So if the AG stipulates it's legal, it's legal by maynard · · Score: 4, Interesting

    What kind of checks and balances in a Republic is that? What federal branch of government does the Justice Department belong to? Who is the head of the Justice Department?

    This kills all of the lawsuits by quaffing each suit prior to the discovery process. All the AG must do is certify that the request for a wiretap came directly from him and the requirement for warrants - while still legally valid - can be ignored due to the fact that the outcome will never become public.

    The consequences of this legislation is exactly the opposite of what you say.

  3. Re:McCain is owned by the telecoms by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I would, but like the other residents of the District of Columbia, we don't get a say in the matter.

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    This guy's the limit!
  4. Civil vs Criminal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Something to keep in mind. On Olberman last night a constitutional law expert basically said that this law procludes the telcos from civil liability for their actions. This is obviously bad and stupid. However it doesnt proclude them from criminal liability. The problem is no criminal case will be allowed through the justice department under this administration. The only chance of that happening would be for a new administration to make it a priority. Now, simple question, what are the chances of a McCain administration doing so?

  5. Re:Don't be so quick to judge! by Max+Threshold · · Score: 4, Interesting

    "Pelosi, however, is made of fail."

    Pelosi is shrub's little bitch now, because she knew about the White House's plans for illegal detention and torture back in 2002 or 2003 and didn't raise the bullshit flag. Her career is the reason Bush hasn't been impeached and locked in Gitmo.

    Bitch can go to Gitmo, too, as far as I'm concerned.

  6. Re:Don't be so quick to judge! by Khaed · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Pelosi is one of the reasons I can't respect the Democratic Congress. She's an utter failure and a moron, and there are so many candidates for Speaker that they should have looked at before her. She is basically an affirmative action choice, and a poor one at that.

    But that's just my opinion.

  7. Re:Don't be so quick to judge! by R2.0 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You are overlooking the largest reason she is speaker - money. She was an enormously successful fundraiser for the Dems, and she was imbibed hardball machine politics like mother's milk from her family in Baltimore.

    So many other democrats owed her they HAD to vote for her when she threw her hat in the ring - they owed her literally and figuratively.

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    "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson