The House is unwilling to grant telecom immunity in the warrantless wiretapping situation. They've listed their reasons given the lack of credible evidence supporting the need. El FUD (Bush) has now come out with a new tac (see here and here)t: telecom immunity would reward the patriotism of the telecoms for cooperating with the feds (illicitly, it seems), regardless of whether or not their actions were in good faith.
"Companies that may have helped us save lives should be thanked for their patriotic service, not subjected to billion-dollar lawsuits that would make them less willing to help in the future."This issue is not about patriotism. There's no demonstrable evidence that this program has saved lives (it's only unverifiable rhetoric at this point). At least one telecom refused to participate in the warrantless wiretapping program because they were concerned about the legality. FISA, revised numerous times since its inception, provides a legal way to get wiretaps. The telecom that did not participate still exists, though it has undoubtedly suffered some sort of consequences at the hand of the Executive Branch. Those that opted into participating had to have done so knowing full well that there was a risk of legal exposure resulting from the bad faith actions of the Bush Administration. Now, rather than take responsibility for their actions and bad decisions, they'd rather sweep it all under the rug. None of this should come as a surprise, given the strong tendency that this administration has had for extreme secrecy and opacity.
Robert Reich also sees telecom immunity as being inappropriate.
Do not believe the lies or the FUD. This battle is about the Bush administration trying to protect itself from full exposure of the illegal, unconstitutional, unethical, and likely immoral actions that they have perpetrated and advocated. Resist their rhetoric for the sake of national security (integrity, in particular).
