Politics danielsousa on 26 Jan 2008 09:49 am
Letter to a Senator: Telco Immunity
I recently wrote the following letter regarding the FISA bill coming up for a vote (which contains telco immunity). I’ve provided it here so anyone who sees it can copy it and change the names for their Senators. Please help to protect our civil liberties by urging your Senator to vote down the bill
Senator Casey,
As you already know, there is currently debate on the Senate floor regarding the renewal of the FISA bill. In that bill is a provision giving previous telecom companies who violated current FISA law, immunity for their previous actions.
It is imperative that this bill be voted down, and a bill with no such provision be passed. These companies knowingly violated the law for a full 6 years after 9/11. They did so knowing the procedures that had to be performed to protect the civil liberties of Americans.
We would not know what happened if it were not for a whistle blower, and now we threaten everything he risked his professional integrity for in order to appease these conglomerates. Furthermore, we will never know the extent of the spying occurring on Americans if there are no investigations and/or court proceedings. All I am asking for is that the truth be allowed to come out, instead of allowing the interest of businesses to dominate our political system once again.
I understand the objections in favor of national security, but we have to draw the line at some point. When are the so called Freedoms we are trying to protect in fact become nothing more than an illusion. We are giving our enemies what they want by beginning to dissolve the good freedoms in our society. I implore you to vote with Senator Dodd on this issue, and if possible, join him in his filibuster effort. Doing so will give me a tremendous respect for your work, and help to secure my future support. Thank you.
A concerned citizen,
Daniel De Sousa.