Does Obama Know Something We Don't?

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a new "compromise" FISA bill. The bill passed with 293 in favor and 129 against.

Despite months of delay and lots of protestations by Democrats and some Republican's who favor liberty, the bill includes some immunity for the telecommunications industry who illegally assisted President Bush's efforts to spy on Americans in violation of a Fourth Amendment right to due process.

So, now the bill goes to the Senate where it is widely believed it will also pass.

And although he expressed enthusiastic opposition to telecom immunity on the recent past, for now, he says he will "work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses" but will otherwise support the "compromise" legislation.

In a statement he released on Friday, Obama says:

"...I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as President, I will carefully monitor the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives - and the liberty - of the American people."

Is this a flip flop or does Obama have other ideas for punishing those who violated the privacy rights of millions of Americans?

Last night on Countdown with Keith Olbermann (yes, we are fans of the show even though Mr. Olbermann can be overbearing), John Dean gave his take on the bill. According to Dean (who actually read the whole bill), the telecom industry may be immune to CIVIL suits, but they remain vulnerable to CRIMINAL proceedings if a President Obama should determine that laws were indeed broken.

This means that private citizens may not have standing to sue telecom companies for having their privacy invaded, but if it is found that spying DID take place outside of the law, then these guys might face some jail time.

Dean suspects that Obama and his folks recognize that loophole and that is why he has decided to support the bill as it is now written. That would be a relief!

Watch the video and listen to Dean's thoughts on the issue:



Any comments?

Countdown Special Comment: Bush, Cheney Should Resign

Happy Birthday USA.

Today we are turning over this space to Mr. Olbermann. Please take 10 minutes to watch and listen to his Special Comment.

For now, free speech remains one of more potent remedies against the rising tide of NEOCON FACISM.

Celebrate the Nation's Birthday and enjoy a taste of free speech while it lasts!

Oh yes, and PLEASE, pass on the link to this blog to everyone you know.

PLEASE! Call Congress Today!!

Tell the Democratic leadership -- and your own representatives that even if they do not have the votes to override a veto, there is another way to de-fund the war!

Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich (also running as a Democratic Candidate for President) said this morning on Democracy Now! that Congress does not have to introduce ANY bill AT ALL regarding Iraq war funding.

If there is NO BILL there will be NO VETO and thus the argument that there are not enough votes to override an inevitable veto is moot.

Kucinich says there is enough money in the pipeline NOW to bring the troops home! Keith Olbermann also stated in a "Special Comment" on his MSNBC show Countdown, that if Bush really cared about the troops having everything they need for protection, he could take some of the money earmarked for Blackwater and Haliburton and divert it to the troops.

It is BUSH who DOES NOT SUPPORT THE TROOPS -- first by lying to us to make the case for war, then by mismanaging it for the last 4 & 1/2 years, and then using unrealistic fear (and more lies) to perpetuate the war that was being planned long before 9/11/2001 -- NOT anti-war politicians and other Americans.

Please let Congress know TODAY that we will NOT reelect ONE SINGLE politician who votes yes to the funding bill OR who stands by and does NOTHING as it goes forward!