Before I begin, I still do believe without a doubt that Obama will be wayyyyy better than what we have now and his opponent.
BUT, I will say I’m greatly disappointed. I’m disappointed that some bloggers gloss over this pretty FREAKING huge item that Obama is giving in to. While I rail against the Corporate Machine that is eroding our rights for greater dividends I had hoped that what we would get in Obama was someone that would stand steadfast against corporations. Make them accountable for breaking the law.
What some people forget is that Qwest, QWEST with their ITALIAN CEO turned down the government and said they wouldn’t oblige their over reach. That is a little nugget that can’t be ignored. Now, the Telecoms have poured tons of money into DC over the past few months and PRESTO! lookie lookie. It’s shameful. Shitty.
I’m also ashamed that I didn’t keep it real. I had a post on June 20th that expressed my dissapointment. Since then I have been silent. I have turned away mostly b/c I was hurt. Someone that is a regular reader had this to say to a friend that knows I blog here:
rob,
Why do I not see anything on DelawareLiberal about Obama supporting the new FISA bill?
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/07/online-activist.html
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/07/netroots-activi.html#previouspost
to say that it got me where it hurt (my keep it real zone) was an understatement. I was called out. WE were called out. That same individual sent me this
The new FISA compromise: it’s worse than you think
And if you read it. It isn’t really worse than you think. It’s as bad as you thought it was but, refused to swallow because the Black Knight is our savior and we turned the other way.
Specifically, the new legislation dramatically expands the government’s ability to wiretap without meaningful judicial oversight, by redefining “oversight” so that the feds can drag their feet on getting authorization almost indefinitely
So it is your worst nightmare really. It’s more than they wanted. The almighty dollar got to them again and much like the Bankruptcy Bill they got their money’s worth.
The legislation establishes a new procedure whereby the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence can sign off on “authorizations” of surveillance programs “targeting people reasonably believed to be located outside the United States.”
Crucially, there appears to be no limit to the breadth of “authorizations” the government might issue. So, for example, a single “authorization” might cover the interception of all international traffic passing through AT&T’s San Francisco facility, with complex software algorithms deciding which communications are retained for the examination of human analysts. Without a list of specific targets, and without a background in computer programming, a judge is unlikely to be able to evaluate whether such software is properly “targeted” at foreigners.
So next time you call a loved one overseas just to say hi, make sure you say hello to the NSA guy listening to your phone sex. It’s pretty disturbing to be honest. All to keep you safer people. And your next president just went along with it.
But the worst part is this part:
retroactive immunity to firms that participated in the president’s warrantless surveillance program. The bar for granting immunity is extremely low: to receive immunity, the firm must merely demonstrate that it had received a letter from the government stating that the program was lawful. Since we already know that the program participants received such letters, there is no practical difference between this standard and blanket immunity.
What we fail to fully accept is that the president broke the law. I mean, why else would that be required? Why? Ask that? Why? Why would they need to be protected if they didn’t…if the PRESIDENT didn’t do anything?
Obama signed up for immunity after he said no the first time. Pretty sickening. To be honest, I really can’t say anymore about this. You have these fucking idiot that are so worried about getting to hold a fucking gun b/c the god damned constitution says so. OH, they can rail about the “RIGHT TO BARE ARMS” but those same fucking people can’t digest
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, “
So when the government comes to take your ass away b/c you said something they didn’t like b/c they heard it while legally listened to you, make sure to run for your fucking gun and blow your brains out. Because who FUCKING CARES THAT YOU GOT YOUR GODDAMNED GUN WHEN THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO WHATEVER THEY FUCKING WANT TO YOU WITHOUT A FUCKING WARRANT. EVERYONE WANTS TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS, BUT GOD FUCKING FORBID YOU TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE REST OF THE FUCKING CONSTITUTION. IT’S EASIER TO HAVE SOMETHING TANGIBLE AND SCREAM like a little freaking kid in walmart that you want your new video game. But when something abstract comes across god forbid you look at the ramifications. We are so wrapped around gas prices at $4.00 a gallon that we don’t have time to freaking think about how powerless we really are. But sure get your fucking gun. Woohooo you can have it at Disneyland now. Wooohooooo. Big Brother is watching morons so now you got your gun. Feel SAFE? How safe do you feel knowing that whenever you pick up the phone that Big Brother is listening, could be listening? How safe do you feel?
spare me, hang on to your guns.
but the pen is mightier than the sword….
end of rant