ACLU Poll: Majority Opposes Telecom Immunity Plan

[Hissyspit]

Source: Raw Story

ACLU poll: Majority opposes telecom immunity plan
Nick Juliano
Published: Tuesday January 22, 2008

ACLU poll released as Senate tackles FISA updates shows voters' opposition to Bush proposals

Majorities of voters on both sides of the political spectrum oppose key provisions in President Bush's proposal to modify foreign surveillance laws that could ensnare Americans, according to a poll released Tuesday.

The survey shows nearly two-thirds of poll respondents say the government should be required to get an individual warrant before listening in on conversations between US citizens and people abroad. Close to six in 10 people oppose an administration proposal to allow intelligence agencies to seek "blanket warrants" that would let them eavesdrop of foreigners for up to a year no additional judicial oversight required if the foreign suspect spoke to an American. And a majority are against a plan to give legal immunity to telecommunications companies that facilitated the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping. "Across the board, we find opposition to the administration's FISA agenda," pollster Mark Mellman said Tuesday.

The poll of 1,000 likely voters was released by the American Civil Liberties Union, which is lobbying Congress to reject Bush's blanket warrant and telecom immunity proposals.

"We know that the American public realizes that this is an atrocious piece of legislation," the ACLU's Caroline Fredrickson said, referring to a bill before the Senate that gives the administration much of what it wants. Fredrickson and Mellman spoke to reporters Tuesday on a conference call before the Senate gets ready to revisit the FISA update.

Read more: http://rawstory.com/news/2007/ACLU_poll_Majority_opposes_telecom_immunity_0122.html

[Selatius]

1. Yet for some reason, Harry Reid put forward the Telecom bill with immunity attached.

He is owned by somebody big calling in a favor.

[balantz]

3. You know, I hate to call a Democrat a fascist conspirator....

but what the hell am I supposed to think here? :shrug:

[AndyTiedye]

4. They Are Being Blackmailed

What do you THINK the "other secret" program is? The one that they dare not even let the FISA court look at. They record every word of every phone call, email, or communication of any other kind going in and out of the Capitol and it all goes straight to the White House basement. They are blackmailing our lawmakers.

[Selatius]

5. Possibly, but my gut feeling is Reid is working for the other side and is getting a "cut"

That's me, though. Why blackmail if you can bring them into the fold?

[BadgerKid]

11. Interesting, then, that they could "lose" thier own emails. n/t

[gateley]

2. Here! Look!

Here's a link to the ACLU petition to Reid -- the vote may come up as early as TOMORROW!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4157425&mesg_id=4157425

If you haven't signed it, PLEASE DO, and also K&R to keep the thread visible. Thanks! :hi:

Thanks for this, Hissyspit, and my apologies for hijacking your thread, but I'm really sweating this!

[truebrit71]

6. k&r This is too important to let fall through the cracks..

..and SHAME on Reid for even bringing this up over Dodd's hold...

[pleah]

8. Done!

[PassingFair]

7. Kicked, Recommended and Signed.

This is important.

[pleah]

9. Keep this out there! K&R!

[MasonJar]

10. Isn't there some loophole which actually limits prosecution of W and dick?

That is the real reason that they are so adamant that the legislation get passed with retro-immunity...I am sure that helping their assistants-in-crime is also a biggie. AT&T knew exactly what they were doing and got rich off the agenda...quid pro quo. They are scum and deserve anything they get, ditto Verizon. I understand that both are doing so well that they are running Sprint, etc. out of business. What is wrong with Americans? I am getting rid of AT&T the first week of February. Please follow me in this endeavor.