Why Not Legislate a $10 Maximum Fine For Telecommunications Companies Who Conspired?

[ThomWV]

Don't give them immunity, just limit their liability to $10 in total for every infraction of FISA from December 2000 until the date of enactment of the law, sometime next week.

Then what will be the excuse?

[mainegreen]

1. $10 for every infraction? They'd be bankrupt!

Not that I would mind.

[On the Road]

2. That is Not a Bad Idea, Actually

having a nominal financial penalty. The primary goal should not be financial, but to establish the precedent that laws have been broken and to investigate illegal actions taken by the government.

[TheWraith]

3. Besides, it's not entirely about the money.

They don't want the bad PR of having it proved in court that the wiretapping is illegal.

[wtmusic]

4. We don't know the extent yet

and some may be more guilty than others.

That's what trials are for.

[leftofthedial]

5. that's a great idea

even if it's 10 cents instead of 10 dollars.

get the issue into courts and let the truth come out. this isn't about the cost to telecoms; it's about keeping the truth about king george from coming out.

[ProgressiveFool]

6. That's about what people would get from a Class Action lawsuit in any case

It's not about the money, IMO. I would be fine if they limited liability to $.01 per infraction (or maybe a nickle and/or a dime, to get some symbolic payback). The important thing is that the lawsuits go forward and uncover all the Bush lawbreaking.

[Bill McBlueState]

7. hey, that's good. 15 cents. n/t