Are Democrats Brokering a Backroom Deal on FISA?

Posted by Jane Hamsher, Firedoglake at 4:42 AM on May 1, 2008.

Is retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies imminent?

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According to the ACLU, there is rumor of a backroom deal being brokered by Jay Rockefeller on FISA that will include retroactive immunity. I've heard from several sources that Steny Hoyer is doing the dirty work on the House side, and some say it will be attached to the new supplemental.

There doesn't seem to be any greater priority for this administration than to get Dick Cheney and the other criminals in the Bush administration retroactive immunity for themselves and their teleco cohorts on their way out the door. Much fear mongering, ads and robocalls in the districts of freshmen House Democrats, and lookie here -- Trent Lott crawls out from under his slimy rock:

AT&T is among charter clients of Breaux Lott Leadership Group, a firm established by former Senate heavyweights John Breaux (D-La.) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.). Their sons are also involved in the family business.

The telecom giant has given BLLG the mission to back the controversial Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

And how much is that worth? So glad you asked:

Breaux-Lott's top-paying clients during the first three months of the year include AT&T ($150,000 for help on FISA legislation); the Association of American Railroads ($150,000 for a tax cut on infrastructure investments); and the Plains Exploration and Production Company ($150,000 for work on offshore oil and gas issues).

Predictably, the Blue Dogs are top targets to flip on the Hoyer/Rockefeller deal.

In case anyone is wondering why this might be a really bad idea, Babak Pasdar's column in the Seattle PI provides a nice refresher.

Tagged as: fisa, telecom immunity

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pfft! typical democrat behavior in the past 7 years [Report this comment] Posted by: KaptainSpiffy on May 1, 2008 5:29 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] the entire congress is complicit in the illegalities of the bush cabal. seems their physically handicapped, most of them missing both spines and balls. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] The Dems have been complicite for Decades! [Report this comment] Posted by: Purple Girl on May 1, 2008 5:46 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I have been a loyal voting Dem for 26 yrs, but my eyes have been Opened over the last 7 yrs regarding their Facade. They have been active accomplices in every aspect of the Selling Off of America adn AmericaNs. it was easy to point a finger at the Neo cons who undermined the Republican Party- but I failed to recognize the 'Divide and Conquer' Plan being played out by covert operatives wearing Blue.Being a Michigander- such denial has caused Our State to remain around the Drain for decades. We have been the test state for this Doctrine, We are the Canary in the Coalmine for the res tof the country. The Big 3,Teh oil industry (and their foreign Sponsors) and Our 'Public Servants' along with 'Union leaders' have sold out the citizens of MI and have been selling out the rest of the country ever since. This state KNEW the reliance on oil & gas energy was a dead end street in the '70's- but neither the Union Fat Cats , nor our 'Gov't officials' did a damn thing about it. If fact they hastened the process- by shipping the manufacturing overseas. they have Undermined the Rank & File union members by pay & Benefit Cuts, allowed the 'Will to Work' legislation to dance through-a slap in our ancestors Faces who built those companies and sacrificed to build a Workers Rights doctrine not just for this state, but for a nation and the World popluation. Yes We 'Cling to Our God & Guns' because they are the only rights an dfreedoms they have been Unable to pry our of our cold dead hands! There is no such thing as Democracy or Contitutional Right left in this country. Just look at the Scam they pull with the BS 2 party Nomination Process. ther is no reason Every state can Not vote on the Same day to determin a Nominee. And Third party candidates Never get the Media time they are entitled to. It is well past the time to take down both these 'PARTIES' and Replace teh with Public Servants with a clue what our Country Really stands For - they have adn are continuing to Kill US in every aspect of our lives and our Kids, and their kids!These current Regimes should not only be Thrown out they should be Convicted of Treason,War crimes and Crimes against Humanity and the Planet! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: Bravo! And Yes it's that simple! Posted by: Ohjin Should the communications industry be granted immunity for [Report this comment] Posted by: thekidde on May 1, 2008 7:35 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] their illegal support of Bush illegalities, they should be granted immunity from their lines, poles, buildings etc. being allowed to stand. If elected officials refuse to honor the Constitution, then perhaps another revolution is in order to take out the spineless, the greedy, the Wall Street denizens who rape the economy, the corporate/hedge fund vampires,the bankers/insurance/health care fuckers and all others who suck the life out of the commons for the benefit of the few. Eat the rich. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Let's Face It [Report this comment] Posted by: QQOblivion on May 1, 2008 7:46 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] It will do no good, but I suggest you all write your congress-people about this anyway, at least so they know why they are not getting your vote this coming November if they cave. Let's face it, Cheney, Bush, and the rest WILL get off completely for their crimes against the Constitution, for their LITERAL war crimes, for their domestic spying, their lies, their mass-murder, their... (Sorry, I digress -- Stay on subject.) You see, the Bush criminals have twisted the law, the courts, and Congress' meager will to the Bushites' ends. There is no way the uber-criminals will EVER be held accountable, it seems. If there is any way that Americans can eventually find out the truth about the extent of the crimes, let alone any way that the criminals will be held accountable, I have yet to hear about it. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » My Letter To My Congresswoman Posted by: QQOblivion Like Pigs at the Trough..! [Report this comment] Posted by: TJ-stars4peace on May 1, 2008 8:54 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] You can bet on it, like pigs at the trough..! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Keep on... [Report this comment] Posted by: JoshuaLudd on May 1, 2008 9:23 AM Current rating: 4 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Keep voting for them... they promise to EVENTUALLY not do any and everything Bush wants. They promise to EVENTUALLY make their resistance more than just token. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Hey, kids, the NSA wants your help! [Report this comment] Posted by: Rune on May 1, 2008 12:15 PM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] This month, the NSA is picking a new motto and they want all Americans to have a say in the decision. Here are the choices: A. We're always listening B. We've heard it all C. Your life is being monitored for quality assurance D. Just like Santa Claus, but without those messy reindeer, gifts, and cookies Pick your favorite motto and call or send it to any phone number or e-mail address. Don't worry, they'll get it. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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» RE: Bravo! And Yes it's that simple! Posted by: Ohjin

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