by James Oliphant
The floor debate on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act continues, with Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-Mo.) offering an impassioned defense of the provision that immunizes telecoms from private lawsuits over alleged assistance given to the government. He argued that if information about the NSA program comes to light in litigation, it could endanger the companies and their employees. "There are evil people out here who would love to be able to get information and confirm what companies might have participated," Bond said. "And if that happens those companies would be at great risk abroad.
During his extended floor remarks, Bond glanced repeatedly at his BlackBerry-type device as he spoke, marking one of the few times we at the Swamp here have seen a member of Congress reading directly from a PDA. (That's Jimmy Stewart you hear -- finally toppling over in shock. End of filibuster. ) A wave of the future? More ironically, it comes during a debate over telecommunications companies. Very nice touch, Kit. Very nice touch.
• 
• 
• 
• 
Comments
Should have thought of that before breaking the law.
Posted by: San Miguel | December 17, 2007 2:56 PM
"During his extended floor remarks, Bond glanced repeatedly at his BlackBerry-type device as he spoke, marking one of the few times we at the Swamp here have seen a member of Congress reading directly from a PDA".
Yep, that's your typical Republican robot for ya.
They don't know what to say or think until their Republican overlords (Rush, Fox Noise etc) tell them, just ask RNC Brucie and Little Johnny Dittohead, they know what I'm talking about, right girls?
Posted by: John E | December 17, 2007 2:59 PM
One of the little known features of Blackberrys is that they provide a direct feed of Telecom industry talking points.
Posted by: Luke | December 17, 2007 3:41 PM
One thing about serving in the Senate: A senator has to have an extraordinarily high threshhold for boredom. FISA debates? Didn't these start about 18 decades ago or does it just seem like it?
Kit Bond needs to get a life.
Posted by: Hardy | December 17, 2007 3:45 PM
If the senators who are currently running to be my next president do not go back to DC for the important FISA vote, they are not worth their weight in toilet paper--not worthy of being president--ever. Shame on any candidate senator who does not record a vote on whether or not to throw away our right to due process.
Posted by: Vivian | December 17, 2007 3:47 PM
"BUSH SPEAKS" "HARRY RIED LISTENS"
GIVE ME IMMUNITY OR I WILL VETO AMERICA TO THE BRINK OF POVERTY AND DESTRUCTIONS.
ACCEPT MY NEW TEN COMMANDMENTS OR BURN AT THE DOORSTEPS OF THESE DARKEN DOORS OF THE WHITEHOUSE.
1. 911 - SEE SPOT RUN,
AMERICA RUN.
2. JOE LIEBERMAN, FRED
WE GOT THIS THOMPSON
HOMELAND SECURITY
3. AT&T & VERIZON WIRELESS
ON BOARD TO EAVESDROP
AND WIRETAP AMERICANS
CIRCUMVENTING THE 4TH
AMENDMENT W/IMMUNITY
BEFORE IMMUNITY WAS
GRANTED. OTHERWISE
DICK CHENEY, GEORGE
BUSH CONSPIRED TO
DEFY THE CONSTITUTION
OF THESE UNITED STATES.
5. PROTECT AMERICA ACT
6. SECURED BORDERS ACT
7. S-BILL 1639 AKA SATAN
BILL 1639, THE RISE OF
THE AMERICAN REICH
8. FILLIBUSTER, AFTER
FILLIBUSTER, AFTER VETO
9. FCC RE-REGULATING RADIO
STATIONS TO SHUT THEM
THE HELL UP, AND GIVE
ALL OF TELEVISION TO
7 MEN WHO WILL CONTROL
ALL THAT YOU HEAR, SEE
AND CARE TO SEE, HEAR
OR WATCH.
10. JOE LIEBERMAN, GIVING
THE NOD TO JOHN MCCAIN
WHO DECIDED THAT OUR
NATIONALITY SHOULD BE
CONSOLIDATED AND OUR
ETHNICITY BE CHALLENGED
IN AMERICA.
NOW WHEN DICK CHENEY RESIGNS AND JOHN MCCAIN TAKES THE VICE PRESIDENCY, THEN JOE LIEBERMAN MR. INDEPENDENT CAN BE HIS RUNNING MATE.
OOOO WHOOOPIE I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IF CHRISS DODD CAN FILLIBUSTER THESE CRIMINALS BURNING THE CONSTITUTION OF THESE UNITED STATES.
Posted by: Roger Morris | December 17, 2007 3:48 PM
Yeah Kit, it's about the terrorists. It's always about the terrorists with you folks.
Your minions can't ever question WHY would the White House want immunity for the telecoms.
If everything the White House did was legal and above board, there is no reason for the telecoms to have immunity. It isn't that the administration is afraid of class action suits against the telecoms, it's because THEN the US would find out that the administration was illegally wiretapping phones BEFORE they admitted to it.
Just another ruse from the White House to hide their illegal actions.
Posted by: dogjudge | December 17, 2007 3:56 PM
"MURDER NOW NOT A CRIME IN AMERICA, RAPE NOW NOT A CRIME IN AMERICA"
SO THAT MEANS THAT THE KILLER WAS GIVEN IMMUNITY BEFORE HE COMMITTED HIS CRIME.
SO THAT MEANS THE RAPIST WAS GIVEN IMMUNITY BY HIS VICTIM JUST PRIOR TO BEING RAPED.
SO THAT MEANS A PETIPHILE WHO JUST RAPES A LITTLE GIRL HAS IMMUNITY BECAUSE GEORGE BUSH EXERTS EXECUTIVE PRIVELEDGE ON AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION. THEN SEEKS IMMUNITY BECAUSE IT IS A RELATIVE AND IT COULD HARM THE ENTIRE FAMILY IF IT CAME TO LIGHT.
WELL THAT'S DOING CRIME IN AMERICA, JUST LIKE DOING BUSINESS. IF THE LAW SAYS...... AND YOU BREAK IT.... WHY SHOULD YOU BE GIVEN IMMUNITY?
THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. WE CAN MAKE IT, WE CAN ALWAYS BUY INTO A DIFFERENT TELECOM LIKE QWEST THAT DIDN'T RAPE, STEAL AND EXPECT IMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY ARE RELATIVES TO MILLIONS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND IT WILL JUST KILL THEM TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME.
JOKE. I WOULD GO TO JAIL, WOULDN'T YOU?
SO WHY DO WE ALLOW SENATORS TO EXTEND IMMUNITY.
HUH VITTER, HUH LARRY CRAIG, HUH FOLEY?
I GUESS SO MR. BOEHNER!
Posted by: Roger Morris | December 17, 2007 4:09 PM
Senator Kit Bond is a great American not an America hater like Chris Dodd, Dickie Durbin, Chuckie Schemer. They want Islamic Jihadists to succeed. Corporate America is evil in their socialist minds. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | December 18, 2007 9:05 AM