Bush Slams Dems For Helping Terrorists
WASHINGTON - House Democratic leaders came under criticism Saturday from President Bush who said they are blocking intelligence legislation so lawyers can sue telephone companies for helping the government eavesdrop on suspected terrorists.
Terrorists are plotting attacks “at this very moment,” Bush said in his weekly radio address. He again urged the House to act on Senate- passed legislation needed to renew the intelligence law that expired last weekend.
The Senate bill provides retroactive protection for telecommunications companies that wiretapped U.S. phone and computer lines at the government’s request, but without the permission of a secret court created 30 years ago to oversee such activities. The House version does not provide such immunity against lawsuits.
The Justice Department and Office of National Intelligence said Saturday that telecommunication companies are now complying with existing surveillance warrants. The agencies’ statement reversed their declaration late Friday that some companies had refused to initiate wiretaps against people covered by orders issued under the expired law.
The statement said new surveillance activities under existing warrants will resume “for now,” but that the delay “impaired our ability to cover foreign intelligence targets, which resulted in missed intelligence information.”
The statement also said companies may resist orders in the future if Congress does pass adopt a law with retroactive immunity.
National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell predicted last week that the government’s surveillance of terrorists would be harmed if the law were allowed to expire. He and Attorney General Michael Mukasey said that prediction had come true.
Later Friday, the companies—whom administration officials refused to name—reversed their opposition to expanding existing orders to cover new surveillance activities.
The law expired after Congress left on a 10-day recess before reconciling the House and Senate versions of its replacement.
“When Congress reconvenes on Monday, members of the House have a choice to make: They can empower the trial bar, or they can empower the intelligence community,” Bush said in his Saturday radio address. “They can help class-action trial lawyers sue for billions of dollars, or they can help our intelligence officials protect millions of lives.”
Bush has promised to veto any bill that does not protect the companies from suits that allege violations of privacy and wiretapping laws under the warrantless wiretapping program.
“It is unfair and unjust to threaten these companies with financial ruin only because they are believed to have done the right thing and helped their country,” the president said.
“House leaders are blocking this legislation, and the reason can be summed up in three words: class-action lawsuits.”
(AP)
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
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The democrats are going to be needing lawyers, soon.
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:26 pmWhy was this issue not addressed before recess? They want the American people to forget. In todays America, ten days is plenty of time to forget.
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:36 pmContact your congressman or woman and let them know you want to remain protected.
Also, the various companies who assist the government shouldn’t be subject to litigation.
Man, get these jackasses out.
Duh. WTF does this sentence mean? “The statement also said companies may resist orders in the future if Congress
does pass adopt 
a law with retroactive immunity.” 
AP is uncoherable. Or SLT.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:19 am