Quote:
Originally Posted by nmmirich
If the gov was not wire tapping Americans why is Congress giving the telecommunication companies immunity against lawsuits filed by American citizens? “(CBS/AP) Yesterday, Vice President Dick Cheney, in a speech before a conservative think tank, warned that if telecoms were not given immunity for past surveillance, they would hesitant to assist the government in the future, and is vital "to help us prevent another 9/11 down the road.”
Those who would give up ESSENTIAL LIBERTY to purchase a little TEMPORARY SAFETY, deserve neither LIBERTY nor SAFETY. Benjamin Franklin
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Duh.
Read what Cheney said. If someone wanted you to do something but you knew there were politically motivated groups who would bring suit against you JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT and you were responsible for paying to defend against the suit, would you put yourself or your enterprise in harm's way? Maybe. My cash on the table says the average man in the gray flannel suit says no. Not because he or she does not want to help, but because they do not want to be the target of meritless lawsuits. Hence, the need for the law to shield these organizations, just like we have laws to protect whistleblowers. I'm sure, reading your posts and seeing you wringing your hands in worry, you love whistleblowers and hold such laws are all good.
Then, in a weak attempt to butress your position, or raise doubt, you rip off a true patriot's quote. That is weak, weak, weak.
Look junior, as a citizen of the United States I enjoy certain protections against government authority. If you do a little research you might realize that these protections CHANGE with the circumstances. I will give you an example and go real slow, just for you. If Deputy Fife stops me driving my motor vehicle and does not have a warrant signed by a judge and he searches my vehicle without my consent whatever he found and is trying to use as evidence against me may be suppressed if that evidence was unconstitutionally obtained. So far, so good? I hope so.
Same scenario, I am a lawful citizen of the United States operating my motor vehicle. The only difference is I am crossing the border from Canada or Mexico. Does Inspector Fife need a warrant to search my vehicle? Will that kilo of cocaine be suppressed? FUCK NO. At a border crossing the standard is different. You would be well served to do a little study on search and seizure law instead of gazing at your navel, which just leaves you in the perfect position for Machmoud to lop off your head.
Think, grasshopper. These calls were "crossing the border". Different standard.
Here is another quote for your quiver, although I can't remember who said it:
"The Constitution is not a suicide pact"
It's good you are looking out for our freedoms. Keep looking.