Dear Congresswoman - Redux

(H/t to dday of Hullabaloo)
Congress Daily is reporting that

"House Democratic leaders are considering the option of taking up a Senate-passed FISA bill in stages, congressional sources said today. Under the plan, the House would vote separately on the first title of the bill, which authorizes surveillance activities, and then on the bill's second title, which grants retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies that aided the Bush administration's warrantless electronic surveillance activities. The two would be recombined, assuming passage of both titles. In this way, Democratic leaders believe they can give an out to lawmakers opposed to the retroactive immunity provision. Republican leadership sources said their caucus would back such a plan because not only would it give Democratic leaders the out they need, it would provide a political win for the GOP."

Whether or not this is a trial balloon – I cannot begin to describe the feeling of frustration I feel with Congress over this issue. How can this Congress, particularly the House leadership, consider backing down on Telecom immunity?

The White House has dialed up the fear again and again with charges that we are less safe, but has safely steered clear of any meaningful discussion of what they are really going to the mat for – civil immunity for the Telecom industry.

Don't let the House fold on this issue – please. Force a discussion of the immunity issue. If someone is capable of explaining the public benefit of Telecom immunity, let them speak out.

I see no reason to immunize corporations for past wrongdoing that is kept secret. I see even less reason to immunize their future conduct (as the President has now asked for) against prosecution.

We have laws to protect our citizens and our way of life – it remains to be seen if we have legislators who have the will to enforce those laws.

Don't compromise on this issue.