Steve Hanson's Blog

Steve Hanson is the founder and editor of Uppity Wisconsin. He is also a web developer in his spare time.

Feingold, Dodd, and FISA Modernization - Update

 Cloture vote was 80-15 -- in favor of passing the bill and giving telco's immunity on illegal wiretapping.

Note that I don't think things bode any better on this for the next administration -- According to Barack Obama

"The bill has changed. So I don't think the security threats have
changed, I think the security threats are similar. My view on FISA has
always been that the issue of the phone companies per se is not one
that overrides the security interests of the American people."

 

Senators Dodd and Feingold are making a last-ditch attempt at derailing the FISA bill in the Senate today. They are attempting to filibuster the bill, which appears unlikely to succeed since it isn't at all clear that they will be able to muster enough votes to continue the filibuster.

This is yet another example of congress inexplicably rolling over to erosion of civil rights in the US. For a very good summary of the current bill and the history of FISA, read this two part history by wiretapping expert David Kris at the Balkinization blog.

Part One

Part Two

 

Update -- Glenn Greenwald chimes in on the bill and Feingold and Dodd's opposition

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