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Getting Cryptic E-mail from an ASS

I wrote to congrASSman Jon Porter (R-NV03-BushAssLicker) about not allowing the Tel Com companies to have immunity for illegally helping the Bush Crime Family with their warrantless wiretapping of our phones, e-mails, etc... and this is what I get back - not his take on it, but a rehash of the Bill. One wonders why I call him an ASS!!!

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 3773, the Responsible Electronic Surveillance That is Overseen, Reviewed, and Effective Act of 2007 or RESTORE Act of 2007. I appreciate hearing from you and having the benefit of your views.

As you may know, my colleague, Representative John Conyers (D-MI), introduced the RESTORE Act. This legislation seeks to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) to provide that a court order is not required for the acquisition of communication between non-U.S. persons who are not located within the United States for collecting foreign intelligence information, whether or not the communication passes through the United States or the surveillance device is located within the United States.

The RESTORE Act would also require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Attorney General (AG) to jointly apply to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for an order, or the extension of an order, authorizing for up to one year the acquisition of communications of persons outside the United States who are non-U.S. persons. One of the more controversial provisions in this legislation concerns retroactive immunity. This legislation does not provide for retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that participated in the Terrorist Surveillance Program (TSP).

Presently, the RESTORE Act is awaiting the completion of action in the House of Representatives. Please know that I will be sure to keep your views in mind when this legislation is addressed by the full House of Representatives. (in whose universe??)

Again, thank you for writing. Please feel free to contact me in the future with any additional comments or concerns you may have.

Sincerely,

Jon C. Porter

Member of Congress (Hopefully not for another term!!!)

Bush & Congress need a refresher course in the Bill Of Rights

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Via Raw Story:

The proposed House bill offers some concession to the administration, and it includes fixes in surveillance that Democrats and Republicans agreed were needed, such as a clarification that no warrant is required to spy on strictly foreign-to-foreign phone calls and e-mails.

Under the new law, the Attorney General or Director of National Intelligence would be authorized to receive blanket warrants to eavesdrop on several foreign intelligence targets who could call into the United States, but the bill would restore FISA court reviews of targeting procedures and steps taken to "minimize" Americans' exposure to surveillance. If an American is to become the "target" of surveillance, intelligence agencies would be required to seek an individualized warrant from the FISA court.

The American Civil Liberties Union said that concession would allow "blanket warrants" to authorize the National Security Agency and other US intelligence services to gather information on untold numbers of Americans who may not be suspected of doing anything wrong.

I get E-mails that blow smoke

This came from Sen. Ensign today and my ass is just full of smoke right now. I wrote to him last month and I got a reply - some wonders never cease:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the important issue of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me, and I value the opportunity to address them.

As you may be aware, Congress passed, with bipartisan support, and the President signed into law the Protect America Act on September 6, 2007. This legislation to reform FISA, was proposed by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Retired Navy Vice Admiral Mike McConnell. The DNI's proposal allows the Intelligence Community to close critical gaps in its current ability to identify and provide early warnings of terrorist threats to the country. DNI McConnell, who is neither a politician nor a partisan, has stated that this act is the bare minimum he needs to protect this country against terrorist attacks, while safeguarding our civil liberties.

Nearly three decades have passed since the FISA act was last modified. Since that time the threats we face have changed dramatically and so has communications technology. These changes in technology unintentionally broadened the scope of FISA and harmed our ability to conduct surveillance on those plotting from abroad to attack the United States. The Protect America Act clarifies that the Intelligence Community should not be required to obtain court orders to effectively collect foreign intelligence from foreign targets located overseas. This was not deemed appropriate in 1978, and it is not appropriate today.

I can assure you that I understand the importance of preserving our civil liberties. This legislation would in no way change the manner in which domestic intelligence is collected and requires our intelligence community to create and maintain a document trail that is easily auditable. Additionally, this act requires both the Attorney General and the DNI to jointly authorize foreign targeting for individuals believed to be threats. Finally, it reaffirms Congress's oversight role by requiring the Attorney General to provide semi-annual reports to both the Senate and House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees.

Please know that I will keep your concerns, and the concerns of all Nevadans, in mind. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me. Please feel free to contact me in the future on matters of importance to you. Should you have any other questions or comments or would like to sign up for my monthly newsletter, please do not hesitate to either write or e-mail me via my website.