Maybe at least a single one, though let’s not read too much into it (or get too sexist). It appears the House is going to let the spy bill extension lapse, rather than pass a further extension (which Bush threatened to veto) or rush to accept the Senate version (which includes telco immunity).
The White House says the failure to pass the bill risks losing the cooperation of the telecommunications industry. And the White House says that could put Americans in danger.
Show the telcos you’re acting pursuant to the letter of the law, with legal authorizations, and I’m sure they’ll cooperate (vs face fines and other penalties). What this may actually do is lose the cooperation of the telcos in doing things that aren’t actually legally authorized.
(What does it say when we now depend on the telcos to enforce the law? Yeesh.)
So does this mean the country is suddenly vulnerable to terroristic plotting? Nah.
The expiration of the powers “doesn’t mean we are somehow vulnerable again,” said Representative Silvestre Reyes, Democrat of Texas and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
The lapsing of the deadline would have little practical effect on intelligence gathering. Intelligence officials would be able to intercept communications from Qaeda members or other identified terrorist groups for a year after the initial eavesdropping authorization for that particular group.
If a new terrorist group is identified after Saturday, intelligence officials would not be able to use the broadened eavesdropping authority. They would be able to seek a warrant under the more restrictive standards in place for three decades through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
If the House Dems actually stick to their guns, my respect for Pelosi might actually creep back up half a notch. I’m not, though, holding my breath.
Qwest had their contract revoked for NOT doing the NSA’s bidding.
I’m trying to figure out how it is that Bush thinks it’s a threat or pressure tactic that he’s going to stay home from his Africa trip if the House doesn’t get the bill passed. Or maybe that’s his idea of “cooperation” — “I promise to make myself available any time to sign the bill that I’m pressuring you to pass.”
I heard this morning that that after he got his treating America with Doooooom and the House did not quake in fear, that he has decided to go to Africa after all.