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Wiretapping: Think Carefully
So what if lawmakers are considering granting immunity to telephone companies that help the government spy on Americans post-9/11? They've stopped short of covering for companies complicit in the illegal wiretapping even before those terrorist attacks six years ago (yes, it seems we were being spied on prior to the attacks as well). For those who think that mountains are being made of molehills, we bring you the words of historian/broadcaster Studs Terkel. Reading the 95-year-old's words (you can hear them on CBC Radio's "As It Happens") should leave little doubt as to why warrantless wiretapping is wrong.
"It is un-American. ... We're nothing in the book of these phonies. Not only phonies, but they're getting away with it," said Terkel, who having the benefit of seeing the past century of this country's history unfold before his eyes, says this Bush administration surpasses the McCarthy era (during which he was blacklisted) in fear mongering. He's also a plaintiff in one of the lawsuits filed by the phone companies, and he's participating, he says, out of duty.
"You mean you cannot sue a company that's working with a phony, lying administration, to demean you, to make you a zero? To make you a 'Good German'? Is that the idea? ... We are not nothing. We are not the 'Good Germans.' " Terkel also wrote a piece for The New York Times, urging Congress to "think carefully" before denying Americans their "day in court."
We need fewer Good Germans and more Studs Terkels in our midst -- thinkers who aren't afraid of speaking out, even as lawmakers mistake kowtowing with patriotic duty.
©1996-2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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12 Comments so far
Show AllKeep it up Mr. Terkels. May your integrity give you the strength to live another hundred years. The current cabal of lawmakers know zip about true patriotism or they would not have sold us out beginning with bush's appointment/coup in 2000 and subsequent rigged elections. That includes Gore, Kerry, Reid, Pelosi, Conyers, Schumer, Feinstein, Stoyer..on and on and on. Not you, DK, Wexler, Wellstone (RIP), Byrd, Sander, Leahy, Ron Paul and a few others. And of course, we certainly know the true patriotic colors of our illustrious leaders, Cheney and bush...yellow and dollar green!
Mr. Terkels...Now there is a true patriot...
Not the phony scumbag politicos swanning around with miniaturized American Flags on their lapels spriuking deceit and selling the country down the drain...
The problem with "think carefully" is the word: think. Which does not jive with the new Congressional creed: do what your paymasters tell you to do.
Shall we assume Studs Terkel will support the election of more Republicans? Shall we assume he is out in pretend-land enough to think some third party is going to swoop in during the next 12 months and right our listing ship?
You want your country and your civil rights back? Then stand up, gather your senses, and un-elect those who took those things from you. (Hint: You will need to be helping a party with enough numeric heft to have a statistical possibility of winning.)
Duty...
Daniel David---So do you get paid by the word or by the post? Just wondering....
Way to go Studs Terkel. I dropped AT&T and switched to Qwest after I learned of this illegal wiretapping. Not only did save 5 bucks a month, all that clicking noise disappeared. Sue them is right and I'll donate my refund check for a good cause.
Daniel David..I vowed after 2004 to never again vote for the lesser of two evils. I shall follow my heart and conscience and vote only for a third party candidate that meets my standards.....and that will be Nader, whom I KNOW is incorruptable or DK, if he decides to run as an independent.
willybill,
Okay, I respect your position, based on your standing for principle. Hope you'll understand I too am working for what I believe would be a better result than more Republicans.
I worked for the phone company for ten years. Every year employes are required to read and sign "secrecy of communications" which says you can't use any information you overhear while monitering any communitation for any purpose. Phone companys are very aware that listening in on our conversations is against the law. dont let them pass any immunity law.
Daniel David,
Re: "You want your country and your civil rights back? Then stand up, gather your senses, and un-elect those who took those things from you. (Hint: You will need to be helping a party with enough numeric heft to have a statistical possibility of winning.)"
Actually, the best way to unelect those who took those things from us is to plant operatives inside Diebold and EDS. At this point, statistics have nothing to do with winning an election.
Kinda funny you happened to mention a term not so unlike my username...
I've known about these NSA bastards spying on us in our phones and emails, but I don't know of any services that aren't tapped. I plan on getting a phone soon, so if you know any good ones, I'd like to know.
Keep up the good posts.