Maine Owl

Will the Democratic Congress give telcos, and Bush, immunity?

This issue will be back soon. Sen. Chris Dodd, now no longer a 2008 presidential candidate, will not be able to hold off Harry Reid and the immunity surge very much longer.

This is a great diary today at Daily Kos that explains everything:

Daily Kos: Telecom Immunity Gives Bush Immunity

If the telecoms do not actually need immunity at this time to address issues that presently do not exist, what is Bush's real motive for pushing retroactive immunity now? The answer lies in what may happen to Bush if the telecoms are not provided immunity now: The courts may review evidence showing that Bush acted illegally. Telecom immunity would provide grounds to dismiss the lawsuits to prevent the disclosure of this evidence. However, if the telecom immunity clause only provided immunity to telecoms, then Bush would not be protected from other forums --- like independent media, prosecutors and Congress --- that could investigate his domestic surveillance programs.

Coincidentally, the telecom immunity clause is structured to also provide retroactive immunity to Bush.

Click here for the Maine Owl thread on this topic: http://maineowl.net/blog/category/8/blogid/1