It's All About the Telecoms, Stupid!

It's all about Liability protection
By: John Amato on Monday, February 18th, 2008 at 9:00 AM - PST Yep, it's not that we're in danger if the PAA isn't extended, it's that the Telecoms would be mad, 'mkay? BUSH: Failure to act would harm our ability to monitor new terrorist activities, and could re-open dangerous gaps in our intelligence. NPR: Mr. McConnell, the Bush administration says that if the Protect America Act isn't made permanent, it will tie your hands, intelligence hands, especially when it comes to new threats. But isn't it true that any surveillance underway does not expire, even if this law isn't renewed by tomorrow? MCCONNELL: Well, Renee it's a very complex issue. It's true that some of the authorities would carry over to the period they were established for one year. That would put us into the August, September time-frame. However, that's not the real issue. The issue is liability protection for the private sector. The fearmongers of the GOP base have been saying we'll all die if the PAA isn't extended and now you have McConnell saying it's all about the poor Telecoms. I think we have our answer.

Crooks and Liars