If You're A Telco Lobbyist Convincing The Gov't To Grant Immunity, What Would You Say?

from the immune-response dept

Fri, Nov 30th 2007 6:18am — Julian Sanchez

Thanks to a court ruling issued Wednesday [PDF], the Director of National Intelligence now has less than two weeks to turn over to the Electronic Frontier Foundation some 300 pages worth of documents concerning the lobbying efforts of the telecom industry, which is seeking immunity from suits related to its role in extralegal surveillance. (EFF has itself brought just such a lawsuit.) The ruling found that the government has not provided any compelling explanation for its foot-dragging response to EFF's Freedom of Information Act request for the documents, and that "the public interest will be served by expedited release of the requested records" before the passage of legislation that could provide retroactive immunity. Since an industry lobbying to protect itself from potentially costly lawsuits is hardly surprising, the attempt to delay disclosure here actually leaves me more curious than I otherwise might be about the contents of the documents. Less interesting than the mere facts about who spoke with whom may be the rationale for amnesty offered by the telecoms: Since they should prevail on the merits if they acted within the law, it may be instructive to see precisely what they are worried about.

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Filed Under: immunity, lobbyists

6 Comments

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John Duncan Yoyo, 30 Nov 2007 @ 6:37am

What I would say and how lame it is.
'Please they will fire me if my bosses go to jail and I won't be able to send you a big contribution check.'
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The truth, 30 Nov 2007 @ 8:17am

here is a nice campaign check. i'll see you in 4 years
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- john duncan yoyo, 2 Dec 2007 @ 12:40am
  
  Re:
  I wish. Have you checked out . They have linked bills to political contributions in the US Congress and California House. You can see what your elected officials were paid for their votes.
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Them all, 30 Nov 2007 @ 9:19am

Blackmail
Look at it like this, they spied on everyone, the judges, legislators, people in all areas of telecom over site and justice. What info do they have on these people? Take one from the KGB playbook and do a blackmail hail mary!
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- Anonymous Coward, 30 Nov 2007 @ 10:36am
  
  Re: Blackmail
  Um, cause that's "Un-American" though at this point I'm cynical enough to think most of the heads of government are as well.
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Paul K, 30 Nov 2007 @ 11:01am

Are you joking?
What are you joking? You are the one who got me in this mess in the first place. (Directed towards Republican)

It is their entire fault. (Pointing at the Republican when talking to Democrat)

They made me do it. (When addressing the public)
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