You may have seen this story soon after the last FISA vote.
Well, I just got my letter from Rep. Cooper. Short and to the point, but wrong. Below the fold.
Dear [figurefive]:
Thank you for contacting me about the recent vote on FISA legislation.
Surveillance laws pose a difficult dilemma. On one hand, we must ensure our intelligence agencies have the tools to keep us safe. On the other hand, we must guard against abuses that encroach on our own liberties. I voted against the House FISA bill because I do not belive it struck the right balance.
While making this decision, I reflected on the concerns expressed by you and hundres of others in my district. I hope you will support me in my decision. I believe I did what is best for our nation.
Well, Rep. Cooper, what you fail to note is that our intelligence agencies already do have the necessary tools to keep us safe. They apply for a warrant, receive the warrant (if the FISA court agrees it's justified), and initiate surveillance. Oh yeah, if they don't have time to submit the warrant application they can start the surveillance first and apply for the warrant up to three days later.
Where is the dillema here? Intelligence has tools, we have protection of our civil liberties, the federal government is not allowed to spy on its citizens in violation of the 4th Ammendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The only conclusion I can draw from your letter is that the "dilemma" and "the right balance" in your mind must include protection for telecommunications companies against their presumed illegal participation in the Bush administration's presumed illegal implementation of warrantless wire-tapping. I say presumed, because we don't really know the true extent of the activities. That's what we'd all like to find out. And that's what the House FISA bill would have allowed to happen. In court. Where it belongs.
Rest assured, you do not have my support in this decision, and as I indicated in my repeated calls to your office, you have likely lost my support in the voting booth.