We should be used to this by now, but it appears the Democratic leadership is preparing to sell us down the river yet again. Here's the link. I know little beyond this basic story, but based on things I've seen in Greenwald it sounds like the "compromise" on immunity is no compromise at all: the law will insruct the courts to dismiss the lawsuits if the telcos can prove the President requested them to wiretap and that he assured them it was legal. This, of course, is exactly what happened. What does a law mean if a President can instruct one to violate it with impunity? The bill will also have all the other bad warrantless wiretapping crap we've come to expect. See after jump for info on an upcoming action alert. Update Below.
Greenwald also addresses this here. (See the update to the lead article.) He is working on a campaign to derail this. All the information I have is in the blockquote below -- check back with Greenwald until he provides more information. You can also call the leadership, your reps, blue dogs, and anyone else you can think of. I'm awfully sick of going down this road, but it's worth it to defend the Constitution.
UPDATE: Speaking of fear-mongering, I've been working today on various campaigns to derail the Steny-Hoyer-led effort to vest lawbreaking telecoms this week with immunity. Quick -- and severe -- action will be required because the House Democratic leadership is conniving to negotiate this in secret and then pass all of this quickly so as to avoid debate and consequences. The campaign is going to expand well beyond Chris Carney and will include, at the very least, a massive effort directed at voters in Steny Hoyer's district to make them aware of just what he is doing. I hope to have more details and updates on all of this later today, but will, at the absolute latest, have it early tomorrow morning.
A concerted effort, lots of resources, and alliances with other like-minded factions and groups will be required to make this work. If, as appears, Congressional Democrats are intent on doing this, there should be a hefty and real price for them to pay for doing it.
Update: Democrats.com has a petition on this issue here. Can't hurt to sign it and add a few choice words for your representatives and Senators.