Not only wrong, but either your staff is mistaken about your position or you feel comfortable issuing false press releases.
A statement so blatantly false it makes me cringe:
"The FISA legislation we will consider gives our intelligence community the tools it needs and the public the civil liberty protections it deserves. In addition, it rejects calls for automatic immunity for private sector companies. While this bill isn’t perfect, the perfect should never be the enemy of the good. I applaud the Democrats and Republicans who reached this compromise and produced legislation that deserves support from both sides of the aisle."
I called to get clarification on his position, as I didn't see the press release quoted above before I called. The young man answering the phone said that he had released a statement. As I looked for it, I asked him what it said to save some time.
Despite the statement's assurance that the bill "rejects calls for automatic immunity," the person on the phone said, and I'm quoting to the best of my memory:
Congressman Emanuel is in favor for immunity for the telecom companies.
I told him, "That's unfortunate and unacceptable. Please pass that along." He said he would and then we hung up. Then, I found the press release.
The words jumped out at me.
In addition, it rejects calls for automatic immunity for private sector companies.
The conversation with the staffer replayed itself in my memory.
Congressman Emanuel is in favor for immunity for the telecom companies.
Two seemingly contradictory statements.
One in favor of billion-dollar industries, all too willing to sell our rights and privacy for juicy government contracts.
The other in favor of the rule of law, of privacy and safeguards against tyranny.
Which one exactly are you for, Mr. Emanuel? Your statement claims to be against immunity, but your staff contradicts that. Also, the very bill you support contradicts that.
It seems in style to beat up on Rahm, and I've said some unflattering things about him before, but I always maintained that he was an asset to our causes, that he was deep down a congressman worth keeping and worth defending.
Now, I'm not so sure.
With such duplicity in press releases, with such a blatant disregard for privacy issues, I can no longer say that I'm happy to be represented by him.
I fully intend to keep writing and calling, and I'm asking that as many of you as possible do the same. Even if he's not your personal congressional representative, he is in a position of power in the Democratic party. His example could sway many, his forceful stand against this bill could make a big difference.
Please help change his mind.
The D.C. phone number is: 202-225-4061
The Chicago phone number is: 773-267-5926
Call now. Emanuel would be a great ally in this fight, we need to show him that his position on this bill is unacceptable.