Bush Refuses To Compromise (Again)

Last week the Senate knuckled under to President Bush again. They passed the bill that would allow him to eavesdrop on anyone, even Americans, at any time and any place with no safeguards. They even gave telecommunications companies immunity from the law if they cooperate with the spying.

But the House of Representatives has passed a different version of the bill -- one that would not give immunity to the telecoms. The House Democrats were hoping to meet with the Senate and work out a compromise.

Yesterday, Bush dashed those hopes. He said there was no way he would accept a compromise. I would have to agree. I don't think there should be a compromise either. The House Democrats should hold fast to their position.

If Bush wants to kill the bill by refusing to compromise, they should let him do that. Frankly, the bill is not only not needed, but I believe it is unconstitutional. Our Founding Fathers believed the government should never intrude upon the privacy of citizens without a court-approved warrant and probable cause.

There was good reason for that belief. They knew if the government could perform warrantless searches, then freedom was gone. Freedom can only exist when the citizens have rights that cannot be abridged by the government.

Bush says we wouldn't be able to listen in on terrorists conversations if the bill is not passed and telecoms aren't given immunity. That is just a lie!

FISA already gives the government the ability to get a secret warrant to eavesdrop. With a warrant, the telecoms are not only protected but cannot refuse to cooperate. Our government can get the job done with the current FISA law, and protect the rights of American citizens at the same time.

I urge House Democrats to take Bush at his word and refuse to compromise. Let this bad bill die. It is not only invasive, it is not needed.