Well, looks like they will tomorrow, when there's a vote. I already knew that the Republican party has no shame when it comes to ignoring the rights in the constitution, but what is the Democrat's excuse? SHAME ON THEM for offering a bill that will, essentially, dismiss the lawsuits against the telecom companies for illegally spying on Americans. Why is there a different standard for congress and corporations than there is for the people our form of government is supposed to protect???????

 The deal, expanding the government’s powers in some key respects, would allow intelligence officials to use broad warrants to eavesdrop on foreign targets and conduct emergency wiretaps without court orders on American targets for a week if it is determined important national security information would be lost otherwise. If approved, as appears likely, it would be the most significant revision of surveillance law in 30 years.

The agreement would settle one of the thorniest issues in dispute by providing immunity to the phone companies in the Sept. 11 program as long as a federal district court determines that they received legitimate requests from the government directing their participation in the warrantless wiretapping operation.

I always thought Steny Hoyer would cave in when he thought the American public wasn't going to be looking. SHAME ON HIM. Now let's see how Chet Edwards votes tomorrow.

P.S. What is Obama's view on this? Does he agree with the idea of giving the telcoms immunity, thus actually channeling Nixon's "If the President Does it, It's not Illegal" mantra?