Got telecom immunity?

I don't expect to find a presidential candidate who mirrors my every belief, but I do prefer what Obama said the first time.

What Obama said in January:

Ever since 9/11, this Administration has put forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand.

The FISA court works. The separation of power works. We can trace, track down and take out terrorists while ensuring that our actions are subject to vigorous oversight, and do not undermine the very laws and freedom that we are fighting to defend.

No one should get a free pass to violate the basic civil liberties of the American people -- not the President of the United States, and not the telecommunications companies that fell in line with his warrantless surveillance program. We have to make clear the lines that cannot be crossed. . . .

Lately however, he's been talking about voting for the "compromise" bill that will still contain a path to telecom immunity. I don't understand the change. Democrats have been winning lately because they've stood up for our constitution and the rule of law - even in strongly Republican areas.

I don't think corporations should be able to break the law just because the president asks them to - no matter who the president is. If you share my concern, you might be interested in joining this group.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/SenatorObama-PleaseVoteAgainstFISA

I hope to see you there.

Glenn Greenwald over at Salon has been writing extensively on this issue.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/

Christopher Hitchens get waterboarded?!?!

Hitchens, one the Iraq war's biggest cheerleaders, arranged to have himself waterboarded by people with experience in the technique.

His conclusion?

"Well, then, if waterboarding does not constitute torture, then there is no such thing as torture."

Unlike a lot of repugs who pretend that waterboarding is only "simulated drowning", Mr. Hitchens pulls no punches in describing just how awful it is to be involuntarily deprived of oxygen. The details:

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/08/hitchens200808

Our current government is very vocal about the merits of democracy, but not so honest or forthcoming about the things they've deemed necessary to defend democracy. What says the most about them: what they say or what they do?