Adding immunity for the telecoms that engaged knowingly in warrantless wiretapping to the FISA bill brings up an interesting question to which we will all shortly know the answer. Consider …
This is the oath of federal office taken by all members of the House and Senate:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
This is the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
This is Sen. Patrick Leahy asking White House staffer Sara Taylor some questions about where her loyalties lie as a federal employee who took an oath comparable to his:
The question is: Which Senators take their oath of office seriously, and which ones think it’s only a party trick to spring on Republican dittoheads?
“My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total.” – Rep. Barbara Jordan