In the news today: Senator Chris Dodd is taking a stand against the recent possible Senate vote to grant Big TelComs immunity in a revision of FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act). Siding with the Internet community, he has planned to filibuster in a stand against the provisions. What do these provisions entail?

From the synopsis on Raw Story:

“The Senate is considering an update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that includes a provision aimed at invalidating some 40 lawsuits that have been filed against telephone and internet companies. Plaintiffs in those suits say the telecommunications industry acted illegally and ignored the constitution in facilitating warrantless government wiretaps aimed at Americans.”

Dodd is determined to filibuster as long as possible. “I rarely come to the floor with this much anger,” Dodd said. “I’ve never seen contempt of the rule of law such as this.” I agree. The recent onslaught against open access to truth and free speech, not to mention accountability, in the form of anti Network Neutrality laws and laws enacted for the sole benefit of big business like HR 4279 and these possible provisions to FISA is a slap in the face of Democracy.

What can you do? If you live in America, write or call your Senator and your Congressman. You can find their contact info on the Senate and House of Representatives web sites. If you live outside of America, voice your opinion online and link to fellow technology and politics bloggers in the US. The Internet brings people together like nothing else, and that is what big business and the government would like to see stopped: innovation and connection.

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