Stronger Emerging Surveillance State

A new measure, if it becomes law, will result in more government surveillance of innocent Americans without warrants, according to Congressman Ron Paul in his weekly column "Texas Straight Talk". Last month, the House amended the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to expand the government's ability to monitor our private communications. Some opponents claim that the only controversial part of this legislation is its grant of immunity to telecommunications companies. But a deeper look into the bill reveals much more about which to be wary. In the House version, Title II, Section 801, immunity from prosecution of civil legal action is extended to people and companies including any provider of an electronic communication service, any provider of a remote computing service, "any other communication service provider who has access to wire or electronic communications", any "parent, subsidiary, affiliate, successor, or assignee" of such company", any "officer, employee, or agent" of such company, and any "landlord, custodian, or other person who may be authorized or required to furnish assistance".