The U.S. Senate and House are working on a compromise FISA reauthorization bill. The Senate version includes retroactive immunity for phone companies that illegally participated in the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance program. Congress must hold fast and not cave in to the administration's fear-mongering scare tactics. Holding the administration to the rule of law and requiring court-approved warrants for surveillance will not encourage further terrorist attacks. We cannot protect democracy and freedom by compromising the very civil liberties that enable democracy and freedom. Protecting our civil liberties is not a sign of weakness. Rather it is a clear demonstration of strength, courage and resolve. No entity should be above the law, not the phone companies, not the administration. Congress must hold those in power accountable for their actions and not provide retroactive immunity.
George A. Garcia, Ann Arbor