Write one that makes sense. Write one that doesn’t allow big telecommunications companies to ride roughshod over us. Wrap it all up in pretty paper with a gold ribbon on top, then shove it down the bastard’s throat!

Bush: Surveillance bill must not hamper fight against terrorism

President Bush says a new foreign surveillance bill must give flexibility to intelligence professions.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Bush said Wednesday he will not sign a government surveillance bill unless it provides the tools and flexibility intelligence professions need to protect the America against terrorism.

The bill, the president said, must “keep the intelligence gap firmly closed and ensure that protections intended for the American people are not extended to terrorists overseas who are plotting to harm us.”

Retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that cooperated with electronic surveillance, must also be part of the bill, Bush said.

He said the companies “are facing multibillion-dollar lawsuits only because they are believed to have assisted in the efforts to defend our nation following the 9/11 attacks.”

Bush wants to strengthen the Protect America Act, a temporary measure passed in August and set to expire in February. Democrats want to roll back some of the powers granted in that bill.

CNN

CNNPolitics.com