The United States Senate has just passed an amendment to the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act, also know as the FISA bill, which grants immunity to telecom companies that were involved with the secretive domestic spy program, executed by the current Bush administration. Those who oppose the bill believe that the courts should be deciding the fate of the telecom companies based on law, not amending the law to accommodate the perpetrators. The FISA bill at the least allows for the U.S. to wiretap our phones, and keep surveillance on our Internet activity. Senator Russ Feingold from Wisconsin describes this legislation as : "…a great blow to the rights of the American people" (Democracy Now!, 6/24/08).

I would like to do more than just gripe, and offer a solution of sorts. I feel that when legislation such as this gets passed through Congress and it makes us feel helpless, it is important to realize that we can have a strong impact at a local level. Our local politicians should be accessible, they should listen to our needs, and since, presumably, they live next door they should be held accountable for the decisions they make. This is an election year. Ask questions. Study legislation. Get involved. Register to vote. Register your mom, your auntie, your cousin, and your neighbor to vote. We don't have to be helpless. We can empower ourselves with the power of the vote.

IMUA,
Summer Starr
Olinda