Revised FISA Bill Goes to Vote Tomorrow > If you want a POV on this other than from the EFF; see this

It appears that the long and politically charged debate over renewed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authority is finally being settled in Congress, with the private sector protected from litigation orchestrated by a coalition of privacy absolutists, angry White House foes and trial lawyers.

Jed Babbin of Human Events summarized( »www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27078 ) our personal view of the issue in a column today: "These lawsuits aren't merely the latest evolution in class action ambulance chasing. They are a form of 'lawfare': the use of the courts to interfere in America's conduct in the war the terrorists are waging against us."

That said, the judicial review will serve to confirm that the telecoms operated in good faith, responsibly and in compliance with lawful orders. The plaintiff's bar will not be able to leverage activist anger into cash payouts, achieving foreign policy ends by suing the the private sector. And good corporate citizenship is, if not rewarded, at least not punished with crippling multimillion-dollar lawsuits.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendment bill also would:

- Require FISA court permission to wiretap Americans who are overseas

- Prohibit targeting a foreigner to secretly eavesdrop on an American's calls or e-mails without court approval

- Allow the FISA court 30 days to review existing but expiring surveillance orders before renewing them

- Allows eavesdropping in emergencies without court approval, provided it is obtained within a week

- Prohibit the government from invoking war powers or other authorities to superseding surveillance rules in the future.

The new FISA bill, if it becomes law, would expire in 2012.