The ACLU to the FCC

It's a letter writing campaign. Spread the word.

I am writing to tell you that I've signed the ACLU's letter demanding a full investigation and penalties for any telephone provider cooperating with the government in illegal spying on Americans.

I am troubled by your decision to abandon the FCC's important investigative role before it even begins. I urge you to reconsider and to join with Commissioner Michael J. Copps in his call for an investigation into allegations that at least three telecommunications companies, AT&T, BellSouth and Verizon, cooperated with the National Security Agency in an effort to collect calling information and call patterns on every American.

Unlike the FCC's recent letter to Congressman Edward J. Markey suggests, there are substantial investigative powers that clearly fall within the power of the FCC.

It is wrong when US government officials try to shield illegal actions committed outside the legal process with claims of "state secrets." Every country has laws protecting private property and information. Only democracies have transparent monitoring, application and enforcement of those laws.

What is the point in spying on Americans in order to "protect" us from so-called enemies?

What we lose in terms of privacy rights and personal liberty and security is infinitely more valuable than anything these "enemies" are able to take from us.

Think about it. Do you really expect the American people to accept "security" as a justification for allowing government agencies and telecom providers to collect our phone records? These records are being collected and stored for a purpose, and that purpose can have nothing to do with protecting our security.

If my freedom from illegal snooping by the government and their corporate conspirators isn't protected, then I have no security.

Security begins and ends with my rights and liberties as guaranteed under the Constitution and laws. Protect that.

The people can protect ourselves from "enemies."

When corporate officials break the law and the privacy of my personal records is at stake, I expect the FCC to use every means at its disposal to investigate wrongdoing and protect consumers.

If the FCC abandons any and all attempts to investigate what appears to be a massive and unprecedented violation of American's privacy rights, without first demanding and examining as much public and unclassified information as possible, then the FCC will join the NSA, Verizon, AT&T, and BellSouth. Please don't relegate yourselves into the category of those using fear to deprive Americans of their liberty. Isn't that what you're supposed to be protecting us from?

I look forward to hearing back from the FCC regarding this matter.