This is the problem we have with obtaining intel on terrorists. Currently they can use a satellite phone, a cell phone or the internet to transmit anything they want. The hardware and the facillities that these calls and emails pass through are 82% US owned and operated by the telecom companies. In the matter of some overseas calls, even those that do not originate or end in the US us our satelites. So, how do we get intel, project Echelon, which was made public by a congressman without a clue, allowed us to screen foreign emails, fax, cell and telephone calls, This included Osama's own phone. Now, people want to go after the telecom companies for "invasion of privacy". This is akin to filling suit against Smith and Wesson because MS13 did a driveby in East LA. Now here is the other issue, the satellites and much of the hardware that is used for the internet and overseas calls is part owned by the US government. That is to say the telecom satellites are partially NSA owned and operated. If you want to be able to sue ATT then sue the government as well.

What do we get if we bring suit against the telecoms? We lose the ability to get the intel we need to fight. I suggest that you do a internet search on prject echelon to get the big picture of why FISA is an issue. Immunity for the telecoms is essential if you understand what and how this program works.

There are two separate issues here: the ability to obtain intelligence from the telecoms, something that has been established; and the ability of injured people to hold corporations accountable for breaking the law, something that is being weakened by the current administration.

We don't lose the ability to obtain important intelligence by letting individuals sue the telecoms for illegally spying on them. The telecoms violated the law, and their illegal actions are what is at issue here. You're essentially saying we can't have any rules for telecoms, that they must be able to operate in disregard of the alw, if we're going to fight terrorism. But it's not a zero sum game. Telecoms can still provide sufficient intelligence--in accordance with the law. This would not be compromised by allowing private U.S. citizens to sue for having their constitutional right against unreasonable search and seizure violated.