Letting the lawbreakers go

So the Senate went ahead and approved legislation that would forgive telecom companies for illegally helping the government spy on Americans.

But the plan doesn't just give the phone companies a Get Out of Jail Free card, set precedent that private companies can be coerced into spying on citizens and shaft those who had their phone records snooped. It also broadens the surveillance powers of the government in a time when the executive branch has consolidated power and — to be kind — taken liberties with the rule of law and Constitution.

Scary business.

Cheers, however, to Sen. Chris Dodd, who spoke for 20 hours on the Senate floor in an attempt to stall the legislation.