Mark Klein, the retired AT&T engineer turned whistleblower who revealed the existence of telecom cooperation with federal agencies in unauthorized and illegal wiretapping post 9/11, has warned that new legislation authorizing such activities in the future and giving the telecoms retroactive immunity for their illegal activities in the past, sets the stage for a police state. Klein's comments as reported at Wired.com:

[Wednesday]'s vote by Congress effectively gives retroactive immunity to the telecom companies and endorses an all-powerful president. It’s a Congressional coup against the Constitution.

The Democratic leadership is touting the deal as a "compromise," but in fact they have endorsed the infamous Nuremberg defense: "Just following orders." The judge can only check their paperwork. This cynical deal is a Democratic exercise in deceit and cowardice.

We're glad Mr. Klein recognizes and is speaking out against the Senate's abnegation of their duty to the Constitution. But he picks on the Democrats when he should be picking on both parties. The sell out of liberty at the federal level is a bipartisan effort.