"We must envision the future we wish to achieve, and then invest ourselves emotionally, philosophically and financially in making that vision come true." - Ivan Seidenberg, CEO Verizon. Oct 11, 2004
Recent revelations that major US telecommunications corporations allowed wholesale government snooping "by tapping directly into some of the American telecommunication system's main arteries", as the NY Times put it, begs a question:
What the fuck?
And no, we're not talking about the power-mad Bushies, plenty is being said about their dangerous, illegal behavior. We're talking about the corporations who said, "hey, go right ahead, they're only customers -- have at it!".
It's one thing for a telco to provide access to court-ordered targets, as they have always done. But to allow the National Security Agency (or any other agency) to jack right into their system and snoop on everyone is nothing less than the worst possible betrayal of their customers.
All Verizon honcho Seidenberg, or any other telco CEO, had to say to King George's Men was: "be happy to help you guys, anytime. Just get us a copy of the court order." And after the snoops failed to produce one, then what? What did Seidenberg have to fear for failing to facilitate a disgusting breach of customer trust and confidentiality?
Could the intense longing of telcos like Verizon for more deregulation have something to do with their contemptible cowardice and eagerness to assist the Republican criminals?
Here at LGFWatch, we think it's time to say to Verizon and Sprint and the other betrayers:
"Can You Hear Us Now?"
Fuckers.
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