|
~Mumpower for Congress Committee~
Press Release
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
A Monday press
release by Republican Congressional Carl Mumpower has stimulated strong
reactions from 11th District challengers John Armor and Spence
Campbell. "I am not in favor of the immunity found in recent FISA
legislation for telecoms or anyone else and I continue to believe that the
pervasive bureaucratic dysfunction of America's intelligence agencies offers
few incentives for more hidden powers," said Mumpower. "Securing
our borders, enforcing existing laws, and both financial and productivity audits
of our intelligence agencies will do more than allowing the government to
expand its veil of secrecy."
Campbell and
Armor share a common ground with a majority of Republican legislators, the
President, and even 11th District Representative Heath Shuler. Shuler
has come out in support of immunity to telecom companies and made a request of
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that future FISA legislation support that
goal. Campbell has said that Congress should grant the telecoms immunity,
while Armor stated, "I could not disagree with (Mumpower) more - this is
garbage."
"As an
Independent Republican, I support conservative principles with full heart and
action," said Mumpower. "I am not, however, obligated to a
Republican power structure that continues to betray those values and take
short-cuts around the Constitution with actions like this. The rule of
law, accountability, and liberty should not be for sale - especially to people
who are quick to use the "terror card" to justify or conceal
misbehavior."
"I am
fond of Ben Franklin," said Mumpower. "He said
that "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little
temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." I'm sure it
could be argued that there are practical justifications for immunity - one can
always find a reason to take small steps away from the
right thing. This is one of those times when a politician faces
the temptation to fall into line with what's popular or take a principled
position and the heat that results. I'll leave political conformity
to others - and keep my eye on the Constitution."
Carl Mumpower
11th District Republican Congressional Candidate
67
|
