There’s nothing particularly cavalier about hating the telecoms—we essentially get paid for it here—but there’s something almost noble in hating them for kowtowing to the Bush Administration, handing over private data for the good of the War on Terror. We may not have to hate much longer, since the Electronic Frontier Federation yesterday won a court ruling mandating that the Bush Administration reveal any and all communications between it and the telecoms—who lobbied whom, who buttered whose bread (and on what side), etc.

See, there’s a bill currently making its was through Congress that would completely exonerate AT&T for breaking the law and handing over private data to the government. “Amnesty” is the word thrown around by the bill’s opponents. Not only would that legalize would AT&T did, but it would set the precedent that, hey, telecoms can do that now without having to answer to us, or anyone else. Wouldn’t that be great? “Hey, AT&T, thanks for handing over my private data. I love you guys.”

The court has given the Bush Administration until December 10 to comply with the ruling, well before the bill slides its way into law. (The Administration had offered to make the requested documents available, but only after the bill became law. How considerate of it.)

Do-nothing Congress, hah. It seems to be real adept at saving its friends’ bacon, that’s for sure. Notice how much the telecoms have donated to Mr. Rockefeller…

Court orders Bush administration to disclose telecom lobbying ties. What about senators? [Salon.com via Slashdot]