Telcoms heart Bush

Just what gives the telecommunications company the right to abet in all this domestic spying? That's our private information they're giving away. From USA Today:

The National Security Agency has secured the cooperation of large telecommunications companies, including AT&T, MCI and Sprint, in its efforts to eavesdrop without warrants on international calls by suspected terrorists, according to seven telecommunications executives...

Technicians work with phone company officials to intercept communications pegged to a particular person or phone number. Telecommunications executives say MCI, AT&T and Sprint grant the access to their systems without warrants or court orders. Instead, they are cooperating on the basis of oral requests from senior government officials.

So, I just walk in, flash the "I'm a Rethuglican" flag on my lapel, and say I want to hear what so-and-so is saying, and they hand me the ear phones? No questions asked? No warrants sought? No official written orders signed? This is just unbelievable.

Ah, I get it. There's a quid-pro-quo. No legislation that might hurt the telcoms.