First, go read this post on BoingBoing.

Now, go here, get your rep’s phone number, and remind them that pulling their head out of their fundament is worth the cold ears.

I’ve been following the telecom “retroactive amnesty” issue on Threat Level and a couple of other blogs, and given the recent rumblings that this kind of spying may have actually begun before 9/11, it’s particularly important to ensure that nobody gets immunity until there’s a more thorough investigation of what’s been going on.

(Even Republicans should get behind this issue; aren’t you guys all about keeping the government out of your business?)

Go on, get involved. I did, and I hate to make phone calls.

Sigma is a group of science fiction writers put together by author Arlan Andrews 15 years ago. To join, authors must have at least one technical doctorate degree. The group currently includes Jerry Pournelle, Arlan Andrews, Greg Bear, Larry Niven and Sage Walker. Their mission? To advise government officials on what the future might look like.

Most recently, they’ve lent their “deviant” thinking to the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to combat terrorism.

“Fifty years ago, science-fiction writers told us about flying cars and a wireless handheld communicator,” says Christopher Kelly, spokesman for Homeland Security’s Science and Technology division. “Although flying cars haven’t evolved, cellphones today are a way of life. We need to look everywhere for ideas, and science-fiction writers clearly inform the debate.”

This is probably why the TSA has that “No Phasers” ban.

Link

(Hat tip to BLR WIZ)