Bush to Qwest: Break the law, or we break you
‘Classified info’ was not allowed at ex-CEO’s trial
The National Security Agency and other government agencies retaliated against Qwest because the Denver telco refused to go along with a phone spying program, documents released Wednesday suggest.
USA Today reported in May 2006 that Qwest, unlike AT&T and Verizon, balked at helping the NSA track phone calling patterns that may have indicated terrorist organizational activities. Nacchio’s attorney, Herbert Stern, confirmed that Nacchio refused to turn over customer telephone records because he didn’t think the NSA program had legal standing. </em>
Kudos to Qwest for having a spine and recognizing that spying on Americans without a warrant is illegal, and for having the guts to stick by their decision, even if it meant losing business.
