During the past 8 years, the Bush administration listened to Americans' phone calls and read their emails without a warrant. On July 9, 2008, the Senate passed a bill to amend FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, to further expand the government's warrantless wiretapping powers. The Senate also mocked the rule of law and gave telecom companies immunity for any illegal actions they may have taken without having to appear in court.

We lost that round. But it's not over: both the ACLU and EFF filed suit, and we're gearing up for another battle in 2009. Get FISA Right will continue to work with other groups fighting for our civil liberties on the web and on the streets. If you want to help shape our direction, please join the discussions about what next.

Happy New Year! Here's what's up ...