Maybe not quite so simple after all - pre 9-11 illegalities would still be actionable
Legislation aimed at updating a law on government-surveillance activities would give telecommunications companies legal immunity for aiding a warrantless wiretapping program after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks -- but leave them vulnerable when it came to any aid they offered previously.
The exception may be significant in light of suggestions by Joseph Nacchio, former chief executive of Qwest Communications International Inc., that the government approached telecom providers for help in a contentious surveillance program run by the National Security Agency before Sept. 11, 2001.
Mr. Nacchio was convicted this spring of insider trading and is free pending his appeal.
[From Surveillance Law Could Hold New Risks for Telecom Firms - WSJ.com]
There still is no reason to give immunity - the telecoms are claiming the Good German excuse (sure, we broke the law, but somebody in the government asked me to), but shouldn't be allowed to get away with it.
I feel outrage when hearing the wiretap. I remember the dictatorship in Brazil. Civil liberties, freedom, ha!