Bush confirmed that he directed the NSA to listen in on Americans' phone conversations, without a warrant. That's illegal.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060818/wl_afp/usjusticeintelligence_060818004235
2006-09-08 18:31:27 · 22 answers · asked by rainfingers 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I can't help but be surprised with how many people stand beside this! It's not about whether or not we are safer or not. We don't KNOW if we're safer, all evidence is covered over with a blanket of "If we told you what we've found out then the terrorists would know that we know." The real problem is that the Executive Branch is purposefully sidestepping established law. They are willfully disregarding the Foreign Intellegence Surveillance Act of 1978. The President and his staff are disregarding all procedure. YOU try doing it. See what happens. We've already established with both the Nixon and Clinton administrations that the President is not above the law, but subject to it.
We have only those rights which we choose to defend.
2006-09-09 03:01:27 · answer #1 · answered by mindar76 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, those fanatics that support him forget how Tricky Dickie was almost impeached for doing the same thing. They claim that Dubya will "only spy on suspected enemies" or "suspected terrorists" but... be real... do you REALLY, REALLY believe that cow-pie? What's to prevent him from spying on the next Democratic opponent under the guise of Patriot Act, Presidential Executive Privilege or some other taurus excretia? There is a good reason why the laws are set up the way they are... checks and balances to prevent abuse. Tricky Dickie didn't get impeached because his VP was forced to resign for cheating so many people and he was also under indictment for tax evasion (the guy was a real lowlife cheat); so, Tricky Dickie chose Gerry Ford as VP. He resigned and was immediately pardoned by Ford... isn't that convenient? Because he was pardoned by Ford, who was then the President, he couldn't be prosecuted!
Bush is a wannabe tyrant! Good thing he's so stupid and ignorant! He wants to side step and otherwise skirt the laws for his convenience and hidden agenda (as the puppet for the super rich and powerful). And, good thing Eugene McCarthy died a long time ago... or we'd ALL be in deep trouble!
2006-09-09 05:24:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bush never said he told the NSA to listen in on Americans. The whole deal was to listen to calls coming into the U.S. from other countries and known terrorists. If they call here and the people they call are citizens and not just guests here then we have the right to know what citizens are talking to terrorists about. There was nothing illegal about what was being done and you don't need a warrant to listen to calls coming from other countries regardless of who the other person ends up being. The Constitution was never meant to be misinterpreted in the dozens of different ways that it currently is including regarding this subject.
Let's not forget that every past president also wiretapped and spies on people here and abroad, without warrants. Why is Bush required to live up to different standards than anyone else. Clinton purposely spied on people in the U.S. in order to protect himself. Where is the outcry about him. Oh, I forgot he is Mr. perfect he can't do nothing wrong even when he does.
2006-09-09 01:43:25 · answer #3 · answered by Wilkow Conservative 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The NSA is not listening to domestic phone conversations. The NSA is using computers to monitor conversations with parties outside this country who are calling in to domestic potential terrorists. Understand that "monitoring" is not listening. It is using a computer program to check links among calls...when the links tie up with known terrorist suspects phones or web addresses, only then will they potentially receive any attention. This program has already saved many lives from terrorist attacks and should get your support;
To listen to every call in this country is simply impossible, there are hundreds of millions of calls a days, just think about how many phone calls the average person makes a day.
Trust the President as he is doing the right thing to keep Americans safe. He runs a clean Administration. I worry more about democrats like Kerry and Lamont who are willing to attack America and its military in their lust for a return to power. Their behavior borders on treason.
2006-09-09 01:48:08 · answer #4 · answered by bourbon_on_my_cornflakes 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Yes it is illegal. As confirmed by federal courts.
And utterly pointless, because he could have done the same program legally. He just chose to break the laws because he doesn't think the Executive branch should be limited by Congress or the Judiciary. He's actually tried making that argument in court.
I don't trust Bush because he willfully betrayed his oath of office, to ensure that the laws were faithfully executed and to support the Constitution. Betrayal of his oath, and rampant abuse of power, are unforgivable actions.
2006-09-09 02:11:47 · answer #5 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The rules of war are entirely different than the rules of investigating criminal cases. Yes, the president should listen in to our conversations (though I doubt he personally ever has) if there is reason to believe we might be engaged in terrorism!!! Give me a break! If you have never had conversations with terrorists who resided outside of our country, you don't have to worry that your "rights" were invaded.
2006-09-09 01:48:05 · answer #6 · answered by happymom 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
There is a large group of people who have stated they intend to, and have plans to destroy this county, and as many of it's citizens by killing them as they possibly can. These groups have made these plans public over and over. Many of them have sent agents who live and reside in the United States, some are citizens or are supported by citizens. You are in charge now, it is up to you to locate and arrest these fanatics. So what is your plan? How exactly would you do that? Stop people on the street and ask them if they are terrorists and if they say no let them go? Well...what then? How do you do it?
2006-09-09 01:53:37 · answer #7 · answered by Robert P 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I think that kicks ***. I'd love to have the NSA listen to my boring phone conversations with my mom.
2006-09-09 01:34:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Why do you say it is illegal? The NSA (National Security Agency) routinely monotors phone converations to pick up intelligence - this has been going on for many years. What is new about this now? It is our way of protecting our country.
2006-09-09 01:37:46 · answer #9 · answered by Coach D. 4 · 5⤊ 3⤋
I didn't trust him long before I heard about the wire tapping issue came up in the media.
2006-09-09 08:59:07 · answer #10 · answered by InDyBuD2002 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋