They impeached Clinton for a minor dalliance in which he didn't even get to third base. But taking the Constitution and pushing it through the shredder, why is that just fine and dandy?
2006-11-02 03:48:58 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
A court order must be obtained to legally surveil someone in this country.
The FISA Court was created to allow some leeway for our government to 'wiretap' in emergency situations as determined by the court but it is time-sensitive and a court order must still be obtained.
Bush Co. has stated that they aren't listening to US citizens' phone calls but with several huge telecoms like ATT, Sprint, MCI, and Verizon giving the federal govt our phone records and conversations its hard to believe that they haven't.
While other Presidents have used this intelligence gathering procedure, Bush is the only one to decide that he did NOT need a court order.
That is illegal.
2006-11-02 04:00:19 · answer #1 · answered by LatexSolarBeef 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
This blown out of proportion. I had to explain this to my boyfriend also. He thinks the government has a wire tap on eveybody's phone and tapping everyone's conversations. The answer is yes it is illegal to just tap any John Doe Citizen's phone. No the government does not have a tap on anyone and everyone's phone. Court orders must be put in place. Especially with so many cell phones that is impossible. "Big Brother" is not watching the normal everyday Joe.
2006-11-02 04:02:09 · answer #2 · answered by cowgirl 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Uh, let me play fact-checker for you, if I may.
Clinton was impeached for 1. Lying under oath, for which he also lost his law license, and 2. Obstruction of justice. It doesn't matter what you perjure yourself about, or what you suborn perjury for, the fact that the chief law enforcement officer of the US - the President - broke these very laws is the issue.
As for the wiretapping, it specifically is directed at foreign initiated phone calls, from phone numbers of interest (found in terrorists' Rolodexes, for example) to American numbers. Since signal intelligence of enemies is a legitimate executive branch activity as part of the President's inherent war powers, he has the inherent authority to authorize these wiretaps.
I don't think you understand the Constitution well enough to be so vehement in your opinion.
2006-11-02 04:08:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
You totally misunderstand the wire tap laws.
First of all, the Constitution isn't being pushed thru a shredder. Chicken Little didn't convince anyone.
Secondly, the wire tapping law was authorized by Jimmy Carter and used by Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, and Bush Jr.
Third, the wire tapping must involve a person who a terrorist, or one seeking to assist terror, etc. The wiretaps are not to listen to your conversations with your friends and IF YOU READ THE LAW, you'd know that.
___________
Everyone who has answered asserts that "it's illegal" but no one can tell us WHY!
2006-11-02 03:52:17 · answer #4 · answered by C = JD 5 · 10⤊ 3⤋
No, but since your god, Bill Clinton, set the precedent by doing it himself it seems like no one should have a problem with it.
The libs excused Clinton for it.
The Republicans excuse Bush for it.
People have given so much power to the government that nothing can be done about it.
So why even worry about it?
2006-11-02 03:54:58 · answer #5 · answered by El Pistolero Negra 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes it is illegal. There were rules/laws setup to deal with such things and even allowances to deal with time urgency. The administration chose to go around those laws.... typical.
Any excuse for not using FISA etc. is just a cop out.
Its one more example of where people think the rules don't apply to them.
Just becuase they "say" that they are only listening to "terrorists" it doesn't mean they can't abuse their power and listen to somebody they simply don't like. That's why there is oversight and laws on such things.
2006-11-02 03:55:57 · answer #6 · answered by dapixelator 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Oh well because Bush will do something that is illegal then when he is caught out of for it he will say that we are aiding terrorists by revealing these illegal doings then pass a law to make it legal
2006-11-02 04:13:52 · answer #7 · answered by Perplexed 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
1st Billy got in deep not for getting it as he ordered men in to action (Testified to in court). He got impeached for lies he told under oath at his rape and sexual assault. Stop the lies or know what you talk about first
The wire taps Are OK as long as one of the people are a know terrorist.
2006-11-02 03:57:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yep and it says so right in the Bill of Rights.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
2006-11-02 03:51:14 · answer #9 · answered by Franklin 7 · 6⤊ 2⤋
That is illegal but Bush has signed a new law which makes it "legal" (according to him) to tap your phone without a warrant when you are making international calls to suspected terrorist.
2006-11-02 03:57:01 · answer #10 · answered by BeachBABE 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋