Wasn't protection from illegal search and seizure part of the "American way"?

Question

Thus, by legalizing warrant-less wiretaps, haven't the terrorists won?

Neo-cons can stop trembling under their beds now.

bradxschuman (below) Its safe to come out now. There, there... Stop shaking.

Answer 1

I don't know about the American Way, But it has certainly been the Law.

Answer 2

US citizens are protected by the 4th Amendment from the intrusions you mention.

Foreign terrorist suspects are not.

If they call someone in the US or receive a call from someone in the US, the NSA wants to know about it, since that may be the call in which the foreign terrorist gives the green light to begin a terrorist attack.

The NSA doesn't have to have a warrant to listen to a foreign terror suspect's calls.

If you happen to call that terror suspect from the US, that doesn't create a warrant requirement.

That's what the law says, that's what the law has always said, nothing's changed. You can like or dislike the way it works but the way it works is no different from the way it worked under Clinton, Bush '41, Reagan, Carter...

Answer 3

I am listening to the rerun of the vote about that on CSPAN right now. For what reason are they ignoring the need for a warrant? Even if they have to get it afterwards. At least there would be some record for oversight to see if it is being abused. It will be re-evaluated in 6 months again, but I can't believe how easily this congress and senate are throwing away our protections unde the law.

Think about the ramifications of this when we have to decide on who to vote for. If this is the case, there should be FBI investigations on each candidate to be sure of their intentions because they are, in effect, a dictator given the power to completely ignore the protections afforded to the people by the Constitution. We are giving up our liberty for assumed safety. Yes, the terrorists have won a biggy.

Answer 4

Yes and no.

The Constitution protects certain things. Mainly intended to prevent govt abuses of power.

Warrantless wire-taps were already legal (50 USC 1802) for up to one year, as long as the wiretaps were solely on foreign targets, and no US person was being tapped.

S. 1927 allows non-electronic surveillance outside the US, and adds as "reasonable belief" exception to the requirement that only surveillance of foreign targets is allowed.

It's bad law because its hastily written and doesn't deal with many important issues that this "reasonable belief" loophole creates. But it's not unconstitutional to be careless.

But the goal of the terrorists is to disrupt our country, and take away our freedom -- and the Bush regime is certainly playing into that goal..... by the way we respond to issues rashly and without thinking them through.

Answer 5

Kind of a funny question considering some people already think the US government already listens in on every conversation of its citizens. Of course they are already listening into our conversations though our cell phones (even when their off).

In an electronic age, where things happen very quickly what do you propose to help the American government in combating another 9/11?

Answer 6

I'd say that if the terrorists' goals are to promote fear and to conquer by division, then they have certainly gained a strong foothold. Is it just my imagination, or was there a unified mindset proclaiming "they lose, we are not afraid!" shortly after 9/11? It seems those loud, proud and angry voices have been replaced with the politics of fear now. I miss that brave, unified American voice that defied, rather than catered to, fear!!

Answer 7

Though some forms of it were illegal, it was being done to protect the country and its people from a terrorist attack and I think that's worth it and other people should look past the illegalities because now it is legal. And it protects the people.

Answer 8

One of the best presidents the US has ever seen was Lincoln and he suspended habeas corpus to arrest people during the Civil War. He was also very unpopular at the time. Says a lot, doesn't it?

Answer 9

Nonsense, the American people have won a victory against the terrorist scum who are trying to wipe out our country. Unless you are in communication with terrorists you need not fear having your phone bugged. Can explain how bugging the phones of terrorists who are calling people in the US violates your rights? Have you forgotten the lessons of 9/11 already?

Al Qaeda declared war on the US and they have attacked us since the first bombing of the Twin Towers in 1993. They are as strong as ever, and they have tens of millions of radical Muslim allies all over the world, including some in the USA.

We also need to implement the Real ID act ASAP and complete building the border fence with Mexico.

Answer 10

Warrant-less wiretaps are not search and seizures! If you haven't done anything illegal you have nothing to worry about.