How do you feel about Congress approving the expansion on warrantless wire taps?

Question

It was signed into law yesterday by President Bush.

Answer 1

Every single person, including democrats that have observed the nsa wiretapping program has praised the program and stated it was an essential and neccesary program. Yeah, that is something the press has failed to mention very often.

I have no problem with the gvt looking for key words and phrases in my phone conversations if it ends up catching or stopping just one terrorist plot.

Answer 2

Big Deal. First this is not really a constitutional issue. It wasn't the constitution that Bush was flouting, it was law. The FISA law prohibited (among other things) warrant-less wiretapping of overseas calls involving Americans in the US. It was enacted because of abuses by the intelligence services at the hands of Nixon.

The changes to the law that Bush sought are pretty reasonable and were asked for by the intelligence services.

But here is the thing. 4 years ago when this mess started, Bush just decided to do it. He did not ask for new law. He did not follow the law as it was. He secretly violated it and continued to do so (for over a year) until the whistle was blown. Rather than back down and comply with existing law and work to get the changes needed, he simply declared that the law did not apply to his decisions on national security.

That is the problem, ladies and gentlemen, and that problem is not resolved.

Answer 3

Personally, I think it's a great idea. I'm not trying to go the "if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear" route here either. The thing about this particular program is that, while it can now be used to monitor American citizen's phones and Emails, it limits it to calls that are originating in or passing through the United States and are connecting to KNOWN TERRORIST numbers and Email agents.

I say that anyone who communicates with the terrorists that have already killed thousands of innocent Americans has given up the right to any and all civil liberties.

You're name doesn't get placed on a terrorism watch list for J-walking.

Answer 4

I can see why this is being done... i mean u have to monitor terrorism somehow ( especially since dems dont want us interogating anyone). Its no big deal if u have nothing to hide, i doubt anyone in the government is monitoring every stupid conversation americans have. They probably look for key words to track attack plans. It is a slippery slope tho, as long as it stops here i think i am in support, but if there starts to be more stuff like this or word comes out that these taps are going to be used for other uses then obviously its bad.

Answer 5

It means I won't be able to exchange recipes with my mother. Wouldn't want to disclose our secret family recipes to the government.

Actually, I answered this same question last Thursday and pointed out that it is only for calls that originate and have a destination outside the United States. Seems a lot of people would like us to totally scrap our intelligence program because of non-existent constitutional issues (the constitution doesn't apply in the case of these types of calls). Those same people will be the first ones screaming that the government didn't do its job when another terrorist attack occurs.

Answer 6

Its not a surprise.

Bush and co have used the tragedy of 9/11 to undermine American liberty since 9/12. What I find repulsive is that 57 Dems voted for the spying bill. I would wager they won't be returning to congress anytime soon.

Answer 7

I still feel bush should go on a hunting trip with Cheney but, then wed be left with that psycho! So The only solution I see to stop that moron from further ruining of the countries civil liberties is to tie him up in the basement for the remainder of his term or make him go to Iraq and police the streets either way is fine by me

Answer 8

The act, only allows the targeting of those overseeas, on the other end of the conversation, and can only be used on overseas calls. I love how the libs are foaming at the nouth over this though...

Answer 9

Like I felt when Bush won. Wait a minute, I have AT&T internet... I mean I feel very very good *scared smile and shifty eyes*

(they've been caught recording emails that go through their servers)

Answer 10

Horrible. My generation was handed the baton to protect the constitution, and they failed this task miserably. I've never seen such sheer cowardice in my life. As a veteran, I feel that I wasted my time protecting people who have become too afraid to protect themselves from a tyrannical government.

The younger generation has no concept of how important the checks and balances are to this nation. Now they have been wiped away with the stroke of a pen. People today think they are so smart, yet they failed to see what has just occurred right in front of their very eyes. I wouldn't waste my time and/or energy fighting for this current regime. They are as corrupt and anti-constitutional as the universe is old. Today's "me" generation proved just how selfish and cowardly they truly are. Their slogan is simple. "You can take away my constitution, just don't take away my gun and my choice..."