Why do Libs keep calling the wiretapping program "illegal" when it isn't?

Question

The FISA law is very clear. (1) It is a limiting statute - if a program is not covered by FISA and it is not illegal under any other statute, then as long as the program is funded, it's legal. (2) FISA specifically defines the types of "electronic surveillance" to which it applies and it applies only to those types. (3) The monitoring of cross-border communications, using satellites (i.e., not in the US), where the target of the investigation is not a US citizen or legal resident, is not one of the types of electronic surveillance - thus FISA does not apply on those facts.

No rational person can read the FISA statute and not come to this conclusion.

Stop calling it "domestic" wiretapping when it is international, and stop calling it "illegal" wiretapping when it is legal.

You might not agree with it - that's your opinion - that it is not domestic and not illegal are matters of fact.

Uh, Paul, nobody's wiretapping anybody for any reason - if you're not calling foreign radical imams, then nobody's listening to your calls without a warrant.

Rayman wrong - the Constitution does not protect foreign radical imams! If the NSA is wiretapping them and you, who are protected by the Constitution, happen to call them, that doesn't create a warrant requirement.

spleen it's not subjective, no rational person can read the Constitution and contend that it protects foreign imams from having their cell phone calls monitored via satellite by the NSA, and no rational person can read the FISA statute and conclude that the NSA cross-border wiretap program is covered by it.

Answer 1

The people who complain usually are the ones who are hiding something or else, they are paranoid. I can care less how much the government listens to me. I have nothing to hide and they will realize after a little while they are wasting their time listening to me and they will give up after a while.

And they government has computers that only pick up suspicious words, like Allah, President, or bomb. After a couple of seconds, if they don't pick up anything suspicious, they stop listening.

Answer 2

ok from the top now.
as a matter of fact any communication sent via the air ie walkie talkie, cb, cell phones. is in fact not held as private coversations an is subject to anyone able to descramble the signal to be listened in on.
as a matter af fact the US has been monitoring communications in an out of the country since the early 60's they just didnt feel the need to tell the commoners err i mean the people
as a matter of fact anytime we the people relinquish any percieved or in fact constitutional rights without at least a token fight makes it that much easier next time to lose even more rights
now as to my opion about this suposed legal activity of electronic surveillance
its all smoke an mirrors folks they can say they doing it for the war on terrorism to which i just have to respond bullcrap

if the want to place electronic surveillance on any communications out of the US or for that matter in the US they can go to a judge an obtain a freaking warrant like any other good cop does an build their case for court
this horse manure about it for monitoring terrorism is just a blanket excuse for we want to know what everybody's doing at any given time
correct me if im wrong yet the last time we had some politicians try wiretapping without court orders we had some politicians going to the senate court try to justify ILLEGAL ACTIONS
So I guess im saying if you dont have an active investagation an a current wiretap court order you are breakingf the law period

Answer 3

i don't care what the FISA, Patriot acts, or any other legislation says. If a law is passed in direct opposition to the Constitution then it is illegal. The Constitution guarantees that a person not be subject to "unreasonable search and seizure" and that a person be notified when they are subjected to a search so as to be able to defend themselves in court against such a search. These secret surveillance tactics may in fact violate both of these guarantees, which is why the matter is now in federal court.

you or i don't get to decide what is legal or not, so quit telling people not to disagree with you. Once the supreme court rules on in favor of it, then you can call it legal. until then, your opinion is just that - an opinion, just like everyone else's.

Answer 4

I won't dispute the fact that FISA is a federal law, IT'S the Patriot Act that is illegal. The domestic wiretapping of US citizens without warrants IS illegal.

Answer 5

because you're talking about two different things.

the nsa program and fisa are different. when people talk about illegal wiretapping, they're talking about the nsa program.

good try though.

Answer 6

I do not want the government to have the ability to listen to my phone conversations period. I do not want the government to have the ability to get my credit card statements. I do not want the government in my life. The argument that you have nothing to hide is complete BS. I am all for the war on terror but do not carry it out on your own citizens.

Answer 7

FYI: The U.S. Constitution - which is, of course, valid except when prohibited by law. The new wiretapping laws are a joke to the constitution. I don't care if they are looking for terrorists, but to able to wiretap anybody for any reason is just plain wrong - it reeks of Orwellianism.

Btw: I'm a moderate.

Answer 8

NSA and other agents are routinely spying on Americans without obtaining a court order-the justification...the war on terror.

Answer 9

Of course it's illegal you idiot! It's against the CONSTITUTION! You can't wiretap without having a court overseeing it. If you do, it's illegal. Bush did. It's illegal.

Answer 10

I'm just irritated because Bush keeps wanting to send people to my "undermine the troops and destroy America meetings". What is his problem?