Bush's wiretaps break the law and his word
In April 2004, George Bush made two speeches to promote renewing the Patriot Act. He stated, "Any time you hear the U.S. government talking about wiretap, it requires — a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed." Two years prior, he instructed the National Security Agency to secretly wiretap American citizens without a warrant and to evade the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act courts. Therefore, he knew there were wiretapping exceptions that were certainly a "change" to our civil liberties. By extension, he lied to the American people.
The reason he didn't pursue changing the law to give him such powers is that Congress would laugh him out of Washington and the public wouldn't stand for it. Bush also claims there wasn't enough time to seek any of the warrants. However, the law allows them to be retroactively provided, thus there is no excuse for not seeking them after the fact. The FISA court is specifically designed to quickly and confidentially expedite warrants 24/7, without compromising national security.
One can only conclude from his overt arrogance that Bush believes he's above the law. Perhaps a congressional investigation can determine if these are impeachable offenses.
Chris Malcolm
High Point
Comments (10)
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Unfortunately, your editorial is right on the money. Problem with any investigation is you have to convince the right wing whack jobs, who have taken over the party of Lincoln, that we have a President who cannot operate within the frame work of the constitution. On other blogs, I have stated that we needed a "Howard Baker type" Republican to stand up for what is right rather than wasting time on what makes the right wing retibution-minded so happy.
Posted on January 1, 2006 10:54 AM
Deacon, I am in total agreement with you on the need for a "Howard Baker-type" republican. I mentioned this several days ago in a conversation with a friend.
This LTE writer is making valid and evidence substantiated statements. Wonder what replys will be given for the lie?
Shalom
Posted on January 1, 2006 1:06 PM
".....the right wing whack jobs who have taken over the party of Lincoln...."
.....that's as opposed to the calm, reasoned voice of wisdom provided by Howard Dean and friends, who have taken over the party of Jefferson and Jackson, right?
Posted on January 1, 2006 4:21 PM
Bubba,
You put some double ought right through those dumocrat trolls. JDR must have gone back into rehab cuz he seems to be missing. I am sure he hasn't got a job.
Posted on January 1, 2006 7:07 PM
Is any form of rational discussion possible here?
Shalom
Posted on January 1, 2006 8:19 PM
Darryl,
Wormer probably doesn't really understand what is being discussed and Bubba is reacting to being backed into an intellectual corner he cannot escape.
The arrogance of the current administration is evidenced by the lack of openess with the press, and the people. Cheney has not appeared anywhere without screening those with opposing views first. This is the most secretive administration, on all levels, since the days of Richard Nixon and his "Enemies List". Did you catch Meet The Press today? Conservative William Safire let the administration have it over wiretaps, since he was the target of one during his days working in the Nixon administration. It made me proud to see a conservative stand up for what is right because it is right, and not because he must walk lock-step with the President and his party. I disagree quite a bit with Safire, but he is an honorable man and has my respect. It's the Wormers and Bubbas that ruin it for all of us.
Posted on January 1, 2006 9:17 PM
One more thing...........
Wormer, Jesus loves you, but the rest of us think your an a-hole!
Posted on January 1, 2006 9:28 PM
Dupid Dookin,
Jesus told me that you evolved from donkey dung.
But that the rest of our universe was INTELLIGENT design.
Posted on January 2, 2006 8:05 PM
Safaire was wiretapped by the FBI, not the NSA. A world of difference. J Edgar Hoover was a master at this and kept his job by doing the dirty work of presidents for many years. Safaire ticked off not only Nixon but Hoover and there is the reason he got a wire. Guess his ratings are falling so he needed some attention from anyone in the media.
Posted on January 3, 2006 9:29 AM
Produce,
Go to the MSNBC website and click on the Meet the Press tab. You can watch the entire broadcast and see that Safire was an innocent in being wiretapped. You cannot throw away his credentials as a conservative just because you don't agree with him on this. The FBI, NSA, or whatever should not be spying without being checked by the judicial branch.
You must see this before trying to explain it away with your comment about getting some attention in the media. He doesn't lack for exposure or a following.
Posted on January 3, 2006 1:23 PM