President Bush Takes Questions on Secret Wiretaps

CNSN News.com ^ | December 19, 2005 | Susan Jones

[Peach]

Wow. How did you get all that?

#1. The president said today they have applied for warrants through the FISA Act. Many times.

#2. He was quite clear that only people associating with AQ were targeted.

And let's not forget that Congress voted on this matter:


Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004: “Lone Wolf” Amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

[BigSkyFreeper]

Napolitano is wacky if you ask me, but I'm a bit surprised by Jonathan Turley. I thought he was smarter than he currently appears.

They both surprise me, to be quite honest. They both make a living on this legalese stuff. I Googled "wiretap 72 hours" and came up with lots of reading material.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004: “Lone Wolf” Amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

[lugsoul]

#1 - I'm not talking about getting FISA warrants. That is obviously legal. I'm talking about deciding that he has the power to decide that he just doesn't need FISA warrants if he doesn't want to get them. That is obviously not. To anyone that has any familiarity with statutory rules of construction, anyway. #2 - I don't care what they say they are doing in an attempt to make it sound benign. If there is no one to review and verify that statement, it means nothing. When the VP says that Congressional Dims consort with AQ by making Murtha-esque comments, what the hell does 'associating with Al Qaeda' mean? Hell, I saw the President himself, holding hands with Al Qaeda down on the ranch. And I'm pretty sure we recently sold a bunch of f-16s to Al Qaeda, too. The thing about these law things is that the enforcer doesn't get to decide for himself what they mean. Finally - and I'm a bit disturbed by your duplicity on this one, Peach - you know good and well that the Lone Wolf Amendment applies only to non-US persons. On its face. Plainly and clearly. I'll say this loud: THERE IS NO LEGAL WIRETAPPING OF US CITIZENS WITHOUT A WARRANT UNDER FISA. None. It ain't there. And if the Administration 'program' has eavesdropped on communications of citizens or permanent residents, they have violated the law. Purposely. And have plainly stated their intent to continue doing so. They swore an oath to defend the Constitution. And there ain't no '9/11 exception' in the Constitution until the people, through their duly elected representatives, put one there - one that they are comfortable will not be abused by this President or any future one.

[lugsoul]

The Lone Wolf Amendment does not apply to US Citizens or permanent residents. On its face. Period.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

THEY ARE NOT "SECRET WIRETAPS".

What the heck? Why are you buyng into the lies of the liberals to you via the liberal media????

[RedBloodedAmerican]

"judge" is an idiot libertarian who is spooked when someone says anything having to do with intelligence.

[BigSkyFreeper]

The Lone Wolf Amendment does not apply to US Citizens or permanent residents. On its face. Period.

Generally speaking no, specifically yes.

[Peach]

Congress passed legislation which permits the warrantless wiretapping of US citizens.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1543451/posts

[BigSkyFreeper]

Yep, even though Russ Feingold is saying what President Bush is doing is, in his words, "illegal", even though it was Russ Feingold who voted for it.

[MissMillie]

Be careful with that link:

(B) there is no substantial likelihood that the surveillance will acquire the contents of any communication to which a United States person is a party; and

[bobsunshine]

Thanks for the heads-up. Here are my thoughts.

1. If the person is not a US person, which includes persons with temporary visas, then the NSA is within the law.

2. If the person is a US person but "provides material support" to a terrorist group, per the definitions in 1801(b), they are an "agent of a foreign power" and no longer a US person.

That's my logic. I'm sure there are other points regarding the 4th Amendment and the War Powers act.