Thanks for your reply. As you have noted, I do trust this President to do what is lawful. I've seen no evidence to believe he has not done so. I think you would concur that if the Democrats had any evidence that this program is targeting anybody other than those advertised we would know everything about it.
"Obviously, I stuck a nerve with you, and it seems you trust the Office of President to run without being checked by another branch."
This is not what I said though. My question to you contained reference to an ongoing review process.
You did answer my questions though. It appears that Russell feingold is also premature in his calls for censure since he cannot possibly know the circumstances relevant to each action taken by the NSA.
Thanks for the pro-bono opinion.
PresidentFelon
I agree. Or at least we would have a clear example case.
It appears that Russell feingold is also premature in his calls for censure since he cannot possibly know the circumstances relevant to each action taken by the NSA.
Not just premature, WAY off base. Even if the President's surveillance is outside the 4th amendment, that alone is FAR from enough to justify censure. Presidents often take actions they believe are in the country's best interest, only to have those actions ruled unconstitutional - yet no call for censure or impeachment. See Truman and Steel Seizure and Lincoln's habeas corpus cases for example.
Feingold is so far off base with his call for censure as to be be laughable, as a matter of principle. But the DEMs are void of principle.
My question to you contained reference to an ongoing review process.
Yeah - it was presumptuous of me to pigeonhole you with those who think oversight/review is an impingement on our form of government. Guess I was a bit touchy for being tagged with not giving the benefit of the doubt to President Bush. At any rate, "sorry about that."
And thank you, BTW, for a pleasant and informed exchange. Those are getting to be a rarity around these parts.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Bush assassination plotter sentenced to 30 years[JURIST] AP is reporting that Ahmed Omar Abu Ali [JURIST news archive] has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for joining al Qaeda and plotting to assassinate President Bush [PDF indictment]. Abu Ali faced apossible life sentence following his conviction [JURIST report] last November.
Abu Ali's sentencing had been delayed [JURIST report] to give lawyers in the case time to investigate whether evidence against Abu Ali had been obtained through warrantless domestic surveillance [JURIST news archive]. AP has more.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Judge orders Abu Ali sentencing delayed for surveillance check[JURIST] A federal judge has granted a request by defense attorneys [JURIST report] that sentencing for Ahmed Omar Abu Ali [JURIST news archive], convicted [JURIST report] in November of last year for joining al Qaeda and conspiring to assassinate President Bush, be delayed until March 9 so that prosecutors have time to file a sworn declaration revealing whether or not evidence used against Abu Ali was gained through warrantless surveillance, the constitutionality of which has been questioned. The 24-year-old former Virginia high school valedictorian claimed at trial that he was tortured [JURIST report] while held in Saudi Arabia after June 2003. Judge Gerald Bruce Lee made his ruling Friday of last week but it only became public Tuesday.
Prosecutors have thusfar denied any knowledge of illegally-obtained evidence, but admit that they do know how investigators put together their case against Abu Ali. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. AP has more.