Reno and Freeh's Wiretap Fiasco

Newsmax.com ^ | August 23, 2002 | Carl Limbacher

[Paul Atreides]

The media were squawking aplenty today about a court's revelation that the FBI botched more than 75 cases in seeking espionage and terrorism warrants. But they conveniently buried this fun fact: The blunders happened during the Clinton administration, under the non-watch of the bumbling Janet Reno.

That tidbit appeared in paragraph eight of an Associated Press story today and in paragraph 10 of a 12-paragraph article by the New York Times.

"The missteps included former FBI Director Louis Freeh's erroneous statement to judges that the target of a wiretap request wasn't also under criminal investigation," AP noted.

Both stories mentioned Attorney General John Ashcroft, but neither dared to utter the name of Reno, described by Fox News Channel star Bill O'Reilly as the worst attorney general in modern history.

She, of course, is hoping to unseat Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Big Media would love to see that happen, so why point out her failures at Justice?

DOJ Appeals

At any rate, DOJ today appealed the ruling of the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which ordered an alteration in new guidelines for the FBI's terrorism searches.

"The Patriot Act changed the surveillance law to permit its use when collecting information about foreign spies or terrorists is 'a significant purpose,' rather than 'the purpose' of an investigation," AP said.

Under the act, Ashcroft says, federal lawyers may share information and monitor people when law enforcement is the primary interest. Government lawyers need only show there is a significant foreign intelligence purpose, he argues.

[Samizdat]

You gotta love Carl. He tells it like it is. I think he's the only one who does. Every other conservative minces words. Except Rush, of course.

[not-alone]

from report opinion said that in September 2000, "the government came forward to confess errors in 75 FISA applications related to major terrorist attacks directed against the United States — the errors related to misstatements and omissions of material facts."

They praised Attorney General John Ashcroft and his staff for ending abuses of the system for requesting wiretap authority

[not-alone]

Good issue for Jeb this was Janet's watch.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Rush

. . . had this story today; he blasted the Washington Compost up one side and down the other. And said the LA Times had the straight skinny, but buried at the end of the jump page . . .

[HowardC]

The Fox news site has a very balanced article on this. It points out that the 75 cases were on Clinton's watch and what the problems the court sees with the new law.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

The Republicans are going to have to start stepping up to the plate and start hitting some out of the park,instead of whiffing ,in an effort to "be nice". I want to see some brush backs and some bean balls!! I am so sick of the Begalas,Shrums,MacAuliffes and Carvilles yelling their lies, while the Republicans protest, in a whisper. If only we had some Republican spokesmen, with as much conviction and passion as Ann. President Bush,Vice President Cheney, Ann, Rush, Sean, NewsMax and FreeRepublic cannot do it alone, we need some help from the RNC!! The Republicans are playing by the Marquess of Queensberry rules, while the Democrats are using bare knuckles.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The Republicans are playing by the Marquess of Queensberry rules, while the Democrats are using bare knucklesZ

. . . which is only possible because

the referee is on their side . . .

[summer]

Thanks for the ping, not-alone. I agree with your post #4.

[summer]

Very interesting article, Paul. Thanks for posting it.

[summer]

I think this is the matter you mentioned to me. :)

[summer]

FYI. A very interesting read.

[summer]

FYI. A very interesting read.

[Truth Addict]

Thanks for the ping, summer!

I saw the last part of Brit Hume's show last night, and Jim Angle and his panel were discussing this. The DNC has the major media in their pocket, and this is proof: Clinton's FBI lied to the courts 75 times, and Reno's justice dept. looked the other way; Ashcroft comes into power and makes a strong directive that this must end, and it does. The media's response: Ashcroft is trying to take away our civil liberties!

I'm glad that Fox News, NewsMax, Free Republic, etc., are out there getting the truth out, but until we conservatives gain some measure of influence over the major media, the average voter will continue to only get the DNC spin on every story, and the rats will continue to consolidate and use their power to destroy the America that once was.

[Stultis]

On Friday's Hardball, Pat Cadell (not sure I have the spelling right, but he's the big bear-like frequent guest with the beard that's part grey and part black) absolutely slammed the Washington Post coverage of this story as disgusting, shameful, and evidence that the newsroom was shilling for the DNC.

Oh, yeah, did I forget to mention that Pat was the Democrat talking head in the segment?

[Real Cynic No More]

Thanks summer; it's amazing the lengths to which the media will go in their attempts to discredit the Bush's!

[LarryLied]

At least the Times mentioned it happened under Reno.

[300winmag]

They praised Attorney General John Ashcroft and his staff for ending abuses of the system for requesting wiretap authority

The klintons set a new record for the highest number of "national security" wiretaps, which require less "probable cause" than regular criminal cases. Since we know they didn't catch any spies or terrorists, my guess is they used them to spy on their political opponents.

[scouse]

I am very sorry to have read this article. This means that I shan't be able to vote for her in our governor's race. Looks like I'll have to vote for J.E.B again.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks, summer. Oops! I "missed". Bump for later read!