Bush says spying program to continue

[bigfootedfred]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday he broke no laws in authorizing spying on Americans with suspected ties to terrorism and declared he would continue the practice despite concern that it infringes on civil liberties.

Bush, facing a barrage of questions over the program at an end-of-year news conference, said he believed an investigation was under way by the Justice Department into who committed the "shameful act" of revealing the covert program to the press. . . .

"No administration should believe it is above the law. We need to restore checks and balances in this country," said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Bush said he wanted to assure the American people that the program "is a necessary part of my job to protect you, and (that) we're guarding your civil liberties." . . .

The New York Times said it had been asked by the White House not to publish an article about the program, arguing it could jeopardize investigations. The newspaper said it delayed publication for a year and omitted some information that officials argued could be useful to terrorists. . . .

"Where it is going to be most difficult to make the case is in the public arena. People will say, you know, if we're trying to make the case on Iran, you know, 'Well, the intelligence failed in Iraq; therefore, how can we can trust the intelligence in Iran?'" Bush said.

source

so.

Security or Civil libertys?

[Please don't quote articles in their entirety here. Just quote snippets, and link to the rest. -Simetrical]

[Templedog]

Give me liberty or give me death.

This war is never ending, so the government will have the never ending right to your privacy if you go overseas.

[Erik]

Fascist dictatorship in 5...4...3...

[Skyhigh]

this spying program is so unamerican and seedy
back in 1796 there was legislation collectively called the Alien and Sedition Acts, which enabled the government to arrst and dport anyone who was not a citizen or had criticized the government (they would monitor people who they thought were enemies of the state b/c they might criticize the gov't)
i feel that this spying bill is edging closer and closer to that

[Rush Limbaugh]

Give me liberty or give me death.

You have no need for liberty when you assume room temperature. Besides that it doesnt say "Give me civil liberty or give me death."

[Francisco Montana]

Don't be so gullable, Bigfootedfred.

The NSA wasn't spying on Americans. They were spying on foriegners in our country with either known ties to Al Queda or foriegner in our country who were constantly making phone calls to known Al Queda hot spots.

Congress was breifed 13 times on this, and Nancy Pelosi didn't seem to think it was a big enough concern to request an investigation in one of those 13 instances.

I find that fact very interesting. Almost as interesting as the fact the Dems like to ignore the record.

Again, don't be so gullable, Bigfootedfred.

[Templedog]

Don't be so gullable, Bigfootedfred.

The NSA wasn't spying on Americans. They were spying on foriegners in our country with either known ties to Al Queda or foriegner in our country who were constantly making phone calls to known Al Queda hot spots.

Congress was breifed 13 times on this, and Nancy Pelosi didn't seem to think it was a big enough concern to request an investigation in one of those 13 instances.

I find that fact very interesting. Almost as interesting as the fact the Dems like to ignore the record.

Again, don't be so gullable, Bigfootedfred.

They were told not to say anything about it...and have no right to approve or disapprove of it...It's not like it was a bill being voted on. They didn't have that option!!!

The president was so desperate to kill The New York Times’ eavesdropping story, he summoned the paper’s editor and publisher to the Oval Office. But it wasn’t just out of concern about national security.--- I learned this week that on December 6, Bush summoned Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger and executive editor Bill Keller to the Oval Office in a futile attempt to talk them out of running the story

Source

Why didn't Bush easily get a warrant? He is either hiding something or just plain stupid as usual....

Lord Alameda you back GW on everything....it's sad you pick party over country.

[Francisco Montana]

They were told not to say anything about it...

You're just wrong Templedog. There were 13 breifings to Nancy and others on this very issue.

If you don't know, just say so. But you have nothing to stand on here, facts are facts. Even if you deny them because of their inconvienence to your consipiracy theories. Do you really just say things without any knowledge on the subject? Really, it would explain alot.

YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. Hate to break the news to you.

I'm not the 1st one to say you are wasting my time. Please, educate yourself on the issues before inserting your foot in your mouth.

TYIA. :original:

[Erik]

this spying program is so unamerican and seedy
back in 1796 there was legislation collectively called the Alien and Sedition Acts, which enabled the government to arrst and dport anyone who was not a citizen or had criticized the government (they would monitor people who they thought were enemies of the state b/c they might criticize the gov't)
i feel that this spying bill is edging closer and closer to that

So the America of 1796 was "unamerican"?

Don't be so gullable, Bigfootedfred.

Don't be so gullable, LA.
They are also spying on political figures of the Democrat party, so they can reveil interesting facts about them during the next elections.

[Francisco Montana]

Did Micheal Moore or Wikipedia tell you that, Erik?

I think I have something for you, my good buddy.

[ForgottenImmortal]

I wouldn't it beyond them.

[danzig]

Don't be so gullable, LA.
They are also spying on political figures of the Democrat party, so they can reveil interesting facts about them during the next elections.

Proof please and REAL proof nothing less.

[vizi]

Personally I would be honored if the NSA would spy on me.

[leeho730]

NSA and Secret services were definitely listening the services, like templedog.

NZ has Waihopai Valley Satellite Station near Blenheim as a part of NSA spy network.... and there's a fear that some of the data gathered could be used to spy on NZers as well.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/st...ectID=10360631

Bush, facing a barrage of questions over the program at an end-of-year news conference, said he believed an investigation was under way by the Justice Department into who committed the "shameful act" of revealing the covert program to the press.

The traitor who released the information is going to be in a serious trouble for years to come...

Well, it seems funny to me that many conservatives use the constitution to defend their argument on some of the issues (eg. firearm) but are fairly silent about the breach of the first Amendment-right to free speech.

[Francisco Montana]

Well, it seems funny to me that many conservatives use the constitution to defend their argument on some of the issues (eg. firearm) but are fairly silent about the breach of the first Amendment-right to free speech.

The fact that you think Classified National Security Information is the same as anything covered by 'freedom of speech' just goes to show you are completely out of your league here, leeho. I ask again, if it was a big deal, 1) why did the NYTimes sit on the story for a full year? and 2) Why didn't Nancy Pelosi start an investigation after one of the thirteen breifing she and other members of congress recieved about this from 2001 to 2005?

It's all hot air, that's why. It's all to sell a book from the NYTimes, that's why. (Might I add, at the expense of US interests in the War on Terror, wtg Dems....now the terrorists know too, wtg Dems.)

The Dems have no agenda, no ideas, no plan, that's why.

[leeho730]

Freedom of speech without fear of retribution. Of course, national security is important (here too; I had to fill out a thick security vetting form to work in the army) but at what cost? Is it really OK for the state to hear whatever they want to hear? Well, in my country NO. If I find out that they've been spying on me for no good reasons whatsoever I'll be definitely sue them.... and there were several cases where individuals actually won. Well, that's fourth Amendment as well, eh?

I love my speech of freedom here because I know SIS aren't allowed to spy on me just because I criticized the government.

It just seem to me that terrorists either hate freedom... or love it in some cases? I've got a feeling that US citizens are one of the victim of this 'War on Terror' thingy...

[Templedog]

WRONG as usual Alameda with the partisan hackery. Oh Nancy Pelosi got briefed 13 times? oh, that makes it all ok then....go ahead and spy on us king george. I know you care about your party, but give me a break.

Her "briefings" are up for debate in the future. Bottomline is, you don't care about it. You trust George Bush.

[Francisco Montana]

You kiddies are wasting my time. You are blinded by the media and your own predisposed opinions and say my facts are a sign of partisanship.

Have a good time in Kool-Aid land, kids.

[leeho730]

You kiddies are wasting my time. You are blinded by the media and your own predisposed opinions and say my facts are a sign of partisanship.

Have a good time in Kool-Aid land, kids.

So are you, blinded by patriotism (in a wrong-direction though, as people are supposed to be patriotic to one's country rather than to a particular politician) and fear of terrorism.

[Rush Limbaugh]

Lord Alameda, you back GW on everything

Now thats an outright lie. Theres lots of things he disagrees with Bush on. Anyone such as you who has been here that long knows this to be true. But dont let the truth get in your way and more than facts .You guys just cant take it. Again all you have is opinions. When someone hits you with facts your lost for an answer. Just the same old rehtoric. Bush is bad.