| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Michelle Malkin" |
| Date: |
07 Jan 2006 05:57:07 PM |
| Object: |
Bush Kicked In Gut by Congressional Research Report |
Report Rebuts Bush on Spying
Domestic Action's Legality Challenged
By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 7, 2006; Page A01
A report by Congress's research arm concluded yesterday that the
administration's justification for the warrantless eavesdropping authorized
by President Bush conflicts with existing law and hinges on weak legal
arguments.
The Congressional Research Service's report rebuts the central assertions
made recently by Bush and Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales about the
president's authority to order secret intercepts of telephone and e-mail
exchanges between people inside the United States and their contacts abroad.
The findings, the first nonpartisan assessment of the program's legality to
date, prompted Democratic lawmakers and civil liberties advocates to repeat
calls yesterday for Congress to conduct hearings on the monitoring program
and attempt to halt it.
The 44-page report said that Bush probably cannot claim the broad
presidential powers he has relied upon as authority to order the secret
monitoring of calls made by U.S. citizens since the fall of 2001. Congress
expressly intended for the government to seek warrants from a special
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court before engaging in such surveillance
when it passed legislation creating the court in 1978, the CRS report said.
The report also concluded that Bush's assertion that Congress authorized
such eavesdropping to detect and fight terrorists does not appear to be
supported by the special resolution that Congress approved after the Sept.
11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which focused on authorizing the president to
use military force.
"It appears unlikely that a court would hold that Congress has expressly or
impliedly authorized the NSA electronic surveillance operations here," the
authors of the CRS report wrote. The administration's legal justification
"does not seem to be . . . well-grounded," they said.
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has
pledged to hold hearings on the program, which was first revealed in news
accounts last month, and the judges of the FISA court have demanded a
classified briefing about the program, which is scheduled for Monday.
"This report contradicts the president's claim that his spying on Americans
was legal," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), one of the lawmakers who
asked the CRS to research the issue. "It looks like the president's
wiretapping was not only illegal, but also ensnared innocent Americans who
did nothing more than place a phone call."
Justice Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said the president and the
administration believe the program is on firm legal footing. "The national
security activities described by the president were conducted in accord with
the law and provide a critical tool in the war on terror that saves lives
and protects civil liberties at the same time," he said. A spokesman for the
National Security Agency was not available for a comment yesterday.
Other administration officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity,
said the CRS reached some erroneous legal conclusions, erring on the side of
a narrow interpretation of what constitutes military force and when the
president can exercise his war powers.
Bush has said that he has broad powers in times of war and must exercise
them to target not only "enemies across the world" but also "terrorists here
at home." The administration has argued, starting in 2002 briefs to the FISA
court, that the "war on terror" is global and indefinite, effectively
removing the limits of wartime authority -- traditionally the times and
places of imminent or actual battle.
Some law professors have been skeptical of the president's assertions, and
several said yesterday that the report's conclusions were expected.
"Ultimately, the administration's position is not persuasive," said Carl W.
Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor and an expert on
constitutional law. "Congress has made it pretty clear it has legislated
pretty comprehensively on this issue with FISA," he said, referring to the
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. "And there begins to be a pattern of
unilateral executive decision making. Time and again, there's the executive
acting alone without consulting the courts or Congress."
Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information
Center, said the report makes it clear that Congress has exerted power over
domestic surveillance. He urged Congress to address what he called the
president's abuse of citizens' privacy rights and the larger issue of
presidential power.
"These are absolutely central questions in American government: What exactly
are the authorities vested in the president, and is he complying with the
law?" Rotenberg said.
The report includes 1970s-era quotations from congressional committees that
were then uncovering years of domestic spying abuses by J. Edgar Hoover's
FBI against those suspected of communist sympathies, American Indians, Black
Panthers and other activists. Lawmakers were very disturbed at how routinely
FBI agents had listened in on U.S. citizens' phone calls without following
any formal procedures. As they drafted FISA and created its court, the
lawmakers warned then that only strong legislation, debated in public, could
stop future administrations from eavesdropping.
"This evidence alone should demonstrate the inappropriateness of relying
solely on executive branch discretion to safeguard civil liberties," they
wrote. The lawmakers noted that Congress's intelligence committees could
provide some checks and balances to protect privacy rights but that their
power was limited in the face of an administration arguing that intelligence
decisions must remain top secret.
Researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.
Impeach! Impeach! Impeach! And, then the
treason trial. Bush started a phony war for the
implicit purpose of lining already wealthy peoples'
pockets with even more ill-gotten wealth. Because
of this, over 40,000 people are dead. (Nearly 2200
of them are our young men and women). If that
isn't treason, I don't know what is. And now the
imbecile is acting like a tin-plated dictator with
delusions of godhood. He and his cronies have
got to go.
--
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
Michelle Malkin (Mickey) aa list#1
BAAWA Knight & Bible Thumper Thumper
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
.
|
|
| User: "Ike" |
|
| Title: Re: Bush Kicked In Gut by Congressional Research Report |
07 Jan 2006 08:54:00 PM |
|
|
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:rv6dnVDu0djbyF3enZ2dnUVZ_vudnZ2d@comcast.com...
Report Rebuts Bush on Spying
Domestic Action's Legality Challenged
By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 7, 2006; Page A01
<snip>
Impeach! Impeach! Impeach! And, then the
treason trial. Bush started a phony war for the
implicit purpose of lining already wealthy peoples'
pockets with even more ill-gotten wealth. Because
of this, over 40,000 people are dead. (Nearly 2200
of them are our young men and women). If that
isn't treason, I don't know what is. And now the
imbecile is acting like a tin-plated dictator with
delusions of godhood. He and his cronies have
got to go.
Why bother? The longer they stay in office, the more hey suffer and look
like fools. If it would help the country, I would say impeach, but next in
line would be another *****. It' not a parliamentary system where you get
new elections right after impeachment. If the Democrats want to take over,
let them earn it by taking congress, then the senate and the white house in
elections.
.
|
|
|
| User: "Mark K. Bilbo" |
|
| Title: Re: Bush Kicked In Gut by Congressional Research Report |
08 Jan 2006 10:36:16 AM |
|
|
In <c9%vf.3673$ZA2.1960@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net>, "Ike"
<accordiondocxyzxyzxyz@mindspring.com> wrote:
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:rv6dnVDu0djbyF3enZ2dnUVZ_vudnZ2d@comcast.com...
Report Rebuts Bush on Spying
Domestic Action's Legality Challenged
By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 7, 2006; Page A01
<snip>
Impeach! Impeach! Impeach! And, then the treason trial. Bush started a
phony war for the implicit purpose of lining already wealthy peoples'
pockets with even more ill-gotten wealth. Because of this, over 40,000
people are dead. (Nearly 2200 of them are our young men and women). If
that isn't treason, I don't know what is. And now the imbecile is acting
like a tin-plated dictator with delusions of godhood. He and his cronies
have got to go.
Why bother? The longer they stay in office, the more hey suffer and look
like fools. If it would help the country, I would say impeach, but next in
line would be another *****. It' not a parliamentary system where you
get new elections right after impeachment. If the Democrats want to take
over, let them earn it by taking congress, then the senate and the white
house in elections.
If they get just one house, Bush will spend the rest of his term in office
answering subpoenas.
Which would be *so entertaining I'm hoping the Dems get the Senate in '06...
--
Mark K. Bilbo
--------------------------------------------------
So much for that "storm of the century" excuse
http://makeashorterlink.com/?A3992495C
NO held hostage by oil corporations,
ANWR demanded as ransom
http://makeashorterlink.com/?J5C92195C
White House balks at spending on US citizens,
needs more billions for Iraq!
http://makeashorterlink.com/?G1D93595C
(Tell me again how much we spent bailing out the S&Ls?)
http://www.nola.com
.
|
|
|
| User: "Michelle Malkin" |
|
| Title: Re: Bush Kicked In Gut by Congressional Research Report |
08 Jan 2006 03:24:57 PM |
|
|
"Mark K. Bilbo" <alt-atheism@org.webmaster> wrote in message
news:htKdnVRK-fIdolzeRVn-tw@megapath.net...
In <c9%vf.3673$ZA2.1960@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net>, "Ike"
<accordiondocxyzxyzxyz@mindspring.com> wrote:
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:rv6dnVDu0djbyF3enZ2dnUVZ_vudnZ2d@comcast.com...
Report Rebuts Bush on Spying
Domestic Action's Legality Challenged
By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 7, 2006; Page A01
<snip>
Impeach! Impeach! Impeach! And, then the treason trial. Bush started a
phony war for the implicit purpose of lining already wealthy peoples'
pockets with even more ill-gotten wealth. Because of this, over 40,000
people are dead. (Nearly 2200 of them are our young men and women). If
that isn't treason, I don't know what is. And now the imbecile is acting
like a tin-plated dictator with delusions of godhood. He and his cronies
have got to go.
Why bother? The longer they stay in office, the more hey suffer and look
like fools. If it would help the country, I would say impeach, but next
in
line would be another *****. It' not a parliamentary system where you
get new elections right after impeachment. If the Democrats want to take
over, let them earn it by taking congress, then the senate and the white
house in elections.
If they get just one house, Bush will spend the rest of his term in office
answering subpoenas.
Which would be *so entertaining I'm hoping the Dems get the Senate in
'06...
The thought of a new Democratic Congress making
Bush's life pure hell on Earth is much to be desired.
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
Michelle Malkin (Mickey) aa list#1
BAAWA Knight & Bible Thumper Thumper
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
--
Mark K. Bilbo
--------------------------------------------------
So much for that "storm of the century" excuse
http://makeashorterlink.com/?A3992495C
NO held hostage by oil corporations,
ANWR demanded as ransom
http://makeashorterlink.com/?J5C92195C
White House balks at spending on US citizens,
needs more billions for Iraq!
http://makeashorterlink.com/?G1D93595C
(Tell me again how much we spent bailing out the S&Ls?)
http://www.nola.com
.
|
|
|
| User: "Kate " |
|
| Title: Re: Bush Kicked In Gut by Congressional Research Report |
09 Jan 2006 07:50:03 PM |
|
|
On Sun, 8 Jan 2006 16:24:57 -0500, "Michelle Malkin"
<hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
"Mark K. Bilbo" <alt-atheism@org.webmaster> wrote in message
news:htKdnVRK-fIdolzeRVn-tw@megapath.net...
In <c9%vf.3673$ZA2.1960@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net>, "Ike"
<accordiondocxyzxyzxyz@mindspring.com> wrote:
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:rv6dnVDu0djbyF3enZ2dnUVZ_vudnZ2d@comcast.com...
Report Rebuts Bush on Spying
Domestic Action's Legality Challenged
By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 7, 2006; Page A01
<snip>
Impeach! Impeach! Impeach! And, then the treason trial. Bush started a
phony war for the implicit purpose of lining already wealthy peoples'
pockets with even more ill-gotten wealth. Because of this, over 40,000
people are dead. (Nearly 2200 of them are our young men and women). If
that isn't treason, I don't know what is. And now the imbecile is acting
like a tin-plated dictator with delusions of godhood. He and his cronies
have got to go.
Why bother? The longer they stay in office, the more hey suffer and look
like fools. If it would help the country, I would say impeach, but next
in
line would be another *****. It' not a parliamentary system where you
get new elections right after impeachment. If the Democrats want to take
over, let them earn it by taking congress, then the senate and the white
house in elections.
If they get just one house, Bush will spend the rest of his term in office
answering subpoenas.
Which would be *so entertaining I'm hoping the Dems get the Senate in
'06...
The thought of a new Democratic Congress making
Bush's life pure hell on Earth is much to be desired.
I wonder how extremely obvious they will have to be to alter the vote
this time?
.
|
|
|
| User: "stoney" |
|
| Title: Re: Bush Kicked In Gut by Congressional Research Report |
10 Jan 2006 05:37:28 PM |
|
|
On 9 Jan 2006 19:50:03 -0600, (Kate ) wrote in
alt.atheism
On Sun, 8 Jan 2006 16:24:57 -0500, "Michelle Malkin"
<hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote:
"Mark K. Bilbo" <alt-atheism@org.webmaster> wrote in message
news:htKdnVRK-fIdolzeRVn-tw@megapath.net...
In <c9%vf.3673$ZA2.1960@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net>, "Ike"
<accordiondocxyzxyzxyz@mindspring.com> wrote:
"Michelle Malkin" <hypatiab7@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:rv6dnVDu0djbyF3enZ2dnUVZ_vudnZ2d@comcast.com...
Report Rebuts Bush on Spying
Domestic Action's Legality Challenged
By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 7, 2006; Page A01
<snip>
Impeach! Impeach! Impeach! And, then the treason trial. Bush started a
phony war for the implicit purpose of lining already wealthy peoples'
pockets with even more ill-gotten wealth. Because of this, over 40,000
people are dead. (Nearly 2200 of them are our young men and women). If
that isn't treason, I don't know what is. And now the imbecile is acting
like a tin-plated dictator with delusions of godhood. He and his cronies
have got to go.
Why bother? The longer they stay in office, the more hey suffer and look
like fools. If it would help the country, I would say impeach, but next
in
line would be another *****. It' not a parliamentary system where you
get new elections right after impeachment. If the Democrats want to take
over, let them earn it by taking congress, then the senate and the white
house in elections.
If they get just one house, Bush will spend the rest of his term in office
answering subpoenas.
Which would be *so entertaining I'm hoping the Dems get the Senate in
'06...
The thought of a new Democratic Congress making
Bush's life pure hell on Earth is much to be desired.
I wonder how extremely obvious they will have to be to alter the vote
this time?
Very, like the last two times.
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a cornucopia of splinters.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
