Intelligence Chairman Pete Hoekstra Eloquent in Defense of Administration Eavesdropping

Bill Bennett's Morning in America ^ | Hoekstra/Bennett - audio of interview

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House and Senate leaders from both parties were continually briefed -- and tacitly approved -- the now controversial program of electronic intercepts aimed at thwarting further Al Qaeda plots, according to House Intelligence chairman Pete Hoekstra.

The Michigan Republican, speaking Wednesday morning on Bill Bennett’s Morning in America, was eloquent in his defense of the President’s warrantless eavedropping on suspected Al Qaeda communications.

Hoekstra characterized the program as aimed at telephone calls coming into the U.S. from known Al Qaeda telephone numbers. He strongly defended the monitoring on legal grounds and as a practical measure for thwarting potential Al Qaeda attacks. He emphasized the continuous involvement of congressional leaders from both parties who seemed, in his account, to broadly support the surveillance program.

Hoekstra issued a sharp rejoinder to NYT scribe James Risen’s characterization of the so-called “whistle blowers” as “patriots.” According to Hoekstra, those who leaked details of the program are “anything but patriots….in selling out the U.S. and selling out our secrets.” He took strong exception to the claim that unelected employees of the government had any right whatsoever to leap over their supervisors, the administration, and Congress to carry their objections directly to the public, compromising highly sensitive operations.

Direct link to low-speed, Windows Media audio (fast and excellent quality):

http://www.bennettmornings.com/pg/jsp/charts/streamingAudioMaster.jsp;jsessionid=nNXVd4EvhJu1SvyN7EmHwA**?dispid=302&headerDest=/site/preview?pid=3137312:22

Other audio options available from

http://www.bennettmornin

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Bang! The other shoe drops.

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bttt...shamelessly self-promoting a compelling interview

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YES