Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Specter and McCain Call for Investigation of NSA Spying
http://outsidethebeltway.com/ (blog) ^ | James Joyner

Posted on 12/16/2005 4:04:00 PM PST by Goldwater-Reagan Republican

To the surprise of perhaps no one, Senators Arlen Specter and John McCain have jumped on this morning's reports of NSA spying within the United States as another opportunity to grab the limelight.

Report of NSA Spying Prompts Call for Probe (AP)

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter put the Bush administration on notice Friday that his panel would hold hearings into a report that the National Security Agency eavesdropped without warrants on people inside the United States. "There is no doubt that this is inappropriate," said Specter, R-Pa., calling hearings early next year "a very, very high priority." He wasn't alone in reacting harshly to the report. Sen. John McCain R-Ariz., said the story, first reported in Friday's New York Times, was troubling.

[...]

"This is Big Brother run amok," declared Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., called it a "shocking revelation" that "ought to send a chill down the spine of every senator and every American."

But, as the NYT story made clear, the Senate has long ago been apprised of the practice. Even Democrats like Jay Rockefeller knew about it. Indeed, the AP brings this up several paragraphs into the story:

The administration had briefed congressional leaders about the NSA program and notified the judge in charge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the secret Washington court that handles national security issues. Aides to National Intelligence Director John Negroponte and West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, declined to comment Thursday night.

So, if this was "inappropriate," "troubling," and "shocking," why wait until it hits the front page of the Times to say something about it? Couldn't they have held private hearings on this a year ago?

Update: An informed source e-mails and DC Loser comments below taking me to task for writing "the Senate has long ago been apprised of the practice" when, in fact, all I know for sure is the the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence had been apprised. A fair point. I was operating on the presumption, perhaps incorrect, that the leadership of the Judiciary Committe, which would have oversight responsibility on FISA, and the Armed Services Committee, which has oversight over NSA, would have been similarly briefed.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Arizona; US: Arkansas; US: District of Columbia; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: 109th; america; asc; assbites; bigbrother; bringiton; bush; fisa; kennedy; liberalmedia; liberals; mccain; media; nsa; nsaprogram; patriotleak; phonesurveillance; republicans; rino; rinos; security; senate; specter; spector; spectorrector; us; usa; wot
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 161-166 next last
To: Soul Seeker

If it came down to Hillary and McCain I might consider that 72 virgin idea.


61 posted on 12/16/2005 4:35:31 PM PST by Fledermaus (Please explain the difference between Al-Qaeda and the Left? Anyone? Anyone?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Goldwater-Reagan Republican
Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., called it a "shocking revelation" that "ought to send a chill down the spine of every senator and every American."

Interesting how Senator Feingold separates himself as a "Senator" rather than an American like the rest of us.
62 posted on 12/16/2005 4:36:41 PM PST by Hoboto (I blame Hippies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Soul Seeker

I agree with you...we should get a petition calling for the recall of ALL Senators!!!


63 posted on 12/16/2005 4:37:32 PM PST by Txsleuth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Soul Seeker
I hate to say it but if McStain is our candidate I will take a still closer look at Costa Rica.

He'll never get in though.
The base has to count for something. They can't totally ignore us alllll the time.
64 posted on 12/16/2005 4:39:02 PM PST by rodguy911 (Support Able Danger and Lt.Col Shaffer,Condi Rice/VP in 08--)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Txsleuth

Recall the Senate.

hey, maybe we should try listening to the Liberals. They may be on to something. The Founders couldn't predict the future right? That's why they gave us a "living breathing Constitution". And when you have a cancer, it's time to cut it out so the whole can remain healthy. Living Breathing.

Time to ax the Senate from the Constitutional Documents. We tried it. It's not functioning properly anymore. It's dated. Rip it out and streamline the process. No one would miss it one damn bit.


65 posted on 12/16/2005 4:41:49 PM PST by Soul Seeker (Mr. President: It is now time to turn over the money changers' tables.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: Goldwater-Reagan Republican
The administration had briefed congressional leaders about the NSA program and notified the judge in charge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the secret Washington court that handles national security issues.

In Short, this is just the latest "impeach Bush now" idea. Upon first reading about the NSA actions in the immediate wake of 9/11 my reaction was, "But of course he did, any rational President would have done the same thing under the circumstances. After all, time was of the essence."

66 posted on 12/16/2005 4:42:04 PM PST by JimSEA (America cannot have an exit strategy from the world.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Recovering_Democrat

.. some freepers are probably cheering them on.


67 posted on 12/16/2005 4:43:15 PM PST by plain talk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: JimSEA
"the latest "impeach Bush now" idea."

Great take and that's exactly what this is more of the same old sh!t. It never ends with these bozos and always starts with the dnc arm of propaganda--the msm and ends with their fete complee-- hundreds of foul lawyers all trying to get something, anything on GW or anyone near him. It is totally disgusting.
68 posted on 12/16/2005 4:47:33 PM PST by rodguy911 (Support Able Danger and Lt.Col Shaffer,Condi Rice/VP in 08--)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: plain talk

I'm cheering them on because they are just about to make a total a*s out of themselves.


69 posted on 12/16/2005 4:48:58 PM PST by Wasanother (Terrorist come in many forms but all are RATS.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Goldwater-Reagan Republican

NSA has been recording all overseas calls since at least the 1970s. People need to read the book called The Codebreakers.


70 posted on 12/16/2005 4:49:22 PM PST by Number_Cruncher
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rodguy911

If the base votes, McCain loses. That's a guarentee. The Maverick actually believes there are enough crossover Democrats, Indy's and McCainite Reps to make him the nominee. He's delusional.

I've no doubt the base hates him and is motivated to humiliate him. the problem is finding a nominee worthy to humiliate him with and that is where we have problems.

The Senate is out. I don't care if your name is Frist, Allen, brownback, Hagel (as if al Jazeera's fav Senator was ever in the running) they are all worthless. They've had plenty of opportunity to wage war against McCain, and still they kiss up to his aged white behind. They aren't fit to serve, especially when they sign on to his terrorist protectionist amendments.

That leaves, who? newt? Newt is unreliable and enjoys his time with Hillary far too much. Romney? Total unknown quality. Everything he says and does is geared for elections. Rudy? the only one of the bunch i respect, but his only selling point is strength in the WOT. So, we've got nothing at this point to rally behind other then keeping McCain off the ticket. I'm willing to rally behind a lesser charactered entity for the primary just to destroy Mccain, but we need a worthy candidate to win the general and I've not seen the like yet.


71 posted on 12/16/2005 4:49:30 PM PST by Soul Seeker (Mr. President: It is now time to turn over the money changers' tables.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Goldwater-Reagan Republican

Two bozos


72 posted on 12/16/2005 4:57:37 PM PST by Unicorn (Too many wimps around.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Soul Seeker
You've hit on it all right. There really is no knight in shining armor.
The problem is we have to have someone.
I'm a Condi addict myself. The problem is she has never ever won elective office which to me spells VP instead of Potus. that leaves who or whom for Potus. The list is light. You have to have someone who is well known, it would be nice if they had a little charisma (and some balls).
I don't think the country would go for Jeb at the head of the ticket even thought he could be as good as GW.
I wish I had the answer. It just may be Rudy although he is anything but conservative.So what do you do?
73 posted on 12/16/2005 4:57:40 PM PST by rodguy911 (Support Able Danger and Lt.Col Shaffer,Condi Rice/VP in 08--)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: rodguy911

I am not exactly sure if Rudy is even going to be in it, I don't know what he is doing. He knows that in a straight fight with McCain and Allen, the abortion issue is going to hurt him in the primaries. He would have to distinguish himself and go to the right of McCain on some issue - this so-called "torture" bill would be a good spot. I guess what I am saying is, if Rudy doesn't pick some spot to go to the right of McCain, I can't see how he has a chance given his abortion position.


74 posted on 12/16/2005 5:01:39 PM PST by oceanview
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: Recovering_Democrat
No better way to bury a story than have Republicans get behind it. Trust me, just like the "Torture Ban", this is a masterful Rovian plot to bury a story that would otherwise have the Libs/MSM pitching a fit.

With Repubs expressing outrage, the story will die in two news cycles.

75 posted on 12/16/2005 5:02:35 PM PST by Royal Wulff
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Goldwater-Reagan Republican
"There is no doubt that this is inappropriate,"

Not to mention illegal.

76 posted on 12/16/2005 5:02:41 PM PST by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DTogo
"Is it just me, or is it time for another revolution by the people to take back that which we have lost over the years?"

Its WAAAAAAY overdue ... better yet just a civil war to separate the country and stuff all the libs in California and Mass.
Its maddening.
77 posted on 12/16/2005 5:03:48 PM PST by MaDeuce (Do it to them, before they do it to you!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

Comment #78 Removed by Moderator

To: Goldwater-Reagan Republican
Complain about McCain and Specter all you want. They deserve it, but I'm getting really sick of the "Great Enabler", as I'm starting to think of him.

Anyone care to guess who I'm talking about?

Yes, I'm talking about President Bush. McCain-Feingold would be an irrelevant footnote in history if the President hadn't signed it. Now, he's caved in and will sign McCain's Al Qaeda Bill Of Rights. And let's not forget who campaigned for RINO Specter against the conservative Toomey. You know, the same Arlen Specter who stabs the President in the back every chance he gets.

I'm sick to death of this crap. Why can't the President show a little backbone against his domestic enemies? This same smarmy "new tone in Washington" that allows liberals of both parties to use him as a doormat.

I wish it would stop.

79 posted on 12/16/2005 5:05:29 PM PST by Batrachian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Goldwater-Reagan Republican

Tony Snow with an excellent 1st segment on the OReilly show tonight taking this nonsense apart.

there is NOTHING new here.


80 posted on 12/16/2005 5:07:13 PM PST by oceanview
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 161-166 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson