Dems master plan: Protect the terrorists at all costs.
LOL!!! Oh my.. the Democrats continue: "WE HAVE TO DESTROY THE VILLAGE IN ORDER TO SAVE IT!". ;>
Members of Congress from both parties expressed outrage
Oh how grand of the MSM to report that ALL THE DEMOCRATS and 3 of the HUGE Republican party "expressed outrage". That's right up there with how they count "liberal protestors". If there's 10, it must be printed and aired as "massive" protestors.
So are all of you "Moderates" happy now!
The 'RATS are laying the foundation for a nasty impeachment effort of the President in the event that they win a few more seats in the 2006 Congressional election. They have forgotten 9/11. They fail to grasp the reality that if we're wiped off the face of the earth by their brothers-in-arms, then Constitutional rights will be meaningless.
That fool Specter has got to go...
These are the same people who shrugged when the Clintons ended up with hundreds of FBI files.
Of course I hope it doesn't happen, but the only thing that would wake up these RATS and RINOS is to get hit again with another huge terrorist attack.
And there is the crux of the matter. I'm willing to concede certain niceties to win this war. But this is a disturbing development, even if only because it gives the natterers more ammunition.
I only hope the Bush people were smart enough to review the legality of this action before implementing it, or we're going to have to listen to Ted Kennedy (of all people) pontificating for the next 3 years about impeachment.
I've been asking for the past four years...."How is it that we've gone all this time, since 9/11, without another attack?"
I think my question got answered when this eavesdropping plan was revealed.
More power to them, it they listen in on terrorists and are able to gather info, most common sense Americans will feel the same way. Wasn't that what the Dems were yelling about after 9/11 that we didn't have adequate info?
This ploy will backfire on the Dems if they try to use it as an issue.
Hey Congress ..you knew about this because you were briefed
So take your email and stuff it where the sun doesn't shine
I AM SICK OF CONGRESS PLAYING POLITICAL GAMES WITH OUR LIVES
What the HELL is Negroponte doing? Why hasn't he been able to stop these leaks or identify these leakers. The man is the most inept human on the planet. National Security is HIS job and he's failing miserably. GET RID OF NEGROPONTE!
Pure partisan insanity, in a time of War. [/shaking head in disbelief]
Do the Democrats even try to think?
Obviously the "eavesdropping" would not be wasted on normal people. Software looks for certain "keywords" that may trigger additional surveillance.
Those keywords are not "I'm having sex with my neighbor's wife". This is not England where the LOCAL magistrates can gain access to any phone line and all email of individuals for reasonable cause. We don't even have these types of secret surveillance systems in place.
Oops, never mind...most of 'em never even read the proposed legislation so how could they have known what would come about.
examples...Patriot Act Redux, and in the Dark
The Patriot Act was passed in haste, in the angst-filled days after the Sept. 11 attacks, with some lawmakers candidly admitting they never read the details.
The USA Patriot Act and Censorship
Many of the members of Congress and their staffs had not even read the Patriot Act, all 342 pages of it, before the vote on it was taken.
Students criticize PATRIOT Act
Many of those who voted for the bill have since claimed that their staff never even read it.
It would seem to me that those with the responsibility of voting on a bill should read the bill before they vote and not leave it to their staff who may, after all, not be qualified to accomplish such a task.
Peyton R. Helm President, Muhlenberg College
Those of us who have actually read the USA Patriot Act (all 342 pages of it) realize that much of it is sound, reasonable, and laudable. We also realize (as many of Adams' critics do not) that reading the act hardly ensures one will understand its meaning. To really understand the Patriot Act, with its scores of inscrutable references to minor changes in specific clauses of a host of other federal statutes, requires one to read extensive analysis and explanation of the act by trustworthy legal experts.
"CONGRESS", HUH?
- Members of Congress from both parties expressed outrage Friday - Yeah, sure, looks like the normal suspects
Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.
Former Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla.,
only missing Pubbie is McCain
The title is misleading...imagine that!
Democrats who abused secret FBI files on political enemies.
Democrats who abused the IRS as goon squad on political enemies.
Democrats who work lock step with the MSM to coordinate stories.
Bush trashed a conservative, Toomey, because Specter was his man. Well, now he can cope with his "man".
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MARYLAND 20755-6000
24 February 2000
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative:
Recently, many allegations have surfaced about activities conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA). We anticipate a continuation, if not an increase, in these allegations for the foreseeable future. In fact, a 27 February 2000 airing of a CBS "60 Minutes" newsmagazine report may feature adverse information about the National Security Agency (NSA). We are providing the attached documents on the oversight of NSA and some answers to frequently asked questions in an effort to answer some of your questions concerning the allegations.
We want to assure you that NSA's activities are conducted in accordance with the highest constitutional, legal, and ethical standards, and in compliance with statutes and regulations designed to protect the privacy rights of U.S. persons. Agency employees are trained to comply with these standards, and an extensive oversight system that includes internal and external reviews exists to ensure compliance.
As is the long-standing policy within the United States Intelligence Community, we must refrain from commenting on actual or alleged intelligence activities; therefore, we can neither confirm nor deny the existence of specific operations. However, we can tell you that NSA operates in strict accordance with U.S. laws and regulations in protecting the privacy rights of U.S. persons.
We invite you to review the NSA web site (http://www.nsa.gov) for additional information and answers to other frequently asked questions.
The Intelligence Authorization Act for FY00 required the Director of NSA to submit a report to Congress on the legal standards for electronic surveillance. If you would like a copy of the report, or if you have any other questions, please contact Karen Clark, in my office, of 301-688-7246.
KENNETH A. HEATH
Chief of Staff
Legislative Affairs Office
Encl: a/s
OVERSIGHT OF NSA ACTIVITIES
The NSA is a civilian agency in the Department of Defense and is charged with two national missions: providing 1) foreign signals intelligence (SIGINT) information to U.S. Government policymakers and warfighters, and 2) information systems security (INFOSEC) products and services for the Department of Defense.
NSA, as part of the nation's Intelligence Community, intercepts and analyzes foreign adversaries' communications signals, many of which are guarded by codes and other complex countermeasures. INFOSEC provides leadership, products, technical advice, and services to protect classified and unclassified national security systems against exploitation through interception, unauthorized access, or related technical intelligence threats. INFOSEC support ranges from the highest level of government to the individual warfighter in the field. NSA provides solutions, products, and services, and conducts defensive information assurance for information infrastructure critical to U.S. national security interests.
NSA operates in strict accordance with U.S. laws and regulations in protecting the Fourth Amendment privacy rights of U.S. persons.** Since the 1970's, NSA's activities have been strictly controlled by written procedures approved by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Defense, and vetted with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.** The Fourth Amendment transcends whatever technology happens to be involved in a particular form of electronic surveillance.
Effective oversight of NSA's activities is conducted within the Executive Branch by the President's Intelligence Oversight Board and by Department of Justice and Department of Defense oversight organizations. In addition, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence conduct oversight of NSA's activities. During consideration of this year's Intelligence Authorization Act, a Chairman of one of the intelligence oversight committees expressed confidence that NSA is scrupulously adhering to the law and reiterated his committee's role in conducting effective oversight.