Bush: Eavesdropping Helps Save U.S. Lives

AP ^ | 12/17/05 | JENNIFER LOVEN

[frankjr]

Facing angry criticism and challenges to his authority in Congress, President Bush on Saturday unapologetically defended his administration's right to conduct secret post-Sept. 11 spying in the United States as "critical to saving American lives."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she had been told on several occasions that Bush had authorized unspecified activities by the National Security Agency, the nation's largest spy agency. She said she had expressed strong concerns at the time, and that Bush's statement Saturday "raises serious questions as to what the activities were and whether the activities were lawful."

"The activities I have authorized make it more likely that killers like these 9/11 hijackers will be identified and located in time," Bush said. "And the activities conducted under this authorization have helped detect and prevent possible terrorist attacks in the United States and abroad."

"I didn't hear him specify any legal right, except his right as president, which in a democracy doesn't make much sense," Bamford said in an interview. "Today, what Bush said is he went around the law, which is a violation of the law — which is illegal."

Bush said leaders in Congress have been briefed more than a dozen times. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., told House Republicans that those informed were the top Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate and of each chamber's intelligence committees. "They've been through the whole thing," Hoekstra said.

The president had harsh words for those who revealed the program to the media, saying they acted improperly and illegally. The surveillance was first disclosed in Friday's New York Times.

"As a result, our enemies have learned information they should not have," Bush said. "The unauthorized disclosure of this effort damages our national security and puts our citizens at risk."

[frankjr]

I love the way the AP finds a couple of America hating lefties to bad mouth the President and he LEGAL acts. Then, the AP slips this in at the end as the last sentence of the article: "One bright spot for the White House was a new poll showing that a strong majority of Americans oppose, as does Bush and most lawmakers, an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. The AP-Ipsos poll found 57 percent of those surveyed said the U.S. military should stay until Iraq is stabilized."

The Libs are too busy protecting the terrorists to worry about the safety of U.S. citizens!!! Libs...keep on talking...the public sees you for what you are...traitors!!!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Ping

[popdonnelly]

Why doesn't Pelosi cut out the nonsense and just tell the truth? Either she didn't allow herself the opportunity to know when the information became available, or she knew and is feigning outrage now.

[saganite]

I'm watching Fox right now and even they are still getting this wrong. They're saying Bush authorized domestic eavesdropping. No mention of the fact that these "domestic" calls were to persons overseas.

[injin]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051217.v.html

[Names Ash Housewares]

Dont worry Nancy, Bush isnt after your stash. Hes after terrorists.

[Past Your Eyes]

It's about time W stood his ground instead of backpeddling. These congressional leaders, who have apparently been advised of the whole thing, now have to try to convince the country that they are outraged about the whole thing, as usual.

[injin]

Libs...keep on talking...the public sees you for what you are...traitors!!!

There seems to be a sub-culture of 'traitorism' developing in our country . It has to be countered.

[Right_in_Virginia]

or she knew and is feigning outrage now.

Bingo! Pelosi put out a press release admitting she was advised ... but, expressed concerns during the meetings.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

"I didn't hear him specify any legal right, except his right as president, which in a democracy doesn't make much sense," Bamford said in an interview. "Today, what Bush said is he went around the law, which is a violation of the law — which is illegal."

The program has oversight from the three branches of govt., which is a hell of a lot more than you can say for Bubba Klinton's adventures in foreign and domestic policy.

Funny, I don't remember these media legal "experts" having these kinds of problems with Waco. And at that time, religious separatists and rednecks were the enemy, not terrorists.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The NY Times and the Leftists are revealing themselves for those who understand.....:

For understanding see this:

*********************************************

A Must Read:

Unholy Alliance :
Radical Islam and the American Left (Hardcover)
by David Horowitz

**************************************

Vastly Illuminating, September 25, 2004

Reviewer:

Kat Bakhu (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews

I had long wondered why people on the Left had the propensity to speak more positively about people who would slit their throats than they do about their own country, which affords them more freedom and opportunity than anywhere else. David Horowitz has answered that question thoroughly and convincingly in his Unholy Alliance. Where I felt bewildered and confused, I now feel crystal clear. Unholy Alliance is such a great book.

It begins with the leftist movements at the beginning of the 20th Century, and works its way up to the present day, exploring the anti-American attitude of these movements in detail. Horowitz shows that the enemies of the US back then are largely the same group today, operating under the same misperceptions, making the same mistakes, and pursuing the same impossible utopia.

Individual chapters are included on the Patriot Act (I was persuaded that it is a GOOD thing); the democratic flip-flop on Iraq once G.W. Bush implemented what they agreed with Clinton needed to be done; the driving components of the current anti-war movement; as well as chapters on individual personalities who are major spokespeople of the Left. Horowitz covers a lot of ground, and he covers it concisely and clearly. Unholy Alliance is richly informative without ever being boring or plodding.

This book is so illuminating that I simply cannot do justice to it here. I love people who reason so clearly that they help me get my own reasoning clear. Horowitz is just that type of person! In the terrain of mindless clichés (no-blood-for-oil, etc.), he is a breath of real fresh air.

<**************************************

[Viking2002]

If Bug Eyes has any dignity or self-respect, she ahould kill herself and save taxpayers the cost of executing her after she's convicted of treason.

[Rapscallion]

If the democrats become any more disloyal, they'll be wearing turbans and white robes.

The President MUST send out the FBI to find, arrest, and prosecute the source of the intercept story. It either came from the Senate democrats, or democrats inside CIA.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See #11!

[SeaBiscuit]

This is all so orchestrated between the rats and the leftist media. They do this everytime there is good news coming out of Irag, such as the elections or constitution vote, or here at home during an important judge nomination, cabinet post, UN post, or important legislation vote. Anything and everything, from the plame game, gitmo, katrina, etc., and now this.

It's all so damn predictable.. and dangerous. America was attacked dammit, an act of war was waged against this country and these rat idiots REFUSE to accept that because they are not in power. God help us.

[Normal4me]

No more panties on the terrorists' heads
No more Koran flushings
No more Torture (perceived or not)
No more secret CIA prisons
No more Patriot act
No more eavesdropping on terrorists

Yup, the dems have screwed us over. And when the next big one happens, it will be Bush's fault.

[appleharvey]

If a Lib Dem or a RINO wins the next Presidential election, expect a dirty bomb or a suitcase nuke detonation in a U.S. city before their first term is half over. They have no concern about the true threat that we face.

[new yorker 77]

Nice fake headline.

[afnamvet]

Dont worry Nancy, Bush isnt after your stash. Hes after terrorists.

Her stash of Botox, evidently, is being depleted at an alarming rate.

[NotchJohnson]

The public sees a 10 second sound bite from the MSM. Not sure if they see the reality.