Posted on 12/28/2005 7:41:30 AM PST by Congressman Billybob
Edited on 12/28/2005 8:37:31 AM PST by Lead Moderator. [history]
A poll by Rasmussen Reports today (Wednesday) illustrates the pervasive dishonesty of the American press in dealing with the NY Times story about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) intercepts of international communications. There are both minor dishonesties and major ones in this story as first reported by the Times and later a gaggle of reports throughout the media.
The major dishonesties are demonstrated by the two questions asked in the Rasmussen poll just reported. Here’s the first, and the responses:
Should the National Security Agency be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States? Yes 64% No 23%
The key fact is that these conversations cross international boundaries. Many parts of the MSM persist in calling this “domestic” spying. This is a lie. These calls are international, not domestic.
Here’s the second question and the responses:
Is President Bush the first President to authorize a program for intercepting telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States? Yes 26% No 48%
Source: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2005/NSA.htm
Answers to the second question are particularly telling. Even though most of the media and all of the Democrat leaders in Congress are suggesting that these intercepts are new and unjustified by President Bush, 48% of those polled do NOT believe that Bush is the first President to authorize such efforts.
Next, the minor dishonesties: The press persist in calling these “wiretaps,” whereas they are actually electronic intercepts made by satellites and other international methods I won’t mention here. Fox News contributed mightily to this misconception by using a graphic of someone attaching a clip and wire to a telephone junction box. That image repeated the lie that these are physical intercepts within the US.
Other minor lies include the idea that this is new. The blogosphere has thoroughly reported the Executive Orders of both President Carter and President Clinton, approving such intelligence efforts, and the five court decisions approving such efforts, one by the Supreme Court and one by the FISA Court itself. Note the wide coverage of Judge Robertson who resigned from the FISA Court, but not from the federal bench, while failing to report his highly partisan history and the fact that the whole FISA Court disagrees with his opinion. Judge Robertson was appointed by President Clinton, and is known for dismissing without trial a number of charges against Clinton Administration officials.
It is impressive that a majority of the American people understand this issue correctly, in the teeth of pervasive dishonesty by the press in covering this story. If the story were reported honestly, opposition to these efforts by President Bush in this war would probably decline to a number amounting to the NY Times, its reporters, its editors, and its unreconstructed readers.
John_Armor@aya.yale.edu
John / Billybob
Dear Billybob,
It would seem to me that disclosure of the NSA program constitutes an act of sabotage on our ability to access threat information, and thereby avert the threats against our nation.
Is there a Congressional investigation or Special Prosecutor assigned to this case yet and if not, why not???
This is much more serious than the Valerie (Cover of Esquire) Plame story, yet I don't hear it happening.
Q Mr. President, thank you, sir. Are you going to order a leaks investigation into the disclosure of the NSA surveillance program? And why did you skip the basic safeguard of asking courts for permission for these intercepts?
THE PRESIDENT: Let me start with the first question. There is a process that goes on inside the Justice Department about leaks, and I presume that process is moving forward.
My personal opinion is it was a shameful act for someone to disclose this very important program in a time of war. The fact that we're discussing this program is helping the enemy.
And so the Justice Department, I presume, will proceed forward with a full investigation. I haven't ordered one, because I understand there's kind of a natural progression that will take place when this kind of leak emerges.
I would consider it worse than shameful, more like treason.
And I don't believe the president should be required to inform the public of every strategic component to the WOT any more than I would expect Truman to announce plans to launch a D-day invasion on Normandy or an A-bomb on Japan.
This leak is essentially informing the enemy that they were under surveillance in a way they MAY have thought not possible.
I guess the next question, not for the pres or govt, but for the press... Why not a headline story every day until we find out who leaked? Maybe we need to put the NY Times reporter in jail until he squeals?
and the leaker, the person, or persons responsible for leaking secret information should be held accountable and sentenced to prison or worst....as with most stories today, it's picked up midway for the benefit of the MSM
Doogle
I think the NY Times reporter should be pulled in immediately, asked who provided the info, and put in jail until he squeals.
IMMEDIATELY!
We can worry about all the rest later, but getting that a55hole behind bars would raise the profile on this story and keep it a front-page issue until we find out who leaked.
Dear John,
I'm a tad bit behind on this story. Do we know or suspect the source for Risen's NSA/spying information?
Thank you.
If a single conviction is dragged back into court, or overthrown, the Times should be summarily shut down and sold for scrap value.
This is a highly classified program that is crucial to our national security. Its purpose is to detect and prevent terrorist attacks against the United States, our friends and allies.
Yesterday the existence of this secret program was revealed in media reports, after being improperly provided to news organizations. As a result, our enemies have learned information they should not have, and the unauthorized disclosure of this effort damages our national security and puts our citizens at risk.
Revealing classified information is illegal, alerts our enemies, and endangers our country.
Rockefeller's office would be the first place I would start on uncovering the leaker. He's already been caught in a lie on this when he said he hadn't said anything yet was referenced in the NYT days prior to his statement.
The Slimes should be treated that way, with or without an overturned conviction. IMO of course.
bttt
Risen of the NY Times should be subjected to an Espionage Act criminal investigation, immediately. If he refuses to name his source, he should be jailed immediately and permanently, until he talks, or the war is over, whichever first occurs. Risen knows the answer to this question.
John / Billybob
The sheeple have visions of men in black suits sitting a van listening to their calls to their Aunt Tilly.
Bump!!!
Bump!
Thanks, John. Any scuttlebutt on the "investigation?"
So when will an investigation into the identity of the leaker start?
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