Under Clinton, NY Times called surveillance “a necessity.”

americanthinker.com ^ | William Tate

[mal]

The controversy following revelations that U.S. intelligence agencies have monitored suspected terrorist related communications since 9/11 reflects a severe case of selective amnesia by the New York Times and other media opponents of President Bush. They certainly didn’t show the same outrage when a much more invasive and indiscriminate domestic surveillance program came to light during the Clinton administration in the 1990’s. At that time, the Times called the surveillance “a necessity.”

“If you made a phone call today or sent an e-mail to a friend, there’s a good chance what you said or wrote was captured and screened by the country’s largest intelligence agency.” (Steve Kroft, CBS’ 60 Minutes)

Those words were aired on February 27, 2000 to describe the National Security Agency and an electronic surveillance program called Echelon whose mission, according to Kroft,

“is to eavesdrop on enemies of the state: foreign countries, terrorist groups and drug cartels. But in the process, Echelon’s computers capture virtually every electronic conversation around the world.”

[Huck]

I remember hearing about Echelon at the time. Seem to think it was not very popular here on FR.

[camle]

well yeah it was no big deal! Clinton had to keep tabs on all of his political opponents - y'know? that vast right wing conspiracy? (remember Gingrich's cell phone?)

all Bush has to watch out for is foreigners trying to blow up our citizens, and terrorists.

geez! (/sarcasm)

[jonno]

bump!

[aimhigh]

Good article, but . . it's too late, outside the news cycle - not news any more.

[Red6]

Good point! This is just one more part of a bigger picture.

When viewed with the backlight of the NYT's sitting on the NSA story and releasing it at the most opportune time and many other "Coincidences" it becomes apparent what they are doing. Can you prove it, no. Is it obvious that they are pushing an agenda, big time!

Red6

[BenLurkin]

severe case of selective amnesia by the New York Times

[BenLurkin]

It wasn't -- and for good reason.

[eyespysomething]

Isn't/wasn't it being used purely in a domestic way? Citized calling citizen, not foreign incoming or outgoing calls?

[M203M4]

Regarding your tagline: Don't Vote: It only encourages them.

LOL, I love it! But, I usually go the route of voting for the least worst party in hopes of preventing the the party that is least best, among those capable of winning, from winning.

[Huck]

Isn't/wasn't it being used purely in a domestic way? Citized calling citizen, not foreign incoming or outgoing calls?

I don't really know. Shows how vigilant I am, I guess. I thought it was an international thing, but who knows?

[Huck]

I know. It's just a joke.

[eyespysomething]

I'll check on it. But I think it was truly domestic spying without a warrant by Clinton.

[joylyn]

According to the NYTimes' ethics guidelines, a reporter cannot use his research in a book until the related story has appeared in the Times. Any exception would require written permission. I e-mailed the Times' public editor, asking just who gave James Risen permission to pursue a book contract and when this happened. This was some days ago, and so far no reply.

Since books don't get written overnight, the release of the NSA story must have been planned some time in advance.

[marblehead17]

ping

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Why doesn't anyone talk about all the FBI files that disappeared during the Clintoon adminstration? Were they ever recovered? Who had/has them and why?

[AirBorn]

Hillary was flying on Air Force 1 with her little " file box " and went every where with that BOX--I remember the book " Dereliction of Duty " by a Col. who was in charge of carrying the " Nuclear Footbal " discussing this!

What ever happen as you said to the 500 FBI Files that were found out about the Clintons having--but if I remember ( if this is the one you are talking about too?)--there was never mentioned about them BEING HANDED BACK OVER!-to anyone or any gov't office!

Normally you hear SOMETHING about where anything lost was suddenly " Found " goes back to! ( unless you are a sloppy, sloppy but very Funny/good hearted sloppy type of sweet, sloppy guy like Sandy Berger!!)

But you've all hit it on the head anyhow--about the NSA, the Leaks, the spying and Wire Tapping( and even about why all the disgusting attacks on Judge Alito that was far more outside any realm or reasonable questioning ,as compared to anything the Republicans had done when Clinton's pick was going through the process!!)

Because ..just like SUPPORT for SPYING and WHOLE-HEARTED FULL SUPPORT for the MILITARY -should ALL be done by a United Front of EVERY SIDE!! Right?-all this as Durbin PROVED--only depends on Which PARTY in in power!

Old article below:

from Dec. 17, 1998:

"....I fully support our national security team's decision to take swift action against Saddam Hussein. . . .

I call on those who question the motives of the president and his national security advisors to join with the rest of America in presenting a united front to our enemies abroad.
The men and women who are risking their lives in defense of our national and global security deserve nothing less...."


Doesn't that sound exactly the OPPOSITE of what Durbin, Biden and the rest HAVE BEEN SAYING? concerning the Iraqi War and saddam and out troops? There's a reason why... THIS is the DURBIN!!! press release from Dec. 17, 1998:
with the CORRECTION made: adding the NAME that was missing before:
I guess I forgot to ADD just WHEN and to WHOM Durbin was talking about!!--


"....I fully support ***** President Clinton ****and
our ( Democrat lead ) national security team's decision to take swift action against Saddam Hussein. . . .

I call on those who question the motives of the president and his national security advisors to join with the rest of America in presenting a united front to our enemies abroad.
The men and women who are risking their lives in defense of our national and global security deserve nothing less. ..."

There's no questioning Durbin's patriotism--at least when a Democrat is in the White House.
This is from an old Freeper thread somewhere here!
Darth Airborne

p.s. if you look hard enough--you will find quotes and speeches 100% SUPPORTING everything that the dems are AGAINST and the MEDIA rallying around against NOW--while President Bush is in office and the Republicans are in the majority!! Just like those poor old FROGS that were environmentally MURDERED by " Bush " ( during his first term!!) when it was actually Bill Clinton who would not sign a bill to prevent even something as stupid as that happening!--Blame Bush!!


Maybe Rove was out of the country back then!!

[Trinity5]

I believe this requires a bump considering the events of the past few days.

[AmishDude]

I can't believe the "conservatives" who get played by the media in these contrived outrages. Not seeing the forest for the trees.

[Trinity5]

What's really funny is that Clinton did the same thing as Bush is doing but with Bush it's wrong even after 9/11.