Bush 'Amazed' People Say Eavesdropping Broke Law [AP pushing the news....]

NBC10 ^

[Sub-Driver]

Bush 'Amazed' People Say Eavesdropping Broke Law

POSTED: 5:23 pm EST January 23, 2006 UPDATED: 6:19 pm EST January 23, 2006

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- President George W. Bush pushed back Monday at critics of his once-secret domestic spying effort, saying it should be termed a "terrorist surveillance program" and contending it has the backing of legal experts, key lawmakers and the Supreme Court.

Several members of Congress from both parties have questioned whether the warrantless snooping is legal. That is because it bypasses a special federal court that, by law, must authorize eavesdropping on Americans and because the president provided limited notification to only a few lawmakers.

"It's amazing that people say to me, `Well, he's just breaking the law.' If I wanted to break the law, why was I briefing Congress?" said Bush.

One of those who had been informed, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., was sitting behind him during an appearance at Kansas State University.

Bush's remarks were part of an aggressive administration campaign to defend the 4-year-old program as a crucial and legal terror-fighting tool. The White House is trying to sell its side of the story before the Senate Judiciary Committee opens hearings on it in two weeks.

Back in Washington, Gen. Michael Hayden, the former NSA director who is now the government's No. 2 intelligence official, contended the surveillance was narrowly targeted. He acknowledged the program established a lower legal standard to eavesdrop on terror-related communications than previous laws but maintained that the work was within the law.

"The constitutional standard is reasonable. ... I am convinced that we are lawful because what it is we are doing is reasonable," Hayden said at the National Press Club.

Democrats countered that many important questions remain.

[Sub-Driver]

snip, snip....to make a story

[Names Ash Housewares]

"`Well, he's just breaking the law.' If I wanted to break the law, why was I briefing Congress?"


Well there you go making sense again Mr. President!

They sure arent interested in facts or anything silly like that.

[capydick]

The White House is trying to sell its side of the story before the Senate Judiciary Committee opens hearings on it in two weeks.

That's an offensive remark there. I doubt this writer ever postulated that Bill Clinton was trying to sell it's position on anything.

[claudiustg]

In other news the RNC has 6 times the money the DNC has. The upcoming elections don't bode well for the Dims.

[Straight8]

And Billyboy sure had some interesting positions, didnt he?

[IrishRainy]

Love the choice of words in this story...."snooping," "eavesdropping," "defend," etc.

[popdonnelly]

I'm amazed too.

[muir_redwoods]

If FDR had had a bug on Hitlers phone is there anuone in the US or GB that would not have urged him to listen? What is wrong with people that they can't understand that:

A.) We're at war

B.) The enemy is everywhere

C.) There are no rules in this war

[flutters]

LOL at the author of this article. It must have been painful twisting all of this positive news.

[upchuck]

From the article:

Democrats countered that many important questions remain.

"We can be strong and operate under the rule of law," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "These are not mutually exclusive principles -- they are the principles upon which our nation was founded."

Incredibly sloppy reporting. So, where's the question. Dingy made a statement, he did not ask a question. And Dingy's right: we are strong and we are operating under the rule of law.

BTW, does anybody know who President Bush spoke with when he briefed Congress. The article mentions Sen Roberts. Any RATS? If so, it would be interesting to see what they, having been briefed, are saying about this.

[JustAnotherOkie]

I guess you could call the individuals saying that people. I'd call them liberal douche bags.

[Reactionary]

Oh, yes. It's the usual brainless agitprop from the Leftist news media.

To them, everyone should be suitably outraged that George Bush is listening in on Al Qaeda in America.

[Lester Moore]

If FDR had had a bug on Hitlers phone is there anuone in the US or GB that would not have urged him to listen? What is wrong with people that they can't understand that: A.) We're at war B.) The enemy is everywhere C.) There are no rules in this war

Doesn't the Orwellian nature of how things have been playing out strike you as odd?

Almost all of our attackers were Saudi Arabian, yet we attack a country, for a second time, that didn't attack or threaten to attack us. The reasons given to the people for going in to Iraq have turned out to be very weak. GWB has engaged in revisionism and provided new reasons to justify attacking Iraq.

You really believe the U.S. should operate like there are no rules? I believe we ought to be civilized and above that. How can there even be a debate about whether or not we will allow torture?

I now think it was mostly about oil. My boys lives are not worth oil.

And really, "Eavesdropping on U.S. citizens, without Judicial approval, is OK if WE say those citizens are 'terrorists'."

Talk about the fox guarding the henhouse.

[kenavi]

I now think it was mostly about oil.

Then why didn't WE invade Kuwait?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

...contending it has the backing of legal experts, key lawmakers and the Supreme Court.

Not to mention the Constitution!

[Lester Moore]

Kuwait was split off from Iraq by the Brits at the end of WW II, which is why Saddam thought he wanted that Iraqi province back. Kuwait was already very friendly to the West, by necessity. I think Saddam wasn't playing ball and the U.S. was telling him he'd better play ball whether he wanted to or not.

[billbears]

Doesn't the Orwellian nature of how things have been playing out strike you as odd?

It strikes conservatives as odd. It doesn't strike Republicans at all

[roses of sharon]

LOL, sure you are.