Bush slams leak of terror finance story ["The disclosure of this program is disgraceful,"....]

Yahoo ^

[Sub-Driver]

Bush slams leak of terror finance story

10 minutes ago

President Bush on Monday sharply condemned the disclosure of a secret anti-terrorism program that taps into an immense international database of confidential financial records. "The disclosure of this program is disgraceful," he said.

"For people to leak that program and for a newspaper to publish it does great harm to the United States of America," Bush said. He said the disclosure of the program "makes it harder to win this war on terror."

The program has been going on since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. It was disclosed last week by several news organizations.

Using broad government subpoenas, the program allows U.S. counterterrorism analysts to obtain financial information from a vast database maintained by a company based in Belgium. It routes about 11 million financial transactions daily among 7,800 banks and other financial institutions in 200 countries.

"Congress was briefed and what we did was fully authorized under the law," Bush said, talking with reporters in the Roosevelt Room after meeting with groups that support U.S. troops in Iraq.

[UCANSEE2]

Thanks, TK, for providing that speech.

"If you want to figure out what the terrorists are doing, you try to follow their money. And that's exactly what we're doing."

Yes. FOLLOW THE MONEY.

The President, as usual, is absolutely right.

[Txsleuth]

I meant to actually CALL OUT the newspapers...but, you know, there are too many people that believe everything they read.

[aynrandfreak]

The Left hates America

[SE Mom]

Tony on Cspan now:

"The public's right to know may jeopordize someone's right to live!"

I nominate THAT as quote of The Day!!!!!!!!!!!

[gcruse]

Is that all we're going to get? Jaw-boning?

I wish President Bush were as interested in expanding liberty at home as he is abroad and as eager to alienate domestic opponents as he is our allies.

[Mo1]

Are you watching this Frm. Prosecutor on FNC ... Jayne Weinstrub ???

I am going to smack my TV

She says how do we know this Amdinistration won't break laws in the future

Now they are accusing the President of something HE NEVER DID

GRRRRRR

[DAC21]

Man that Times clown just looks like a lib. The type that
got beat up a lot on the play ground, and swore to get even when he grew up. I guess being the Benedict Arnold of his time makes him feel that that he is somebody. He disgusts me.

[SE Mom]

She is a slimy you-know-what grrrr..

I'm listening to Tony Snow White House pc on Cspan...LIVE:)

[rockthecasbah]

"That said, I think such a case can be made, and is probably being forged right now"

1. Prosecute NYT reporters under Sedition Act, or

2. Subpoena NYT reporters and compel them to divulge names of leakers in the government. When they refuse to divulge, jail them for contempt and let them rot.

Did I leave anything out?

[Just A Nobody]

but it is possible that the previous cases COULD be about ready to be prosecuted...which might make the White House less inclined to overreact to this one...knowing what is coming later.

Good point Sleuth! Wish I had thought of it! ;*)

[Lazamataz]

[Jayne Weinstrub] says how do we know this Amdinistration won't break laws in the future

I don't know, Jane. How do we know you won't get addicted to drugs and become a crack ho?

[Mo1]

I am soooooooooooooooo sick of these people

grrrrr

Switched to Cspan1

[Frank_Discussion]

I don't think you left anything out. When the AG pursues the case, that evidence better be crushing. In my opinion, it is, but it has to be so in court, as well.

My hope is that the NYT gets crushed!

[Right_in_Virginia]

Have I missed what the President's going to do about this?

[thinking]

there is a negative and a positive side to this situation, on the plus side, it will force the terrorists to use other means, which may lead to easier apprehension, on the negative side; the terrorists have a better understanding of US technical ability

[xzins]

The NYT & WP are on the side of the Terrorists.

[BlueNgold]

Treasonous bastards

[TexKat]

Bush condemns disclosure of secret anti-terror program

The program has been going on since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. It was disclosed last week by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times.

The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported that the records were examined under a series of broad U.S. subpoenas, with the Times reporting that Treasury officials did not seek individual court-approved warrants or subpoenas to examine specific transactions.

The Journal also said the existence of the program may be controversial in Europe and other parts of the world, and within the global banking industry, which has long worried about the privacy of transactions.

Both newspapers said audits of the program are conducted to make sure that data searches are based on intelligence leads about suspected terrorists. And both said administration officials say the program has been important to both disrupting terrorist activity and to catching those responsible for attacks.

[prairiebreeze]

I don't know if you've been listening to Rush's show today but the sub that's in for Rush had AG Gonzales as a guest. On this particular issue, Gonzales was very mum, not commenting, premature, etc.

Next guest was Edwin Meese. Meese said there was certainly enough ground to launch an investigation at the Slimes.

Point is, the DoJ is being cagey, keeping mum and getting the bases covered. I believe (hope!) that Meese gave us a heads up on what to expect.

[prairiebreeze]

I firmly believe nothing would make Pinch happier than to see another terrorist disaster in America.

If they'd hit the Slimes building, I could be tempted to agree.

Ok, not really. Just kidding.............mostly.