[Peach]

Durbin named a man Richard Fleischer (?) who wrote to NSA because he's spoken to people overseas and is concerned if they listened to his phone calls. Couldn't get an answer from NSA.

Durbin tried to make the guy a victim; you know - an Oprah moment. America is seemingly in love with victims. Gag

[conservativebabe]

Why is Mr. Gleischer worried? Could he have been saying things he is now worried about?

Seriously, either he is some paranoid loon, or a tool of the left.

[penelopesire]

OMG..the depths the dems will sink to never ceases to amaze me...lol

[Cboldt]

I have to think thorough this point, but Gonzales basically just said that he can't put a warrant request together, regaredless of the time allowed, because the surveillance doesn't satisfy the requirements for obtaining a warrant.

Pss't - Gonzales -- amend FISA by putting terrorist organizations, recited in 1801(a)(4), as one of the entities that does not require a warrant under 50 USC 1802(a).

1802 (a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the President, through the Attorney General, may authorize electronic surveillance without a court order under this subchapter to acquire foreign intelligence information for periods of up to one year if the Attorney General certifies in writing under oath that--
(A) the electronic surveillance is solely directed at--
(i) the acquisition of the contents of communications transmitted by means of communications used exclusively between or among foreign powers, as defined in section 1801 (a)(1), (2), or (3) [insert "(4)" here] of this title

---

1801 As used in this subchapter:
(a) "Foreign power" means--
(1) a foreign government or any component thereof, whether or not recognized by the United States;
(2) a faction of a foreign nation or nations, not substantially composed of United States persons;
(3) an entity that is openly acknowledged by a foreign government or governments to be directed and controlled by such foreign government or governments;
(4) a group engaged in international terrorism or activities in preparation therefor;
(5) a foreign-based political organization, not substantially composed of United States persons; or
(6) an entity that is directed and controlled by a foreign government or governments.

[Pirate21]

Durbin named a man Richard Fleischer (?) who wrote to NSA because he's spoken to people overseas and is concerned if they listened to his phone calls. Couldn't get an answer from NSA.

Don't know if this relates, but there was a guy in the audience at a briefing that Gen. Hayden recently gave. He was from a group named Bush Step Down, and he kept asking if his group's conversations were being listened to. Appropriately, Gen. Hayden didn't answer. There was a minister in the audience, too, who asked (paraphrasing), "How can we be assured that you're not listening to our conversations?" I wish Gen. Hayden would have said, "Don't talk to terrorists."

(IMO, Gen. Hayden is the best spokesman for the intelligence people. Tells it like it is, politely but frankly.)