Posted on 05/19/2006 10:11:40 AM PDT by Dog
In 1994 Sen. Pat "Leaky" Leahy co-wrote a law that forced telecommunications carriers to build convenient wiretap features into their networks enabling the kind of telephone records collection now at the heart of the controversy over the National Security Agency's terrorist surveillance operation.
In recent days Leahy has called the NSA's actions troubling and potentially illegal - saying they show that the Bush administration is treating Americans like terrorists.
"'The secret collection of phone call records of tens of millions of Americans?" he exclaimed after USA Today blew the lid off the program last week. "Are you telling me that tens of millions of Americans are involved with al-Qaeda?"
But according to the Rutland Herald, Leahy was singing a different tune 12 years ago, when he was pushing the Senate to pass his bill, the Communication Assistance for Law Enforcement Act [CALEA].
Civil libertarians are also troubled by Leahy's law. "The secret search and wiretap provisions could lead to an age of Big Brother-like surveillance," the American Civil Liberties Union complained in the same Law Journal report. "Americans who oppose U.S. policies and who are believed to have ties to foreign powers could find their homes broken into and their telephones tapped."
"I suggest to senators if anybody does want to hold [CALEA] up, I hope that at this time next year, neither they nor their constituents, nor anybody they know, is a kidnap victim or victim of a terrorist, and have somebody ask why nothing can be done, and be told because a law that had probably 99 percent support in the House and the Senate did not pass." Contacted by the Herald earlier this week, Leahy said there was an important difference between what his law authorized and the actions taken by the Bush administration.
"That law talks of the technology of the interception and what technology can be used to intercept and it assumes very clearly that it can only be done with a warrant," the Vermont Democrat insisted.
Some legal experts say, however, said that assumption is not as clear as Leahy claims. Analyzing CALEA in 2003, the Rutgers Computer & Technology Law Journal explained:
"CALEA requires a telecommunications provider to make 'its equipment, facilities, or services ... capable of ... enabling the government ... [without a warrant] to intercept ... all wire and electronic communications carried by the carrier.'"
Bears repeating. In fact, just think period!
PING....Check this out..
Also...anyway you can find out which Senators that are currently in the Senate also voted for this???
It is a great story and will be used like billy clubs against Leaky Leahy and his fellow rat $inators, who voted for this bill and are whining to day.
REMEMBER FOLKS: If we don't vote in Nov...or vote 3rd Party...LEAHY would be the Chairman of the MOST POWERFUL Judiciary Committee...think SCOTUS judges, if nothing else.
You mean, we should go vote and not punish the America by allowing in a pack of rats who hate America? (sarcasm off)
I was just going to say "think", but the way things have been around here lately, I thought the ONLY thing that might get the really angry ones to capitulate and vote Republican is the realization the even with Bush as POTUS, if Leahy is Chair of Judiciary, and they have the majority, chances are anyone Bush would pick wouldn't even get out of committee!!
Yes, I do....and I have been reluctant lately to get on "those threads" and state that....because I have an aversion to being beaten up...
However, after reading this...and watching the footage of his holding up the USA Today on TV....I am not going to worry about getting beaten up.
Besides, if any of the ones that are threatening to not vote or vote 3rd party have watched any of the Senate this week...they should know that there are some fine Republicans that shouldn't be punished...and that the DEMS are getting worse and worse, and should in no way get back in power.
I guess he changed his mind when the glove is going up the other butt.
Imagine that!
Leahy has alzheimers?
Wow, judging from your post#8, Perot sure has aged!!!
The USA article was wrong at least for BellSouth and Verizon. Not sure about AT&T. BellSouth has demanded a retraction.
It brings personal freedom to a higher pinnacle.
Leaky Leahy must be lead to frustration because of this.
"Isn't the internet fantastic."
"It brings personal freedom to a higher pinnacle."
"Leaky Leahy must be lead to frustration because of this."
As the MSM continues its downward death spiral, Leahy, Dean and other notable rat liars will grow to hate the internet. Particualiarly data on sites they can't erase or remove.
Bingo. Bingo. Bingo.
Don't give them so much credit in their conviction in their hate.
What they will try to do is try and make money on their focus to destroy the Internet and tax it to death.
And yet - so electable...
bump
yep. thanks to the spineless, ineffective GOP majority
What a kick!
LMAO.
Thanks for the post.
Thank God for the internet and Rush Limbaugh.
DANG, thanks.....this is exactly one reason that I get so MAD that they are even allowed to have voice votes.
But, in the Senate it has to be UC...so we need to know which Senators were in the Senate during that vote..and voila, we have our list of who to blast IF they have come out and said anything about this.
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