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Bush: if we don't let telcos off the hook for letting me spy on everyone YOU'RE ALL GONNA DIE (cnn.com) |  |
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14320 clicks; posted to Main » on 15 Feb 2008 at 3:31 PM |
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14320 clicks; posted to Main » on 15 Feb 2008 at 3:31 PM |
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Archived thread
| NightOwl2255 | 2008-02-15 03:00:14 PM |
How much more damage can this asshat due to this country? Is there any clearer indication of his presidency then the fact we are about to elect a woman or a black man president? 8 years ago there was no way in hell that would have happened. So, at least some good will come from the worst 8 years in political history.
Mr. Coffee Nerves
![[TotalFark]](http://img.fark.net/images/2003/totalfark.gif "[TotalFark]"){kind=small} |
2008-02-15 03:03:52 PM |
If only we could harness the power of Thomas Jefferson spinning in his grave -- electricity would cost one cent per kilowatt milennium
| corsec67
|
2008-02-15 03:04:55 PM |
Congress doesn't want to pass an Ex post facto law?
Wow, that is indeed evil.
Oh yeah, Article 1, Section 9 of the constitution has something to say about that, something like "No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."
Wow, that is indeed evil.
Oh yeah, Article 1, Section 9 of the constitution has something to say about that, something like "No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."
| 5000_gallons_of_toothpaste | 2008-02-15 03:11:23 PM |
So if we don't grant them immunity from lawsuits for doing illegal things against us at the behest of the government, they won't want to do illegal things against us at the behest of the government in the future?
| Blues_X
|
2008-02-15 03:12:53 PM |
Dear Mr. President:
The Preamble to our Constitution states that one of our highest duties as public officials is to "provide for the common defence." As an elected Member of Congress, a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I work everyday to ensure that our defense and intelligence capabilities remain strong in the face of serious threats to our national security.
Because I care so deeply about protecting our country, I take strong offense to your suggestion in recent days that the country will be vulnerable to terrorist attack unless Congress immediately enacts legislation giving you broader powers to conduct warrantless surveillance of Americans' communications and provides legal immunity for telecommunications companies that participated in the Administration's warrantless surveillance program.
Today, the National Security Agency (NSA) has authority to conduct surveillance in at least three different ways, all of which provide strong capability to monitor the communications of possible terrorists.
First, NSA can use its authority under Executive Order 12333 to conduct surveillance abroad of any known or suspected terrorist. There is no requirement for a warrant. There is no requirement for probable cause. Most of NSA's collection occurs under this authority.
Second, NSA can use its authority under the Protect America Act, enacted last August, to conduct surveillance here in the U.S of any foreign target. This authority does not "expire" on Saturday, as you have stated. Under the PAA, orders authorizing surveillance may last for one year - until at least August 2008. These orders may cover every terrorist group without limitation. If a new member of the group is identified, or if a new phone number or email address is identified, the NSA may add it to the existing orders, and surveillance can begin immediately. We will not "go dark."
Third, in the remote possibility that a new terrorist organization emerges that we have never previously identified, the NSA could use existing authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to monitor those communications. Since its establishment nearly 30 years ago, the FISA Court has approved nearly every application for a warrant from the Department of Justice. In an emergency, NSA or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may begin surveillance immediately, and a FISA Court order does not have to be obtained for three days. The former head of FISA operations for the Department of Justice has testified publicly that emergency authorization may be granted in a matter of minutes.
As you know, the 1978 FISA law, which has been modernized and updated numerous times since 9/11, was instrumental in disrupting the terrorist plot in Germany last summer. Those who say that FISA is outdated do not understand the strength of this important tool.
If our nation is left vulnerable in the coming months, it will not be because we don't have enough domestic spying powers. It will be because your Administration has not done enough to defeat terrorist organizations - including al Qaeda -- that have gained strength since 9/11. We do not have nearly enough linguists to translate the reams of information we currently collect. We do not have enough intelligence officers who can penetrate the hardest targets, such as al Qaeda. We have surged so many intelligence resources into Iraq that we have taken our eye off the ball in Afghanistan and Pakistan. As a result, you have allowed al Qaeda to reconstitute itself on your watch.
You have also suggested that Congress must grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies. As someone who has been briefed on our most sensitive intelligence programs, I can see no argument why the future security of our country depends on whether past actions of telecommunications companies are immunized.
The issue of telecom liability should be carefully considered based on a full review of the documents that your Administration withheld from Congress for eight months. However, it is an insult to the intelligence of the American people to say that we will be vulnerable unless we grant immunity for actions that happened years ago.
Congress has not been sitting on its hands. Last November, the House passed responsible legislation to authorize the NSA to conduct surveillance of foreign terrorists and to provide clarity and legal protection to our private sector partners who assist in that surveillance.
The proper course is now to conference the House bill with the Senate bill that was passed on Tuesday. There are significant differences between these two bills and a conference, in regular order, is the appropriate mechanism to resolve the differences between these two bills. I urge you, Mr. President, to put partisanship aside and allow Republicans in Congress to arrive at a compromise that will protect America and protect our Constitution.
I, for one, do not intend to back down - not to the terrorists and not to anyone, including a President, who wants Americans to cower in fear.
We are a strong nation. We cannot allow ourselves to be scared into suspending the Constitution. If we do that, we might as well call the terrorists and tell them that they have won.
Sincerely,
Silvestre Reyes
Member of Congress
Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
The Preamble to our Constitution states that one of our highest duties as public officials is to "provide for the common defence." As an elected Member of Congress, a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I work everyday to ensure that our defense and intelligence capabilities remain strong in the face of serious threats to our national security.
Because I care so deeply about protecting our country, I take strong offense to your suggestion in recent days that the country will be vulnerable to terrorist attack unless Congress immediately enacts legislation giving you broader powers to conduct warrantless surveillance of Americans' communications and provides legal immunity for telecommunications companies that participated in the Administration's warrantless surveillance program.
Today, the National Security Agency (NSA) has authority to conduct surveillance in at least three different ways, all of which provide strong capability to monitor the communications of possible terrorists.
First, NSA can use its authority under Executive Order 12333 to conduct surveillance abroad of any known or suspected terrorist. There is no requirement for a warrant. There is no requirement for probable cause. Most of NSA's collection occurs under this authority.
Second, NSA can use its authority under the Protect America Act, enacted last August, to conduct surveillance here in the U.S of any foreign target. This authority does not "expire" on Saturday, as you have stated. Under the PAA, orders authorizing surveillance may last for one year - until at least August 2008. These orders may cover every terrorist group without limitation. If a new member of the group is identified, or if a new phone number or email address is identified, the NSA may add it to the existing orders, and surveillance can begin immediately. We will not "go dark."
Third, in the remote possibility that a new terrorist organization emerges that we have never previously identified, the NSA could use existing authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to monitor those communications. Since its establishment nearly 30 years ago, the FISA Court has approved nearly every application for a warrant from the Department of Justice. In an emergency, NSA or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may begin surveillance immediately, and a FISA Court order does not have to be obtained for three days. The former head of FISA operations for the Department of Justice has testified publicly that emergency authorization may be granted in a matter of minutes.
As you know, the 1978 FISA law, which has been modernized and updated numerous times since 9/11, was instrumental in disrupting the terrorist plot in Germany last summer. Those who say that FISA is outdated do not understand the strength of this important tool.
If our nation is left vulnerable in the coming months, it will not be because we don't have enough domestic spying powers. It will be because your Administration has not done enough to defeat terrorist organizations - including al Qaeda -- that have gained strength since 9/11. We do not have nearly enough linguists to translate the reams of information we currently collect. We do not have enough intelligence officers who can penetrate the hardest targets, such as al Qaeda. We have surged so many intelligence resources into Iraq that we have taken our eye off the ball in Afghanistan and Pakistan. As a result, you have allowed al Qaeda to reconstitute itself on your watch.
You have also suggested that Congress must grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies. As someone who has been briefed on our most sensitive intelligence programs, I can see no argument why the future security of our country depends on whether past actions of telecommunications companies are immunized.
The issue of telecom liability should be carefully considered based on a full review of the documents that your Administration withheld from Congress for eight months. However, it is an insult to the intelligence of the American people to say that we will be vulnerable unless we grant immunity for actions that happened years ago.
Congress has not been sitting on its hands. Last November, the House passed responsible legislation to authorize the NSA to conduct surveillance of foreign terrorists and to provide clarity and legal protection to our private sector partners who assist in that surveillance.
The proper course is now to conference the House bill with the Senate bill that was passed on Tuesday. There are significant differences between these two bills and a conference, in regular order, is the appropriate mechanism to resolve the differences between these two bills. I urge you, Mr. President, to put partisanship aside and allow Republicans in Congress to arrive at a compromise that will protect America and protect our Constitution.
I, for one, do not intend to back down - not to the terrorists and not to anyone, including a President, who wants Americans to cower in fear.
We are a strong nation. We cannot allow ourselves to be scared into suspending the Constitution. If we do that, we might as well call the terrorists and tell them that they have won.
Sincerely,
Silvestre Reyes
Member of Congress
Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
| Unright | 2008-02-15 03:17:38 PM |
There's no fear-mongering like Bush Administration fear-mongering.TM
| profanecleric | 2008-02-15 03:18:03 PM |
So, big corporations HAVE to break the law to protect us? What's so hard about getting a warrant three days after the fact?
No one should be above the law. Especially big corporations.
No one should be above the law. Especially big corporations.
| what_now
|
2008-02-15 03:20:05 PM |
I, for one, do not intend to back down - not to the terrorists and not to anyone, including a President, who wants Americans to cower in fear.
We are a strong nation. We cannot allow ourselves to be scared into suspending the Constitution. If we do that, we might as well call the terrorists and tell them that they have won.
We are a strong nation. We cannot allow ourselves to be scared into suspending the Constitution. If we do that, we might as well call the terrorists and tell them that they have won.
| Shaggy_C | 2008-02-15 03:33:42 PM |
/Props to inglixthemad...Told you it would come in handy!
| jshove1 | 2008-02-15 03:34:04 PM |
He will eat your babies first!
| Nacho Daddy | 2008-02-15 03:34:08 PM |
Blues_X
Damn you, I came here to post that.
Damn you, I came here to post that.
| cubsfan07 | 2008-02-15 03:34:33 PM |
Go suck an Iraqi camel's dick, scumbag. We're done with your bullshiat fear tactics.
| CaptainBurly | 2008-02-15 03:34:39 PM |
Hey, he's just following the Constitution. All men are created equal, so spying on 'Mericans should be no different than spying on Foreigners....
| Shrugging Atlas | 2008-02-15 03:34:39 PM |
Fark off, George. How many days do you have left?
| Fappy | 2008-02-15 03:34:39 PM |
You first.
| wooden_badger | 2008-02-15 03:34:48 PM |
NightOwl2255: How much more damage can this asshat due to this country? Is there any clearer indication of his presidency then the fact we are about to elect a woman or a black man president? 8 years ago there was no way in hell that would have happened. So, at least some good will come from the worst 8 years in political history.
I'm going to securely affix my tin-foil hat and tell you that we will not elect another president.
I'm going to securely affix my tin-foil hat and tell you that we will not elect another president.
| moops | 2008-02-15 03:35:05 PM |
Unright: There's no fear-mongering like Bush Administration fear-mongering.TM
What do you think the over/under should be for the amount of times the Terrorism Thread Level will be raised to to the "scary" color?
What do you think the over/under should be for the amount of times the Terrorism Thread Level will be raised to to the "scary" color?
| Walker
|
2008-02-15 03:35:10 PM |
F*ck off monkey boy. Your scare tactics don't work anymore.
| drjekel_mrhyde | 2008-02-15 03:35:58 PM |
profanecleric: So, big corporations HAVE to break the law to protect us? What's so hard about getting a warrant three days after the fact?
No one should be above the law. Especially big corporations.
THIS
No one should be above the law. Especially big corporations.
THIS
| Richard Pye | 2008-02-15 03:36:16 PM |
I don't see what the problem is.
If you're not doing anything wrong
you have nothing to worry about
*wink wink*
you have nothing to worry about
*wink wink*
| SacriliciousBeerSwiller | 2008-02-15 03:36:19 PM |
"American citizens must understand, clearly understand, that there still is a threat on the homeland," Bush said.
Sure there is, and you can spy on them just fine without warrantless wiretapping. Unless you plan on spying on people who you shouldn't be, it's not a problem.
STFU Georgie. Sit down and be a nice lame duck.
Sure there is, and you can spy on them just fine without warrantless wiretapping. Unless you plan on spying on people who you shouldn't be, it's not a problem.
STFU Georgie. Sit down and be a nice lame duck.
| Ikahoshi | 2008-02-15 03:36:34 PM |
That man should shut up and go away already.
| sfsdfd | 2008-02-15 03:36:39 PM |
Bush to U.S.: Your security is dead.
U.S. to Bush: Your credibility is dead.
U.S. to Bush: Your credibility is dead.
| forensik | 2008-02-15 03:36:45 PM |
I hate that guy so much.
I'm a conservative for life, but I'm voting for Obama.
I call it, "Embracing Change," and I know a hell of a lot of other conservatives that intend to do the same thing.
Thanks Bush, you jerk, you've made me WANT to vote for a democrat.
Good jerb!
I'm a conservative for life, but I'm voting for Obama.
I call it, "Embracing Change," and I know a hell of a lot of other conservatives that intend to do the same thing.
Thanks Bush, you jerk, you've made me WANT to vote for a democrat.
Good jerb!
| Ace Frehley's Ghost | 2008-02-15 03:37:02 PM |
I read the headline as "if we don't let tacos off the hook..."
/mmmm, tacos...
/mmmm, tacos...
| RabidCanary | 2008-02-15 03:37:24 PM |
This thread is now being monitored by:
Thank you for your cooperation.
Thank you for your cooperation.
| IXI Jim IXI
|
2008-02-15 03:37:28 PM |
"American citizens must understand, clearly understand, that there still is a threat on the homeland motherland fatherland "
| IWood | 2008-02-15 03:37:30 PM |
jshove1: He will eat your babies first!
That's why I voted for him. Babies are tasty!
That's why I voted for him. Babies are tasty!
| Skotmeister | 2008-02-15 03:37:34 PM |
Bush sucks!!
I just wanted to get that in before this thread fills with explosive diarrhea....barely made it!!
I just wanted to get that in before this thread fills with explosive diarrhea....barely made it!!
| Bacontastesgood | 2008-02-15 03:37:39 PM |
Damn, you farkers make me proud to be an American. Where the hell was everybody back in 2003, when this place and everywhere else was overwhelmed with daddy-state worship, and anyone who didn't have their mouth on Cheney's dick was obviously a hippie stoner communist?
| CrimsonMirage | 2008-02-15 03:37:45 PM |
Remember boys and girls, they hate us because we are free. So if we take away more freedoms, they will like us more, and thus "Terrorism" will be defeated! Tada!
| bison0329 | 2008-02-15 03:37:52 PM |
forensik: I hate that guy so much.
I'm a conservative for life, but I'm voting for Obama.
I call it, "Embracing Change," and I know a hell of a lot of other conservatives that intend to do the same thing.
Thanks Bush, you jerk, you've made me WANT to vote for a democrat.
Good jerb!
THIS.
I'm a conservative for life, but I'm voting for Obama.
I call it, "Embracing Change," and I know a hell of a lot of other conservatives that intend to do the same thing.
Thanks Bush, you jerk, you've made me WANT to vote for a democrat.
Good jerb!
THIS.
| jshove1 | 2008-02-15 03:37:59 PM |
Richard Pye
I don't see what the problem is.
If you're not doing anything wrong
you have nothing to worry about
*wink wink*
/slowly walks away from bomb and hides bong behind back.
I don't see what the problem is.
If you're not doing anything wrong
you have nothing to worry about
*wink wink*
/slowly walks away from bomb and hides bong behind back.
| IXI Jim IXI
|
2008-02-15 03:38:03 PM |
Damn...three seconds off...
| cowsaregoodeating | 2008-02-15 03:38:07 PM |
What's most scary to me is not that they are letting the Telcos off the hook. What's most scary to me is that our lawmakers either A) Don't understand the constitution or B) Don't care.
They flagrantly abusing the very documents under which they hold their power because they can and there are no consequences to doing so.
They flagrantly abusing the very documents under which they hold their power because they can and there are no consequences to doing so.
| Trik | 2008-02-15 03:38:19 PM |
he deciderered for us
| Richard Pye | 2008-02-15 03:38:24 PM |
IXI Jim IXI: "American citizens must understand, clearly understand, that there still is a threatdown on homeland motherland fatherland bears"
| h to the 'ojo | 2008-02-15 03:38:41 PM |
Americans are bigger pussies than the French.
There I said it.
There I said it.
| hubiestubert
|
2008-02-15 03:38:47 PM |
corsec67: Congress doesn't want to pass an Ex post facto law?
Wow, that is indeed evil.
Oh yeah, Article 1, Section 9 of the constitution has something to say about that, something like "No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."
It's just a piece of paper, right?
Kind of like all those T-Bills that he poo pooed a few years ago...
WHY DOES PAPER HATE AMERICA? WHY!
Wow, that is indeed evil.
Oh yeah, Article 1, Section 9 of the constitution has something to say about that, something like "No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."
It's just a piece of paper, right?
Kind of like all those T-Bills that he poo pooed a few years ago...
WHY DOES PAPER HATE AMERICA? WHY!
| John_From | 2008-02-15 03:38:56 PM |
I've written down all your names and inserted my list into the vacuum tube in my office.
/Brazil
/Brazil
| firefly212 | 2008-02-15 03:38:57 PM |
It's sad that he's terrorized the country more than the guys who killed nearly three thousand people in a single day... the only thing more sad than that is some people are so scared by his rhetoric that they keep on believing it.
| disgustip8ed | 2008-02-15 03:39:03 PM |
Are these the last gasps of a dying man?
| Number41 | 2008-02-15 03:39:12 PM |
Bush looks old. Wow.
| Nacho Daddy | 2008-02-15 03:39:12 PM |
Ace Frehley's Ghost: I read the headline as "if we don't let tacos off the hook..."
/mmmm, tacos...
Tacos should DEFINITELY be immune to prosecution.
/mmmm, tacos...
Tacos should DEFINITELY be immune to prosecution.
| wpmulligan | 2008-02-15 03:39:12 PM |
Hey George,
As someone who saw the smoke rising from the Pentagon as I walked six miles home on 9/11, I'd like some of my freedom back even if that might somehow help the scary brown men.
Thanks.
As someone who saw the smoke rising from the Pentagon as I walked six miles home on 9/11, I'd like some of my freedom back even if that might somehow help the scary brown men.
Thanks.
| maxheck | 2008-02-15 03:39:50 PM |
| que.guero | 2008-02-15 03:39:57 PM |
Well, if the "do it or we're all gonna die" thing doesn't work, he can always fall back on "God told me to do this" bit -- that works even better...
| PsyLord | 2008-02-15 03:40:14 PM |
Do people still fall for this fear-mongering tactic?
| Anarchangel | 2008-02-15 03:40:17 PM |
wooden_badger:
I'm going to securely affix my tin-foil hat and tell you that we will not elect another president.
What do you mean by this?
I'm going to securely affix my tin-foil hat and tell you that we will not elect another president.
What do you mean by this?
| stuffy | 2008-02-15 03:40:18 PM |
This asshat has cried wolf so many times, I wouldn't beleave him if he said water is wet.
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