MioMyo
2009-06-05 12:50:01 UTC
Although Libs will continue to say this is Bush's legacy, the untold story
they don't want mentioned is bamby has this secret wire-tapping capability
at his disposal. And while bamby could do away with it at the stroke of a
pen (executive order), he leaves it in place- possibly as a tool to keep an
eye on his political distracters. After all, bamby is the most
self-conscious, defensive prez in contemporary history who goes after and
destroys those he feels disagrees with him and/or speaks out against his
policies......
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jktBS0y8Jp-2K_XDI_RQ1wIoTr4w
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - A US federal judge dismissed dozens of lawsuits
against telecom companies that participated in a wiretapping program without
court authorization during the presidency of George W. Bush.
San Francisco-based US District Court Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the
companies had immunity from liability under the FISA Amendments Act
(FISAAA), which the US Congress adopted in 2008.
The measure granted retroactive immunity for telecommunications firms that
participated in the warrantless government eavesdropping of telephone
conversations and monitoring of e-mail messages following the September 11,
2001 terror attacks in the United States.
Two rights groups, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the American
Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) -- which represents 46 plaintiffs in the
case -- plan to appeal the decision, arguing that FISAAA is
unconstitutional.
"We're deeply disappointed in Judge Walker's ruling today," said EFF Legal
Director Cindy Cohn.
"By passing the retroactive immunity for the telecoms' complicity in the
warrantless wiretapping program, Congress abdicated its duty to the American
people," opined EFF attorney Kurt Opsahl.
After the September 11 attacks, Bush secretly authorized the National
Security Agency to eavesdrop on calls and email between the United States
and abroad in cases that federal agents deemed may have a terror link,
potentially picking up Americans in the sweep.
The wiretaps went ahead without the permission of a special court set up to
watch over government wiretapping operations inside the United States, as
provided for under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978.
The program caused public outcry when it was revealed in 2005. Opponents
argued that US privacy guarantees meant the intelligence agencies should
seek court warrants from the FISA court to conduct such spying inside the
country.
they don't want mentioned is bamby has this secret wire-tapping capability
at his disposal. And while bamby could do away with it at the stroke of a
pen (executive order), he leaves it in place- possibly as a tool to keep an
eye on his political distracters. After all, bamby is the most
self-conscious, defensive prez in contemporary history who goes after and
destroys those he feels disagrees with him and/or speaks out against his
policies......
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jktBS0y8Jp-2K_XDI_RQ1wIoTr4w
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - A US federal judge dismissed dozens of lawsuits
against telecom companies that participated in a wiretapping program without
court authorization during the presidency of George W. Bush.
San Francisco-based US District Court Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the
companies had immunity from liability under the FISA Amendments Act
(FISAAA), which the US Congress adopted in 2008.
The measure granted retroactive immunity for telecommunications firms that
participated in the warrantless government eavesdropping of telephone
conversations and monitoring of e-mail messages following the September 11,
2001 terror attacks in the United States.
Two rights groups, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the American
Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) -- which represents 46 plaintiffs in the
case -- plan to appeal the decision, arguing that FISAAA is
unconstitutional.
"We're deeply disappointed in Judge Walker's ruling today," said EFF Legal
Director Cindy Cohn.
"By passing the retroactive immunity for the telecoms' complicity in the
warrantless wiretapping program, Congress abdicated its duty to the American
people," opined EFF attorney Kurt Opsahl.
After the September 11 attacks, Bush secretly authorized the National
Security Agency to eavesdrop on calls and email between the United States
and abroad in cases that federal agents deemed may have a terror link,
potentially picking up Americans in the sweep.
The wiretaps went ahead without the permission of a special court set up to
watch over government wiretapping operations inside the United States, as
provided for under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978.
The program caused public outcry when it was revealed in 2005. Opponents
argued that US privacy guarantees meant the intelligence agencies should
seek court warrants from the FISA court to conduct such spying inside the
country.