Bush blocked NSA Probe

[OWB]

Associated Press 09:45 AM Jul, 18, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Tuesday that President Bush personally blocked Justice Department lawyers from pursuing an internal probe of the warrantless eavesdropping program that monitors Americans' international calls and e-mails when terrorism is suspected.

The department's Office of Professional Responsibility announced earlier this year it could not pursue an investigation into the role of Justice lawyers in crafting the program, under which the National Security Agency intercepts some telephone calls and e-mail without court approval.

At the time, the office said it could not obtain security clearance to examine the classified program.

Under sharp questioning from Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter, Gonzales said that Bush would not grant the access needed to allow the probe to move forward.

"It was highly classified, very important and many other lawyers had access. Why not OPR?" asked Specter, R-Pennsylvania.

"The president of the United States makes the decision," Gonzales told the committee hearing, during which he was strongly criticized on a range of national security issues by Specter and Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, the panel's senior Democrat.

Last week, under a deal with Specter, Bush agreed conditionally to a court review of his antiterror eavesdropping operations.

When the program was disclosed in December, it outraged Democrats and civil libertarians who said Bush overstepped his authority.

Bush's 2001 directive authorized the National Security Agency to monitor -- without court warrants -- the international communications of people on U.S. soil when terrorism is suspected. The administration initially resisted efforts to write a new law, contending that no legal changes were needed. But after months of pressure, officials have grown more open to legislation.

Under the deal with Specter, the president agreed to support a bill that could submit the program to the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for a constitutional review.

Last week, Gonzales said the bill gives Bush the option of submitting the NSA program to the intelligence court, rather than requiring the review.

 

[utvolpj]

Bush's 2001 directive authorized the National Security Agency to monitor -- without court warrants -- the international communications of people on U.S. soil when terrorism is suspected.

How dare he try to protect us.

 

[milohimself]

Okay, so a legit question... Where is the proof and what is the proof of somebody being suspected of terrorism?

The word of the White House?

 

[utvolpj]

I don't claim to understand it all but it's not a big call center with guys listening to random phone calls. The NSA's programs look at trends in calls placed abroad. If a person on US soil is calling a known terrorist in Afg. he will be listened to. A guy calling his grandmother in Australia will probably be ignored.

Even if this had not come out I would have expected the govt to be listening if I was calling Iran daily. I would expect that no matter who was in the WH. This program was started long ago.

 

[OWB]

Okay, so a legit question... Where is the proof and what is the proof of somebody being suspected of terrorism?

The word of the White House?

I don't know, but I wouldn't use words like "BOMB" when you're on the phone.

 

[therealUT]

I don't know, but I wouldn't use words like "BOMB" when you're on the phone.

I would, do, and will continue to. Why? Because I have nothing to hide from the government.

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

I would, do, and will continue to. Why? Because I have nothing to hide from the government.

So then you won't mind a bit when they put cameras and mics throughout your house, and I don't think that's all that far fetched any more.

 

[volinbham]

At the crux of this issue (IMHO) is the dilemma of secrecy vs. effectiveness. Denying security clearance to the OPR makes sense on one hand as evidenced by the ongoing leaks of classified and effective NSA activities. On the other hand, it raises the spectre illegal activity. I think the FISA review that is planned is an appropriate solution. It is judicial oversight which so many have been clamoring for but it is also judicial review by a secure body so that the info will not be leaked.

 

[OWB]

I would, do, and will continue to. Why? Because I have nothing to hide from the government.

Sounds like if you could, do and will continue to use that word as much as you imply, you might have something to hide.

 

[therealUT]

Sounds like if you could, do and will continue to use that word as much as you imply, you might have something to hide.

I am in the army. Words like ambush, raid, IED, missile, grenade, etc. are in my everyday vocabulary. Part of attaining my position in the military also included a very detailed background check for my security clearance. So, no, I have absolutely nothing to hide. Thanks.

 

[OWB]

I am in the army. Words like ambush, raid, IED, missile, grenade, etc. are in my everyday vocabulary. Part of attaining my position in the military also included a very detailed background check for my security clearance. So, no, I have absolutely nothing to hide. Thanks.

Oh that makes sense, I thought you were playing some intense paintball in your avatar. :wacko:

 

[therealUT]

Oh that makes sense, I thought you were playing some intense paintball in your avatar. :wacko:

That is not a picture of myself on the avatar, just a picture I took a liking to...Florida phase of Ranger School. I guess you could compare it to a very intense, 70+ day paintball match...

 

[OWB]

That is not a picture of myself on the avatar, just a picture I took a liking to...Florida phase of Ranger School. I guess you could compare it to a very intense, 70+ day paintball match...

I like watching stuff like that on the military channel. Pretty fun to watch for whatever reason. They just finished with the series "The Best Ranger" ....I think that's what it was called.

 

[therealUT]

One of my friends was actually working the Best Ranger competition this year, said it is absolutely crazy to see it in person.

 

[smoke_em06]

I would, do, and will continue to. Why? Because I have nothing to hide from the government.

How do you think they caught the terrorists who were going to blow up that tunnel in NYC???

 

[volinbham]

How do you think they caught the terrorists who were going to blow up that tunnel in NYC???

Chatrooms

 

[smoke_em06]

Chatrooms

And telephones

 

[therealUT]

How do you think they caught the terrorists who were going to blow up that tunnel in NYC???

How does this apply to my statement about not having anything to hide from the feds?