Comments on: Bush Stands By Wiretap Program

'Strongly Disagrees' With Judge's Ruling Against Warrantless Wiretaps

[carlylaine]

All of you left wingers would be screaming bloody murder if there were another major attack from the countries who want us dead. You'd be screaming for Bush's death if you and yours were to be attacked and he did nothing.

Why do some American citizens hate their own country with such venom? Why are they so bent on a cataclysmic end to a wonderful country? You obviously have only one agenda and that is to assist in our destruction.

Nothing that comes out of your mouth is constructive. You are practically crazed with your maliciousness.

This has been said and written ad nauseam but if you dispise us so much then leave. Go to the countries that want to annihilate America and live their way. Work for them.

You won't do it. Your hostility is because we have a Republican President, which you hate so tremendously that you'd rather destroy the whole country with your poisonous hearts.

[ratpuppy]

I applaud this decision in the strongest terms! I spent eight years in a US Navy uniform. I believed that I was doing so to protect and defend the US Constitution from all enemies foreign AND domestic.

This has nothing to do with the politics of judical appointments, and EVERYTHING to do with direct violations of the First and Fourth Ammendments as well as specific violations of FISA. Why is it everytime a judge tries to reverse an injustice that Bush causes they are suddenly too liberal, or too female, or too short or whatever else can be spun by the wild-eyed anti-American neo-con fascists? If we won't defend the US Constitution, why are we even bothering to defend America at all?

I personally believe that George Bush spits on the service of every Veteran when he turns his back on the Constitution that I, my father and my two brothers put on the uniform of our Country to defend. Bush should remember the oath that he took twice to defend the Constitution, and be reminded that the role of the President is only to advise or veto in the creation of law... Not to make them up if he doesn't like them.

The FISA specifically allows the Bush administration ALL of the tools he needs to intercept these conversations even if one both parties are American and within our borders. But a warrant needs to be obtained within a set period after the wiretap has begun. That is the law!!! Bush's refusal to obey the law is the ONLY issue here!

[geshe]

I have not seen anywhere in the media that the wiretapping has actually stopped. Is it still going on, pending appeal, or stopped, pending appeal?

For now, we are a nation of laws, that is, laws that are consistent with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The laws may need to be changed. Meanwhile, I don't want George Bush to be the one to abrogate them. He's just not smart enough or ethical enough.

But then again, it's pretty scary to think of how Al Gore would have responded to 9/11. It's just never that simple.

I read yesterday that Bush did not know prior to the Iraq war that there are two main sects of Islam, and that the destabilization of Iraq would lead to factional violence instead of democracy.

George Bush is just too stupid to be doing this.

There really was no need to invade Iraq in the first place. Now Bush has committed defense resources that are sorely needed elswhere.

Meanwhile, it seems there is already a blueprint in place for impeachment of Bush if the Democrats gain enough seats in Congress to begin proceedings and get it done. That can be found here:

http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/iraqrept122005/section4.pdf

as an analysis of the situation, and the whole document can be found here;

http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/iraqrept.html

I think this provides the answer to CarlyLane's question about what laws Bush and friends broke.

[long_rider]

One of the big issues I have with the Patroit Act is the lack of congressional oversight. This is a blank cheque to the Whitehouse, who no one really trusts in the first place.

Another problem is when congress does ask for something from the Witehouse, the Whitehouse uses national security as a front to avoid complying; or the Whitehouse classifies everything.

I don't understand the need for so much secrecy. Welcome back President Nixon.

[irishchamps8]

These comments are disconcerning. You liberal idiots kill me, the government doesn't care about what the average person is saying on the phone to your grandma. You people will never get it because I wonder sometimes if people can hear and read. THEY ARE LISTENING TO PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY COMMUNICATING WITH INDIVIDUALS IN PAKISTAN, IRAQ, IRAN, and other terrorist ridden countries. What is wrong with this? Liberals will forever side with terrorists and communists. GOD BLESS THIS COUNTRY because we need it.

[sharncedar]

What annoys me about this is that "King George" thinks he can dispute or disagree with legal rulings. I won't argue here whether wiretapping is right or wrong. But the strange arrogance of this monster, for him to think that he has anything to say or any right to officially dispute or publicly condemn a ruling by a court of law, is really shocking. Beyond shocking, I'd say it's dangerous and un-American. We are a nation of laws and its what binds us together rather than racism or ethnic or religious hate like so many other nations. For a top government figure to publicly condemn the official ruling of a court of law and to cast doubt on it is high treason, a crime against our way of life. It is insane, reckless arrogance. Surprised that people who pretend to be for law and order can support him. With 1% of our population in jail, what kind of message is this? Won't every one of those 1.5 million young men who are rotting in prison contest and dispute their court processes? What is lunatic killer George advocating now, open rebellion against the courts? God preserve us from this reckless dangerous monster.

[sixpack6t9]

Get Real! The idea that listening to my phone calls is protecting me from terrorists is ridiculous. And since there are no terrorists in my phone book, I don't need to be protected from myself.

I'll bet the administration gathered plenty of info against it's opponents, though---enough, perhaps, to force them into going along with his stupidity, no matter how far-fetched it is...

Protect us from terrorists---
IMPEACH BUSH AND HIS ADMINISTRATION NOW!

[sixpack6t9]

If the president is trying to protect us, then he must be protecting us from ourselves. I don't need spying/government intervention to protect me from myself, nor do I believe that monitoring my phone calls is protecting me from terrorists---
Get Real! It's all a sham to gather intel on the Bush administration's opposition and to get a "leg up" on any forthcoming challenges to the regime.

That's all I've seen it used for, so far.

[carlylaine]

Thank you fingusername for trying to explain to those who hate our President so much as to call him names. At least he is doing something to try to protect us.

A leftwinger can't see the good he is trying to do because they hate him and his administration immensely. All they can think to do is to call him names and stop him at every turn with the ultimate to bring him and his administration down.

As to SEARING TRUTH: What illegal act did Bush and his administration commit? You are posturing, but there's nothing behind it.

[carlylaine]

Thank you fingusername for trying to explain to those who hate our President so much as to call him names. At least he is doing something to try to protect us.

A leftwinger can't see the good he is trying to do because they hate him and his administration immensely. All they can think to do is to call him names and stop him at every turn with the ultimate to bring him and his administration down.

As to SEARING TRUTH: What illegal act did Bush and his administration commit? You are posturing, but there's nothing behind it.

[carlylaine]

Thank you fingusername for trying to explain to those who hate our President so much as to call him names. At least he is doing something to try to protect us.

A leftwinger can't see the good he is trying to do because they hate him and his administration immensely. All they can think to do is to call him names and stop him at every turn with the ultimate to bring him and his administration down.

As to SEARING TRUTH: What illegal act did Bush and his administration commit? You are posturing, but there's nothing behind it.

[pixelslinger]

I find it amusing that Americans desperately cling to the belief that measures like this make us both safe and preserve the greatness of our country. Safety is an illusion that those who want power use to convince others to gives their power up. The United States isn't safe by the longest of long shots imaginable. We have a Pacific, a Gulf, and an Atlantic coastline which cannot be monitored effectively. We have two land borders that stretch for thousands of miles - and we believe that listening in on phone calls is going to do the trick? Even with all of the resources they could want at their disposal, the Intelligence Community can't prevent every threat from execution, and we have to acknowledge that or else we are simply being willfully ignorant. The dichotomy of this situation is respecting the line that seperates great efforts and tyranny. Tyranny doesn't mean you have to crack a whip and make second class citizens.<b>

We have a Constitution. We have laws and processes. What they are doing isn't illegal until the Bush Administration decides to take the Judicial branch out of the process. That, no matter how you spin it, no matter how you justify it, is a breach of the Seperation of Powers. The Executive is NOT God. Bush needs to stop thinking he's Jesus.

[speakinup]

I always find it amusing when people start filling their paragraphs with copious clichis, analogies, allegory and other ambiguous terms of communication. Or, better yet, instead of trying to forward a realistic solution for the better of the country, let%u2019s call someone a name or sprinkle a little hyperbole.
%u201CMy Friends%u201D %u2013 politician. I don%u2019t know who you are referring to when you say %u201Cwe are guilty of torture%u201D %u2013 I believe that was a select few that actually committed torture and we had the good sense to punish them %u2013 but, you may identify with them if you wish. %u201Cguilty of a preemptive war of conquest%u201D ? See the first paragraph. %u201Cguilty of the wholesale surveillance%u2026 suppressing all hope of privacy and free dissent%u201D %u2013you call the Middle East that often, huh ? Maybe you do need to be listened in on. Not that you%u2019d necessarily be a terrorist. But the odds do go up. So you have spoke your dissent %u2013 let me speak mine about yours. Why are you so paranoid ?
%u201CAbandonment of most basic precepts of morality%u201D %u2013 that, sir, would be running down the street nude, screaming profanities at nuns and monks, all the while shooting at babies with the intent to maim.
I did notice you were able to use the word %u2018guilty%u2019 five times in one paragraph. Yup, he%u2019s definitely journalism material. Hype what you can, lie about the rest, it sells advertising.

[gcbfred]

The Law is the Law, is the Law. If you dont like the law, work to get it changed. BUT you don't have the right to ignore the law no matter your position in life. I agree with the necessity to do all we can to stop threats to the USA. BUT within the legal limits of the Law. If you can break the law just because you dont agree with it, or don't want to follow legal procedures, we are slowly moving to anarchy not democracy. By the way, being President does NOT put you above the Law. Agree? You do agree dont you??

[billykbillyk]

When we give up our %u201Crights%u201D because the President of the United States says so%u2026 then we no longer live in a free country. No man or woman should be over the LAW. I think we have gotten off track%u2026 the government for the people!!! The government needs to answer to the PEOPLE!! I%u2019m not saying that we need not to wire tape%u2026 we do%u2026 but follow the laws%u2026rules to keep the government in check%u2026. safe. When we allow the government to act so freely without the best interest of all the %u201CPeople%u201D then we are no better then those who rule by totalitarianism. It%u2019s the government for the people%u2026. They are our servants, not the other way around! Lets face it%u2026 we pay them to work form us%u2026 or did we forget the basic rules of governing. It%u2019s your tax dollar%u2026 and your vote makes it count!!! %u2018No Man Above The Law%u201D%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026..

[billykbillyk]

When we give up our %u201Crights%u201D because the President of the United States says so%u2026 then we no longer live in a free country. No man or woman should be over the LAW. I think we have gotten off track%u2026 the government for the people!!! The government needs to answer to the PEOPLE!! I%u2019m not saying that we need not to wire tape%u2026 we do%u2026 but follow the laws%u2026rules to keep the government in check%u2026. safe. When we allow the government to act so freely without the best interest of all the %u201CPeople%u201D then we are no better then those who rule by totalitarianism. It%u2019s the government for the people%u2026. They are our servants, not the other way around! Lets face it%u2026 we pay them to work form us%u2026 or did we forget the basic rules of governing. It%u2019s your tax dollar%u2026 and your vote makes it count!!! %u2018No Man Above The Law%u201D%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026..

[searingtruth]

"You people ..."
fingusername

Hmmm ...

"My friends, sometimes the most difficult thing about fighting evil is realizing that it actually exists, and then unambiguously and forcefully calling it what it is.

History shows time and time again that one of evils greatest strengths is its ability to disguise itself as good, or at least a temporary necessity, until that last fatal moment when its revelation becomes clear, indisputable, and inescapable.

So today let us take a clear and unadulterated look into the mirror at ourselves.

Just six years ago we were one of the most respected and admired defenders of democracy and human rights in history. Respected not only by our friends, but even begrudgingly by most of our enemies. In fact, even the fantastic power of our military paled in comparison to the overwhelming might of our moral authority.

Today we are a nation that operates secret prisons occupied by anonymous inmates, illegally abducted and held indefinitely without charge or representation. We are guilty of torture. We are guilty of murder. We are guilty of preemptive war of conquest. We are guilty of the wholesale surveillance of our population, suppressing all hope of privacy and free dissent. And we are guilty of disgracing our nation through the abandonment of even our most basic precepts of morality.

If this is not evil, then nothing we have ever fought against is evil, and nothing we have ever fought for is good."
SearingTruth, A Future of the Brave

[sesq]

I think it is very dangerous that we have a president and a US Attorney General that is not minding the constitution!!! All media should rise up and support Judge Anna Taylor's ruling.

[fingusername-2009]

You people need to lower your medication. Let me know when Bush ignores the federal court decision wholesale, cancels elections, decides that people can vote either yes or no to whether George Bush should remain President, or even when he proposes to add justices to the Supreme Court until he gets a friendly majority. You may not agree with the Bush interpretation of federal law or his constitutional powers. You may even fight against his actions in court. That's fine. Welcome to America. But to call him a dictator, fascist, or likewise because of that, to impugn his patriotism or love of countrymen is simply childish and evidence of partisan hatred blinding rationality. The President is pushing the boundaries of his powers during a time of conflict just as every President has done during every time of conflict. And just as in every other time, the courts get to review his actions. The system is working just fine, and events are not really any more extraordinary than before, except that precious YOU happen to be living through them.

"You seem...to consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions; a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy.... The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal."

Our system of checks and balances permits EACH branch to interpret the constitution and the powers granted therein, and check one another's actions. Not just the branch that agrees with you.

[searingtruth]

I disagree about the Democratic Party. In fact, I urge all Americans to abandoned the failed institutions known as the Republican and Democratic parties and register as non-partisan voters. As I state in "A Future of the Brave":


"My friends, this administrations illegal and covert activities began the moment power was assumed, and one thing is very clear. Instead of working to make America safer after an attack on our nation, as all other American Presidents throughout history have done, George Bush and his accomplices simply used the event as a convenient excuse to accelerate their own attack on American liberty and freedom.

In fact, the terrorists must be ecstatic. To them it looks like they simply attacked once and the American Constitution self destructed.

And they probably haven't attacked again because they see no need to, the Republicans appear to have finished their work.

Of course, by now some may be wondering about the Democratic party. Why haven't I mentioned them?.

Well, it's simply because they made themselves irrelevant by never, ever, even once in the last six years, standing as a party to protect our Constitutional form of government.

On the contrary, they went along with every treasonous step, every single step of the way.
They have committed that most pathetic of crimes, apathetic accomplice.

There is simply nothing else to say about them."
SearingTruth, A Future of the Brave