Bush Stands By Wiretap Program

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

(CBS/AP)  President Bush voiced strong objection Friday to a federal judge's ruling that his administration's warrantless wiretapping program was unconstitutional and should be shut down.

In his first public comment on the matter, Mr. Bush said he "strongly disagrees" with the judge's ruling and believes the program is needed to protect the nation, CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller reports.

"I would say that those who herald this decision simply do not understand the nature of the world in which we live. I strongly disagree with this decision," he told reporters at the presidential retreat in Camp David.

"We strongly believe it's constitutional and if al Qaeda is calling into the United States we want to know why they're calling," he said.

The Justice Department is appealing the ruling.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit became the first judge to strike down the National Security Agency's program, which she says violates the rights to free speech and privacy as well as the separation of powers enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

"Plaintiffs have prevailed, and the public interest is clear, in this matter. It is the upholding of our Constitution," Taylor wrote in her 43-page opinion.

The parties in the lawsuit agreed to a delay of the injunction to stop the surveillance until they can argue before Judge Taylor for a stay pending appeal, CBS News producer Beverley Lumpkin reports.

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said the surveillance program has been "very effective" in protecting Americans.

"We believe very strongly that the program is lawful. ...," Gonzales said in Washington. "We respectfully disagree with the decision of the judge and have appealed the decision."

---

Read the district court opinion.

---

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of journalists, scholars and lawyers who say the program has made it difficult for them to do their jobs. They believe many of their overseas contacts are likely targets of the program, which involves monitoring phone calls and e-mails between people in the U.S. and those in other countries, without obtaining warrants from a judge, when a link to terrorism is suspected.

The government argued that the program is well within the president's authority, but said proving that would require revealing state secrets.

The ACLU said the state-secrets argument was irrelevant because the Bush administration already had publicly revealed enough information about the program for Taylor to rule.

"At its core, today's ruling addresses the abuse of presidential power and reaffirms the system of checks and balances that's necessary to our democracy," ACLU executive director Anthony Romero said in a conference call with reporters.

He called the opinion "another nail in the coffin in the Bush administration's legal strategy in the war on terror."

The Justice Department said it had appealed Taylor's ruling because the program is "an essential tool for the intelligence community in the War on Terror."

"In the ongoing conflict with al Qaeda and its allies, the President has the primary duty under the Constitution to protect the American people," the department said in a statement. "The Constitution gives the President the full authority necessary to carry out that solemn duty, and we believe the program is lawful and protects civil liberties."

Taylor's ruling won't take immediate effect. The Justice Department said it had reached an agreement with the ACLU to postpone implementing the order until Taylor hears its request for a stay pending appeal. A hearing on the motion was set for Sept. 7, Snow said.

While siding with the ACLU on the surveillance issue, Taylor dismissed a separate claim by the group over NSA data mining of phone records. She said not enough had been publicly revealed about that program to support the claim and further litigation would jeopardize state secrets.

The lawsuit alleged that the NSA "uses artificial intelligence aids to search for keywords and analyze patterns in millions of communications at any given time." Multiple lawsuits have been filed related to data mining against phone companies, accusing them of improperly turning over records to the NSA.

However, the data mining was only a small part of the Detroit suit, said Ann Beeson, the ACLU's associate legal director and the lead attorney on the case.

In the decision, Judge Taylor quoted Justice Earl Warren from the 1967 case, U.S. v Robel, Lumpkin reports.

"Implicit in the term 'national defense' is the notion of defending those values and ideas which set this Nation apart. ... It would indeed be ironic if, in the name of national defense, we would sanction the subversion of ... those liberties ... which makes the defense of the Nation worthwhile," Taylor wrote.

[wilsontf]

Impeach BUSH for: Failure to protect and defend the US Constitution.
The president (government) must use the courts to %u201Cwire tap%u201D, to search and seize, to arrest and detain. All evidence against a person must be brought in public, and accusers seen face to face. BUSH%u2019s data bases both foreign and domestic must be destroyed.
Thank god for the ACLU

[lochlan-2009]

When is this criminal and his Administration going to get impeached. I'd take a president with a 100,000 Monica Lewinsky's over a president using terrorism and fear to violate every Americans Constitutional rights not to mention the tens of thousands of innocent civilians around the world his decissions have killed for the Corporate elite.
Case and point: How many people died on Sept. 11? (2973) How many soldiers have died in the "War on Terror"? (2835) How many men, women and children have died this month alone in Iraq?(3400)

[absolutx2c04]

Finally, some justice. Has his program actually helped anything? NO. Now he knows how it feels to want something so badly, so "essential", only to be told NO by the judicial system. I can't say that word enough... finally finally finally. Maybe once him and his administration step down (and if you ask me he SHOULD be impeached) - maybe this country will become a better place, maybe the WORLD will become a little more peaceful. He started this war, and once hes not "in charge" anymore, lets end it. His string of stupid decisions and law breaking behavior have gone on long enough, I'll be glad to see him go. Lets try a democrat next time... anyone remember the Clinton administration? The biggest thing to hit the nation was the whole *** scandal! Not some war on terror that has the whole world up in arms being lied to.

[k5ox]

Bush doesn't make sense. If a person is speeding because they don't agree with the speed limit, then I suppose it is okay to speed no matter how many people you hurt.

And if caught, for your defense you use the taxpayers money to fight laws that you don't think are right?

Is this what he wants to teach our children?

[searingtruth]

"When everything is secret, everything is legal."
SearingTruth

"History does not record a government of the people assured in secret."
SearingTruth

"Who would say freedom is not free, with the price being freedom itself."
SearingTruth

"We need not debate the existence of our three branches of government, only the punishment for those who would destroy them."
SearingTruth

"Republicans are in a unique historical position. They are the first group of people raised on this land, who call themselves Americans, that openly proclaim the virtues of torture, secret prisons, extrajudicial abduction, universal surveillance, and dictatorial government."
SearingTruth

"I love my fuehrer. If he wants to break the law, that%u2019s OK. He is the law."
1942, Warsaw Ghetto, Unknown German Citizen, Observing a decomposing mass

[tms02]

Have you all lost your minds? No! I guess that is because a terrorist has not cut your head off, yet!

I am willing, and you should be too, to begin to scarfice some of you rights, for your own protection! We are living in a different time, and place than when the laws were written that protected our freedoms. If we do not change our way of thinking and fighting, and re-write our own laws, the terrorist will do that for us.

You ...YOU...have the right to die!!

Don't bother replying to this comment... until you wake up America. We are at war... We have been since the 1980's. It is a different war. Much like the Early Americans changed the way the fought to beat the British, so has the terrorist changed the way that they are going to beat us! Don't help them...Please!! Please!! wake up!

[c_doc77]

Get informed about what's really going on in your government. 9/11 was a "false flag" government operation intended to establish a police state in America. Its is easy to write me off as a wacko and bury your head in the sand, but how about educating yourself instead. Since when does an airplane crash cause a building to implode on itself and dissolve into dust? Dan Rather himself said it looked like a controlled demolition, which is exactly what it was.

Visit infowars.com and prisonplanet.com

[s_colbert]

The person who posted as "The Searing Truth" is great, I love when the side I oppose offers obvious propaganda. Every argument claims Bush lies, republicans are the devil and America is the real terror in the world. When the left can say nothing but hate and offer no plan of change it must mean they have nothing to really debate. Putin, Blair and Bush all thought WMDs would be found so it's time to move on.

[s_colbert]

You are right about one thing c_doc77...it is very easy to write you off as a wacko.

[joe_x-2009]

Just like President Bush did not know there are Shiites & Sunnis in Iraq until 6 weeks before he illegally invaded Iraq. He is now learning that the USA is a Republic and NOT a Monarchy

[joe_x-2009]

We should also travel back in history, when the Cheney Administration took over in January 2001, and remember that they were set on chipping away at the Constitution well before 9/11.

[searingtruth]

"The person who posted as "The Searing Truth" is great, I love when the side I oppose offers obvious propaganda ... When the left can say nothing but hate and offer no plan of change it must mean they have nothing to really debate ..."
S_Colbert


Uh oh ... www.searingtruth.com

"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniencies attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it."
Thomas Jefferson, letter to Archibald Stewart, Dec 23, 1791

"Any country, who by power of its moral authority and appeal to conscience obtains world predominance, will certainly perish when asserting its right to immoral and unconscionable crime."
SearingTruth

"Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day."
Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dupont de Nemours, April 24, 1816

"I wanted only a freedom for all that I had coveted for myself."
SearingTruth

[dogstar49]

With these guys, you just have to follow the money. The reason they start a warrantless wiretapping program in the name of national security masquerades the fact they can use this information for other purposes such as industrial espionage. Rather than following leads to arrest specific people, just wiretap all international calls and let the digital traps return results. With no controls in place, who's to say they can't create filters for these conversations to aid a familiar family friend who happens to have oil interests? Bush has active family interests in international businesses such as the Carlyle Group who are always looking for an edge in the international business scene.

[dogstar49]

Look back at the sound bites about the re-directing of Social Security funds by Bush say that it's "your money". No, George, it is a social program that had it's roots in post depression America, when poor families lost every thing due to unscrupulous "investors" and had no choice but to put off sending Junior to college because they had to house Grandma because all the family money was lost in the depression. These guys are the Kings of Revisionist History and Changing Focus in the name of the Almighty Dollar.

[searingtruth]

"A tyrant%u2019s only ally is fear."
SearingTruth

[searingtruth]

A tyrant's only ally is fear.
SearingTruth

[duffyn]

Good - it's about time. The sooner they lock up this bush admin in jail the better. Liberal is not a dirty word but I do think conservative is rapidly becoming one. Liberals certainly can have plans, do, and would run things much better then this mafia centric lying bunch we now have. I see where rumsfield "outed" Pvt Darby. He's the man who pointed out WE were torturing people, whereas this is one of the reasons bush gave as to why we need to take out saddam!!! Thx to rumsfield, Darby and family must now live under military protection. Gawd the stupidity of it!!!! I can't take it! I'm sure the earlier writer is correct "bush and the boys" would just phone tap into see what the Dems are doing - or their industrial competition.

[searingtruth]

"It's time to empty our secret prisons. Let us free the innocent, and justly convict the guilty."
SearingTruth

"War crimes must be punished."
SearingTruth


"Where are my shorts? I've lost them and I can't get up (the NSA is watching)%u2026"
SearingTruth


"The Kingdom of the Foil Hat is over."
SearingTruth

[jotunar]

I wonder how long it will be before Gonzo, and the Bushies start referring to the deciding judge as an 'Activist Judge'. Can't you just hear Tom Delay decrying a decision he disagrees with? I guess Lieberman will take his place now, huh?

These guys LOVE to brand others "activists" anytime there is a disagreement. It's almost like watching children interact.

-Chuck
http://BlackWednesday.org

[s_colbert]

So as expected I am now given the Searing Truth website...which shockingly has no facts and is filled with more of these witty zingers he throws around. Who could have guessed a group with nothing to say has a website devoted to the idea?

[irishchamps8]

Liberal idiot judges at it again, trying to make America vulnerable to terrorists. Keep it up you idiot liberals and the conservatives will keep occupying the white house.

[duffyn]

Ha Ha - must be a consevative. Well versed in name calling and emotional statements. You call a pre-emptive war, turning Iraq into a breeding ground for terrorists (not to mention billions of buckaroos wasted, thousands dead), tax breaks for the rich, running up the biggest national debt ever, pissing off and offending Arabs by the thousands the way to safety?? Oh no, this bunch has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt they are on the WRONG PATH!! Dems will rule and millions will be happier for it - and, yes, safer! No doubt.

[searingtruth]

"The weak always surrender freedom, at the first opportunity."
SearingTruth

"I at once understood everything and nothing at all. A victory, accompanied by defeat. A war, with no prisoners. A threat, with no substance. A fear, with no end. A sorrow, with no comfort. And a land, with no freedom."
SearingTruth

[irishchamps8]

wrong again idiot, not a conservative - an idependent. I'm tired of hearing the same old bull "Bush is doing this wrong, or this wrong, or this wrong." Why doesn't a Dumocrat come up with a solution instead of criticizing and crying about liberties and taxes being cut. You must be liberal without a job - right? Get yourself a job you idiot.

[long_rider]

I have no problem with phone calls of Al Qadea being monitored. I do however object to the wire tapping of Americans without a warrant. This is against one of our basic constitutional rights, Bush be damned. No one individual (president, vice president, or judge) has the right to suspend one of our basic freedoms, because it fits their needs.

Just like a president who swears an oath of office, and turns around and lies to congress and the American people. This administration as proven time-and-time again that it is not to be trusted. Why should we believe that he needs the power to wiretap with a warrant. The constitution (and its enforcement) is the only protection the American people have from this administration.

I just can't figure out why this president is still in office.

[irishchamps8]

oh by the way, thousands dead? What about abortion and the killing of innocent people in this country by the liberal left? Why is it you never mention that one big shot? Why hasn't America been attacked since 9/11? Dumocrats? I think not ***.

[irishchamps8]

You liberals kill me, do you really think the government has the time to monitor and track all American phone calls? There is not a single true fact out there that this is taking place. Name one... This was a media driven lie and something to sell newspapers (oh that's right, the New York Times is losing business) - go figure.

[alphaa10-2009]

Bush clearly has no understanding the laws of the United States and constitional protections. This is the bozo, remember, who in November, 2005, told assembled members of his own party-- nervous about public outrage over NSA spying-- "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face! It's just a GD*#! piece of paper."

And now, he wants to lecture us on his understanding of law and the Constitution. The United States never has had in the Oval office somebody whose record shows such ignorance and hostility to the rule of law, not to mention Constititional protections.

Lest we forget, Bush is the best friend of America's enemies-- his blunders and delusions are rich material for a thriving al Qaeda, whose operatives around the world have grown exponentially since Bush took office in 2001. Bush gave a green light to the Israeli trashing of Lebanon, at the precise moment things would not have been worse for the American profile abroad.

Bush tries to wrap himself in the flag, but conveniently forgets 911 occurred on his own watch, no one else's. Iraq was his own lie of massive proportions, no one else's. In full denial, Bush resorts like a broken robot to the only thing he knows-- to lie, and lie again.

So, tell us more about that "piece of paper"...

[pwrslm]

maybe the next time we get hit like we got hit on 9-11, some of these bleeding heart liberals with no common sense will rethink thier beligerant stance against defesive actions like wire tapping terrorists communications

some feeble minded tree huggers may not think so, but Islam has declaired war on our way of life, and its beyond reason that a competent administration would not do everything to protect this nation while its at war, including wiretaps of international calls....

[searingtruth]

"So as expected I am now given the Searing Truth website...which shockingly has no facts and is filled with more of these witty zingers he throws around. Who could have guessed a group with nothing to say has a website devoted to the idea?"
S_Colbert

At the bottom - "This site is under construction Expected opening October 1, 2006"
At the side %u2013 Impatient enthusiasts can click Contact to request their own personal copy of AFOTB.


"Our enemies now proclaim that simple disagreement, or perceived inconvenience, justifies the destruction of our most sacred laws of liberty. In the cradle of Democracy, they still embrace only the rule of the single aberrant man."
SearingTruth

"We need not fear the beliefs of others, only their imposition upon us."
SearingTruth

George Bush is a scum bag, war criminal, immoral,draft dodger, antichrist, dictator worst then any other the world has seen including Hitler, Stalin and Genghis Kahn.

The criminal George Bush must be impeached before he murders more innocents.

Remember the Saudis bombed the Trade Center not the Iraqis. Saddam was built up by Ronald Reagan, George bush, Rumsfeled and other evil Republicans.

Recall that CHIST was murdered by the same type of "leaders."

[searingtruth]

"...maybe the next time we get hit like we got hit on 9-11, some of these bleeding heart liberals with no common sense will rethink thier beligerant stance against defesive actions like wire tapping terrorists communications ..."
pwrsim

Hmmm... What makes you think they're only wire tapping terrorists?

"When everything is secret, everything is legal."
SearingTruth

[alphaa10-2009]

irishchamps8-- While you are so free with the label, "idiot", you might do well to remember your president is the idiot in this movie. Bush was widely considered for this signature role before entering office in 2001, but he has surpassed all expectations for his idiotic command performance. I would be careful about publicly admitting any GOP connections, just now.

[mmarsalek]

If I am to be killed by AlQaeda, then so be it.
Better that than to have all of our rights taken away and to live in a country that none of us recognize anymore.

[onevote-2009]

Everyone should stay focused on the issue of warrentless surveillance. The judge's decision was that wiretaps without warrents is illegal and not supported by the constitution or the president's presumed authority. All Bush needs to do is use the warrent system that is in place to stay within the law. When you break the law, even in the best interest of a group of citizens, you've still broken the law.

[w_kanger]

In 1755 (Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, Tue, Nov 11, 1755), Franklin wrote: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
It was a different time, different war on the horizon, and a different King George they had a problem with.

[searingtruth]

Everyone should stay focused on the fact that America is now, literally, a fascist dictatorship. "President" Bush has claimed the right to violate any law, at any time, purely on his own authority, whenever he himself deems it necessary. And he has done so, with impunity.

Illegal wiretapping is just one of many crimes that Bush and his henchmen have clandestinely committed under the faux cover of "national security".



"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

[duffyn]

Agree with Searingtruth last comment. We need to stay on topic. However one last thing from me. Just because someone is concerned about other's rights and is a liberal,Dem, whatever, does not mean that they would not be willing to go to war, should a just war or "taking out" become necessary. But Searingtruth has really nailed it - IMHO

[searingtruth]

"In 1755 (Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, Tue, Nov 11, 1755), Franklin wrote: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
It was a different time, different war on the horizon, and a different King George they had a problem with."
W_Kanger


"Tyranny and tyrants do not change, nor does the character of those who defeat them."
SearingTruth

[joe_x-2009]

Hey Irish...the Democrats handed the keys to the government with a full tank of gas and the respect of the world. What the repugnants have done in just over 5.5 years is truly an amazing tragedy. The Cheney Administration has run our country off the road and into a tree. Unfortuately, we as Democrats are finding out what it's like to not be in power.."Why doesn't a Dumocrat come up with a solution instead of criticizing and crying about liberties and taxes being cut.?" if you knew anything--we do have many ideas and solutions...the republicans don't even give democrats a place to meet on Capitol Hill for the ideas/solutions to germinate and see the light of day--that is a true spirit of bipartisanship--but, dont worry when we regain control congress and get the supoena power we so sorely need since THIS "do nothing Congress" has abidicated all it's Constitutional authority of oversight to King ***. You will see the ideas and solutions florish and just maybe a "new morning in America" as Ron Reagan used to say!

[joe_x-2009]

Hey Irish...the Democrats handed the keys to the government with a full tank of gas and the respect of the world. What the repugnants have done in just over 5.5 years is truly an amazing tragedy. The Cheney Administration has run our country off the road and into a tree. Unfortuately, we as Democrats are finding out what it's like to not be in power.."Why doesn't a Dumocrat come up with a solution instead of criticizing and crying about liberties and taxes being cut.?" if you knew anything--we do have many ideas and solutions...the republicans don't even give democrats a place to meet on Capitol Hill for the ideas/solutions to germinate and see the light of day--that is a true spirit of bipartisanship--but, dont worry when we regain control congress and get the supoena power we so sorely need since THIS "do nothing Congress" has abidicated all it's Constitutional authority of oversight to King ***. You will see the ideas and solutions florish and just maybe a "new morning in America" as Ron Reagan used to say!

[alphaa10-2009]

People should read the court's commentary on the notion of subverting American rights and constitutional protections in order to defend them-- (or claim to). But that self-contradictory stance is exactly what isolates Bush and his supporters from well-grounded traditions of American constitutional law.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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..

[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??

[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.