WASHINGTON, April 11, 2007
Spy Chief Seeks More Surveillance Power
National Intelligence Director Is Pushing To Expand Government's Eavesdropping Authority
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National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell wants to expand the government's powers under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. (APTN)
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Interactive
Domestic Surveillance
The debate over the Bush administration's controversial wiretapping program.
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21st Century Spying
The biggest overhaul of the U.S. intelligence community in half a century.
National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell has circulated a draft bill that would expand the government's powers under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, liberalizing how that law can be used.
Known as "FISA," the 1978 law was passed to allow surveillance in espionage and other foreign intelligence investigations, but still allow federal judges on a secretive panel to ensure protections for U.S. citizens — at home or abroad — and other permanent U.S. residents.
The changes McConnell is seeking mostly affect a cloak-and-dagger category of warrants used to investigate suspected spies, terrorists and other national security threats. The court-approved surveillance could include planting listening devices and hidden cameras, searching luggage and breaking into homes to make copies of computer hard drives.
McConnell, who took over the 16 U.S. spy agencies and their 100,000 employees less than three months ago, is signaling a more aggressive posture for his office and will lay out his broad priorities on Wednesday as part of a 100-day plan.
The retired Navy vice admiral recently met with leaders at the National Security Agency, Justice Department and other agencies to learn more about the rules they operate under and what ties their hands, according to officials familiar with the discussions and McConnell's proposals. The officials described them on condition that they not be identified because the plans are still being developed.
According to officials familiar with the draft changes to FISA, McConnell wants to:
McConnell, Alexander and a senior Justice Department official will appear at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on April 17 to discuss whether to amend the FISA law. Chad Kolton, McConnell's spokesman, declined to comment on the director's proposals.
Government officials have been publicly and privately discussing changes to FISA since last year. A senior intelligence official said the goal is to update the law to ensure Americans' constitutional protection against unreasonable search and seizure, while improving use of government resources to pursue threats against U.S. interests.
Critics question whether the changes are needed and worry about what the Bush administration has in store, given a rash of allegations about domestic surveillance and abuse of power. "Congress should certainly be very skeptical about proposals to give this government greater powers to spy on its own citizens," said Caroline Fredrickson, the Washington legislative office director for the American Civil Liberties Union.
The proposed changes to domestic surveillance would be so broad that "you have basically done away with the protections of the FISA," said Kate Martin, head of the Center for National Security Studies.
Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., who unsuccessfully sponsored legislation last year to update FISA, said Congress must act because current court orders bolstering the president's terrorist surveillance program are legally shaky. She wants the law to be rewritten to ensure the NSA can continue the program.
Mr. Bush has faced months of criticism for his 2001 decision to order the NSA to monitor the international calls and e-mails of U.S. citizens when terrorism is suspected. More recently, the Justice Department and FBI have been sharply rebuked for bad bookkeeping and other mistakes involving their powers under the USA Patriot Act to secretly demand Americans' e-mail, financial and other personal records through so-called national security letters. Top government officials have tried to dampen the outrage by promising accountability and have argued that the letters are essential tools to protect against terror threats.
McConnell hinted at his discomfort with current laws last week during a speech before an audience of government executives, saying he worries that current laws and regulations prevent intelligence agencies from using all of their capabilities to protect the nation.
"That's the big challenge going forward," he said, acknowledging changes would require significant congressional debate.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Can you say Police state?
When is the constitution going to protect anyone's rights if that passes?
When is enough - Enough?
"Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The cause of liberty, the cause of American, cannot succeed with any lesser effort."
-- President John F. Kennedy, January 29, 1961
Read your history folks. Hitler's coup was not a violent overthrow of the German government... it was a clever manipulation of the laws, untill all civil rights were removed and he was able to declare himself beyond prime minister or president... but rather, Der Fuhrer.
"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifist for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country."
- Hermann Goering, Hitler's Reich-Marshall
at the Nuremberg Trials after WWII
Adolf Hitler. Mien Kampf
"Achtung, volken! Shpeaking against zis bill iss shtrictly verboten. You vill let us haf zees prifileges und you vill like it, jawhol?"
That is funny, I can see and hear it just like Hogan's Hero's!!!!
Too bad it is no joke.
That is what they are talking about folk's!!!
Your right's. You better fight for them.
~Communist manual on how to brainwash a nation
Posted by adventurepa at 03:40 PM : Apr 11, 2007
That's true. the American people sent a message last fall that we want this administration stopped dead in it's tracks and next fall we'll send an even stronger message. However it's seems that perhaps it's congress who hasn't gotten the message that the bulk of Americans are behind throwing these Nazi want to be's out of office. If they don't grow the balls to do it soon, then the time for Americans to take the law into our own hands gets closer. This is our country, not our governments. They serve at our pleasure, not the other way around and the time will soon be here when we'll have to take it back from them, by force if necessary. this country was founded by a violent revolution against a corrupt out of control government and perhaps it's time we returned to our roots.
Oh - we don't have to imagine, they will do whatever they want under the Bu$h cabal...
-- Justice Alex Kozinski, US 9th Circuit Court, 2003
http://www.a-human-right.com/effective.html
Trusting a government to protect your freedom is like trusting a child rapist to babysit your kids.
Posted by DefndLiberty
besides voting and contacting our reps., how do we do this???? i also think we need to start putting serious pressure on corporations...
Hey, What great ideas!
But only if we "average" citizens get to have the same power and privileges regarding our oh so sweet and pure members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the White House. I mean, after all, you know, fair is fair. If they can root around in our private lives, read our email, tap our phones, why shouldn't Joe and Josephine Public get to do the same? I mean, we ARE a DEMOCRACY aren't we?
If Fearless Leader, Darth Cheney,Alberto Gonzalez, and His Roveness are so-o-o-o-o devoted and blameless in their conduct, they have nothing to fear, don't they??
By the way, Mr. Cheney. How much $$ DO you make fromy our buddies in Halliburton? Please post your answer in this forum. Thanks a Bunch!!
1984--goodbye America, and hello total government snoops--how many will be wanking off to what they find in the average home? People are stupid if they really think this stuff will really be used for or asked for "real spies" this is the stuff abusing everyone is the country who is your rival or enemy is made of"
Posted by DefndLiberty
besides voting and contacting our reps., how do we do this???? i also think we need to start putting serious pressure on corporations...
Posted by cantshutup at 06:05 PM : Apr 11, 2007
We give the Congress a while longer to grow a set of balls and take care of Bush. If they don't then it's time for real Americans to start seriously considering taking OUR goevernment back from the Neocons, by force if we have to.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
Posted by adventurepa at 03:40 PM : Apr 11, 2007
That's true. the American people sent a message last fall that we want this administration stopped dead in it's tracks and next fall we'll send an even stronger message. However it's seems that perhaps it's congress who hasn't gotten the message that the bulk of Americans are behind throwing these Nazi want to be's out of office. If they don't grow the balls to do it soon, then the time for Americans to take the law into our own hands gets closer. This is our country, not our governments.
I think a part of the Congress got the message, unfortunately enough of the "other" (GOP) congress is left to nullify the new Congress if they follow the rules. The Dems do not seem to accept or realize that the only ones trying to work through the old process, protocol and arcane bs is them--Bush and the Republicans stopped playing by the rules when they stole the first election and for them it is all or nothing--if they lose--prison may await them--but if they win--they think they will rule forever.
And this is NOT our country if we do not get off our azzes and fight for it--here's a clue--writing your Congressman is NOT the answer.
Posted by cantshutup at 06:05 PM : Apr 11, 2007
Well...I am not an authority on rebellion but here is an idea.... 1. Stock up on food and water to last a minimum of 6 months in your home. Go to Aldis or places like that , that are cash and carry 2. Remove as much cash from your bank accounts as you can and try to put it in a safe place few know about 3. Everyone against this government transfer all 401Ks and other retirement plans to bonds 4.withdraw ALL funds from the stock market--all of them and do so as fast as you can as there will be a HUGE crash. The immediate Super Black loss day will get the attention of the world, the corporations and the government.
This is a boycott of spending so that the government and all those who crave power can understand and it is perfectly legal. BOYCOTT the stock market and also the stores. Even if only done for a week, it would devastate the economy and get the government's attention. When they ask what happened and why consumers are no longer floating the economy, tell them we will return to being gluttons when Bush is impeached and his entire cadre of appointees from Drug czars to local prosecutors are eliminated. limit your purchases to gas and medicine and of course pay your taxes and bills--we wouldn't want anyone to think we do not support the government do we? LOL
"Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties". Abraham Lincoln.
If only the government had the same philosophy as Lincoln.
At what point did our country start the thinking of "Do as I say, not as I do".
We are fighting a war to promote democracy while at the same time, practicing the policy of tyranny. How are we to actually expect anyone to follow a democratic way of life if we can't even practice it? Good job Bush. You plan is accomplished and I am going to start looking into jobs and housing in Canada, at least there I have the right to talk on the phone in private....for now.
This is a country defined by the blood of those who died for Her and a country defined by the souls of those who now hear Her cry as She is slowly falling to Her knees!
America needs Americans to stand up for her and to stand up for the wrongs done to Her. Stand up. Be proud of our heritage and be proud of what America once stood for and fight for her right to stand up for that once again. We are not infallible. We are not indestructible We are not untouchable. We are a country of humans with human fallibility, but we are a country of strong souls who believe that this world means more than bowing to a government with no say.
Stand up, Americans and show the government what "by the people, for the people, and of the people" really means.
Bu$hCo appears to be backing patriots into a corner, grabbing the Constitution and tearing off little shreds at a time.
So little remains today of the fine, free country this was when I was born, maybe we need another tea party.
I know your henchmen are recording this, so I will use the words of another liberal traitor:
Give me liberty or give me death.
trea7son (tr%u0113'z%u0259n)
n.
Violation of allegiance toward one's country or sovereign, especially the betrayal of one's country by waging war against it or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its enemies.
A betrayal of trust or confidence.
TYRANNY
tyr7an7ny (tr-n)
n. pl. tyr7an7nies
1. A government in which a single ruler is vested with absolute power.
2. The office, authority, or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler.
3. Absolute power, especially when exercised unjustly or cruelly: "I have sworn . . . eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" Thomas Jefferson.
4.
a. Use of absolute power.
b. A tyrannical act.
5. Extreme harshness or severity; rigor.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Bush's real fear of the Constitution lies in this passage:
Section. 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Americans do not have the luxury of forgetting the Constitution if we wish to maintain the rights and freedoms that was paid for through blood of Americans.
Will these acts require a court order even if they are called off prior to the elapse of 7 days?
How many times can you surveil the same subject for seven days?
As in, if you take one day off, does the counter reset and you don't have to have any court oversight?
Emergencies being defined as:
1) George W. Bush entering a spelling bee.
2) George W. Bush being stung by a bee.
3) George W. Bush riding a bicycle.
4) George W. Bush needing to pronounce "Nuclear" in a speech.
5)....
How, exactly, does that differ from what Bush did to the Americans after 9/11? He told us that the Iraqis were to blame and that they were holding more weapons of mass destruction to perform more and more 9/11s and that to stop that, we need to go to war and kill them all.
So, where is the difference? Bush is a tyrant. Bush is a traitor to the USA and so is his administration. Let them fall prey to the very same Patriot Act that he used against us.
Here is the full text of the Patriot Act. It is frightening all the powers they gave to themselves. When you cannot get the power you want from the Constitution, simply circumvent the Constitution with a law overiding its boundaries.
History repeats itself
War Powers Act.
Iraq Declaration.
War without end.....
Representative Government.
New speak
Dept. of Defense = Dept. of War
Dept. of Justice = Dept. of Injustice
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" -George Orwell
"Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The cause of liberty, the cause of American, cannot succeed with any lesser effort."
-- President John F. Kennedy, January 29, 1961
http://www.a-human-right.com/effective.html
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by victoriarum
April 13, 2007 6:58 AM PDT
- So many secrets, no wonder justice is just a word.
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See all 37 CommentsPray for Peace. God Bless.