WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2007
Spy Chief Shares Surveillance Secrets
National Intelligence Director Reveals Previously Classified Details About Foreign Surveillance
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National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell told the El Paso Times that the debate about whether to update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will cost American lives because of all the information it revealed to terrorists. (APTN)
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The debate over the Bush administration's controversial wiretapping program.
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The biggest overhaul of the U.S. intelligence community in half a century.
McConnell's comments — made in an interview with the El Paso Times last week and posted as a transcript on the newspaper's Web site Wednesday — raised eyebrows for their frank discussion of previously classified eavesdropping work conducted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, known as FISA. Among the disclosures:
McConnell's comments were a dramatic departure from the government's normally tight-lipped approach to disclosing any information about how it spies on electronic communications — some of its most sensitive and costly work. The FISA court's activities are particularly protected.
Even as he shed new light on the classified operations, McConnell asserted that the current debate in the U.S. Congress about whether to update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will cost American lives because of all the information it revealed to terrorists.
"Part of this is a classified world. The fact that we're doing it this way means that some Americans are going to die," he said.
McConnell was in El Paso, Texas, last week for a conference on border security hosted by House Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes, a Texas Democrat. The spy chief joined Reyes for an interview with his local paper.
At the end of the interview, McConnell cautioned reporter Chris Roberts that he should consider whether enemies of the U.S. could gain from the information he just shared in the interview, Roberts said. McConnell left it to the paper to decide what to publish.
McConnell appeared days after the U.S. Congress passed a temporary law to expand the government's ability to monitor suspects in national security investigations without first seeking court approval in certain cases. The highly contentious measure expires in six months.
After Sept. 11, Mr. Bush authorized the terrorist surveillance program to monitor conversations between people in the United States and others overseas when terrorism is suspected. Until January, no warrants were required. But as the Democratic Congress took over, the Bush administration decided to bring the program under the oversight of the FISA court.
McConnell said the court initially ruled that the program was appropriate and legitimate. But when the ruling had to be renewed in the spring, another judge saw the operations differently. This judge, who McConnell did not identify, decided that the government needed a warrant to monitor a conversation between foreigners when the signal traveled on a wire in the U.S. communications network.
McConnell said the government got a temporary stay on the ruling, but it expired at the end of May.
At the same time, the intelligence community was wrapping up years of work on a National Intelligence Estimate on threats to the homeland — an analysis that is considered its most comprehensive judgment. It found the threat was increasing, McConnell noted.
Because he sees FISA as a major tool to keep terrorists out of the country, McConnell said he pressed Congress to change the law.
McConnell's interview raised concerns at the Justice Department, where senior officials questioned whether the intelligence chief had overstepped in discussing the secret FISA court.
Justice Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse referred questions to McConnell's office, where his spokesman Ross Feinstein declined to comment.
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See all 102 Comments"Part of this is a classified world. The fact that we''re doing it this way means that some Americans are going to die," he said.
McConnell was in El Paso, Texas, last week for a conference on border security hosted by House Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes, a Texas Democrat. The spy chief joined Reyes for an interview with his local paper.
At the end of the interview, McConnell cautioned reporter Chris Roberts that he should consider whether enemies of the U.S. could gain from the information he just shared in the interview, Roberts said. McConnell left it to the paper to decide what to publish.
HE KNOWLY NEW THAT THE ENEMY COULD USE WHAT HE HAS STATED......COME ON AMERICA WHAT ARE WE WAITTING FOR. ITS TIME FOR A AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND GET BACK OUR COUNTRY...
Posted by doctorwho4 at 09:32 AM : Aug 23, 2007
If memory serves you Nazi''s were against the "whipping" of Germany until the Fuhrer decared war on us. It is NOT the enemy I''m concerned about. The Nazi in Charge and his Gestapo have shown all of us that they are more than willing to use anything in the government against their POLITICAL opposition. They have shown all of us that Desent is NOT acceptable and they will resort to illegal actions to stop that... they just lost a law suit to that effect if you care to notice. You fascist are going to distroy our nation for your fuhrer, divide it to the point that the enemy will have won. You are not the kind of people who can defeat Terrorist, you''ve PROVEN that beyond any doubt and it''s time we turned to those who CAN and have shown the ability to do just that. I believe those were the people the LAW was written to protect by the way! Go away Fascist and let REAL American''s carry on this fight!! Sieg Heil Bush!!
Here is why that is a blatant lie.
Anyone can use a phone just about anywhere, in other peoples'' homes, etc. The only way to know who is communicating is to listen, and monitor all traffic, until your "suspect" uses a phone.
Like I posted previously, this is a blatant violation of the fourth amendment, and if I ever find out that my rights were violated, Bush will get to know my lawyers better than he knows Laura.
I am an American citizen, protected by law, and have rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The fact that I might be traveling outside the country does not deprive me of those rights, as long as I remain a citizen of the US. One of these rights is as follows;
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Go ahead, Bush, make my day.
Like I posted previously, this is a blatant violation of the fourth amendment, and if I ever find out that my rights were violated, Bush will get to know my lawyers better than he knows Laura.
Posted by brianbwb
Depends on whether you have intelligence on someone. Ya know you don''t have to listen you just have to look at the number of times a certain sequence of numbers comes up. And you won''t go very fair with your lawsuit, because in order to affirm that you rights were violated, there would have to be an admission that a certain procedure was used. That''s never going to happen because of national security. It then becomes quite cyclical.
Because there is no way of telling who is dialing what phone, assume that you are.
Hey, raghead, why don''t you go back to the Middle East where you belong.
This was completely orchestrated by the White House, and if you believe anything else you''''re a Ree-****. BushCo is in COMPLETE Control of ALL "Leaks", and conversations with the "Media".
Everything they do is designed to mislead, misinform, and delay being brought to Justice for their many and henious Crimes.
Take it to the Bank.
Posted by veteran71
Actually it''s the New York Times. They have a hotline to someone in Justice who leaks.
Posted by brianbwb
You''re not that important and I''m not either so I wouldn''t fret. John Q Public is not their target and intelligence no thanks to Clinton has gotten better since this Administration took office. They know what they''re looking for, we don''t have to know.
Posted by mudrose
True, but the private companies that use their facilities to violate my rights are fair game.
The only way I could find out is through the freedom of info act, by demanding all records relevant to me. It is a longer than long shot, but these people aren''t the sharpest knives...
Also, knowing the pathologically lying nature of this admin, intel would be fabricated, like the case of the infamous 911 passport, whose owner was still alive after the plane he supposedly helped hijack trashed the WTC.
Thirdly, anyone engaged in illegal activities of such nature usually communicate with stolen handphones, or pre pay cards, which can be obtained anywhere, even counterfeited, so the only way they can monitor "suspects" is to monitor everyone. Fixed line phones are becoming rarer and rarer these days.
Posted by brianbwb
Well, this is one of their targets. Land lines are not the issue.
Posted by mudrose
Thousands of our children, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghanis are dead because too many of us took this attitude. I guess they weren''t important either.
"Part of this is a classified world. The fact that we''re doing it this way means that some Americans are going to die," he said.
McConnell was in El Paso, Texas, last week for a conference on border security hosted by House Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes, a Texas Democrat. The spy chief joined Reyes for an interview with his local paper.
At the end of the interview, McConnell cautioned reporter Chris Roberts that he should consider whether enemies of the U.S. could gain from the information he just shared in the interview, Roberts said. McConnell left it to the paper to decide what to publish.
HE KNOWLY NEW THAT THE ENEMY COULD USE WHAT HE HAS STATED......COME ON AMERICA WHAT ARE WE WAITTING FOR. ITS TIME FOR A AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND GET BACK OUR COUNTRY..
HEY MUDA/S/S/ WE THE PEOPLE HAVE MILLIONS WAITTING FOR THE OK..GET READY
So the upwards of half a million already dead from this mess don''t count, right Mikey Mack?
They are going to die because they are where they have no business being, doing things they have no right to be doing.
Posted by brianbwb
Oh, please, spare me the bleeding heart *********, especially when you know you arguments don''t hold water. Then you resort to look what we''ve done b.s. and give the enemy a pass. How very American of you.
Posted by forthepeopl1
Let me give it; "OK, LIKE YESTERDAY!"
Posted by veteran71 at 09:40 AM : Aug 23, 2007
Including the Brewster-Jennings outing.
You say they don''t hold water, but you have yet to show where they are incorrect.
Warrantless wiretapping of American citizens'' communications anywhere on earth by the US government is a violation of the fourth amendment, show me where that is wrong, or incorrect.
The current administration lied to start this war, and continues to lie to prolong it, again show me where this is incorrect.
Any admissions or other statements by a party that has already been proven dishonest cannot be trusted any further, show me where this is incorrect.
The deaths of innocents may mean nothing to you, but on that point you and I will always be polar opposites. A heart that doesn''t bleed over this is a dead one...
Posted by brianbwb at 10:03 AM : Aug 23, 2007
It''s only when you are a foreigner AND non-resident that you are not protected.
The Supreme Court in 1990 determined that "the people" for the purposes of the 4th amendment refers to U.S. citizens and resident aliens living in the U.S.
GO FIGURE!
Posted by bluestardad
Well from now on anyone who serves in Congress and the Senate will have to have their children serve in the military otherwise they will relinquish the right as governing body that gives the Executive war authorizations. If their children don''t serve, then can no longer be in Congress.
Posted by GunOwnerDan at 11:03 AM : Aug 23, 2007"
Yes.
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." %u2014President George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/multimedia/bushism_harmamerica.mp3
Posted by GunOwnerDan at 11:03 AM : Aug 23, 2007"
Yes.
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." %u2014President George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/multimedia/bushism_harmamerica.mp3
Check out the History Channel discussion board 9/11 good info and the plenty of 9/11 hacks but they have a great IGNORE MEMBER button.
Omar Sheikh, a reported CIA asset and primary financer of the 9/11 attacks, is back in court to appeal his conviction in the Daniel Pearl murder case. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf''s recently released book has provided Omar''s lawyers with new evidence that may overturn the 2002 verdict.
http://www.theamericanmonitor.com/articles.html
It seems to me the word "classified" has become way overused. And, appears to mean, "Because we want everyone to think we know what we''re doing when we really don''t have a clue."
At one time, I was the custodian of classified documents for a government organization and the information we controlled was a lot more specific and enlightening than "we''re watching you."
"Govenment intelligence agency" is an oxymoron.
how many mike?
how many will die if you make everything secret? what''s that ... you don''t know ... like you really don''t know much at all ... couple of sattelite pics, some wire taps, videos from al jazera ... two pieces of white bread crust from osama''s bologna sandwich ...
Posted by king77shaw at 11:02 AM : Aug 23, 2007
Check this one too:
http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0609105
"Cherry Tree vs. Crjpes Suzette: Global Model of Collapse of the World Trade Centers"
Following the money is perhaps the most basic and essential tactic used by criminal investigators to solve major crimes, yet, according to the 9/11 Commission, the source of the money used to facilitate the 9/11 attacks was of %u201Clittle practical significance%u201D to their investigation.
!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-- !--[endif]-- Consequently, the 9/11 Commission completely failed to examine the conspirators financial network, admitting with no shame that the %u201Corigin of the funds [used to plan and carry out the attacks] remains unknown.%u201D
!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-- !--[endif]-- This is curious for a number of reasons, most notably because of reports directly linking the financers of the attacks to the governments of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the United States, specifically to underground networks historically used by the CIA.
http://www.theamericanmonitor.com/articles/truth_disinfo.html
[Posted by mudrose at 11:06 AM : Aug 23, 2007]
doesn''t the village idiot have two daughters ... maybe the new fiance (that works in the white house) would like to stand up for his country too.
Posted by red164 at 11:21 AM : Aug 23, 2007
And, if we follow the money as relates to the events of 9/11/01, it leads to Israel, ExxonMobil (other war profiteers) and US government agencies including the DoD and CIA.
But, it does not lead to OBL or al qaida.
It appears the military is fighting the wrong "enemies."
Just can''t get enough of me now can you Polly Wanna. You like to have everything out in the open -- isn''t that what you loonies call encroachment er, oversight? So now it''s all out there for you. And audiences like me are only outraged by the hypocrisy of you loonies. D/amed if you don''t and d/amed if you do. So then it''s only okay when the New York Times leaks info.
7 Why did Mahmood Ahmed, Director of Pakistan''s secret service, the ISI, order Saeed Sheikh to wire $100,000 to hijacker Mohamed Atta?
!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-- !--[endif]--
7 What was Mahmood Ahmed''s relationship with Al Qaeda?
!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-- !--[endif]--
7 Where did the money come from?
!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-- !--[endif]--
7 Did officials in Pakistan know in advance about the terrorist attack?
!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-- !--[endif]--
7 On September 11th, Mahmood Ahmed had a breakfast meeting in Washington, D.C., with House and Senate Intelligence Committee chairmen, Rep. Porter Goss and Senator Bob Graham. What were they discussing?
!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-- !--[endif]-- All of the above questions were completely ignored by the 9/11 Commission in their Final Report. It should therefore come as no surprise that members of the Family Steering Committee are demanding an explanation%u2026
http://www.theamericanmonitor.com/articles/truth_disinfo.html
"http://www.theameri0canmonitor.com/articles/truth_disinfo.html
Posted by red164 at 11:24 AM : Aug 23, 2007"
This one is good too ...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/waronterror/story/0,1361,584444,00.html
"CIA agent alleged to have met Bin Laden in July.- Two months before September 11 Osama bin Laden flew to Dubai for 10 days for treatment at the American hospital, where he was visited by the local CIA agent, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro."
And it really tells us that we have no chance to change of of the things that happened. The History Channel ran a 9/11 hit piece the other day and guess who owns the HC? GE and yellow journalism hacks Hearts Publishing own popular mechanics.
Mrs. Laura Bush presents a plaque to Abbe Raven, center, president and CEO of A&E Television Networks, and Nancy Dubuc, president of The History Channel, honoring them with a 2007 Preserve America Presidential Award in the Rose Garden at the White House Wednesday, May 9, 2007, honored for the establishment of the Save Our History grant program for historic preservation, and promotion of the historic hertiage of America. White House photo by Joyce Boghosian.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/images/20070509-4_p050907jb-0332-1-515h.html
Posted by tuckerndfw at 11:24 AM : Aug 23, 2007
And it really tells us that we have no chance to change the things that happened. The History Channel ran a 9/11 hit piece the other day and guess who owns the HC? GE, and yellow journalism hacks Hearts Publishing own popular mechanics.
Mrs. Laura Bush presents a plaque to Abbe Raven, center, president and CEO of A&E Television Networks, and Nancy Dubuc, president of The History Channel, honoring them with a 2007 Preserve America Presidential Award in the Rose Garden at the White House Wednesday, May 9, 2007, honored for the establishment of the Save Our History grant program for historic preservation, and promotion of the historic hertiage of America. White House photo by Joyce Boghosian.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
news/releases/2007/05/images/20070509-4_
p050907jb-0332-1-515h.html
"Part of this is a classified world. The fact that we''re doing it this way means that some Americans are going to die," he said.
McConnell, needs to get the excuses ready.
Actually, we do have the chance to change things. But, we won''t do it.
What voters need to do is refuse to vote for any candidate whose name or face regularly appear in the media.
If the media is promoting a candidate, he or she is a corporate shill and nothing more. And, will only lead to further destruction of the US as we know it.
Voter apathy will lead to the collapse of the US as we know it. And, we only have ourselves to blame.
Candidates are not being given millions of corporate dollars and free publicity based on their good looks or their concern for "we, the people."
Good point
Is he/she paid to run interference for the administration I swear it sounds like Rove talking.
+ report abuse
Wow!!! great post
You and Muddy have a fixation with Tokyo Rose well you don''t have to go far to look for her Brother *** Cheney.
SO LETS SEE OUR ELECTED DO SOMETHING NOW WITH THIS REPORT..IF NOT A REVOLUTION WILL BEGIN
The fact of the matter is between what has been in print and on the ''net for decades now everybody should rightly conclude that ANY form of unencrypted communications - with the possible exceptions of whispering in somebody''s ear in the middle of Death Valley with your lips covered so that you can''t be lip read or fiber optics where you have 100% awareness of its physical security - is not private.
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