Phone Companies Muzzled On Eavesdropping

White House Forbids Telecom Companies From Telling Congress About Surveillance Activity

(AP)  Three telecommunications companies have declined to tell Congress whether they gave U.S. intelligence agencies access to Americans' phone and computer records without court orders, citing White House objections and national security.

Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell "formally invoked the state secrets privilege to prevent AT&T from either confirming or denying" any details about intelligence programs, AT&T general counsel Wayne Watts wrote in a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Qwest and Verizon also declined to answer, saying the federal government has prohibited them from providing information, discussing or referring to any classified intelligence activities.

"Our company essentially finds itself caught in the middle of an oversight dispute between the Congress and the executive relating to government surveillance activities," Watts wrote.

The White House declined to comment on the matter Monday.

The letter from Verizon provided some detail on the kind of information the government is seeking.

Verizon has been regularly asked in subpoenas and national security letters to identify a "calling circle" for certain telephone numbers and to provide related subscriber information.

The company has never complied with such a request as it does not maintain calling-circle records, according to Verizon general counsel Randal Milch.

The House is about to consider a new government eavesdropping bill. The White House has threatened to veto the bill unless it includes retroactive legal immunity for telecommunications companies that assisted government investigations without court orders.

The Bush administration has said the companies cooperated in good faith because of their patriotism and desire to protect the country in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and should not be punished.

However, last week a Colorado court unsealed documents in the case of former Qwest CEO Joseph Nacchio, who was convicted of insider trading in April. Nacchio, who is appealing his conviction, maintains the National Security Agency asked Qwest to allow it to conduct electronic surveillance without a court order in February 2001, six months before the Sept. 11 attacks.

On Monday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., asked the Justice Department and McConnell for a full briefing on what he termed Nacchio's "disturbing revelation."

House Democrats vowed last week not to grant immunity in the eavesdropping bill without being told exactly what the companies did that requires legal protection.

Roughly 40 lawsuits have been filed against telecommunications companies for their alleged cooperation with the Terrorist Surveillance Program, the details of which are classified. U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly eavesdropped on calls and e-mails in the United States without court orders.

A Senate version of the bill, scheduled for committee action on Thursday, is likely to include an immunity provision.

The Bush administration has thus far refused to disclose to Congress details of the program other than classified briefings provided to a small group of House and Senate intelligence committee members.

Telecommunications companies regularly and legally provide assistance to intelligence and law enforcement agencies. According to Verizon's Milch, the company received 88,000 lawful requests and demands for information from government entities - 34,000 from federal officials and 54,000 from state and local officials. Of those, 23,700 were emergency requests, 300 of them from federal officials.

Verizon received more than 1,000 wiretap and other court orders in 2006, he said. It has received more than 630 court orders since last January.

[jon_mccain]

Any sort of "immunity clause" is in direct violation of the constitution.

[drummer94]

We need this but we won''t tell you what we are doing. -White house.

[wogerwabbit]

Obviously a cover up.

[rowdytexan2]

Oh this is just GREAT!

Once again those bustwards are invoking their secret ********* to cover up laws they''ve broken.

Makes me wonder who they were REALLY listening in on in their quest for ''terrorists''. They pro''bly picked up some hot cybermail to blackmail their coharts into supporting his *** veto. If the lists were ever revealed...there might be anarchy among the DC ranks! Wouldn''t that be a hoot!

Or most likely they''re looking for information to block anything that comes up regarding their oil manifest destiny.

Encourage everyone you know to register and vote...and to urge every they know to do the same.

This is vital! Even though we know they can cheat the voting system. We have to be heard through our votes!

[greeneyes222]

"retroactive legal immunity"? It would be criminal to allow such a thing. But what a strong admission of guilt to even request it.

[antoniof123]

I predict that the GOP will face a blood bath they had better take this man down soon or they will be gone with him in 2008. I have said it before if I was a GOP moderate Senator I would be trying to get the Democrats to impeach these two with the promise of removal by the GOP in the Senate before it is too late for these clowns. Of course by their actions they have proven they are not that bright and they will be removed by the American voters.

[ne_patriot7]

Orwell was only off by 16 years... This administration and this congress are the embodiment of what was supposed to be a work of fiction..

How intuitive this novel has become... big brother is here and if this electorate doesn''t wake up and kick these neocons out of office all across the country, Soylent Green will be the next work of fiction to worry about.

What a f*ckin criminal government we have.

[cfin5]

Soylent Green is already here with all of the genuine, artificial, freeze dried, and food processed banned for oral and topical consumption with anything with god''s breath of life in it.....food?

[jowand]

Orwell was only off by 16 years... This administration and this congress are the embodiment of what was supposed to be a work of fiction..

How intuitive this novel has become... big brother is here and if this electorate doesn''''t wake up and kick these neocons out of office all across the country, Soylent Green will be the next work of fiction to worry about.

What a f*ckin criminal government we have.




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Posted by ne_patriot7 at 11:21 AM : Oct 16, 2007

This about says it all about you loon Yellow DOg Progressives. Cleanup your foul mouth too, you''re language isdigusting.

October 15, 2007 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. intelligence officials got mired for nearly 10 hours seeking approval to use wiretaps against al Qaeda terrorists suspected of kidnapping Queens soldier Alex Jimenez in Iraq earlier this year.
This was on phones in Iraq not the USA.

[jowand]

How deep does this rabbit hole go?




Will they catch George hiding in a hole?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by beecuster at 10:01 AM : Oct 16, 2007

Definitely not in a White House closet with a cigar

[micma-2009]

At every level and on every issue, the White House is resisting oversight of any kind. They''ve been using the eavesdropping program to spy on political enemies and they never thought they''d see the day when Congress would step up and do it''s job.

[last121868]

Definitely not in a White House closet with a cigar


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jowand at 11:41 AM : Oct 16, 2007
+ report abuse
Better in the White House closet with a cigar and a lady than in my d*mn home!

It''s official! The USA is a fascist police state!

[afmca]

I think this finally reaches the point of an impeachable offense. Bush / Cheney not only openly flaunt their objection to the Constitution, but now believe they can releive Congress of their oversight activities. This reaches to the very core of our democracy and should be met with the utmost resistance. This should result in the ascension of President Pelosi to govern until 2008.

[fairandbal]

It''s complete, the corporate facist takeover of our government has been accomplished.

[fairandbal]

All of you liberals don''t get it!!! Stop worrying about government spying on you... We MUST JOIN TOGETHER TO FIGHT THE GAY people. Oh, and we must not allow anyone to burn the flag.

Sincerely,
GOP leadership.

[jon_mccain]

They''''ve been using the eavesdropping program to spy on political enemies and they never thought they''''d see the day when Congress would step up and do it''''s job.
Posted by micma

And they still haven''t. In fact, the Senate has already written a forgiveness clause into their bill. Makes you wonder what Bush was able to get on them through the eavesdropping he has already committed.

[mcvet]

Definitely not in a White House closet with a cigar


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jowand at 11:41 AM : Oct 16, 2007
+ report abuse

What kind of people are you fascist? You don''t care that our Constitution has been thrown in the TRASH? You don''t care that the President is ORDERING people not to testify before Congress. What on earth do you low life sub humans stand for anyway. It''s an INSULT TO ME and ever Veteran who has worn that Uniform. As far as I''m concerned you clowns in the Reich are just as bad if not worse that the Taliban!!! Sieg Heil Bush!!

[mcvet]

This about says it all about you loon Yellow DOg Progressives. Cleanup your foul mouth too, you''''re language isdigusting.

October 15, 2007 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. intelligence officials got mired for nearly 10 hours seeking approval to use wiretaps against al Qaeda terrorists suspected of kidnapping Queens soldier Alex Jimenez in Iraq earlier this year.
This was on phones in Iraq not the USA.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jowand at 11:34 AM : Oct 16, 2007
+ report abuse

Come on Sparky put on the Swastika!! Get it on you slime dog and shout it out!! SIEG HEIL!! SIEG HEIL... that''s a good little Bootlicker!! The CONSTITUTION is our Soul, it''s what makes us a Nation and if you aren''t going to defend it you''d better stay out of my way.... NOTHING and NO ONE does this... when we have a SECRET POLICE then it''s no longer MY country. Sieg Heil

[skyk-2009]

What kind of people are you fascist? You don''''t care that our Constitution has been thrown in the TRASH? You don''''t care that the President is ORDERING people not to testify before Congress. What on earth do you low life sub humans stand for anyway. It''''s an INSULT TO ME and ever Veteran who has worn that Uniform. As far as I''''m concerned you clowns in the Reich are just as bad if not worse that the Taliban!!! Sieg Heil Bush!!


Posted by MCVet at 12:50 PM : Oct 16, 2007
+ report abuse

Semper Fi Sarge and I''m with you. When our Government can not follow our Constitution, when it can not seek to allow THIS nation to have a democratic form of Government it''s time to take it down by what ever means necessary!! SIEG HEIL

[gkc99]

So the neocon goosesteppers have gotten their wish and the Nazi fascist takeover of what used to be a Republic is complete. Now El Chimpo Supremo makes his own laws with a swish of a pen.

[ioweign]

National Security was the excuse a few years ago !!

History repeating itself !!

In August, the previously unknown tape from June 23, 1972, was released. Recorded only a few days after the break-in, it documented Nixon and Haldeman formulating a plan to block investigations by having the CIA falsely claim to the FBI that national security was involved. The tape was referred to as a "smoking gun." With few exceptions, Nixon''s remaining supporters deserted him. The ten congressmen who had voted against all three articles of impeachment in the committee announced that they would all support impeachment when the vote was taken in the full House. It was almost certain that Nixon would be impeached by the House and removed from office by the Senate.

[newsjunky5]

It might not be a bad thing to immunize the phone companies. They were probably threatened by the White House into complying anyway. Then they could freely reveal (testify) just who the NeoConMen were after.

[oscarez]

skyk ...

Bush has been testing to see just how far the Congress will let him go. He could declare a State of Emergency and via a little known provision contained in the Patriot Act temporarily suspended the United States Constitution. According to Bush: THE CONSTITUTION IS %u201CJUST A GOD**** PIECE OF PAPER.%u201D

[flubberguts]

In a free country, the president cannot tell anyone not to testify to Congress.

***News Flash***
Bush began his wiretapping program in February 2001--long before the disaster of 9/11.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/12/AR2007101202485_pf.html

This wiretapping activity reached the level of an impeachable offense back then. It is a shame that nobody called them on it at that time. We could have been spared the insanity of the past six and a half years under Bush and company.

These people were sworn to uphold and protect the Constitution. The Republicans would rather use it as toilet paper. The Democratic politicians would rather watch them do it than take action. Neither side is fit to lead.

[starleo146]

The Department of Defense has conspired with the FBI to "circumvent the law" in accessing hundreds of Americans'' telephone, e-mail and financial records, say two civil liberties groups that released reams of new documents obtained in a contested public records request.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which has challenged the Bush Administration''s post-Sept. 11 spying authority, says the Pentagon has issued 455 National Security Letters in concert with the FBI to obtain Americans'' private information it is not entitled to receive. (Cont)

[starleo146]

cont pg2
"The documents make clear that the Department of Defense may have secretly and illegally conducted surveillance beyond the powers it was granted by Congress," ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero said. "It also appears as if the FBI is serving as a lackey for the DoD in misusing the Patriot Act powers. At the very least, it certainly looks like the FBI and DoD are conspiring to evade limits placed on the Department of Defense''s surveillance powers."

The 455 letters were issued to investigate potential terror threats posed by people directly connected to the Defense Department, including civilian employees, contractors, active duty troops, reservists and their families, military officials told the New York Times.

[starleo146]

Recipients of the letters -- usually financial institutions, telephone companies or internet service providers -- are prohibited from disclosing that they received them, the ACLU says. And although the Pentagon-issued letter do not require cooperation, those from the FBI are mandatory, records show that the letters are coercive and unclear that compliance to Defense-issued letters is voluntary.

"The expanded role of the military in domestic intelligence gathering is troubling. These documents reveal that the military is gaining access to records here in the U.S. %u2013 in secret and without any meaningful oversight," said Melissa Goodman, staff attorney with the ACLU''s National Security Project. "There are real concerns about the use of this intrusive surveillance power."

[starleo146]

cont
The Electronic Frontier Foundation joined the ACLU in filing a request for the documents under the Freedom of Information Act. The groups filed a lawsuit against the Defense Department when it tried to withhold the documents earlier this year.

The New York Times first reported in January that the Pentagon was issuing National Security Letters, but the documents released this weekend provide the first glimpse at internal machinations behind their use.

A Pentagon review initiated after the Times article appeared, which was included in the heavily redacted documents, shows the letters were issued "with little guidance or training, no coordination within the military, no real record keeping, and an inadequate review process," the ACLU says.

[forthepeopl1]

can i ask someone to explain how the whitehouse can tell a non-governemnt publicly owen and traded stock co''s that they can not say anything to congress

[starleo146]

"The Fourth Amendment protects against the government''s effort to rummage broadly through the papers and documents of individuals without narrow and specific justifications," said Arthur Eisenberg, Legal Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, which joined in the suit. "Yet the excessive secrecy surrounding the military''s use of national security letters opens the door to abuse. Without oversight and accountability, there is nothing to stop the Defense Department from engaging in broad fishing expeditions."

[juliemd]

As a Qwest customer, is it too much to ask that my calls remain personal and private? I think our 4th amendment rights are being squelched here, folks...and the news isn''t getting through to people...

[gretagreen]

I want to get out of my cell phone contract with these guys if they MAY be giving out my private info. I wonder if they''d let me do that . . .

I could go to working assets. They said they will never give out info without a warrant.

And, no, of course I have nothing to hide. I just like the Constitution.

[starleo146]

In a free country, the president cannot tell anyone not to testify to Congress.

***News Flash***
Bush began his wiretapping program in February 2001--long before the disaster of 9/11.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/w
p-dyn/content/article/2007/10/12/AR20071
01202485_pf.html

This wiretapping activity reached the level of an impeachable offense back then. It is a shame that nobody called them on it at that time. We could have been spared the insanity of the past six and a half years under Bush and company.

These people were sworn to uphold and protect the Constitution. The Republicans would rather use it as toilet paper. The Democratic politicians would rather watch them do it than take action. Neither side is fit to lead.

Posted by Flubberguts at 02:42 PM : Oct 16, 2007

Call your senator and rep in congress and tell them No Immunity granted to phone companies on the wiretap bill call today this secret surveillance is nothing more than a witch hunt on Americans CALL TODAY OR E- MAIL DROWN THEM WITH YOUR PROTEST

[gretagreen]

forthepeople1: GOOD Question! (They''re probably just using that as an excuse - just like the WH uses terror and national security as an excuse for everything.) How Conveeeniient.

[starleo146]

IF THE REPUBLICANS COME OUT IN THIS ELECTION WITH SOME INFORMATION THEY GOT SNOOPING THEY OUGHT TO BE PUNISHED THIS WAS GOING ON A LONG TIME BEFORE 9/11. Remind you of going into the Watergate building stealing democrat information. HERE WE GO AGAIN.

[starleo146]

want to get out of my cell phone contract with these guys if they MAY be giving out my private info. I wonder if they''''d let me do that . . .

I could go to working assets. They said they will never give out info without a warrant.

And, no, of course I have nothing to hide. I just like the Constitution.

Posted by gretagreen at 03:07 PM : Oct 16, 2

i WONDER IF WE CAN THREATEN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT

[starleo146]

National Security was the excuse a few years ago !!

History repeating itself !!

In August, the previously unknown tape from June 23, 1972, was released. Recorded only a few days after the break-in, it documented Nixon and Haldeman formulating a plan to block investigations by having the CIA falsely claim to the FBI that national security was involved. The tape was referred to as a "smoking gun." With few exceptions, Nixon''''s remaining supporters deserted him. The ten congressmen who had voted against all three articles of impeachment in the committee announced that they would all support impeachment when the vote was taken in the full House. It was almost certain that Nixon would be impeached by the House and removed from office by the Senate.

Posted by IOWEIGN at 01:22 PM : Oct 16, 20

YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT AND PROTEST, PROTEST TO THE CONGRESS AND SENATE MAKE IT LOUD AND CLEAR. WE HAVE TO STOP THIS

[undermyboot]

"Calling circle" = Suspicion by association. Of course, you "did nothing wrong." However, your friend''s friend is a suspect. Now YOU become a suspect.

Your boss receives a visit from the FBI. "Sorry sir, we can''t tell you exactly why we are investigating (your name). It''s a national security matter. You understand that, under the Patriot Act, you cannot tell (__)anything about our questions. Now tell us what kind of American (__) is? Does he have any unusual interests?" There goes your promotion & maybe your job. You''ll never know why. Similar things happen at your bank (forget that loan), with your friends, wife, & family (why are they acting strange?), your doctor, your NRA buddies, your kids'' school... Your wife wonders why they asked her about your sexual behavior. "Does he have any unusual fetishes?", they asked her. "Sorry, we cannot discuss why we ask these questions, your husband is a person of interest. Also, you cannot discuss this with him. It would result in a 10-year sentence under the Patriot Act."

But hey, nothing to worry about ''cause you did nothing wrong. ROFLMAO

"The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home." -- James Madison

[starleo146]

The President says he will veto the wiretapping bill if they, the congress, does not allow for immunity, are the Pres. and Darth Vader afraid they will talk, call your congress, No Immunity call or e-mail today.

[gretagreen]

Maybe someone here remembers the author or name of the book, but I saw an author (probably on jon stewart or the colbert report) who seemed rather sympathetic to the Bush administration who said that they were very afraid of two things: (1) another terrorist attack after 9/11 and (2) criminal charges for their wiretapping actions. So, NO IMMUNITY!!!!

I would like very much to seem them do some time for some crime they committed during their reign. I think they have done many things that should be considered criminal, but don''t know if they could be prosecuted for any of them.

Yea, starleo, if they won''t let us out of our cell contracts, let''s see if we can get a lawyer to file a class action against them.

[starleo146]

You know I was just thinking here Hayden is a military man and was put in charge of CIA Or FBI I forget which now. All this may be connected as well. What job did Hayden have before this change, anyone have a history on Hayden. I really thought it was strange he was considered and they threw Goss out and he is not talking, scared to I bet.I do not think they didn''t re-arrange any dept to there liking, Justice, Supreme court, CIA, FBI.what the he11 is wrong with the judiciary committees going pretty slow here. . Step it up.

[antoniof123]

To Nancy and Harry issue the subpoenas and charge them with contempt of court then throw them in jail. When did this moron become king. Enough is enough I have had it with the Republican party never again.

[starleo146]

Posted by UnderMyBoot at 03:19 PM : Oct 16, 2007


I know that was a satire, but do you think you are far off, I don''t these and more we do not know about has probably happened. I think we would be shocked at what they have done. The phone companies should testify and be punished along with Bush and Darth Vader and any other government official. Put them under the jail

[starleo146]

I got to go but let me ask you this does the government have a lock on our news agencies? Why are they not reporting this? what kind of media do we have if they pursued Bush and Darth Vader like they do Brittaney Spears he would of been in jail a long time age. But it is like undermyboat says maybe they paid visits to the news media, wouldn''t put it pass them would you?

[micma-2009]

George Bush has started an ill-timed and disastrous war under false pretenses by lying to the American people and to the Congress; he has run a budget surplus into a severe deficit; he has consistently and unconscionably favored the wealthy and corporations over the rights and needs of the population; he has destroyed trust and confidence in, and good will toward, the United States around the globe; he has ignored global warming, to the world''s detriment; he has wantonly broken our treaty obligations; he has condoned torture of prisoners; he has attempted to create a theocracy in the United States; he has wiped his @ss with the Constitution at every opportunity; he has appointed incompetent cronies to positions of vital national importance.



Now, would someone please give him a blowwjob so we can impeach him?

[undermyboot]

I know that was a satire, but do you think you are far off..
Posted by starleo146 at 03:38 PM : Oct 16, 2007
------
Just because it''s satire does not mean it''s not "illuminating".

When "State Secrets" trumps the law and the plain reading of the Constitution we are in deep trouble. Amazing that so many self-proclaimed "strict constructionists" twist themselves into pretzels excusing the excesses of this "Unitary Executive" administration. But their intent is on power, not on principle.

[lastdance2]

1.) National Security Agency asked Qwest to allow it to conduct electronic surveillance without
a court order in February 2001, six (6) months before the Sept. 11 Terrorist attacks.

2.) The Washington state Supreme Court ruled that a law holding politicians Legally
Accountable for lying is Unconstitutional - Dissenting Justices called the decision
An invitation to Lie with Impunity

3.) Russia and Iran have refused American Oil Companies - Drilling rights within their own countries

4.) Over the past Several Months - American Oil Companies have been purchasing
Oil Pipeline Rights - Surrounding the Interior border of Russia.
Russia - Will now have to pay - American Oil Companies - For its own Right to ship Oil
into Europe.
The Contracts were delivered by VP Cheney and Condoleezza Rice.

The Bush (Nazi) Administration - Now complains that Russia is entering into another
Cold War.

It''s the Same Tactic - Over and Over again ! !

5.) Nuclear Weapons Technology - Sold to Countries - Hostile to the United States

First the Republican (Nazi) Party - Creates the problem.

Then American - Civil Rights - Civil Liberties are Continuously and Purposely
Deteriorated and Eliminated in the name of : National Security

Brought to you by :
The Republican (Nazi) Party - Criminal Corporate (Nazi) America

Lastdance

[starleo146]

Posted by UnderMyBoot at 04:14 PM : Oct 16, 2007

You are right that is why I said you are not far off at all, in fact in your satire I believe these things could have happened. I put NOTHING past these dudes.When this is all over it should make an unbelievable movie don''t you think. I hope the end is Prison

[lawyertom1]

What are the Shrub afraid of? The truth? Testimony can be made in closed session before the Intelligence Committees [no pun intended], if need be. But Congress, as our spineless representative, is entitled to know what has been going on. If, as is likely, the Shrub and friends have been lying and being nauty boys [shades of Larry the toe tapper], then corrective action should be taken.

P.S. Hey, Georgie. We all know that the program has been abused. So, fess up. It is good for your soul.