Bush Spy Bill Stance Called Fear-Mongering

President: U.S. Could Face Attacks That Would Make 9/11 "Pale By Comparison"

(CBS/AP)  President Bush, in remarks meant to spur House Democrats into accepting a controversial new bill that would expand the government's ability to spy on Americans, warned that the country faced terror strikes that would make September 11 "pale by comparison."

In response, critics of the new bill accused Mr. Bush of "fear mongering," and of trying to deflect attention from the bill itself. Its most controversial provision would prevent Americans from suing phone companies that helped the administration spy on them since the White House surveillance program was instituted in 2001.

Mr. Bush has made immunity from civil prosecution for the telecoms a must-have element for revamping the nation’s surveillance laws, repeatedly saying he would veto any bill that does not exempt telecoms from lawsuits.

The battle lines are being dug in more deeply as House and Senate members prepare to meet in conference to match competing versions of the legislation, an update of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (or FISA).

The House-passed version does not include telecom immunity. This past week, the Senate approved a similar version which includes a provision that protects telecoms from civil lawsuits.

There are approximately 40 lawsuits now brought by citizens and consumer groups against companies that enabled the government to illegally eavesdrop on Americans' phone and Internet communications.

Opponents of the administration's program, which engaged wiretaps against any and all Americans without obtaining court-ordered warrants, say the telecoms' participation was illegal. They say that, given the Bush administration's penchant for secrecy, lawsuits against the telecoms are the only way to obtain disclosure about the facts from the government.

Information being sought includes details about the origins of the program. The administration admitted that the sweeping domestic surveillance originated in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks. However, declassified documents obtained by the National Security Archive and testimony that is part of these lawsuits suggest the National Security Agency program was put into place shortly after Mr. Bush was inaugurated, long before 9/11.

Mr. Bush claims that unless the telecoms received assurance that they will not be sued for breaking the law (and therefore be liable for damages), those companies will not agree to enact future wiretaps, therefore undercutting the government's intelligence capabilities:

"If these companies are subjected to lawsuits that could cost them billions of dollars, they won't participate; they won't help us; they won't help protect America."

With the clock ticking down to Saturday midnight, when the Protect America Act expires, President Bush said on Thursday that he would delay his five-nation trip to Africa if it would help the House of Representatives pass his preferred version of the FISA bill.

On Wednesday, after the Senate approved a bill granting immunity, the president for the first time admitted that the telecoms participated in the wiretaps which were not authorized by court-issued warrants.

Mr. Bush also raised the specter of what would happen if telecom immunity is not accepted by the House, by recalling the crime scene on 9/11:

"At this moment, somewhere in the world, terrorists are planning new attacks on our country. Their goal is to bring destruction to our shores that will make September the 11th pale by comparison."

Mr. Bush said, "There is really no excuse for letting this critical legislation expire," despite his refusal to sign an extension to the current law while negotiations continue.

House Republicans managed to defeat a House proposal to grant a 21-day extension of the current law.

Critics jumped on the president's refusal to extend FISA.

"The president and House Republicans refused to support the extension and therefore will bear the responsibility should any adverse national security consequences result," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Expiration of the current Protect America Act would not mean an immediate end to wiretapping. Existing surveillance could continue under the law for a year from when it began - at least until August. Any new surveillance the government wants to institute could be implemented under underlying FISA rules, which may require warrants from the secret court.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., accused the president and Senate Republicans of being more interested in politicizing intelligence than resolving the debate.

Reid said the issue would not even be before Congress if Mr. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, "in their unyielding efforts to expand presidential powers," had not created a system to conduct wiretapping, including on U.S. citizens, outside the bounds of federal law.

"The president could have taken the simple step of requesting new authority from Congress ... but whether out of convenience, incompetence, or outright disdain for the rule of law, the administration chose to ignore Congress and ignore the Constitution," Reid said.

Caroline Fredrickson, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's legislative office in Washington, lambasted the president for scare tactics and urged the House not to pass the Senate bill.

"The House should stand up to the bullying from the president and reject the administration’s lies and fear mongering," she said. "This administration has abused its power over and over again and it is time for the House to reject any attempts to consider the unconstitutional Senate Intelligence Committee FISA bill.

She also demanded that Americans not be denied their day in court in their suits against phone and Internet companies. "Let the American system of justice decide this case," Frederickson said. "Do not give the phone companies a 'get out of jail free' card. If the companies really 'did the right thing’ as the president said, then they have nothing to fear from going to court.

"Terrorism is a threat. But ignoring the Constitution is also a threat."

The 68-29 Senate vote Tuesday to update the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act belied the nearly two months of stops and starts and bitter political wrangling that preceded it. The two sides had battled to balance civil liberties with the need to conduct surveillance on potential adversaries.

While giving the White House what it wanted on immunity for the phone companies, the Senate also expanded the power of the court to oversee government eavesdropping on Americans. An amendment would give the FISA court the authority to monitor whether the government is complying with procedures designed to protect the privacy of innocent Americans whose telephone or computer communications are captured during surveillance of a foreign target.

The Senate bill would also require FISA court orders to eavesdrop on Americans who are overseas. Under current law, the government can wiretap or search the possessions of anyone outside the United States - even a soldier serving overseas - without court permission if it believes the person may be a foreign agent.

CBSNews.com producer David Morgan contributed to this report.

[rowdytexan2]

Mr. Bush claims that unless the telecoms received assurance that they will not be sued for breaking the law (and therefore be liable for damages), those companies will not agree to enact future wiretaps, therefore undercutting the government''s intelligence capabilities:

Bull *****! If they''re presented with a warrant, they have to! This is ridiculous!

[DaveGress]

I guess you get scared when:
"YOU LET TERRORISTS STRIKE THIS COUNTRY" yes YOU GWB did that. Now you want everyone else to be scared like you.

[slim1h2o]

Be affraid America,,very,,very affraid. But do not be afraid of the terrorists, Islam,,Muslums,,,but of Bushitt, and company.

[liberalme]

warned that the country faced terror strikes that would make September 11 "pale by comparison."


Sorry GI George--you are the terrorist you try to warn us against.

September 11 "pale by comparison?" What are your plans this time coward of America?

FEAR FEAR FEAR!!!

What color today Bush??

Go to jail, do not pass go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sgtrds]

George W. Bush is the single worst and most dangerous terrorist in the world today. He is the biggest obstacle to peace. If he really wants to make America and the world safer then he''d go to his phony movie-set "ranch" and blow his own brains out.

[liberalme]

The sad part is, he continues to scare the CR AP out of his faithful followers aka/ cult.

The above "pale by comparison" statement must have some boarding up their windows--when all along--it''s OUR leader we should fear.

I totally agree with you SgtRDS--Bush/Cheney are the greatest obstacles in peace.

[undermyboot]

"the National Security Agency program was put into place shortly after Mr. Bush was inaugurated, long before 9/11."

This has nothing to do with terrorism and everything to do with hiding the fact that BUSH and the TRAITORS that run his administration BROKE THE LAW OVER AND OVER AGAIN. They are NOT Conservatives, but radical authoritarians who would trash the Constitution and the Rule of Law for their own power.

They are nothing short of TRAITORS.

[knyghtwolf]

Every time I see bush and cheney''s mugs plastered on the internet and in news articles, I see the faces of REAL terrorists, bush is trying to orchestrate ANOTHER "9/11" in order to seize our country & declare it under Martial Law thus foregoing any elections of ANY kind until the B*T*C*H boys (bush & cheney) see fit to do so, which amounts to NEVER.

[liberalme]

George W. Bush is the single worst and most dangerous terrorist in the world today. He is the biggest obstacle to peace. If he really wants to make America and the world safer then he''''d go to his phony movie-set "ranch" and blow his own brains out.
Posted by SgtRDS at 12:25 PM : Feb 14, 2008

That would be virtually impossible!

[sgtrds]

That would be virtually impossible!

Posted by liberalme at 01:03 PM : Feb 14, 2008

Well he could always shoot himself in the as*s since he has his head up there all of the time.

[inventagod]

What the he11 is Bu$hCo planning next?

They did a magnificent job planning 9/11...

The coup went well - what now???

[michellem99-2009]

I have to say Amen to each of ye..That man has changed the face of this nation for worse. Sgt..I would shake yer paw if it be handed to me..Some one clamed all over my asre for say America is hell. Well it is. That asre got on the TV and told us as a people he was not going change this nation. He went behind our backs and did so. He is the fool that hates the constuttion ye Sgt raised yer paw to and my father as well to serve. He started 9/11. He knows what he did to this nation and he is selfish. I am just a damb old lady. I hate the fact that as a blind person they paw thru my purse. His wanting to control everybody and evrything..a sick man..Bush has blood on his paws..he is not above the law. It never sat right with me that he took an oath and then turnt his back on us..He should be in a prisom cell but he never will. He put his people in all the right places. I miss the old America..Let''s bring her back..

[firststate]

Bushit says, "If these companies are subjected to lawsuits that could cost them billions of dollars, they won''t participate; they won''t help us; they won''t help protect America." What he means is that if they''ll be subjected to lawsuits, they''ll probably limit their cooperation to Constitutional and Legal surveillance.

The FISA in effect at the beginning of this abomination/administration already allowed surveillance to start immediately, with the paperwork to follow. The only way to get information faster than immediately upon recognizing the need can only be accomplished by monitoring everything all the time to find questionable communications to follow through future legal monitoring. It''s like breaking into your home or office to go through all your financial records and using any questionable transactions as probable cause to get a legitimate search warrant for a tax evasion prosecution. The Constitution is pretty clear about warrants coming before searches and seizures. Monitoring everything is seizure without the legal justification of a warrant or FISA order.

[fiteit1]

There will most likely be another attack on US soil but on the West Coast in August. The Bush Company in secret will orchestrate it. It will be funded by the money %u201Clost%u201D in Iraq and the %u201Cfood for oil%u201D program. It will be easier than the last one on 9-11 because with the rules of the Patriot Act, Executive privilege, National Security, illegal eavesdropping and wire tapping and no checks and balances or oversight they have complete control over who comes into the country and goes out. They have most likely brought groups in and have them in place. This is why it is crucial for him to keep these laws in place and keep third parties and over sight out. He is using scare tactics to accomplish this as well as to set up the %u201CI told you so%u201D when his plan is carried out. He makes statements like %u201Cpale in comparison" because he or members of his company knows what it is. He must keep plausible denial as an %u201CI don%u2019t know anything%u201D (we already know that) excuse. The timing will be such that it will give him time to declare marshal law, and postpone the elections. He will single handily revamp the constitution using the threat of more terrorism and instill more fear in the minds of the weak.

[fiteit1]

continued

www.house.gov/house/MemStateSearch.shtml
Click your State
Highlight the rep in your State
Rt. Click & copy
Paste that into a search and that persons web site shows up
Locate the contact info and send the message, DON%u2019T CAVE IN. DO NOT APPROVE THE SENATES VERSION OF FISA.

[fiteit1]

His second home is Dubai, no extradition!

[nggr]

His second home is Dubai, no extradition!

Posted by fiteit1 at 03:07 PM : Feb 14, 2008

actually,

the bush family has bought a 998,000 acre ranch in paraguay.
also, no extradition.
guess they dont like living in america as much as eveyone thinks.

[prinzowhales]

Does Bush expect to find anything worse than what the FBI translator Sibel Edmonds has already told us about the treason of US diplomats? His Regime is not pursueing this...His Regime is not pursuing the AIPAC spy case...keeping it from proceeding in the federal courts...When Libby was sentenced for his betrayal of a CIA spy ring, Bush commuted the sentence.

This criminal Bush wants to spy on our communications, but covers up the treason of his own regime associates. He wants to increase the size of the police state allegedly to fight terrorism...but he leaves the borders wide open...He claims that drug dealers are terrorists...but he jails honest Border Patrolmen who interdict one...

This monster and his Demopublican regime are a criminal conspiracy against the freedoms of the people of the United States.

[ioweign]

His second home is Dubai, no extradition!

Posted by fiteit1 at 03:07 PM : Feb 14, 2008

actually,

the bush family has bought a 998,000 acre ranch in paraguay.
also, no extradition.
guess they dont like living in america as much as eveyone thinks.

Posted by nggr at 03:43 PM : Feb 14, 2008


He is not going to live where his mierda is all the place...

[rickstas]

I would actually trust any administration other than this criminal one with that power. The problem is these criminals do what they want even if it is clearly against the law. Remember, only honest people obey laws!

[aaabee-2009]

"If these companies are subjected to lawsuits that could cost them billions of dollars, they won''t participate; they won''t help us; they won''t help protect America."

So our telephone companies will no longer protect America, folks.

Patriotism, anyone?

Boycott them, drop all telephone services to these companies that won''t protect America, if they can''t get protection FROM Americans.

Boycott the telephone companies.

[aaabee-2009]

"It will be easier than the last one on 9-11 because with the rules of the Patriot Act, Executive privilege, National Security, illegal eavesdropping and wire tapping and no checks and balances or oversight they have complete control over who comes into the country and goes out."

Now you would think with all these fancy dancy Bush programs in place, America would be ready.

Isn''t Bush doing his job?

[liberalme]

President Bush, in remarks meant to spur House Democrats into accepting a controversial new bill that would expand the government''s ability to spy on Americans, warned that the country faced terror strikes that would make September 11 "pale by comparison."


This is actually a THREAT from OUR president to US! He didn''t mention terrorists or AlQueada--

He should be grilled for making that statement---no perhaps waterboarded to tell the truth!!!

He really does need to be held accountable for that statement!!!!

[slpdisk]

Starting to sound like the propaganda of Nazi Germany.Lets raise the paranoia indicated to orange.Be very afraid. These people have no couth.

[liberalme]

Excerpt from an article by Paul Finkleman:

Bush will have no other accomplishments to redeem his presidency. He has not led the nation to new concepts of justice or civil rights. He squandered a huge budget surplus and left us with monstrous debts. Under his watch the rich are richer than ever; the poor are poorer than they have been since the Great Depression. All positive social indicators are down. Internationally the United States has never been so disrespected. We have seen an American administration perpetuate torture and defend its use, making the United States seem barbaric to the rest of the world. Indeed, we have never been hated by so many people in so many places.

[noloyalisti]

This is a sad sick evil man trying to protect himself and his cronies from criminal prosecution. Why else would the telecoms need immunity? His sad, scary message is old and used up. Just like the failed conservative ideology. All they have left is Hitlerian tactics.

[amacd2-2009]

Money says that if a new global corporate spying allowance law (the cynically named Protect America Act) is not passed to Bush''s liking, and the old law expires, that Bush will orchestrate another contrived terrorist attack (like 9/11, Hitler''s burning of the Reichstag, or the attack on the USS Maddox in the Tonkin Gulf) and blame it on the Demos in the House.

But one still wonders why this faux Emperor, Bush, is so persistent on the singular point of enshrining a law of the United States to allow corporations to spy its citizens?

For once corporations under any supposed constraints are allowed to spy on any citizens, for any supposedly noble purpose, and for any supposedly limited period ---- particularly and ironically in a war on terrorism which the faux Emperor has already defined as unlimited in scope and timeframe ---- then the global corporatist Empire will never give up that law and power over democratic citizens. And those citizens will never truly be democratic again.

[kansas1946]

(CBS/AP) President Bush, in remarks meant to spur House Democrats into accepting a controversial new bill that would expand the government''s ability to spy on Americans, warned that the country faced terror strikes that would make September 11 "pale by comparison."
***************************************************
Pleeeeeeeeze... It is over Bush. You blew it. You lied, manipulated American''s trust, bullied anyone who offered a different view, threatened, sulked, stomped, exaggerated, lied, and wasted billions and billions of dollars in Iraq that could have been spent upping the defense of America.

It is effing over. Shut up and sit down. We are not going to stand for your attack on civil liberties and the constitution. You should be tried for treason.

[knyghtwolf]

So this is the legacy we leave our children, this is the legacy of a man whose last act of desperation is to show how easily he can destroy more life than any god can create. How is it in a modern society such as ours can spawn a beast regime that makes anything in previous historical accounts pale by comparison, behold, the christian beast is here. Armageddon is dawning as we speak.

[sgtrds]

Mr. Bush also raised the specter of what would happen if telecom immunity is not accepted by the House, by recalling the crime scene on 9/11:
"At this moment, somewhere in the world, terrorists are planning new attacks on our country. Their goal is to bring destruction to our shores that will make September the 11th pale by comparison."

And Bush has brought death and destruction to the shores of a nation that had nothing to do with 9-11, that makes 9-11 pale by comparison.

[liberalme]

And Bush has brought death and destruction to the shores of a nation that had nothing to do with 9-11, that makes 9-11 pale by comparison.

Posted by SgtRDS at 10:06 PM : Feb 14, 2008

Amen to that.

[rowdytexan2]

President Bush, in remarks meant to spur House Democrats into accepting a controversial new bill that would expand the government''''s ability to spy on Americans, warned that the country faced terror strikes that would make September 11 "pale by comparison."

What are you doing Dubya? Planning on putting together another one? I don''t think this country will be fooled again...so if you pull that krap, prepare to HANG FOR IT!!!

[inventagod]

''On Wednesday, after the Senate approved a bill granting immunity, the president for the first time admitted that the telecoms participated in the wiretaps which were not authorized by court-issued warrants.''

He did not, however, mention he asked telcoms to wiretap the public TEN MONTHS before 9/11...

[katiebuggie]

From what I understand, Senator Leahy placed a provision in one the the budget bills to roll back Bush''s power grab regarding declaring Martial Law and taking over the state governor''s control of their National Guard. Sorry I can''t be more specific.

[rowdytexan2]

Go to MSNBC and watch Keith Olbermann''s Countdown tonite. It''s hilarious...and right on target!

"....Bush should get someone to make him a t''shirt with FASCIST across the front of it!" ROFL

[candide777]

Can''t we just get rid of this disgusting parasite we call "president" now? I mean really, when 75% of the country whishes you were dead, isn''t it time to go?

[fishinfool43]

Help!! Is there a doctor in the house!! Someone needs to sew Dubya''s lips shut! I honestly dont think I can handle another year of this idiot. I imagine he will come up with a lot more ways to fudge up this country. He is a disgrace to the presidency, country, world, and humanity. One would think a president would at least have some respect for the constitution, but not this clown. He just keep pizzing all over the constitution, country, and all the good people of this fine country. This cretin needs to be ompeached for a start, and then a good old southern style lynching. He needs to swing at the end of a rope just as Sadam did!

[gce65]

What was that IDIOT doing interrupting normal crappy TV to talk to us from he Oval Office? That locale is supposed to be used for IMPORTANT events, not pimped out for a backdrop to further bash our privacy by spying on his own people! SHUT UP, GEORGE! WE''RE SICK OF YOU!

[jerr11]

9/11 - 3000 DEAD AMERICANS

IRAQ - 935 LIES

4000 DEAD AMERICANS

That makes 9/11 "Pale by comparison"

[jerr11]

With leaders like George Bush, who needs terrorists to kill Americans!

The count so far:

Bin Laden - 3000 DEAD AMERICANS

Bush - 4000 DEAD AMERICANS

Bush wins hands down!

[taylpatr]

I didn''t think it could get much worse, but this is REALLY getting to be such a load of bull*hit! If the last seven years hasn''t been enough to convince us of the need to ABOLISH the two-party system, we deserve what we''re going to get, and it ain''t gonna be pretty.The only thing worse than the actions of this
man(?)is the insult to our intelligence. He really believes he''s pulled one off because no one has lifted a finger to stop him. After the way they went after Clinton, it seems that nothing has been done to investigate the many impropriaties this administration is responsible for. The only thing that keeps him going is the power of his repug-pig cronies. Thus the need to abolish the two-party system. It keeps us divided against ourselves and it keeps people like dubya in power. Lincoln warned us about it 150 years ago. But then, the poor man''s probably spinning in his grave at what his party has festered into. God help us.

[bcamadi]

For one moment i feel like an American again
las vegas nv

[bcamadi]

Bush got his licking today. Perhaps the DEMS have learnt how not to be bullied again

[watcher269-2009]

Bush got his licking today...........

Posted by bcamadi
-----------------

Why? Was Sen. Craig invited to the White House?

[neoconrcrazy]

"Bushit warned that the country faced terror strikes that would make September 11 "pale by comparison."


by spying on Americans won''t hamper their zeal to pay us back one - after all, we''ve murdered about 650''000 iraqis since 2003 and all of them have brothers, sisters, cousins.

if anything happens, it''s because this crack-pot, cocain, alcohol dependent azzz has created a new cesspool for terror all by himself.

Yank this idoit outta DC asap.

[neoconrcrazy]

"On Wednesday, after the Senate approved a bill granting immunity, the president for the first time admitted that the telecoms participated in the wiretaps which were not authorized by court-issued warrants"

impeach the sob

[tulcak]

where are all the usual republican crazies that make posts "reminding" us of how horrible President Clinton was and who tell the rest of us to quit posting and go get a job? hmmm? well? can''t really defend this one, can they? this is unconstitutional and un-American and those bozos know that.

[tulcak]

""House Republicans stage a walkout on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, as Democrats considered a resolution that would hold some of President Bush''s former aides in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions before the House Judiciary Committee."".... GOD, IF THEY WOULD ONLY STAY OUT!!

[slim1h2o]

Yank this idoit outta DC asap.

Posted by neoconRcrazy at 04:41 AM : Feb 15, 2008

I''ve been saying that for a long,,long,, long time. But nobody is listening.

[jerkeedoodle]

neoconRcrazy,RE,Impeach the s.o.b.,Never happen,sweety.Dems.(commies) want Comrade Hillary to have the same tools as Herr Bush (nazi).The country is headed toward socialism.What''s in dispute is whether it will be "Mother America",or the new "Fatherland".Right now,it probably wouldn''t be a bad idea to pick up some quilted pajamas,any color as long as it''s black,and learn how to ride a mo-ped.