NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051217.html

In the weeks following the terrorist attacks on our nation, I authorized the National Security Agency, consistent with U.S. law and the Constitution, to intercept the international communications of people with known links to al Qaeda and related terrorist organizations. Before we intercept these communications, the government must have information that establishes a clear link to these terrorist networks.

Yesterday the existence of this secret program was revealed in media reports
So what's the news? Is there any major country that doesn't spy on its own citizens?

So what's the news? Is there any major country that doesn't spy on its own citizens?

We wern't even spying domestically; these were all international communications so it's even less unusual. Honestly, I think this was leaked to try and take steam out of the resoundingly successful Iraq election.

...much ado about nothing...

what did people think the National Security Agency did, play tiddlywinks all day? They're in existence to pick up communications of enemies of the US. If UBL ever called me, I sure as hell hope someone could track his position by listening in on the call.

WTF? Governments have been eavesdropping since the beginning of government.

In other news, President Bush acknowledges that his government taxes, and regulates.

Well the govt did net a guy and busted a plot by eavesdropping.

Does this change anything?

http://www.10tv.com/global/story.asp?s=4254153&ClientType=Printable
Eavesdropping Program Netted Local Man
Dec 16, 2005, 02:35 PM

Reported by Kurt Ludlow

A former Columbus truck driver linked to Al-Qaeda was nabbed as part of a secret operation that's now out of the bag. The government spied on him and hundreds of other Americans without warrants.

It was a front page New York Times article that divulged for the first time that the National Security Agency spied on Americans, monitoring international phone calls and emails of hundreds of people including a Columbus man.

Columbus truck driver Iyman Farris pled guilty in 2003 to helping Al-Qaeda plan terrorist attacks in the US, and is was an admission that stunned his ex wife.

Geneva Bowling says, "It's still hard for me to believe that he did."

Two years later, Bowling knows that Faris was caught after agents monitored the couple's phone without a court order. She told the Associated Press, "If you're asking me if I think that's fair, I think it is."

Constitutional lawyer Benson Wolman says there's a reason court orders are required before the government can listen in on you; there must be probable cause you've done something wrong.

"While most of us aren't going to be victims of wiretap or eavesdrop, it's important to now that if the government can do it to the worst of us, it can do it to the best of us," says Wolman.

Supporters of the secret wiretapping order say desperate times since 9-11 call for desperate measures.

"In the perfect world we would just continue with laws as they were prior to 9-11 and we are unable to combat with due diligence and continue to face this new challenge. The fact is we can't do that," says one supporter.

A lot of lawmakers say they're troubled by this sort of domestic spying. The Senate has promised to hold hearings on it.

So what's the news? Is there any major country that doesn't spy on its own citizens?

I think the issue is they did this WITHOUT warrants.

I think the issue is they did this WITHOUT warrants.
Yep. Paperwork needs to be in order, otherwise you have anarchy. And communism.