Secret Court to Govern Wiretapping Plan

[Gilding the Lily]

The Bush administration has agreed to shift course and let a secret but independent panel of federal judges oversee the government's controversial domestic spying program.

The Bush administration secretly launched the Terrorist Surveillance Program in 2001 to monitor international phone calls and e-mails to or from the United States involving people suspected by the government of having terrorist links. Gonzales said Bush would not reauthorize the program.

The shift in oversight means that all wiretaps or other eavesdropping tools by the federal government must be approved by court order. Previously, the program allowed investigators to spy without a warrant - resulting in widespread criticism from lawmakers and others who questioned the legality.

Seriously, this made my week! Throughout his 2 terms, Bush has significantly altered the traditional roles of the Judiciary and Legislature in protecting the people from unwarranted tyranny. "The issue has never been whether to monitor suspected terrorists but doing it legally and with proper checks and balances to prevent abuses." This is the type of safeguards I have been ranting about in most of my postings.

Article after the jump!

 

[Flying Titan]

Glad to see President Bush decide to follow the rule of law on this issue. This is a good day for the Constitution and the nation.

 

[delldude]

God Bless America

Glad to see President Bush decide to follow the rule of law on this issue. This is a good day for the Constitution and the nation.

Basically,he never had any other choice.....see my link in previous post.These guys have pulled the cork on other presidents before.

 

[Flying Titan]

Dell...

I briefly scanned your link on the FISA court. Good info. Was there a specific section you wanted to point out?

Again, I'm just glad that the administration finally agreed to run these wiretaps through the system for judicial review. We must always continue to be a nation of laws, not of men.

 

[delldude]

Dell...

I briefly scanned your link on the FISA court. Good info. Was there a specific section you wanted to point out?

Again, I'm just glad that the administration finally agreed to run these wiretaps through the system for judicial review. We must always continue to be a nation of laws, not of men.

No specific area...I just remembered about the court from something in the Clinton or Bush 1 era that they nixed...can't recall what exactly it was at this time.

 

[NIKV69]

I disagree. In a time where these terrorists are finding all sorts of ways to harm us if the President needs an immediate wire tap I think he gets it without having to go to a judge. He can listen to my conversation all say I have nothing to hide.

 

[delldude]

I disagree. In a time where these terrorists are finding all sorts of ways to harm us if the President needs an immediate wire tap I think he gets it without having to go to a judge. He can listen to my conversation all say I have nothing to hide.

Fine for you if you're willing to start a slippery slide down the slope of giving up Constitutional protections...at what point would you say thats too much?

When you say something on the phone about the current president and spend the next 5 hours explaining.....

When they come at 2am to look in your closet for terrorists?

Of course you'll say its not like this...but thats how it starts.......

 

[Garfield1966]

Fine for you if you're willing to start a slippery slide down the slope of giving up Constitutional protections...at what point would you say thats too much?

When you say something on the phone about the current president and spend the next 5 hours explaining.....

When they come at 2am to look in your closet for terrorists?

Of course you'll say its not like this...but thats how it starts.......

I think hell is going to freeze when I say this but I agree with Dell. Will wonders never cease.

 

[delldude]

Say what?

 

[TWAnr]

I disagree. In a time where these terrorists are finding all sorts of ways to harm us if the President needs an immediate wire tap I think he gets it without having to go to a judge. He can listen to my conversation all say I have nothing to hide.

The FISA law provides for retroactive application and approval procedures of wiretaps when urgent action is called for.

FISA allows the government to put surveillance in place first, and go to Court for retroactive approval afterwards. The government has up to 72 hours to go to the Court in such emergency situations. The existing process places no limits whatsoever on the speed with which the government can put a wiretap in place.

The Center for Constitutional Rights

 

[Gilding the Lily]

The FISA law provides for retroactive application and approval procedures of wiretaps when urgent action is called for.

To clarify... yes, under FISA, the government may commence surveillance without a warrant if the Attorney General determines that the circumstances present an emergency such that surveillance must reasonably begin before an order authorizing it can be obtained from the FISC AND the Attorney General determines that the factual basis for a warrant exists.

 

[diogenes]

Say what?

 

[UAL_TECH]

I think hell is going to freeze when I say this but I agree with Dell. Will wonders never cease.

GOD, I hope not!!!

B) UT

But it is a little chilly here....

 

[NIKV69]

When they come at 2am to look in your closet for terrorists?

Who cares? I had the feds come to my house one night after they saw me at ISP shooting arrivals. I let them in offered something to eat or drink and answered their questions and they left. It all took 10 minutes! You guys want it both ways. You want to be safe from terrorsits and give our government no way to do it. Wake up already.

 

[delldude]

Who cares? I had the feds come to my house one night after they saw me at ISP shooting arrivals. I let them in offered something to eat or drink and answered their questions and they left. It all took 10 minutes! You guys want it both ways. You want to be safe from terrorsits and give our government no way to do it. Wake up already.

One small exception you omitted...they didn't break down the door without your permission did they?
You let them in... You're not talking about the same issue dude...

Apparently you're quite willing to give up my Constitutional protections...no thanks Jack.

You'd be happy if it went like this,no doubt....