Fri Dec 16 2005 
— Constitutional guarantees tossed aside —
New York Times version
U.S. secretly waived civil rights
"Months after the Sept. 11 attacks, President Bush secretly authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans and others inside the United States to search for evidence of terrorist activity without the court-approved warrants ordinarily required for domestic spying..."
Widespread abuses including eavesdropping on Vietnam War protesters and civil rights activists by American intelligence agencies became public in the 1970's and led to passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which imposed strict limits on intelligence gathering on American soil. Among other things, the law required search warrants, approved by the secret F.I.S.A. court, for wiretaps in national security cases.
Washington Post version
Bush allowed domestic spying in 2002 order
President authorized NSA eavesdropping operations with post-9/11 order, despite previous legal prohibitions against such tactics.
| Brad's Ten-Foot Poll on Eavesdropping---RESULT |
posted 930a Fri Dec 16 2005
Do you approve of Bush signing a secret Executive Order bypassing laws against NSA eavesdropping on people in the USA?
| I approve |
91- |
 22% |
| I do not approve |
322- |
78% |
Total votes 413- |
|
|
email impeach?
Brad:
This should result in indictments and impeachment.
Don't hold your breath.
The "legal authorization'" was at least in part
given by John Yoo, law professor at Berkeley,
when he was in the justice department. This is
the same guy who wrote the fraudulent memo
authorizing torture, unless it caused pain
associated with organ failure.
A big question is who else in the justice
department was involved in this? Was
Michael Chertoff? Viet Dihn? Both of
them were in the justice department
early on...
RW
— TORTURE BAN —
Associated Press
Bush-McCain deal on torture clears way for defense bills
Congress is expected to act quickly on two stalled defense bills — including a $453 billion must-pass wartime spending measure — now that President Bush has agreed to a proposal to ban cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of terrorism detainees in U.S. custody.
Los Angeles Times
Sen. McCain held all the cards, so Bush folded
NEWS ANALYSIS: The White House was stung as Congress backed the senator's proposal despite Bush threatening to veto it.
email GOP burrito
Brad:
Boy, it appears McCain got snowed. Or did he? What good does it do to make an agreement with someone who breaks as many constitutional laws as George Bush? McCain basically got a used car dealers promise and that's about all. And I think McCain knows that and like all Repbulicans just looking for wiggle room. Might call it the Conservative Burrito: treachery wrapped in the American flag.
G.B.
The Christian Science Monitor
Terror case tests reach of federal power
The government has put alleged "dirty bomb" conspirator Jose Padilla through an odyssey unprecedented in American jurisprudence.
Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
Texans push for hurricane funds
Lawmakers seek $2.8 billion reimbursement for storm expenses, including Rita aid
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Austin city council approves anti-panhandling rules
Sleeping, sitting on downtown sidewalks also banned
RICK CASEY
Sun Myung, Boris and Neil Bush
Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the self-described messiah, and Russian billionaire-in-exile Boris Berezovsky have ... both been keeping company with Houston's First Brother, Neil Bush.
Patriot Act showdown
Dems, libertarian Republicans vow to filibuster security-bill extension if tweaks aren't made
email cheaters
Brad,
Here we find out that the money they raised for foundations to help kids never got there. Surprised? Not really..... it was just set up as a slush fund anyway for Abramoff and Delay. I sincerely hope they enjoy their time in prison.
Virginia
Abramoff charity's claims disputed
Groups listed as beneficiaries of more than $330,000 in gifts say they never got them |
Scientists find DNA change that accounted for white skin
House approves 700 miles of border fence
The House voted last night to fence the U.S.-Mexico border as it began the first major floor debate in years on enforcing immigration laws.
'Kong' conks out on Day 1
"King Kong" isn't the king of the box office - yet. Director Peter Jackson's $207 million remake of the 1933 classic didn't even break the $10 million mark in its first day in theaters.
Here's what can happen when you leave your car running while shopping
President Bush got in a muddle when he tried to show of his new iPod
Mac OS X 10.4.4 development almost complete
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USAF accepts the first Raptor fighters The Air Force is now capable of deploying and supporting 12 F-22A Raptor aircraft anywhere in the world to execute air-to-air, air-to-ground, and homeland defense missions when required. |
Why stores want your phone number
More businesses are asking for your phone number and other personal information, but you don't have to give it.
"Consumers do not understand that giving out the phone number allows the business to buy more information about the consumer through a system known as enhancement."
Jacko about to default on $270M in loans
Naked football player stopped burglary
Refurbished laptops with a great warranty
B.J. Associates - The Laptop Specialists
Mention Brad for a $50 rebate
