Senate committee acts on NSA wiretapping bills.
By on Sep 13th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Senate committee acts on NSA wiretapping bills.
The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved Sen. Arlen Specter’s (R-PA) dangerously flawed bill that would abolish all limits on the president’s eavesdropping powers. But the committee also approved two competing bills, including strong legislation from Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) that would bring the entire NSA program before the FISA court. Glenn Greenwald sorts out the details.
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Uh, Diane Feinsten is from California.
And dear God, I hope Specter’s bill doesn’t pass…
September 13th, 2006 at 7:53 pmTwo Headed Times…
Senator Arlen Specter proved again he is the one man with the backbone to stand up to President Bush on matters NSA. But when it really matters, Specter proves he is the one senator with two heads who can support a bill opposing the President and at t…
September 13th, 2006 at 8:07 pmThe magic bullet man strikes again.
September 13th, 2006 at 8:14 pmSorry – this is OT – but it’s more squirming by Sen. Allen!
He’s trying to cover his ass this week for years of white supremacy.
Senator George Allen, a Virginia Republican accused in the past of insensitivity on race issues, introduced a bill on Tuesday to apologize officially for the Senate’s role in blocking antilynching legislation through decades of killings across the South.
September 13th, 2006 at 8:26 pm…In his 2000 campaign to unseat Senator Charles S. Robb, Democrats and civil rights groups accused Mr. Allen of racial callousness for having displayed a noose in his law office and a Confederate flag in his home.
Mr. Allen described those as parts of collections of flags and Western memorabilia. “I had all sort of Western stuff in my office,” he said, characterizing what others called a noose as “more of a lasso.” He said, “It has nothing to do with lynching.”
As Glen states most Americans are against warrantless wiretaps. I usually just ask if the Republicans would like Clinton to have tap their phones without their knowledge..that shocks them back into reality pretty quick.
September 13th, 2006 at 8:28 pmSenate Judiciary Committee:
We don’t know what to do! We want everyone to like us!
Let’s just throw it all out there and see what sticks…….maybe we’ll get re-elected.
September 13th, 2006 at 8:59 pmEvery Senator who voted against the american people’s constitutional rights and this fraudulent joke of a bill to exonerate BushCo’s breaking of the law needs to be ousted. They are definitely not patriots if they trample on the constitution like this. Shame on all of them.
The only reason they’re attempting to push this through right now is because the Repubs can see the handwriting on the wall. And,whenthe dems take control, the indictments will begin so they are trying to cover their bare butts now. Just wait and watch to see what else they’re worried about catching up with them because it will be flowing like diarrhea from now until the mid terms.
It’s textbook CYA, folks!
September 13th, 2006 at 9:33 pmA bill radically redefining and expanding the government’s ability to eavesdrop and search the houses of U.S. citizens without court approval passed a key Senate committee Wednesday, and may be voted on by the full Senate as early as next week.
By a 10-8 vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB2453, the National Security Surveillance Act which was co-written by committee’s chairman Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania) in concert with the White House.
The committee also passed two other surveillance measures, including one from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California), one of the few senators to be briefed on the National Security Agency program. Feinstein’s bill, which Specter co-sponsored before submitting another bill, rebuffs the administration’s legal arguments and all but declares the warrantless wiretapping illegal.
In contrast, Specter’s bill concedes the government’s right to wiretap Americans without warrants, and allows the U.S. Attorney General to authorize, on his own, dragnet surveillance of Americans so long as the stated purpose of the surveillance is to monitor suspected terrorists or spies
September 13th, 2006 at 11:07 pmAnd you just know that bush will attach a signing statement to it.
September 13th, 2006 at 11:36 pmSpecter suffers from both: weak sphincter and weaker backbone. He’ll “pass” — in due time — whatever his masters feeed him. He might have merited discussion a couple of years ago, but no more.
Regarding Allen (I’m in VA): a noose, by any other name, is *not* a stole wide enough to cover his gentlemanly butt, and never mind the butt of Painted Bubba. He’s toast (quite ironic, given the color of toast)
September 14th, 2006 at 12:18 amSpecter is a loyal Bush stooge, so he will do whatever is asked of him!
September 14th, 2006 at 3:08 amGOP Leaders Back Bush on Wiretapping, Tribunals
“The committee took the important step of acknowledging the president’s constitutional authority to conduct foreign intelligence surveillance,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), an ardent Bush ally.
At the same time, the House Armed Services Committee voted 52 to 8 to ratify the White House’s version of legislation creating military commissions for trying terrorism suspects. The measure would give Bush the authority he seeks to withhold classified evidence from defendants, admit testimony that defendants might maintain was coerced, and protect U.S. intelligence agents from legal action over their interrogation methods. House Republican leaders plan to bring the tribunal bill to a vote next week.
I WANT NOTHING MORE TO DO WITH AMERICA, BUSH IS COVERING UP WAR CRIMES , A ROTTEN NATION , YOU SHOULD BE THROWN OUT OF THE UN YOUR A DISGUSTING COUNTRY – GET LOST I HAD ENOUGH OF YOU ALL
September 14th, 2006 at 4:27 amWhat I don’t understand is how they can push for legislation that violates our own laws as established in the Constitution.
September 14th, 2006 at 7:16 amRemember how they hated it when the Justice Department raided Rep. Jefferson’s office? It seems it’s okay to invade the public’s privacy, but don’t screw with theirs.
September 14th, 2006 at 7:54 amIf they do change the laws, would that mean that the last 3 years of warrantless wiretapping will go unpunished?
Spend just a few minutes writing: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt
I get the impression that many of our members of Congress – who have cited the word “freedom” into banality – really comprehend how that word is linked to their work. It seems like nothing more than some neurotic, boys club, popularity contest.
September 14th, 2006 at 8:23 amThe new age Republicans are spineless.
September 14th, 2006 at 9:35 amMarie #4
…George Allen isn’t even the “tip” of the treasonous racist confederate problem in America…
…the entire SOUTH needs to be either seceded or gone over with Shermanesque zeal once more…
…this time with feeling and commitment…
…to eradicate the racial “terrorists” (like Allen) in our country once and for all!
September 14th, 2006 at 2:31 pm…As for the Specter legislation…
…the Party (Bush legacy)- before country Repulsivescum traitors strike again…
…they’re not interested in preserving the union…
…only their power…
September 14th, 2006 at 2:33 pm