FBI frequently overstepped on domestic surveillance.
FBI frequently overstepped on domestic surveillance.
“An internal FBI audit has found that the bureau potentially violated the law or agency rules more than 1,000 times while collecting data about domestic phone calls, e-mails and financial transactions in recent years, far more than was documented in a Justice Department report in March that ignited bipartisan congressional criticism.”
The new audit covers just 10 percent of the bureau’s national security investigations since 2002, and so the mistakes in the FBI’s domestic surveillance efforts probably number several thousand, bureau officials said in interviews. The earlier report found 22 violations in a much smaller sampling.
The vast majority of the new violations were instances in which telephone companies and Internet providers gave agents phone and e-mail records the agents did not request and were not authorized to collect. The agents retained the information anyway in their files, which mostly concerned suspected terrorist or espionage activities.
But two dozen of the newly-discovered violations involved agents’ requests for information that U.S. law did not allow them to have, according to the audit results provided to The Washington Post. Only two such examples were identified earlier in the smaller sample.
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"But two dozen of the newly-discovered violations involved agents’ requests for information that U.S. law did not allow them to have"
Oh those FBI guys, they're such overachievers.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:32 amOUCH!! That whole article was like nails on a chalkboard to me, perhaps it was more of a spike to the head.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:37 amI am not surprised, because the FBI probably spies on everybody who posts on TP.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:39 amWHY ARE CONS OK WITH CONSTITUTIONAL
VIOLATIONS?
Are you going to be singing the same tune if Hillary Clinton is wielding unchecked Executive power making it up as she pleases with no checks and balances?
Now that it is evident that President Bush has also lied and has been spying domestically on Americans calls and e-mails without a warrant since 2003 are you OK with that?
http://www.eff.org/legal/cases/att/
http://www.eff.org/news/archives/2006_04.php#004538
How are you going to feel with that same power in say the hands of say Hillary Clinton?
WHY DO CONS PUT PEOPLE BEFORE PRINCIPLES OR CONSTITUTION???
June 14th, 2007 at 12:44 amJesus H Christ, they're supposed to know what they're doing, and follow the frickin' rules.
I shouldn't be surprised or disappointed. I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed.
They're a bunch of lying incompetents, just like the rest of BushCo.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:45 amAnd yet they claim that no oversight is needed because (and you can trust them on this - wink) nothing illegal is going on. Yeah, right.
I just wish the Democrats would stop "politely asking" for information and just subpoena whatever they believe they need. The Bush Administration has shown time after time (irrespective of what they said at the time) that they do not believe that the Congress has any say in what they do. It's too bad so many of them have clearly never read the constitution. You know, the very end of Article I, Section 8, Clause 18, which reads:
Clearly this means that the Congress makes the rules for how the Executive Branch does things, despite what Bush and his evil-doing cohorts believe. Bush believes he only has to obey laws if he feels they don't interfere with his duties as "Commander-in-Chief." The two things wrong with that thinking are: 1) that he is only C-in-C of the military, not the whole country, and, 2) this thinking violates Article II, Section 4:
Despite what Republicans and the MSM say, Americans do NOT have a dislike of impeachment. They have a dislike of impeachment improperly used (as with the Republicans and Clinton.)
June 14th, 2007 at 12:47 amAre you going to be singing the same tune if Hillary Clinton is wielding unchecked Executive power making it up as she pleases with no checks and balances?
Comment by Your Conscience — June 14, 2007 @ 12:44
I am NOT okay with 'no checks and balances', regardless of which party is in power.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:47 amComment by Wayne A. Schneider — June 14, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Comment by Jane E. Schneider — June 14, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Hey, Zooey, look, we both have our own computers up and running--hooray!
BTW, Happy Flag Day, everyone!
June 14th, 2007 at 12:53 amAre you going to be singing the same tune if Hillary Clinton is wielding unchecked Executive power making it up as she pleases with no checks and balances?
Comment by Your Conscience — June 14, 2007 @ 12:44
First of all, I do not assume that she'll win, nor would I vote for her. She ran to be re-elected to another six-year term as my senator, and I'm going to hold her to that. Second, I strongly doubt that she'll choose a running mate who thought Nixon got a bum rap and shouldn't have been forced out (I'm referring to Cheney, of course), especially since she worked on the Watergate hearings.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:53 amAmericans do NOT have a dislike of impeachment.
I think we have a dislike of it sure. I mean I have a dislike of eating my vegetables, a dislike of getting my shots, a dislike of paying for car insurance.
But dislike is a far cry from won't advocate or know it's needed for something better.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:55 amDueling Schneiders, cool. Look out trolls...
June 14th, 2007 at 12:57 amHey, Zooey, look, we both have our own computers up and running–hooray!
BTW, Happy Flag Day, everyone!
Comment by Jane E. Schneider
Heh. I was wondering if you two were switching out after each comment. :D
June 14th, 2007 at 12:57 amOy, Jane. It's 2 hours until Flag Day. :-)
June 14th, 2007 at 12:58 amBut dislike is a far cry from won’t advocate or know it’s needed for something better.
Comment by Tundra — June 14, 2007 @ 12:55 am
I agree. But every time I've heard a show host bring up the subject of impeachment to another Washington reporter, they always answer that the American people don't want to go near any impeachments. But they're wrong. We would ALL support an impeachment if it's done for the right reasons and to get rid of a criminal presidential administration!
June 14th, 2007 at 12:59 amDueling Schneiders, cool. Look out trolls…
Comment by SKdeA
They know not to come around here!
June 14th, 2007 at 1:00 amOy, Jane. It’s 2 hours until Flag Day. :-)
Comment by Zooey — June 14, 2007 @ 12:58 am
So you still have time to burn them, eh, Zooey? :-)
June 14th, 2007 at 1:00 amDueling Schneiders, cool. Look out trolls…
Comment by SKdeA — June 14, 2007 @ 12:57 am
It's more like tag-team Schneiders. ;-)
June 14th, 2007 at 1:00 amBut they’re wrong. We would ALL support an impeachment if it’s done for the right reasons and to get rid of a criminal presidential administration!
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider
You're damned right, Wayne.
This country NEEDS impeachment.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:01 amComment by Wayne A. Schneider — June 14, 2007 @ 12:59 am
I agree fully, I think a big problem with those shows and polls etc are they try and get simple answers to complex problems with short questions.
Example "Would you support impeachment of Bush"
In the state we are in no, I wouldn't
Why you ask?
They haven't done the required legwork before hand. They need to have proper investigations, they need to be able to Prove their case. The way it looks to me is they have a bunch of piecemail information and haven't put it all together properly. If they try, they will fail and it will just push us further down.
I feel that if they had all of their ducks in a row and presented their case, with all the proper documentation, evidence etc, they would have much broader support. (They would have mine) but they need to quit their squabbling and get it done properly.
I don't think they need to wait long, just actually do something with the information instead of all of this smoke and mirrors they keep throwing at us.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:05 amSo you still have time to burn them, eh, Zooey? :-)
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider
Every year, I collect all the flags in the neighborhood and have a little bon fire in the parking lot. Festive!!
:-D
June 14th, 2007 at 1:05 amOy, Jane. It’s 2 hours until Flag Day. :-)
Comment by Zooey — June 14, 2007 @ 12:58 am
Then if you're still on the 13th, you have time to wish Wayne a Happy Birthday :-D
Unfortunately, it IS Flag Day right now in NY, so I'd better get to bed. 'Night, all!
June 14th, 2007 at 1:06 amHAPPY BIRTHDAY, WAYNE!!!
:-)
June 14th, 2007 at 1:07 amComment by Zooey — June 14, 2007 @ 1:05 am
I burn them every year but I am sure for a much different reason than Zooey
June 14th, 2007 at 1:08 amNight Jane
Happy Birthday Wayne
June 14th, 2007 at 1:08 am"...if they had all of their ducks in a row..." Comment by Tundra — June 14, 2007 @ 1:05 am
Would those be rubber duckies? ;-)
(Sorry, I had to get in this last post for the night.)
June 14th, 2007 at 1:08 amI'm still on the 13th! Was the new computer a birthday present?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:12 amHappy Flag Day to you two too.
I don't even think I own a flag... maybe one of thi=ose kind they put on hors d'oureves ...
I don’t even think I own a flag… maybe one of thi=ose kind they put on hors d’oureves …
Comment by SKdeA
If you get Cheez-Whiz on it, you have to burn it. :D
June 14th, 2007 at 1:14 amThis thread needs an enema!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(that is, it will when I'm done throwing troll shit everywhere)
June 14th, 2007 at 1:15 amOh goodie, Mr P is here.
Goodnight all!
June 14th, 2007 at 1:16 amComment by Zooey — June 14, 2007 @ 1:14 am
Oh my lord take the knife out you are killing me already :)
Flags shouldn't be made into food or shirts. (Yes any flag before the abuse starts on that end and I get stuck in an argument with someone stating that I think it's ok for a Mexican flag to be)
Seriously though, the fundamental point of the flag is that you should be allowed to, not that you should.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:19 amNight Wayne
June 14th, 2007 at 1:20 amNight Wayne
Comment by Tundra — June 14, 2007 @ 1:20 am
Night Garth
June 14th, 2007 at 1:21 amSeriously though, the fundamental point of the flag is that you should be allowed to, not that you should.
Comment by Tundra
Silly. I was just kidding about the bon fire. :)
I saw flag cupcakes.....oh the horror....
Goodnight.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:21 amI saw flag cupcakes…..oh the horror….
ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
hehe, JK, Night Zooey
June 14th, 2007 at 1:22 amsorry I'm late,
Happy birthday, Wayne!
June 14th, 2007 at 1:23 amI am not surprised, because the FBI probably spies on everybody who posts on TP.
Comment by Jay Randal
Well, duh...
You got that straight. Geez, I said that earlier in the week and some freakin' windbag went off on me and ridiculed the beejeezus outta me for sayin' it.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:23 amThis thread needs an enema!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(that is, it will when I’m done throwing troll shit everywhere)
Comment by Mr. President
Hi, Mr. P... so, uh, how are you doing w/ that... embarrassing condition?
You know, the "reuse program" you had worked out for yourself?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:26 amhttp://www.house.gov/paul/ and click Play.
Here you have a republican, that I would be willing to bet at least some people here will agree with the statements he says.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:31 amWho Do You Fear More ???
The Gestapo fbi ????????
or some guy sitting in a cave in afghanistan ???
SEIG HEIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 1:57 amHow are you going to feel with that same power in say the hands of say Hillary Clinton?
Comment by Your Conscience
Yeah, this brings up another point.
Do you really think that these guys accumulated all this power just to hand it over to someone else?
Personally I don't think that they intend on ever leaving.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:01 amHere you have a republican, that I would be willing to bet at least some people here will agree with the statements he says.
Comment by Tundra
That's because, though he is "technically" in the Republican party, he is actually a Libertarian.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:03 amDo you really think that these guys accumulated all this power just to hand it over to someone else?
Personally I don’t think that they intend on ever leaving.
Comment by JPV
Boy, do I EVER agree w/ that...
June 14th, 2007 at 2:41 amThanks Tundra, I am about as unwilling to vote for a racist, sexist Libertarian as I am a racist, sexist Republican.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:34 amfar more than was documented in a Justice Department report in March that ignited bipartisan congressional criticism.
The earlier report found 22 violations in a much smaller sampling.
OMFG. Who criticised this for what it contained rather than what it didn't ?
You need to get their names and seek to have them removed from any type of oversight position.
The FBI which issues more than 20000 national security letters per year was revealed to have had a whole 22 cases of illegitimate surveillence ?
Are you shitting me ?
What fkn county of what busted arse state to you still get to be county fair commissioner of if you buy that shit ?
Tell me it said "per minute" c'mon.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:35 amI see a choice, either lock up ALL Americans as potential terrorists.... or lock up the real terrorist.
June 14th, 2007 at 6:09 amAnother "out of control" agency of this administration who have clearly broken the law.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:26 amOf course then we all can recall Chimpy's very public statement regarding "not spying on american citizens WITHOUT a warrant", can't we??
How many in-your-face lies is that now?? Anyone counting??
Clinton and Nixon lied once and they were "gone" - what's up with american's acceptance of this horrendous number of lies and not impeaching?
June 14th, 2007 at 9:28 am#47 - That lie alone is enough to impeach him. He stated, unequivocally:
"any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires ... a court order and that when we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so."
At the time he said that, he was already violating FISA laws, and he admitted it, again in public.
I think that the US public would be happy to see Bush/Chaney impeached (you can't do one without the other). The problem is that the Lemming Republics would rather march to their political deaths off a cliff than show some courage and break with their party and do the right thing.
Even if impeachment wouldn't pass, serving articles of impeachment on them would allow the Democrats to get the facts out there for the public to see. I don't believe a president can claim executive privilege when he is being impeached.
If the Democrats don't do something soon to show that they have the courage of their convictions and the strength to lead this country, I fear that we may have a disaster in the 2008 election.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:41 amThe 9-11 attacks were planned overseas in Germany. Instead of illegally spying on us American citizens, the Bush misAdministration should be spying on the people who attacked us and want to attack us, overseas where they all live.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:46 amIt's Constitutionally un-American to be spying on all American citizens and creating a database with this information. This spying is and will be used for improper reasons and motives.
The FBI which issues more than 20000 national security letters per year was revealed to have had a whole 22 cases of illegitimate surveillence ?
Are you shitting me ?
What fkn county of what busted arse state to you still get to be county fair commissioner of if you buy that shit ?
Comment by Kilo — June 14, 2007 @ 4:35 am
Did you read any of the article? The March 2007 OIG report found 22 violations in a sample of 77 cases. That means that the FBI violated the law in almost one in four cases. We're not talking about 22 violations out of 100,000+ cases, we're talking potentially 25,000 violations.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:49 am