Former Bush Official: White House Wanted To ‘Get Rid Of That Obnoxious FISA Court’
Former Bush Official: White House Wanted To ‘Get Rid Of That Obnoxious FISA Court’
A new book by Jack Goldsmith — one of the “brightest stars in the conservative legal firmament,” good friend of John Yoo, visiting scholar at AEI, and former head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel — has published a book detailing the administration’s extraordinary efforts to expand its wiretapping program.
While Goldsmith “shared the White House’s concern that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act might prevent wiretaps on international calls involving terrorists,” he disagreed with the White House’s unwarranted grab for power. “We’re one bomb away from getting rid of that obnoxious [FISA] court,” Goldsmith recalls Cheney chief of staff David Addington telling him in Feb. 2004, indicating that the White House always intended to do away with the FISA court.
Goldsmith also witnessed Alberto Gonzales’s and Andrew Card’s confrontation of John Ashcroft in his hospital bed on March 10, 2004, when they demanded that the sick Ashcroft approve the administration’s secret spying program, over the objections of Goldsmith and James Comey, then acting Attorney General:
Suddenly, Gonzales and Card came in the room and announced that they were there in connection with the classified program. “Ashcroft, who looked like he was near death, sort of puffed up his chest,” Goldsmith recalls. “All of a sudden, energy and color came into his face, and he said that he didn’t appreciate them coming to visit him under those circumstances, that he had concerns about the matter they were asking about and that, in any event, he wasn’t the attorney general at the moment; Jim Comey was. He actually gave a two-minute speech, and I was sure at the end of it he was going to die. It was the most amazing scene I’ve ever witnessed.”
After a bit of silence, Goldsmith told me, Gonzales thanked Ashcroft, and he and Card walked out of the room. “At that moment,” Goldsmith recalled, “Mrs. Ashcroft, who obviously couldn’t believe what she saw happening to her sick husband, looked at Gonzales and Card as they walked out of the room and stuck her tongue out at them. She had no idea what we were discussing, but this sweet-looking woman sticking out her tongue was the ultimate expression of disapproval. It captured the feeling in the room perfectly.”
As Glenn Greenwald notes, Goldsmith is “no hero.” He “is a hard-core right-wing ideologue who continues to support many of the administration’s most radical positions, including his view that Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions does not apply to terrorist suspects (the position rejected by Hamdan).” Yet even Goldsmith couldn’t stomach the extraordinary measures to which the administration went to push its spying programs.
UPDATE: Spencer Ackerman has more on Goldsmith’s book.
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Yea, and Al Capone wanted to get rid of the FBI too.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:32 pmSo why exactly does this administration hate the FISA court so?
Any of the trolls here care to weigh in on this?
September 4th, 2007 at 12:35 pm“We’re one bomb away from getting rid of that obnoxious [FISA] court,†Goldsmith recalls Cheney chief of staff David Addington telling him in Feb. 2004
Why do neo-cons always look forward to Americans dying for their cause? That is sick.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:35 pmAnd we don’t hear about it until the guy decides the time is right to cash in on this insider info. Another republican who puts personal profit ahead of the good of the country.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:38 pmWhy do neo-cons always look forward to Americans dying for their cause? That is sick.
Comment by dlet
TRAITOROUS, MURDEROUS, HYPOCRITICAL, LYING, GREEDY CHICKENHAWKS.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:39 pmmaybe “no hero”, but if enough other people see that light and
September 4th, 2007 at 12:41 pmfollow his example, the whole country will be the better for it…
sunlight being the best disinfectant…
…
barfly – “better late than never” ?
September 4th, 2007 at 12:42 pmTRAITOROUS, MURDEROUS, HYPOCRITICAL, LYING, GREEDY CHICKENHAWKS.
Dlet wasnt referring to dems, please read more closely.
“Former” = axe grinder.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:43 pmso when we merge with mexico are we just going to use their bill of rights from then on?
September 4th, 2007 at 12:44 pmHas Goldsmith testified in Congress yet? Sounds like he might make for a very interesting witness.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:46 pm“better late than never†?
Comment by katy
Yeah, when it will do no good.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:46 pmCan I donate to Hillary’s campaign here? We need a paypal link.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:47 pmDlet wasnt referring to dems, please read more closely.
Comment by Pin-Up Nastigulation
No sh*t. You wingnuts are SO easily confused, eh?
September 4th, 2007 at 12:47 pmComment by Pin-Up Nastigulation
Your kung-fu is weak.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:48 pmYet even Goldsmith couldn’t stomach the extraordinary measures to which the administration went to push its spying programs.
but the democratic controlled congress could. Absolutely disgusting.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:49 pm.
so when we merge with mexico are we just going to use their bill of rights from then on?
Perhaps, but we will use John Edwards new socialized medicine plan. Now get to the doctor or be thrown in jail.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:50 pmNo sh*t. You wingnuts are SO easily confused, eh?
You must consider yourself a wingnut since your capitalized screed was referring to democrats, you know it and I know it.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:52 pmYour kung-fu is weak.
Nope, its quite strong. Just to be sure, I walked across a rice-paper rug and didnt leave so much as a toe print.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:53 pmThank you, Amanda!! TP continues to reiterate the weakness of Dems on National Security issues. Moderate Dem Jane Harmon noted US and Euro AlQueda cells on MSNBC this morning. – and then called for stepping up the US surrender in Iraq. Radical Islamists APPRECIATE their defenders in the Prog community……
September 4th, 2007 at 12:56 pm“Former†= axe grinder.
Comment by Pin-Up Nastigulation
There is another way of looking at the term “axe grinder”
(I guessing that perhaps in your realm of thought the term implies “revenge”)
Perhaps the other view is that Goldsmith is simply keeping his own tool clean and sharp.
He has nothing to lose by telling tales on already disgraced former administration officials.
The writing is on the wall for the neo-cons… they have seriously screwed up what they thought was a foolproof plan.
All because of trusting in their very own fools.
(So, pin that up your nastigulation…)
September 4th, 2007 at 12:57 pmI endorse Hillary Clinton.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:58 pmModerate Dem Jane Harmon noted US and Euro AlQueda cells on MSNBC this morning. – and then called for stepping up the US surrender in Iraq. Radical Islamists APPRECIATE their defenders in the Prog community……
Comment by mighty aphrodite — September 4, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
I thought you were leaving, moron.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:59 pmI too endorse Hillary and Obama.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:00 pmComment by Raven — September 4, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
A young liberal lady such as yourself WOULD contrive such a stupid idea…its in your blood, you cant help being stupid.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:00 pmI’d like to see Goldsmith’s statements receive as much media attention as the O’Hanlan/Pollock Op-Ed, with the same “Hey, look, it’s not liberals saying it, this is right out of the elephant’s mouth”.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:01 pmThe assault on the US Constitution continues…
The most significant arm of our Constitutional Democracy is the Congress because it is more representative of the people. At no time is this statement more true than now giving a gone-haywire executive and its elected powers, the US High Court (SCOTUS).
If Congress does not take adequate and expedited steps to regain the usurped power by re-establishing itself (especially about putting a stop to the senseless Iraq War and the hurried FISA), it will become more difficult for the poeple to regain the representative powers usurped by Bush, no matter what Party occupies the white house. The next President would be of the mind to not only follow Bush’s footsteps but in short order get bigger feet for even bigger shoes.
It remains to be seen what Congress does starting today. Will it be “Groundhog Day” as Dick Lugar (GOPr) of Indiana opined?
We’ll see if Harry Reid of Nevada is capable of growing a one even the chemical composition of Viagra couldn’t possibly bestow!
September 4th, 2007 at 1:01 pm“Yet even Goldsmith couldn’t stomach the extraordinary measures to which the administration went to push its spying programs.”
******Yeah Goldsmith grew a conscience after the ship is about to go down.Only now this guy (Goldsmith)has grown courage.He is just as rsponsible for the degredation of the”good ole USA.”
September 4th, 2007 at 1:02 pmSo…no takers on my question I asked in post #2?
How depressingly predictable.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:02 pmNope, its quite strong. Just to be sure, I walked across a rice-paper rug and didnt leave so much as a toe print.
Comment by Pin-Up Nastigulation — September 4, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
the trail of turds gave you away, and you’re still dropping them. You think they’re “jokes”. Weak, you are.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:05 pmAre all Republicans criminals? Why is it so shocking when one actually tells the truth? Any truth tellers are hated by the trolls. Is it too late to save the USA from this scum?
September 4th, 2007 at 1:05 pmyou know it and I know it.
Comment by Pin-Up Nastigulation
Thanks for admitting your an idiot. Heckuva job, bushista whores!
September 4th, 2007 at 1:06 pmIt would be nice to see the media discuss the covert tactics this administration has used that stunned one of it’s fervant supporters. Then again it would be nice to see that both political partys could see the damage caused to this country from within their own ranks. And work for a real change.
Apathy, ignorance and arogance will push us closer to the abyss.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:06 pmModerate Dem Jane Harmon noted US and Euro AlQueda cells on MSNBC this morning. – and then called for stepping up the US surrender in Iraq. Radical Islamists APPRECIATE their defenders in the Prog community……
Comment by mighty aphrodite — September 4, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
yes, we’ll fight them over there so that when they’re here we can ignore them until they kill more Americans. You grow ever weaker, and more stupid, not that anyone expected anything else from a brainwashed rovot.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:07 pmI’m enjoying my vacation, courtesy of my best buddy George Bush. He says he doesn’t cre about me, but I know he does, because he’s letting me do whatever I want, and go wherever I want. Thanks, George, aned al Qaeda thanks you too!
September 4th, 2007 at 1:10 pmI’m enjoying my vacation, courtesy of my best buddy George Bush.
Comment by Osama Bin Laden (R-Crawford) — September 4, 2007 @
Are you cutting brush or golfing?
September 4th, 2007 at 1:12 pm“A young liberal lady such as yourself WOULD contrive such a stupid idea…its in your blood, you cant help being stupid.”
Comment by Pin-Up Nastigulation
Vengeance is stupid, sayeth the lord.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:14 pmComment by Osama Bin Laden (R-Crawford) — September 4, 2007
How many wives did GW let you bring to the ranch?
September 4th, 2007 at 1:15 pmUS surrender in Iraq.
Comment by mighty aphrodite
Is it Napoleon’s complex you’re suffering from STILL???
Must suck to be a bottom-feeder so consumed with visions of failure.
Oh well, look on the bright side, Bush will now call for redeployment AND claim it was his idea!
LOL at you cowardly, helpless Wingturds!
September 4th, 2007 at 1:16 pmIsn’t it time to start calling Bush supporters what they are — traitors to American democracy?
September 4th, 2007 at 1:18 pmComment by Osama Bin Laden (R-Crawford)
Seriously, that has to be a name jack doesn’t it?
I know Osama and Bush are ideological blood brothers, both will kill and murder in the name of their God, and each depends on the other to propogandize and generate converts, but I doubt if OBL is playing golf and drinking JD with Bush.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:19 pmComment by Osama Bin Laden (R-Crawford) — September 4, 2007
Do you stick your tongue out at GW when he turns his back?
September 4th, 2007 at 1:20 pmDo you stick your tongue out at GW when he turns his back?
Comment by jb — September 4, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
My tongue?
September 4th, 2007 at 1:23 pmI doubt if OBL is playing golf and drinking JD with Bush.
Comment by nanlichi — September 4, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
Good point. He’s Saudi, so he’s probably hitting the casinos as well.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:26 pmMy tongue?
Comment by Osama Bin Laden (R-Crawford)
MAYBE we don’t want to know what you “stick out” behind his back. :)
September 4th, 2007 at 1:27 pmI know Osama and Bush are ideological blood brothers, both will kill and murder in the name of their God, and each depends on the other to propogandize and generate converts, but I doubt if OBL is playing golf and drinking JD with Bush.
Comment by nanlichi
September 4th, 2007 at 1:28 pm—————————————————-
Libs do not need a god to murder 40 million babies. They are gods.
Thank you, Amanda!! TP continues to reiterate the weakness of Dems on National Security issues. Moderate Dem Jane Harmon noted US and Euro AlQueda cells on MSNBC this morning. – and then called for stepping up the US surrender in Iraq. Radical Islamists APPRECIATE their defenders in the Prog community……
Comment by mighty aphrodite — September 4, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Surrender? We’re ‘occupying’ a power we’ve already defeated, unless you plan on making it the 51st state – leaving would never be defeat. So much for the THEORY that you SERVED in the military – little wingnut! You really are stupid little girl!
While we’re discussing how the parties are good for national security, and who SUPPORTS the radical islamists. How are Bush’s hand holding saudi friends that supplied MOST of the 911 terrorists? How are his friends in Pakistan doing that still harbor Osama? Speaking of that, why again do ALL of the GOP leaders say that Osama isn’t important – you know the guy that attacked us?
Radical Islam thanks you for your support – goya!
September 4th, 2007 at 1:31 pmDislike of a law is NO excuse to break it.
Don’t believe me? Try to grow pot and when the DEA hauls your ass into court, try telling the judge that because you don’t like the law, you broke it anyway-just see how that line of defense flies.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:31 pmIs it Napoleon’s complex you’re suffering from STILL???
Must suck to be a bottom-feeder so consumed with visions of failure.
Oh well, look on the bright side, Bush will now call for redeployment AND claim it was his idea!
LOL at you cowardly, helpless Wingturds!
Comment by Not Canadian — September 4, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Mighty Aprhodite has p*n*s envy, like coulter. That’s why she always acts like such a d*ck. Her idea of masculinity is ‘war’, ‘violence’, ‘hate’, and every other ‘dark’ impulse that her poor disturbed father modeled on her lost little wacko childhoodl
September 4th, 2007 at 1:33 pm#44; Trannie Coulter HAD a dic*, but had it whacked off. his Adam’s apple is larger than his bra cup.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:38 pmIsn’t it time to start calling Bush supporters what they are — traitors to American democracy?
I’ve already ordered the arm bands announcing them as such, so they can wear their true ideology “on their sleeves”.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:41 pmPoor Mr. Pee,
Having trouble posting from the computer lab when your teacher is around, eh?
September 4th, 2007 at 2:03 pm1, 2, 3, and YOU’RE GONE, mr. p.
Told ya so…
September 4th, 2007 at 2:32 pm“A new book by Jack Goldsmith — one of the “brightest stars in the conservative legal firmament,†good friend of John Yoo, visiting scholar at AEI, and former head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel — has published a book detailing the administration’s extraordinary efforts to expand its wiretapping program.”
So how does a new book publish a book?
September 4th, 2007 at 3:00 pm“She had no idea what we were discussing, but this sweet-looking woman sticking out her tongue was the ultimate expression of disapproval. ”
I think the ultimate expression of disapproval would be impeachment, indictment and incarceration.
September 4th, 2007 at 3:20 pmI think the reason that some of the peaceniks out here have a problem with the pro-war people is that the pro-war folks are perceived as card-carrying members of the “kick-his-ass-I’ll-hold-your-coat” set. I believe the pro-war folks are inferred as abject cowards with battleship mouths and rowboat asses. Which is so totally not true — as anyone but a prog-moon, tard-bat can see. Time to show your mettle and clear up that misconception, guys and girls. Tell them again for once and for all why you’re gung-ho about the war but won’t actually fight it. I can’t wait for the peaceniks’ stunned silence after you lay it on ‘em.
September 4th, 2007 at 3:23 pmWhy does this administration hate the FISA court?
Actually, it is Dick Cheney who hates the FISA court, along with a handful of other neo-con Republicans.
You see, Dick Cheney was in Gerald Ford’s short-lived administration before Jimmy Carter became president and before FISA was passed in 1978. In that short two-year period, Cheney (and Rumsfeld) probably got used to using all the illegal, warrantless wiretapping apparatus that Richard Nixon had been using as part of his “dirty tricks” election-stealing “enemies list” campaigns.
So, Dick Cheney, after he selected himself to be vice-president and another presidency was stolen, had a fit of nostalgia, wanting to return to the good ol’ days before FISA when Republicans could spy on anyone they wanted to spy on and without having to go to some pesky court for a silly warrant…even if that warrant could be issued retoractively after the spying had already taken place…and even though the FISA court has had predominantly Republican judges on it for years.
To me, this indicates just how illegal and far-reaching the secret, warrantless surveillance of U.S. citizens must have really been, enough so, that even Ashcroft and Comey balked at rubber-stamping the Dick Cheney spying program.
And I’m not buying Goldsmith’s account of the encounter in Ashcroft’s hospital room. Nowhere does he mention Gonzales and Card walking in and walking out with a waterboard carried between them. Farfetched? Hey, where have you been for the past six and a half years?
September 4th, 2007 at 3:47 pmThere is more to this spying program than we know about if hard right wingers like Ashcroft and Goldsmith are horrified by it.
There is something really sinister about it way beyond what we know.
September 4th, 2007 at 3:57 pmThanks Nan – “I know Osama and Bush are ideological blood brothers, both will kill and murder in the name of their God,…”
Sort of like, FDR and Hitler?? You are such a collaborator/traitor….
MORE proof that Repubs chances are improving in ‘08……
September 4th, 2007 at 4:14 pmmighty moron; once again you display your idiocy. FDR in the same league as Hitler? Just how many people did FDR gas ? Ignorant asswipe!!
September 4th, 2007 at 4:23 pmmighty moron; you had better get an early jump on writing your letter to Santa Claus this year. Ask him for some smarts.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:30 pmUncle Hore – FOR ONCE we agree!! I do not view FDR in any way shape or form similar to Hitler. But when we have nanlick comparing Bush to binLaden, I feel more confident that your side will “out-freak” itself in ‘08 – and we will capitalize on it!
September 4th, 2007 at 5:12 pmmighty moron; I would NEVER insult Osama been forgotten by comparing him with Bush, it would be too insulting to Osama.
Bush is more like Hitler.
September 4th, 2007 at 5:23 pm