The Bush administration

Posted: Monday, August 06, 2007 9:04 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Congress

“President Bush signed into law on Sunday legislation that broadly expanded the government’s authority to eavesdrop on the international telephone calls and e-mail messages of American citizens without warrants.”

The Attorney General offered up quite the clarification via letter to the Senate on Friday. In testimony in front of senators, he said he did not "believe" that senior DoJ officials had attended political briefings prior to the '06 midterms. In the letter, he admitted that DoJ officials did attend some political briefings but emphasized that the briefings weren't held at DoJ offices.

Meanwhile, Joe Biden, who has a better read on this stuff than most senators, is now indicating that Gonzales is probably secure in his job since the Democrats lack a "smoking gun."

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Comments

Aahhhh. Look at that...
Gonzo gate might just go away..
Sorry Z.

RH Oregon (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 9:25 AM)

Excellent item in today's NYT re this topic.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/washington/06nsa.html?_r=1&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1186405360-QzPShtYIMxPF7aZziYpO3Q

Here's what I don't understand.

1) The "old" version allowed the "eavesdropping" to go forward if a warrant was requested and issued at a later date. So - why is this an issue that must be addressed with this "new version". The NYT said that some of the concern is from the carriers who feel they are being put in very vulnerable territory.

2) Why such a rush? This thing expired and we can't wait a month to do serious review? In one month, we will be put at such a risk with continuing the "post eavesdropping" warrant request that makes it so urgent? I don't think so.

3) I do understand the "routes through US switches" part being an issue but that involved "foreign to foreign" points that came through US switches - never point was a US citizen. Again - what's the rush?

4) When will we find out that an "oops" occurred?
"Gee, Judge, at the time, we though one of the points was foreign. Who knew that Paris was in Texas. We thought is was Paris, France!" Yeah, right.

I want to know who got paid what to get this thing rushed through Congress. As I've said before, even if the President used his constitutional right to tell Congress not to recess (funny how he finds that document useful on occasion), what could he have done if they simply left? I mean, it isn't as if he hasn't ignored Congress's right to subpeona any of the sterling characters who work in the imperial branch.

EERRGGGHHHH!!! Who are all these people and why aren't they doing the jobs they were elected to do?!?!?!

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 9:33 AM)

Amen to this!

I am curious, however, how this protects the "political backside" because who on earth in the electorate supported it? The 28% who still thinks Bush is doing a "heckuva" job? They won't vote for Dems anyway.

THE DEMOCRATIC-led Congress, more concerned with protecting its political backside than with safeguarding the privacy of American citizens, left town early yesterday after caving in to administration demands that it allow warrantless surveillance of the phone calls and e-mails of American citizens, with scant judicial supervision and no reporting to Congress about how many communications are being intercepted. To call this legislation ill-considered is to give it too much credit: It was scarcely considered at all. Instead, it was strong-armed through both chambers by an administration that seized the opportunity to write its warrantless wiretapping program into law -- or, more precisely, to write it out from under any real legal restrictions.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/05/AR2007080501050.html?wpisrc=newsletter

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 9:43 AM)

flip flopping is the bush mantra that is when they aren't out and out lying.

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 9:47 AM)

Hi Karl ! Yes Gonzo-Gate will not fade away.

Z (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 9:50 AM)

Here's another view of this travesty.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-bromwich/wanted-a-constitutional-_b_59173.html

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 9:51 AM)

BIG BROTHER-Thanks, it is now official, the privacy we Americans took for granted for over 2 hundred years is over. The splineless congress on both sides were willing to cave in to the Shrub because they wanted to go on their 1 month vacation at tax payors expense while American's are dieing daily to expand democracy.....Yeah right....What a crock of sh**!!!!!!!!

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 9:59 AM)

The Dems complain, moan, make headlines, do investigations and otherwise clog the process and in the end what do they do? They give the country what it needs to keep an eye on international terrorism. As always with them it is more about making press than real national pride. If they would just put a small amount of that effort to being Americans first instead of politicians the country would be better off.

Alan in Phx (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 10:03 AM)

Is there anyone else as frustrated with Congress as I am? WHY do we even have a congress? I'm an independent and I think both parties stink. Never mind the good of the country, let's just give Bush what he wants. I guess their summer recess was more important. OK, so this authorization will be good for 6 months, then what? Bush has already indicated he wants more authority at the end of this 6 month period. Has the NSA or FBI said whether any of this snooping on American citizens prevented terrorist activities? Oh, I forgot--they can't say (national security). Thanks for letting me rant and rave.

Eileen, Navarre, FL (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 10:18 AM)

Worst administration in the history of the United States. Unprofessional, un-American, unethical, incompetent, corrupt.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 10:21 AM)

gonzo is one of king georges pets.

Of course he will keep his job.

Remember whatever george wants george gets, and little man george wants you.

All is well in the kingdom.

RC in Denver (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 10:30 AM)

Since Bush & Co. can't keep track of the arms they're providing the Iraqi's and then the insurgents, this shouldn't surprise anyone. It is all in the name of a perpetual war.

This is the tragedy: Bush has everyone over a barrel; If Congress doesn't approve his stuff and a terrorist attack happens, he can blame everyone but himself....now that isn't unheard of (it's standard op procedure for this POS TUS).

Since they can't account for 30% of weapons in Iraq, the chances of a terrorist attack go up and, of course, this just plays into the slimeball's hands.

Greg R., Spokane, WA (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 11:13 AM)

What happened to all the outrage over listening in on American citizens without a warrant? I don't care that the "target" is allegedly the foreigner so long as the American is being subjected to the tapping as well. I also don't like that instead of the FISA court overseeing it, the AG and Director of National Intelligence will be overseeing it. So basically...the executive branch is overseeing the executive branch...which really defeats the purpose of oversight, doesn't it? What a joke.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 11:17 AM)

Democrats have a once in a lifetime opportunity to cement themselves as protectors of the Constitution and the liberties of all of us. All of that will be gone (along with our rights) if they continue to cave. In the end, what will they gain? They will still be painted as soft on terrorism, ceding a critical issue to dangerous authoritarians. I am furious with the Democratic party in general and with Leonard Boswell, my Representative, for not standing firm against this abuse of power.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 11:21 AM)

This ADMINISTRATION is the worst terrorist attacks on OUR COUNTRY!!!! Shrub and gonsouless are the worst enemies of OUR COUNTRY!!!
I am thinking we are in the hands of Satan himself,and all his flaming pitchmen.

IMPEACH BUSH AND CHENEY (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 11:33 AM)

The problem with Americans is that they are all asleep. The country is being usurped from right under their noses. Why? GREED! We have American Corporations taking American jobs and sending them overseas. (Dell announced last week that their first pc made in India rolled off the production line). We have a government that erodes rights of citizens and Congress capitulates. What do American citizens do? NOTHING! They are too lazy and stupid and self absorbed to stand up and be coounted.
When I was growing up in the early 60's there was a commercial on t.v. showing a courtoom filled with all kinds of people. Every color, every age, every job type. And one by one these different people stood up and the announcer said, "Stand up and be counted, don't be part of the silent majority!"
Not much has changed, we still have a silent majority. I cna honestly say that in 52 years this is the first administration I have ever been afraid of. Theres a great line from a recent movie that says:
"Government should be afraid of its people, the people should nto be afraid of their government!"

SO STAND UP AMERICA BEFORE YOU LOOSE IT ALL!

GAB,Austin, TX (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 11:45 AM)

Can this joker of a president make things any worse? Yes, he can and he will, and what is worse is that HE DOES NOT CARE!

Susan, Miami (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 11:49 AM)

We can be mad at Congress all we want but I expect them to follow the law in pursuit of justice against these thugs. We all know that our system leans to the defense of an individuals civil liberties and is built on the premise of innocence until proven guilty. (at least it used to be) The guilty get off on technicalities all the time and that's ok. It is better that 10 guilty men go free than one innocent man suffer unjustly. That is an American principal that I am unwilling to see compromised even in the case of these low life's who have defiled the document they swore to protect and defend. Yes, RH Oregon, Gonzogate might go away, but if it does it is only because a group of criminals took advantage of their positions and our system to get away with crimes against the state and the people of the United States of America.
History may be their only judge. May they all be judged harshly and take their place with the Benedict Arnold's and the Joe McCarthy's of our past.
Down with tyranny.
Long live the Republic.
Long live the Constitution.
My 23 year old son laughs gently at me (as may you all) when I talk this way. These are the only leaders he has known in his adult life. He thinks any greatness we ever had is in our past. He has given up but I can't. I am too old. I can only sit shaking with anger and impotence at these shameless criminals. I can't and won't give up. It may take years but it must be put to rights by all Constitutional means available.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 12:12 PM)

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 12:12 PM)

I agree. I'm not laughing, I'm crying.

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 12:17 PM)

Hey Gary Schear, glad to hear someone else feels that way. I used to think of myself as a Democrat. Now I think of myself as an American, and I think thats the only thing that will save this nation. We are Americans first and foremost and everything else is besides the point.

GAB, Austin, TX (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 12:26 PM)

Gary and Independent I am not laughing either.
Your posts are the best on these boards and I thank you. I seek them out as they give me hope that we do have caring, thinking people who care about America.

H P Boston (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 12:37 PM)

I agree Gary, Montana. Too many Americans have other first loyalties. This may be one of the reasons for the decline of the USA. All things change.

Flat-earther, Georgia (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 12:47 PM)

Gary, Independent. GAB and H P, I am not laughing either. I have been concerned about the direction our country is going for a long time. This latest was almost more than I can stomach. At least my congresswoman did not cave in to the fear and scare tactics that Republicans used. Why did the democrats have to cave in to Bush? It will be much harder in six months to fix anything than it would have been to do it correctly the first time. Too bad we don't all have jobs that we can just drop everything that we are doing (or haven't done) and go on a one month vacation.

Dawn, somewhere in Kansas (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 12:52 PM)

Our Congress voted MORE power to the Constitutional criminal? They're ALL traitors!

Lee in CA (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 12:53 PM)

Gary, keep the faith

nuanced (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:00 PM)

Gary, my daughter (27) thought I was a little "crazed" by this administration until I showed her an email from one of the soldiers that my office mates and I support with packages, letters, etc. It read, in part, "At this point I have given up on this country I tried the first 5 months but since returning back here and my leave period in May I have no feelings for them anymore. They don't want to help themselves why should we care anymore. This country will never get better, ever!" Kind of says it all. The only good thing, my daughter doesn't think I'm quite so crazy anymore - which makes me even sadder.
Fifteen months and counting.

Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:04 PM)

With the passage of the bill, we continue to follow the same path the Roman Republic did centuries ago, updated to modern times: giving up personal freedoms in exchange for the defense of the homeland. Influx of Gauls, Spaniards, Goths etc diluting the pure "Roman" blood and today's debate on immigration. The growing popularity of UFC, IFC etc compared to the gladiator games. Shrinking number of skilled people and the erosion today of the middle class. Being a history buff to a small degree, I cannot help but wonder if we are heading down the exact same path.

Mark Y; Westalke Village, CA (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:04 PM)

Alan in Phx, sounds exactly like the republicans when they went after Clinton for having oral sex and lying about it. But now we're talking about lots of serious investigations about VERY serious things now,aren't we. Bush is a big lying joke- national pride my ass!

Susan, Miami (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:12 PM)

Gonzo is safe behind Cheney-Bush's skirts, because he knows all the evil behind-closed-door secrets of the Cheney-Bush Administration. Joe Biden, as usual, is right (Why in god's name ins't this man the Dem front runner?!?) Bush and his lackeys will get away with everything---including canceling the /08 elections, if he thinks he can do it.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:19 PM)

To all the mad as hell including HP,Gary, GAB and Mark...We cant not give up and allow ourselves to become docile lambs being led to the slaughter by this despicable sociopath. We need to ORGANIZE, PROTEST AND VOTE THEM ALL OUT OF OFFICE COME 09 if not we will become a failed republic.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:22 PM)

Hi everyone...guess what ? Gonzo-gate is not going to fade away. You'll see.

z (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:25 PM)

***********G O N Z O --- G A T E**********

Z (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:27 PM)

YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE, "GONZO-GATE"..IT WILL ALL COME OUT !

Z (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:29 PM)

Gary Schear,Independent TX, GAB,Austin,H P Boston & Dawn, Kansas - Thank you and the others I didn't name for restoring my faith in America! I was beginning to feel like the lone American. I felt helpless because the government seems to be spinning out of control and other citizens were too self centered to pay attention. I joined ImpeachBush.org some time ago and I donated for the Sept. 15th demonstration. Yes, I'll be voting in the Nov. 08 elections but aren't we just going to trade one set of politicians for another set? I've said this before, they are wealthy politicians who only represent the wealthy. They're not representing us. So where do we go from here? How do we restore our country? I fought for the Constitution and I want that Constitution restored.
Mark Y; in CA -- I've always enjoyed history and like you I wonder if like the Romans we are trading a Republic for an empire with an imperial presidency.

Eileen, Navarre, FL (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:30 PM)

What the hell. I thought we voted out the rubber stamp congress.

Ken Mesle (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:46 PM)

Nancy Pelosey seems to be hiding after all her tough talk. The dem congress is doing nothing to stop this dictator of a president. They are giving him everything he wants, while making tough comments about reeling him in. They think we people are stupid.

Ollie frenchburg ky (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:53 PM)

We are no longer a country. Our "rights" are basically gone. This regime has been successful in their takeover. Congress is just a bunch of pussies, except of course for the supporters. It appears that it does no good to contact your congressperson, they no longer listen. We can all just wait for the proverbial "knock on the door".

No longer free (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:00 PM)

Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL, Eileen, Navarre, FL, ALL.

A General strike is not out of the question. It is even more doable now with the Internet as a means of communication and coordination. If several million people all stay home from work one day, say on the day that General Petraeus is scheduled (preordained?) to validate the "surge", that becomes a powerful message. We are individually weak but collectively we ARE the economy. Spread the word, become like a virus. Infect every blog you can with the Idea and hopefully the "new media establishment" (last cycles upstart bloggers who are now being courted by politicians and so are pretty impressed with themselves) might consider our lowly idea as long as it doesn't hurt their access to the powerful...awww never mind. We are pretty much F**ked. Meet the new boss...

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:07 PM)

Well said Eileen, I think this has been very interesting to see such like minded people. We can rise above these archaic, outdated parties. WE MUST INSIST THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THESE UNITED STATES MAKE IT EASIER TO GET OTHER CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT/REFORM CAMPAIGN FINANCE/ AND GET RID OF THE LOBBYING SYSTEM! The government we have now is what those things brought us.
In many ways what is happening here is similar to the Roman Empire. Decadent politicians, class society (if any one thinks we dont have a class soceity you haven't been listening; and its only gotten worse in this administration)high taxes.
In the 60's, it was thought America would fall from within, not from a foreign power. Never before has that seemed more true than today.

You know what folks, if WE, the few people on thos board feel this way, there are millions of us across the country that feel this way.
maybe there IS something to "Power to the People"!

GAB, Austin,TX (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:10 PM)

Gary, thats actually an excellent idea. It has worked to change nations in the past, Ghandi did it in India, some of the eastern bloc countried did it successfully. Why not? As long as we can get a major number of people who will actually do it. It would hurt companies bottomm lines, and those companies will complain to the government. A grass roots groundswell, it seems to me, is the ONLY thing that will mnake these political maggots (of both parties) sit up and take notice. We aren't gonna take it anymore.!!!

GAB, Austin (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:14 PM)

The two party system in the U.S. is all but dead. The Administration has nutered the Dems. This happened when in Nov. when Palozi declaired that impeachment was off the table. There was a whole lot of folks that expected the "good fight" to be waged and even if they lost they would die with their swords in their hands. Right now the Dems cower with their tail between their legs and regular people are losing hope. The bestseller for 2008 is going to be "The Raise and Fall of the U.S."

David, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:21 PM)

I'll be marching for the impeachment of Bush/Cheney on September 15, 2007 in Washington D.C. It would be nice to have over a million people show up. I hope to see some of you there.

Ken Mesle (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:34 PM)

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:07 PM)

Gary - here is my fear. Bush's "dictator directive" allows him, and him alone, to be "the decider" of what constitutes a national crisis which would then implement this directive.

I have to tell you that I have so much contempt of this man and this administration that I actually believe he would consider even a small scale strike as a justification for implementing this abomination.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html

However, the more people who join the protest on 9/15 the more media coverage will result which might actually galvanize the general public. I am trying my best to make arrangements to be there. I hope MILLIONS of us show up.

More info here:
http://www.impeachbush.org/site/PageServer

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:34 PM)

Mark Y; Westalke Village, CA (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 1:04 PM)

Another lesson from history. (Perhaps you can remember the source, I can't) When governments start relying on mercenaries, the government and the country it represents will fail. Can you say Blackwater?

God - this is depressing.

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:48 PM)

Gary Schear, GAB, and ALL -- actually Gary has a good idea. It just so happens that Gen Petraeus will be briefing Congress on the result of the surge on SEPT. 15TH! This is the date set for all the anti-war and impeachment demonstrations. Couldn't our strike coincide with that date? Wait, the 15th falls on a Saturday (maybe not as much of an impact). Any ideas?

Eileen, Navarre, FL (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:49 PM)

"government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force;like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment whould it be left to irresponsible action"-George Washington

Desmond (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:52 PM)

The rise and fall of America will happen. It may take a little while, but George Bush will be known as the president that started it all. He is the one that took it beyond return.

Blue state baby (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 2:57 PM)

Well Im laughing at all of you idiots. If you could really see how you sound, you would re-think what you write. Bush is the president and there is nothing you can do but get your Blood Pressure up..LOL...fact is, this country is divided and you guys cant get over the Clinton era and impeachment. This is why I dont get into politics, IDIOTS on all sides....LOL

Jerry Kelly, Florida (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 3:08 PM)

Independent Texas It is depressing and I think that the thinking people in this country are depressed too.
Many people are mad as hell as well.
I attended my husbands class reunion in Vermont this summer and it was great. People from all over the country, republicans and democrates who grew up in Vermont were on the same page. We had some small groups talking about POLITICS, my group of r's and d's were as mad as hell too.
A first for me as the no no of politics at a social gathering was broken. It was so liberating and I gained insight,people are feeling as we do here on our blog.
just saying

H P Boston (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 3:23 PM)

Eileen...The Friday before could be effective as a protest day. No work, no stores, no gas,no movies, buy nothing. Stay home. If we can not go to DC we can boycott everything public, and consumer goods.

H P Boston (Sent Monday, August 06, 2007 3:30 PM)

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