Re: Who likes Bush ?

On Wed, 21 Dec 2005 08:41:16 -0500, Another Day Another OS
<UspammerzSux@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

>Oh how the hypocrites like to sing a different tune when it suits them...



Oh how willfully stupid (or is it knowingly dishonest?) are Bush
Sup****ters and their cult of personality.

Clinton and Carter complied with FISA... read the whole things... it
is not about spying on Americans.

Idiot.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/12/21/8157/6595

 You know the **** is about the hit the fan when the wingers turn to
Clinton to try and excuse King George's behavior. We saw it with the
illegal invasion of Iraq ("but..but...CLINTON said Saddam has WMD!")
and with the nuclear option ("but...but...you hated the filibuster
when the Clenis was in power!").  But no distortion is more blatant, I
think, than the one being circulated now that both Clinton and Carter
authorized warrantless searches.

Think Progress does a quick and painless job of eviscerating the myth.
Let's take a closer look and put this lie to rest. Yes, both Clinton
and Carter issued executive orders pertaining to foreign intelligence
surveillance. But neither of these even remotely authorized
warrantless searches of American citizens, as Bush's order does.

CLINTON DID NOT ORDER WARRANTLESS SEARCHES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS
Here's what Clinton signed:

    Section 1. Pursuant to section 302(a)(1) [50 U.S.C. 1822(a)] of
the [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance] Act, the Attorney General is
authorized to approve physical searches, without a court order, to
acquire foreign intelligence information for periods of up to one
year, if the Attorney General makes the certifications required by
that section.

You don't have to be a lawyer to understand that Clinton allowed
warrantless searches if and only if the AG followed section 302(a)(1).
What does section 1822(a) require?

    *  the "physical search is solely directed at premises,
information, material, or property used exclusively by, or under the
open and exclusive control of, a foreign power or powers."
Translation: You can't search American citizens.
    * and there is "no substantial likelihood that the physical search
will involve the premises, information, material, or property of a
United States person." Translation: You can't search American
citizens.

Moreover, Clinton's warrant waiver consistent with FISA refers only to
physical searches.  "Physical searches," as defined by 1821(5),
exclude electronic surveillance.

CARTER DID NOT AUTHORIZE WARRANTLESS SEARCHES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS
And now, Carter's turn:

    1-101. Pursuant to Section 102(a)(1) of the Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1802(a)), the Attorney General is
authorized to approve electronic surveillance to acquire foreign
intelligence information without a court order, but only if the
Attorney General makes the certifications required by that Section.

Here, Carter refers to "electronic surveillance," rather than
"physical searches" like Clinton. But again, Carter limits the
warrantless surveillance to the requirements of Section 1802(a). That
section requires:

    *  the electronic surveillance is solely directed at
communications exclusively between or among foreign powers.
Translation: You can't spy on American citizens.
    *  there is no substantial likelihood that the surveillance will
acquire the contents of any communication to which a United States
person is a party. Translation: You can't spy on American citizens.

Section 1803(a)(2) requires that the Attorney General re****t to
Congress (specifically, the House and Senate Intelligence Committees)
about whether any American citizens were involved, what minimization
procedures were undertaken to avoid it and protect their identities,
and whether his actions comply with the law. Hot damn, that sounds
like a check and balance to me!

BUSH'S ORDER IS UNPRECEDENTED AND ILLEGAL
In stark contrast to the Clinton/Carter orders, Bush's order marks the
first time that an American President has unilaterally turned our
nation's massive spying apparatus against its own citizens. Unlike the
Carter order, Bush has not followed the check-and-balance requirements
of FISA. And unlike Clinton, his order allows the government to spy on
communications of ordinary Americans. We learn this morning that
Bush's haphazard approach of "screw the law and the spy at will" has
resulted in the interception of purely domestic communications. We
also learn that Judge Robertson, who is one of only 11 judges
appointed to the secret FISA court, has resigned in protest of Bush's
policy. Republicans are calling for inquires into the matter. This is
a grave matter. Do not let the apologists on the right use illogic and
outright lies to defend the violation of our constitutional rights.

As this investigation proceeds, defenders of the President will grow
more and more shrill. They'll hiss, they'll attack, they'll fight like
a wounded and dying animal to protect their Dear Leader. But the law
doesn't lie: Bush's order is unprecedented. And no amount of spinning
can change that fact.