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Title: Gonzales: NSA May Tap 'Ordinary' Americans' E-Mail
Source:
ZDNET
URL Source: http://news.zdnet.com/2102-1009_22-6035637.html?tag=printthis
Published: Feb 6, 2006
Author: ZDNET
Post Date: 2006-02-06 20:54:31 by Brian S
Keywords: Ordinary, Americans, Gonzales:
Views: 161
Comments: 31
WASHINGTON--Agents operating a controversial National Security Agency surveillance program may have inadvertently spied on the e-mails and phone calls of Americans with no ties to terrorists, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Monday. Gonzales stressed that the program is "narrowly focused" and that adequate steps are taken to protect privacy, though he said he was unable to describe such procedures because of the program's classified nature. Gonzales stressed that the program is "narrowly focused" and that adequate steps are taken to protect privacy, though he said he was unable to describe such procedures because of the program's classified nature. The admissions came as part of the first of what will likely be several public hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. A full slate of Democrats and Republicans rotated 10-minute stints questioning Gonzales, the day's sole witness, about the secret eavesdropping program. A CNET http://News.com survey published Monday lists which telecommunications companies say they are not cooperating with the NSA. The Bush administration has said repeatedly that the program, which has transpired without prior court approval since shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, only monitors communications in which at least one party is located outside the United States and is a member or agent of al-Qaida or groups associated with terrorists. Meanwhile, it has stuck to a three-pronged defense of the program, which Gonzales outlined repeatedly on Monday: the U.S. Constitution, a Congressional resolution passed shortly after Sept. 11 that authorizes the use of military force against al-Qaida and its allies, and a Supreme Court interpretation of that resolution. But Gonzales shunned all questions he deemed "operational" matters, such as how many people have been subject to the tapping, how the government goes about cooperating with telecommunications companies and Internet service providers from a legal perspective, and whether additional secret surveillance programs have been authorized by the same logic. "Can you assure us that no one is being eavesdropped upon in the United States other than someone who has a communication that is emanating from foreign soil by a suspected terrorist, al-Qaida or otherwise?" Sen. Joseph Biden, a Delaware Democrat, asked at one point early in the daylong hearing. "I can't give you absolute assurance," Gonzales replied, before adding, "What I can assure the American people is we have a number of safeguards in place so we can say with a high degree of certainty that those procedures are being followed." Democrats dominated the criticism about the program's lack of court authorization and suspected illegality, but Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, also strongly encouraged the attorney general to consider seeking court review for the entire program. "The concern is that there is a broad sweep which includes people who have no connection with al-Qaida," he said. "What assurances can you give to this committee and, beyond this committee, to millions of Americans who are vitally interested in this issue and following these proceedings?" Said Gonzales, "The program as operated is a very narrowly tailored program, and we do have a great number of checks in place." He said later in the hearing that he was unable to give "specific information about collected, retained and disseminated" communications, except to say that it is done so "in a way to protect privacy interests of all Americans." Support for the program appeared to split down party lines. Several Republicans said they generally supported the administration's efforts and understood the importance of the eavesdropping operations. "I suspect few members of Congress would vote to eliminate this program or cut its funding," said Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. The committee's top Democrat, Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, said bluntly that the secret surveillance program is not authorized by a 1978 law called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which he called the "exclusive source of authority for wiretapping for intelligence purposes." "Wiretapping that is not authorized under that statute is a federal crime," he said. "That is what the law says, and that is what the law means." Leahy chided the attorney general for the administration's lack of consultation with Congress on the legality of the program. "Thank heavens we actually have a press that tells us what you all are doing, because you all are certainly not," he said without disguising any hint of disapproval. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said she, too, was concerned that too few members of Congress had been adequately briefed about the program, a phenomenon that gave her reason to believe "this program is much bigger and much broader than you want anyone else to know," she said. Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, argued that by circumventing FISA, the Bush administration could be jeopardizing national security in the long run. If the wiretapping program is illegal, he said, front-line NSA employees could be prosecuted, and evidence gathered through the process could be tossed, meaning that "some of those toughest, cruelest and meanest members of al-Qaida may be able to use illegality in the court system to escape justice." But even some Republicans who said they supported the program also admitted they believed it would be more effective and better accepted by the public if Congress explored new legislation to give it a formal legal blessing. "Presidents are always stronger in the condition of foreign affairs when Congress is onboard," said Sen. Mike DeWine, an Ohio Republican. He broached the idea of amending FISA so that it would exclude the sort of communications the administration said it has been tapping through the NSA program. The administration will "listen and consider your ideas," Gonzales said. Specter said he expected to schedule a second day of hearings to allow senators to ask the attorney general additional questions about the situation. Other members of the committee indicated they hoped to bring in additional witnesses, such as former Attorney General John Ashcroft, for questioning. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is planning a hearing of its own later this week with the attorney general and NSA Director Michael Hayden, DeWine said, but that session will be closed to the public.
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
It comes down to this: The NSA is spying on everyone in the These United States. Both parties are unwilling (scared shit) to say so.
Bulls Make Money, Bears Make Money, Pigs Get Slaughtered
The NSA is spying on everyone in the These United States. Where's that list of words we had a few months ago. They were supposedly "trigger" words for internet spying.
Mr Rumsfeld said the emergence of populist leaders through elections in Latin American was "worrisome".
ping!
Mr Rumsfeld said the emergence of populist leaders through elections in Latin American was "worrisome".
Hey, that leaves me out - I'm not ordinary.
I'd love to see that. What happens if you just type an email with all those words in it - maybe nothing BUT those words.....it might be an interesting experiment, but I fear it might end at a KBR camp.
Two things you should never believe: Trust me. I'm here from the government and I'm here to help you.
Not if everyone had these words on their computers and e-mails.
Mr Rumsfeld said the emergence of populist leaders through elections in Latin American was "worrisome".
The List Of Carnivore And Eschelon Keywords
Mr Rumsfeld said the emergence of populist leaders through elections in Latin American was "worrisome".
Well that's what I'm wondering, Rob. If we had a campaign to use all of those words in emails at least once a day and kept this spreading across teh country - they can't jail ALL of us, or even most of us. Maybe we could break the back of the NSA.
so we could just copy and paste that whole list into emails. wonder what they'd do then.
Operation Overload
Mr Rumsfeld said the emergence of populist leaders through elections in Latin American was "worrisome".
Ya know, Rob, this might be an interesting question to put to the bots: if we are still living in a free country, would you be willing to send this list of words in an email to someone - even to another email account you create for yourself? and if you are afraid to do this - doesn't that PROVE we are now living in a police state?
I hope you and your minions don't blush when you read my email, you worthless piece of crap. Why did you drop out of the Air Force Academy after only two years? Did you commit an honor violation? Did you like the other guyz too much? Stick my email in your ear, you boot licking sychophant.
That would be interesting. My guess is they would scoff, ignore, and ridicule the proposition. Some know to be afraid, the rest are just such good little Mitläufers.
Mr Rumsfeld said the emergence of populist leaders through elections in Latin American was "worrisome".
Was ist ein Mitlaufer?
You must already know, "to run along with", the label given to so many Germans who never joined the Nazi party, but said nothing in disagreement, for whatever reasons.
Mr Rumsfeld said the emergence of populist leaders through elections in Latin American was "worrisome".
I don't believe a damn word ANY of thee pettifoggers say. The only cure for this is a short rope and a tall tree. ;0)
The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic State itself. That, in its essence, is Fascism -- ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling private power. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Why did you drop out of the Air Force Academy after only two years? Did you commit an honor violation? Did you like the other guyz too much? Stick my email in your ear, you boot licking sychophant. Blush? The steam will likely be coming out of their ears. LOL Given the track record of these clowns I could imagine that the Air Force Academy summarily booted him out since they are very strict about honor violations. I wish it were like that in real life, though, since it seems those who are the true sycophants find a way to slide past the safeguards and worm their way into positions of authority. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he was a butt blaster, the weasel-faced POS.
The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic State itself. That, in its essence, is Fascism -- ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling private power. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Auf Englisch, ein Mitläufer ist ein "fellow traveller." Did you know that "sputnik" is the Russian for "fellow traveller"?
I know nutthink. NUTHHINK!!!!!
I live in western Alaska in a tiny town which is mostly Eskimo. There are a couple of restaurants and stores, and lots of wildlife, a frozen bay for most of the year and not much else. Our police chief and city manager got a "grant" of some kind from Homeland Security, and HS sent out a bunch of spy cameras to be installed in this town. There is NOTHING of military importance or significance here, and The Terrorists are not going to come here to blow up herds of caribou or some rickity old stores. It's a big controversy in this town, as cameras have been installed in the boat harbour and all over our small downtown. One guy in town was laughed at because the cameras caught him scratching his butt and some guys who saw the tape had a great time laughing at him over it. There was an article in the local paper about the issue of the cameras, and the city manager was quoted as saying, "It's not like we're installing cameras in peoples' houses or anything, and anyway people do not have a right to privacy in public". Our city council meeting is coming up soon and I'm going to go down to city hall to raise hell over the issue. There is NO crime here, we are way out in the middle of nowhere, it's very expensive to live here and we do without a lot, and to have spy cameras set up all over the place is like adding insult to injury, it takes away what makes this such a great place to live, might as well pack up and go back to the lower 48 if they are going to pull that kind of crap on us. I'm just really pissed at the neocon bastards who have taken over this country with the intention of looting it for blood and money until there will be nothing but wreckage left. And that is so much easier to accomplish when you are able to put the citizens in bondage. Bastards, hope they all rot in hell.
I'm just really pissed at the neocon bastards who have taken over this country with the intention of looting it for blood and money until there will be nothing but wreckage left. And that is so much easier to accomplish when you are able to put the citizens in bondage. Bastards, hope they all rot in hell. Maybe you should print out this article.. and pass it out? Why people cannot see if you give them an inch they'll take a mile.. is beyond me.
you echo my sentiments exactly.
(l) “Wire communication” means any communication while it is being carried by a wire, cable, or other like connection furnished or operated by any person engaged as a common carrier in providing or operating such facilities for the transmission of interstate or foreign communications. What the fuck is going on? Does ANYBODY check up on this stuff? E-mails clearly fall under the FISA law. Does a passionately told lie create a new truth? The way everyone believes scum such as Herr Gonzales, you'd think so.
Read my mail, sure, whatever, like I'm gonna buy my LSD and fissile materials from the recent Taliban/USPS joint venture.
We've been challenged, and we've risen to those challenges. We've climbed the mighty mountain. I see the valley below, and it's a valley of peace. - W
Under the authority granted to me by the likes of badeye, Aaron, and BeALoser, be advised that I am enroute to take you into custody, and that I am coming equipped with a good supply of nitrile gloves and light-sticks.
The problem is that the citizens are NEVER asked if THEY want this "grant money" to surveille themselves - they just ask the local PD's...what the freak is wrong with this "picture?" Our tax $$$ going to indict us? Come on, America - WakeTF up.
I like rickety old stores...move stuff around, and sometimes you can find a brand of candy bar or soda that you haven't seen in about thirty years.
I'll leave the porch light on. Look for a gold mustang.
We've been challenged, and we've risen to those challenges. We've climbed the mighty mountain. I see the valley below, and it's a valley of peace. - W
The short version? We now live in a police state.
I have a client who I'm getting ready to do a sculpt for. He's in the military. He sent me an e-mail from his military e-mail account. Guess what? It's never gotten to me. Also, I've noticed TONS of my e-mails not getting to where they need to go, or having received e-mails from people that say they've sent me stuff. It's a bit of an annoyance.
#2. To: rack42 (#1)
It comes down to this:
#3. To: mehitable, MUDDOG (#0)
#4. To: Brian S (#0)
#5. To: robin, all (#2)
#6. To: Brian S, all (#0)
Gonzales stressed that the program is "narrowly focused" and that adequate steps are taken to protect privacy, though he said he was unable to describe such procedures because of the program's classified nature.
#7. To: mehitable (#5)
#8. To: All, mehitable (#7)
#9. To: robin (#7)
#10. To: robin (#8)
#11. To: mehitable (#10)
#12. To: robin, all (#11)
#13. To: Brian S (#0)
"I can't give you absolute assurance," Gonzales replied, before adding, "What I can assure the American people is we have a number of safeguards in place so we can say with a high degree of certainty that those procedures are being followed."
#14. To: mehitable (#12)
an interesting question to put to the bots: if we are still living in a free country, would you be willing to send this list of words in an email to someone - even to another email account you create for yourself? and if you are afraid to do this - doesn't that PROVE we are now living in a police state?
#15. To: robin (#14)
#16. To: mehitable (#15)
#17. To: Brian S (#0)
#18. To: Fred Mertz (#13)
I hope you and your minions don't blush when you read my email, you worthless piece of crap.
#19. To: mehitable (#15)
Was ist ein Mitlaufer?
#20. To: robin (#16)
You must already know
#21. To: Brian S, Mehitable, Zipporah, robin, All (#0)
#22. To: Diana (#21)
Our city council meeting is coming up soon and I'm going to go down to city hall to raise hell over the issue. There is NO crime here, we are way out in the middle of nowhere, it's very expensive to live here and we do without a lot, and to have spy cameras set up all over the place is like adding insult to injury, it takes away what makes this such a great place to live, might as well pack up and go back to the lower 48 if they are going to pull that kind of crap on us.
#23. To: Diana (#21)
I'm just really pissed at the neocon bastards who have taken over this country with the intention of looting it for blood and money until there will be nothing but wreckage left. And that is so much easier to accomplish when you are able to put the citizens in bondage. Bastards, hope they all rot in hell.
#24. To: Christine, Diana, Zipporah, robin, Zoroaster, BTP Holdings, Arator, Bayonne, Brian S, A K A Stone, Steppenwolf, Bub, mugwort, bluegrass, Bill D Berger, FormerLurker, Uncle Bill, Dakmar, Flintlock, Neil McIver, tom007, aristeides, Burkeman1, Diana, (#0)
From the FISA law:
#25. To: SKYDRIFTER (#24)
#26. To: Dakmar (#25)
#27. To: Diana (#21)
Give'em hell! girl. Do give them hell.
#28. To: Diana (#21)
There is NOTHING of military importance or significance here, and The Terrorists are not going to come here to blow up herds of caribou or some rickity old stores.
#29. To: Esso (#26)
#30. To: SKYDRIFTER (#24)
What the fuck is going on?
Hey, Meester,wanna meet my seester?
#31. To: Brian S (#0)
 | What's that Mr. Nipples? You want me to ask the nice lady about her rack?. |
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