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Title: House Approves Warrantless Wiretap Law
Source:
Associated Press
URL Source: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... /09/28/national/w192639D93.DTL
Published: Sep 28, 2006
Author: Associated Press
Post Date: 2006-09-28 22:55:58 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 123
Comments: 9
(09-28) 19:34 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House approved a bill Thursday that would grant legal status to President Bush's warrantless wiretapping program with new restrictions. Republicans called it a test before the election of whether Democrats want to fight or coddle terrorists. "The Democrats' irrational opposition to strong national security policies that help keep our nation secure should be of great concern to the American people," Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said in a statement after the bill passed 232-191. "To always have reasons why you just can't vote 'yes,' I think speaks volumes when it comes to which party is better able and more willing to take on the terrorists and defeat them," Boehner said. Democrats shot back that the war on terrorism shouldn't be fought at the expense of civil and human rights. The bill approved by the House, they argued, gives the president too much power and leaves the law vulnerable to being overturned by a court. "It is ceding the president's argument that Congress doesn't matter in this area," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., that give legal status under certain conditions to Bush's warrantless wiretapping of calls and e-mails between people on U.S. soil making calls or sending e-mails and those in other countries. Under the measure, the president would be authorized to conduct such wiretaps if he: _ Notifies the House and Senate intelligence committees and congressional leaders. _ Believes an attack is imminent and later explains the reason and names the individuals and groups involved. _ Renews his certification every 90 days. The Senate also could vote on a similar bill before Congress recesses at the end of the week. Leaders concede that differences between the versions are so significant they cannot reconcile them into a final bill that can be delivered to Bush before the Nov. 7 congressional elections. For its part, the White House announced it strongly supported passage of the House version but wasn't satisfied with it, adding that the administration "looks forward to working with Congress to strengthen the bill as it moves through the legislative process." But with Congress giving Bush the other half of his September anti-terrorism agenda — a bill setting conditions on how terrorism suspects are to be detained, interrogated and tried — Republicans shifted from lawmaking to campaign mode. After the House voted 253-168 to set rules on tough interrogations and military tribunal proceedings, Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., was even more critical than Boehner. "Democrat Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and 159 of her Democrat colleagues voted today in favor of more rights for terrorists," Hastert said in a statement. "So the same terrorists who plan to harm innocent Americans and their freedom worldwide would be coddled, if we followed the Democrat plan. " Retorted Pelosi: "I think the speaker is a desperate man for him to say that. Would you think that anyone in our country wants to coddle terrorists?" She and other Democratic critics of the GOP's September anti-terrorism agenda contend the Republican-written bills make Bush's programs vulnerable to being overturned in court. More broadly, they argue the legislation reflects the White House's willingness to fight the war on terrorism at the expense of civil and human rights. A Democratic majority in either House would set the balance right, Democrats say. "In 40 days, we can put an end to this nonsense," said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, referring to the election. A federal judge in Detroit who struck down the warrantless surveillance program turned aside a government request for an indefinite stay Thursday. U.S. Judge Anna Diggs Taylor said the government could have a week to appeal. ___ The House bill is H.R. 5825; the Senate bill is S. 3931. ___ On the Net: Congress: thomas.loc.gov URL: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2006/09/28/national/w192639D93.DTL
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
If we follow the neocon plan we won't have any freedoms left for the "terrorists" to harm! I'm not sure who pisses me off more. The "R"s supporting this crap or the "D"s who just lie down and take it.
"The more I see of life, the less I fear death" - Me.
What a day. From torture to wiretaps, NeoCommies getting their way.
"If there’s another 9/11 or a major war in the Middle-East involving a U.S. attack on Iran, I have no doubt that there will be, the day after or within days an equivalent of a Reichstag fire decree that will involve massive detentions in this country." - Daniel Ellsberg Author, Pentagon Papers Should we pray for President Hindenbush?
The faster the Aryan Nation mob at Freedom4um are caged and chained, the better off we'll be. I’ll cheering when they are forced to behave. - Aaron
Osama must think Allah works in mysterious ways since many of his wishes for the US are coming true in regards to our "freedoms"...
I'll tell you who pisses me off more are the people who not only voted for these fucks, but have every intention of voting for them again in November. The R's have proven again and again their utter contempt for the Founders, the Constitution and those who voted them into power. The D's aren't even an effective speed bump on the road to fascism. If anything, their protestations in DC are fake, since they would do the same thing if they were in power right now. R's hide behind the flag, D's hide behind "the children." When the D's get back into the majority (as is the game plan), I'm not going to bother ranting about the blatant abuses brought upon the die hard supporters of the R's. No, my time will be spent reminding them how they deserve what is happening to them and those they currently worship for cheerleading the concentration of power we're now seeing. A pox on both their houses...especially the hypocrites.
"First I'm gonna bother everybody I meet, and then I'll probably go home and get drunk."
President Hindenbush - you win the prize! This phrase needs to get bombarded ( oops, bad pun) throughout the internet...this is far more imagery perfect than shrub or village idiot. HAHAHAHAHA...I love it! President Hindenbush...I can't stop laughing...
America just died ping. We're all terrorists now.
"So the same terrorists who plan to harm innocent Americans and their freedom worldwide would be coddled, if we followed the Democrat plan. "
#2. To: Brian S (#0)
#3. To: robin (#2)
#4. To: Pissed Off Janitor (#1)
If we follow the neocon plan we won't have any freedoms left for the "terrorists" to harm!
#5. To: Pissed Off Janitor (#1)
I'm not sure who pisses me off more. The "R"s supporting this crap or the "D"s who just lie down and take it.
#6. To: Dakmar, All (#3)
Should we pray for President Hindenbush?
#7. To: BLUEDOGTXN (#0)
***LEAP***
"I tell you, freedom and human rights in America are doomed. The U.S. Government will lead the American people, and the West in general, into an unbearable hell and choking life.
-- Osama bin Laden
"A prohibition law strikes at the very principles upon which our govt was founded."
- Lincoln
All our liberties are due to men who, when their conscience has compelled them, have broken the laws of the land.
--William K Clifford
#8. To: scrapper2 (#6)
I like it too!
President Hindenbush - you win the prize!
#9. To: IndieTX (#7)
A bad, bad day.
America just died ping. We're all terrorists now.
the law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal bread.
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