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Title: Gonzales blasts surveillance critics ("critics of the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance (snip) poses a "grave threat" to U.S. security.)
Source:
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URL Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061118/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/gonzales
Published: Nov 18, 2006
Author: CHASE SQUIRES, Associated Press Writer S
Post Date: 2006-11-18 19:07:43 by tom007
Keywords: None
Views: 191
Comments: 12
Gonzales blasts surveillance critics By CHASE SQUIRES, Associated Press Writer Sat Nov 18, 3:47 PM ET AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales contended Saturday that some critics of the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance program were defining freedom in a way that poses a "grave threat" to U.S. security. ADVERTISEMENT Gonzales was the second administration official in two days to attack a federal judge's ruling last August that the program was unconstitutional. Vice President Dick Cheney on Friday called the ruling "an indefensible act of judicial overreaching." Gonzales told about 400 cadets from the Air Force Academy's political science and law classes that some see the program as on the verge of stifling freedom rather that protecting the country. "But this view is shortsighted," he said. "Its definition of freedom — one utterly divorced from civic responsibility — is superficial and is itself a grave threat to the liberty and security of the American people." Gonzales and Cheney's attacks on the court order came as the administration was urging the lame-duck Congress to approve legislation authorizing the warrantless surveillance. The bill's chances are in doubt, however, because of Democratic opposition in the Senate, where 60 votes are required to end debate and vote. At a news conference, Gonzales would not speculate how the administration would react if Congress did not authorize warrantless surveillance. "We're optimistic because of the importance of this program, the success of the program, the stated commitment of the Democratic leadership to work with us in protection of America, and that we're going to have a good discussion and dialogue about the program," he said. "We believe the president has the authority under the authorization of military force and inherent authority of the constitution to engage in this sort of program, but we want to supplement that authority," he said. The administration has maintained that its warrantless surveillance program focuses on international calls involving suspected terrorists, and dismisses charges that it is illegal because it bypasses federal law requiring a judge-issued warrant for such eavesdropping. "It's absolutely essential that we maintain the tool," he told reporters. "It's been very, very important in protecting America, and we look forward to working with Congress to find a way that we can supplement the president's authority, and continue to maintain this as a valuable tool for the American people." In August, the program was struck down by U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit, who said it violated the rights to free speech and privacy and the constitutional separation of powers. She was the first judge to rule on the legality of the program, which is operated by the National Security Agency. The government has appealed. Bush and other administration officials argue that the program is legal under the president's constitutional powers and has saved lives by helping to disrupt terrorist plots. Speaking to the cadets, Gonzales dismissed as "myth" the charge that civil liberties were being sacrificed in the fight against terrorism. He defended the Patriot Act and the handling of detainees at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "To achieve victory at the cost of eroding civil liberties would not really be a victory. We cannot change the core identity of our nation and claim success," said Gonzales, an Air Force veteran who attended the Air Force Academy from 1975 to 1977. * Email Story * IM Story * Discuss
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#1. To: tom007 (#0)
The "grave threat" to America and Americans is the ADL/AIPAC/NAACP/SPLA/PNAC/Hollywood/ACLU/JINSA/federal media cabal and thier useful fools/bribed-blackmailed lackeys in the American federal government.
In 1947, the UN created a perpetual war and named it Israel.
Lead, Silver, Gold - get as much as you can.
Don't forget the brass and copper. Various dark powders wouldn't be a bad idea either.
"First I'm gonna bother everybody I meet, and then I'll probably go home and get drunk."
They are just the middle-men. The biggest threat to this country are dumbass soccer-moms in large numbers.
"First I'm gonna bother everybody I meet, and then I'll probably go home and get drunk."
Those are being collected as pre-packaged units, by the thousands. I did the reloading thing, back when, but now, I just buy it in bulk.
Gonzales is shameless. His injustice dept. memoranda apologized for and excused torture, and now he wants to do away with the Fourth Amendment.
"To achieve victory at the cost of eroding civil liberties would not really be a victory.
How come Abu Gonzales washed out of the Air Force Academy (like Cheney's chief of staff Addington washed out of Annapolis)? Think we'll ever find out? It may not be such a good move for Abu to speak at Colorado Springs.
Katrina was America's Chernobyl.
"But this view is shortsighted," he said. "Its definition of freedom — one utterly divorced from civic responsibility — is superficial and is itself a grave threat to the liberty and security of the American people." Orwellian sumbitch. It is hilarious that Gonzales should be addressing cadets and the Air Force Academy. He was a washout there, wasn't he? Can't cut the mustard in the real world, so now he constructs this phony crap in Orwell's domain.
“The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity, since the tastes, knowledge, and principles of the majority form the tribunal of appeal.” James Fenimore Cooper
I don't know. But there were a bunch of jets wizzing over us today. I eventually got up and looked to see what was going on. Wife said " we're either under attack or the Falcons are playing". Struck me as a little bizarre, and O so modern.
Anybody who can't see where this is going, is brain dead.
So says the guy being charged with War Crimes, in Germany - outcome yet to be seen. Gonzales has been spending time with too many Hispanic dictators - no surprise.
#2. To: tom007 (#0)
#3. To: lodwick (#2)
Lead, Silver, Gold - get as much as you can.
#4. To: wbales (#1)
(Edited)
The "grave threat" to America and Americans is the ADL/AIPAC/NAACP/SPLA/PNAC/Hollywood/ACLU/JINSA/federal media cabal and thier useful fools/bribed-blackmailed lackeys in the American federal government.
#5. To: orangedog (#3)
Don't forget the brass and copper. Various dark powders wouldn't be a bad idea either.
#6. To: tom007 (#0)
"To achieve victory at the cost of eroding civil liberties would not really be a victory. We cannot change the core identity of our nation and claim success,"
#7. To: tom007 (#0)
We cannot change the core identity of our nation and claim success,"
#8. To: tom007, Fred Mertz (#0)
#9. To: tom007 (#0)
(Edited)
Gonzales told about 400 cadets from the Air Force Academy's political science and law classes that some see the program as on the verge of stifling freedom rather that protecting the country.
#10. To: BTP Holdings, skydrifter, diana, robin, zipporah (#9)
s hilarious that Gonzales should be addressing cadets and the Air Force Academy. He was a washout there, wasn't he
#11. To: tom007 (#0)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales contended Saturday that some critics of the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance program were defining freedom in a way that poses a "grave threat" to U.S. security.
#12. To: tom007 (#0)
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