Spy Chief Quote Cited in Verizon Lawsuit

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

A lawsuit alleging that Verizon Communications Inc. illegally turned over customer records as part of the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance program should go forward because of a recent admission by the U.S. spy chief, lawyers argued Thursday.

In a newspaper interview published last week, National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell acknowledged that private-sector companies helped the government investigate suspected terrorists in a probe authorized by President Bush after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Outrage over the eavesdropping tactics, including obtaining private telephone logs without a warrant, has led to some 50 lawsuits against telecommunications companies and the government, all of which are before U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is also hearing the government's request to dismiss two lawsuits, one filed by customers of AT&T Inc. against the company, and another brought by the now-defunct Oregon charity Al Haramain Islamic Foundation and two of its lawyers, who say the National Security Agency illegally listened to their calls.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070831/ap_on_re_us/domestic_spying_1

[MadMaddie]

1. Loose lips sink ships...yep this administration has so many

leaks...they can't keep up.....

[Kagemusha]

2. Guy should've lined up the immunity before admitting that, huh?

Or maybe they wanted this so they could order Congress to give the admin what it wants.

[L. Coyote]

3. What are they hiding? may be a more important question.

And, do the revelations serve to obfuscate how bad the illegality really was.

For example, "McConnell acknowledged that private-sector companies helped the government investigate suspected terrorists ..."

He did not acknowledge " that private-sector companies helped the government" conducted illegal surveillance of everyone!

[Fearless]

4. Let me get this straight... It seems vaguely important...

1. What they did is ILLEGAL.
2. Charges were brought against those telecom companies that complied ILLEGALLY.
3. People have fessed up to commiting these ILLEGAL activities.
4. These people have charges brought up against them for their admitted ILLEGAL activities.


What's the whole problem here? Why is this taking so long? What is wrong with our justice system?

[Occulus]

5. Alberto Gonzales.

His legacy will live on LONG after his departure.

[Fearless]

7. I hold hope that his taint won't stain the justice department for long.

Many have held opposition to Gonzales' decisions in the past. Hopefully they will be able to step up now.

[sabra]

6. k & r

[rodeodance]

8. and now Bush wants Congress to grant retrospective immunity to Telcoms.