Cheney Says Domestic Surveillance Vital

[kurth]

Cheney Says Domestic Surveillance Vital

NEW YORK (AP) -- Vice President Dick Cheney on Thursday defended the Bush administration's domestic surveillance program, saying it is an essential tool in monitoring al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations.

''A spirit of debate is now under way, and our message to the American people is clear and straightforward: These actions are within the president's authority and responsibility under the Constitution and laws, and these actions are vital to our security,'' Cheney said at the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank... Cheney said Bush had reauthorized the program more than 30 times since 2001 and would continue to do so.

Also Thursday, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales sent congressional leaders a 42-page legal defense of warrantless eavesdropping, expanding on arguments that he and other administration officials have been making since the program was first disclosed last month. The memo argues that Bush has authority to order the warrantless wiretapping under the Constitution and the post-Sept. 11 congressional resolution granting him broad power to fight terrorism...

Cheney did not directly address an audio tape aired Thursday by Al-Jazeera in which a voice, determined by the CIA to be that of Osama bin Laden, said al-Qaida planned further attacks on the United States. But he said it was ''more than obvious'' the nation faced continued terrorist threats...

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Cheney-Domestic-Spying.html

[CrazyOrangeCat]

1. Well, Snarlin' Dick . . .

. . . it's "more than obvious" that you're a lyin' sack of shit. The party's almost over.

Better tend to that gouty foot, and STFU!

[liberal N proud]

2. Other terrorist organizations defined as anyone who does not agree with

the bu$h regime.

The only reason they need to spy on Americans is control us.

[bowens43]

3. Their justification is that since 911 , we're at 'war'.

A war against terror. A war that will never end. Therefore warrantless survaelence of American citizens will never end. What amazes me most, is that over the years I have heard conservatives whining again and again about how the Democrats were going to take away their freedom. Now that we have the Republicans doing just about everything that they were afraid the Democrats would do, they happily wave their little flags and cheer the end of our Republic.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Yeah, "vital" to keeping this Administration in power indefinitely.

[BR_Parkway]

5. Secret Energy Meetings = vital and essential tool in monitoring our

own government.

[LynnTheDem]

6. No Cheney, bush's ILLEGAL actions are NOT within the US Constitution.

Commander in Chief OF THE MILITARY...NOT COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF WE THE PEOPLE...unless America is now officially a dictatorship.

Can't wait to hear rightwingnuts scream when the president has a D after his/her name and claims to be above all laws.

[sduncang]

7. Then Get A Court Order....

If spying on your own citizens is so vital...then wouldn't it be vital to follow due process? Local police do this all the time, BUT with a court order.

[Vickers]

8. Hmmm, my copy doesn't mention presidential power circumventing

the Bill of Rights.

Of course, you may have a different copy, Dick. :eyes:

[0007]

9. What isn't vital to Dick? Or is it that Dick is vital to the American

People.

Dick, DICK are you listening? You gave bin Laden what he wanted! bin Laden wanted the American Military to take their installations and get out of Saudi Arabia. U.S. DID LEAVE SAUDI ARABIA IMMEDIATELY after 911.

And bin Laden wasn't in cahoots with Saddam Hussein.

I have a feeling you're not listening Dick!