Is anyone asking that we STOP the spying???

[neverevergivein]

I got into an argument at work today about our government spying. The argument my co-worker kept coming back to: If it's so bad, why doesn't John Kerry ask that we STOP the spying program. I know Kerry spoke of it last weekend, but I did not know if he asked for the program to stop. Then, my co-worker says that it was on CNN today that Kerry stopped well short of Al Gore's call to stop the program. This is a long way of asking, are the Democrats demanding we STOP the program. If not, they need to be! I wish I knew more on it, but I need help in this argument. He says no elected official has asked that we stop. I know that can't be right. Please help.

[LSparkle]

1. I don't know for sure, but didn't John Conyers and company send a letter

demanding that the program be stopped until after Congressional hearings can be held? (Senate has scheduled them but so far nothing official in House.)

[TaleWgnDg]

2. Huh? Kerry did say to stop illegal searches, hello?

.

Again, Bush is FOR illegal searches; that is, Bush is obviating the FISA courts = illegal.
Bush says that Bush, as president and Commander-in-Chief during an (undeclared) war, does not need to go through such FISA (secret) federal courts to get a legal search warrant to do a legal eavesdropping on Americans.


Again, Kerry is AGAINST illegal searches; that is, Kerry would use the FISA courts = legal.
Kerry says that what Bush is doing is illegal, period. Kerry would, thus, use the FISA federal courts to obtain a legal search warrant to do eavesdropping.

Got it? Good. One is illegal. The other is legal. P E R I O D.

________________________________

edited to add: Again, folks, this is NOT rocket science. Instead, it's just plain common sense. No one is above the law, including George Walker Bush.

[babylonsister]

3. Kerry wants an independent investigation; bottom line,

if they have a valid reason to spy, go through the easy, proper FISA channels to do so. But don't start spying on Americans just because you can, without going through the proper checks and balances!

[TaleWgnDg]

5. Yes, Kerry wants the appointment of a Special Prosecutor/Counsel

to do an independent legal investigation of Bush's actions regarding warrantless searches (eavesdropping) on Americans. Tis best to well document legal stuff than to just mouth-off about it. In addition, a Special Counselor may be the first appropriate step to impeaching a sitting president. A "Special Counsel" position is similar to the old "Independent Counsel/Prosecutor" of Clinton-era; the independent prosecutor federal law was left to expire. Thus, the old "Special Prosecutor" of Watergate days is now being used.
.

[Zenlitened]

4. The issue is not spying, really. It's ILLEGAL spying.

Most people can see the need to try to track down suspected terrorists inside the U.S.

Real Americans, however, also recognize that the spy-catchers tend to run wild without supervision.

That's why we support judicial oversight -- warrants, judges who'll help keep tabs on things, etc. -- to make sure any spying is legal, and carried out in a way that respects our constitution.

That's how America works.

Or used to.

[babylonsister]

6. Lack of 'SUPERVISION' being the key phrase. Thank you. nt

[TaleWgnDg]

7. Bush doesn't think so. After all George Walker Bush is

.


King George II
who doesn't need "no stinkin" other branch of Government
looking over His shoulder!!
What check and balance?!!
.

[Zenlitened]

9. Let's say it together: Bush is not a real American. He is America's ENEMY.

He and all the other crooks infesting the White House need to be clapped in irons and tried for treason. :grr:

[kentuck]

8. Yes !

If you are spying illegally, then stop it! Now! Isn't it time the request was made?