Wire-Tapping for Fun AND Profit!

[NanceGreggs]

Well, it is now obvious that you, our elected Democratic representatives, have decided to kowtow to The Boy and hand over our right of privacy – way to go, Dems!

I could say that this equates to a display of cowardice of mammoth proportions, a slap in the face to your constituents, and just the kind of Constitution-shredding behavior that you were elected to stop, not engage in. But to state all of that would simply be unforgivably courteous in the circumstances, so I will move on.

As long as you are in agreement that illegal wiretapping should now proceed as though it were legal, perhaps you can take some steps to turn this enormous lemon into lemonade.

Would it be possible for those who listen-in on our phone conversations to gather non-terrorist related information, and pass it along to the appropriate parties?

The first thing that comes to mind is health-related discussions. Being as millions of Americans have no medical insurance, perhaps the listeners could break into conversations and dispense advice when needed. “Excuse me, but you’re sounding a bit raspy, Mrs. Citizen. Just yesterday I was eavesdropping on a call between a doctor and a patient with the same symptoms, and he recommends gargling with Listerine, coupled with two Tylenol, three times daily.”

Of course, the most obvious positive that could come out of this kind of intrusion into our private lives would be the gathering of accurate information from We the People that could be passed along to the mainstream media – because, quite frankly, they don’t seem to know what they’re talking about on any number of issues.

Might I suggest that the listeners keep track of the number of citizens who spend most of their day, every day, phoning around trying to find work? Or those who are trying to get details about filing for bankruptcy, along with those who are looking for rental accommodations because they are about to lose their homes? We keep hearing about this booming economy all the time, but the MSM reportage just doesn’t seem to reflect anything remotely resembling reality. If this kind of information could be passed along to the media, they could start reporting what’s really happening out here.

Listening-in on phone calls to veterans’ facilities could also be of great value. Keeping a record of how many calls it takes to get through the mountain of red-tape our veterans have to navigate in order to get the rehab, disability pensions, medical care, etc., they require could lead to some real eye-opening about this administration's We Support the Troops schtick, wouldn't it?

Additionally, there are probably a lot of soldiers out there who talk to their family and friends about what it’s really like to be in Iraq, caught up in the middle of a civil war, overburdened and under-equipped in 110-degree temperatures. Maybe the listeners could record these conversations, so they can be played – over, and over, and over – for the warmongers who are still flogging that things are going great over there crap to the public.

This way we could at least get something of value out of this debacle – whadda you think?

Oh, and just a word to the wise: You might want to inform the listeners not to waste too much time investigating people who use words or phrases like ready to explode, anti-American, destruction, the enemy within, treason, betrayal, or co-conspirators over the next few months. Chances are they’re not talking about terrorist activity; they’re just voicing their opinion of their Democratic leaders.

[blondie58]

1. you sound about as angry as I am, Nance

what is wrong with our elected officials?

[NanceGreggs]

2. Damned if I know ...

Maybe we should wire-tap their phones. We might learn something.

[JeffR]

3. "Hello?"

"Hello, may I speak to the head of the household?"

"Speaking."

"Hello, my name is Osama Bin Laden."

"Yes?"

"If you have a few moments, I'd like to talk to you about Al Quaeda."

"What? Is this one of those fundie cult things?"

"Well, actually, yes, but -"

"Well, I'm not interested. I'm just fine with being Episcopalian, thanks very much."

"Ah. Sorry to have bothered you."

"And please don't call here again."
____________________________

Happens millions of times a day, I'm sure. We cannot be too careful.

[NanceGreggs]

4. Or ...

"Hello, is this the White House?"

"Yes, it is, sir."

"This is Osama Bin Laden. Might I speak to Mr. Boosh, please?"

"I'm sorry. The president is in an important meeting discussing the use of wire-tapping to capture terrorists, and cannot be disturbed."

"Oh, okay. Can I leave my number and my current whereabouts, so he can get back to me?"

"No, the president is much too busy to respond to messages, sir. But have a nice day."

[snappyturtle]

5. Amen. n/t

[tavalon]

6. Nice to see my fury so eloquently framed

I knew I could rely on you for this one.

[Kurovski]

7. K&R nt

[madamesilverspurs]

8. It's beyond astonishing.

If I wanted to be ignored by my representative in congress, I'd vote Republican. Sadly, that is our experience in this district, where our representative cares only for what her president wants and to heck with the rest of us. In spite of that, last November we stayed up late to watch the returns, and we whooped and hollered when we got both House and Senate. What a celebration that was! But, as often happens with celebrating, we apparently got careless and placed our trust in those who would abandon us for another. Alas, after nine months of pregnant promise the Democratic congress has delivered anger and despair, depositing them on our doorsteps and then walking away, disowning any responsibility. I honestly have never, ever experienced a disappointment more profound.

[NanceGreggs]

9. I would encourage you to write some articles ...

... for publication here on DU, madamesilverspurs.

You articulate your thoughts (OUR thoughts) extremely well.



At least think about it ...

[madamesilverspurs]

10. Encouragement is always welcome,

as is the inspiration you always provide. Thank you!

[ejbr]

11. Here's an idea

I think I will end every phone call and end the greeting on my answering machine with this: ...."Oh, and if Bush, Cheney or Gonzales are listening in, fuck you."

However, your ideas of filling these people in the bubble about the real world and the effects of their decisions is a brilliant idea, I must say.

[bluescribbler]

12. Soldiers don't usually talk

One thing I've learned over the years since my military days is that combat vets don't talk about it except with other combat vets. Civilians just don't understand, and they never will. Support troops don't understand, and they also never will. You meet a guy who boasts about the battles he fought and the enemies he killed, and I can guarantee you one thing. The closest that man came to a battle was watching the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan.

Just last weekend I was talking with an old friend. His wife is my mother's best friend. As they were both only children, Jo and my mother are the closest they can find to being sisters. As such, I've probably known Ralph all of my life. I sort of knew all along, if I stopped to think about it, that Ralph was a vet. Hell, nearly every man of the "Greatest Generation" who was at all physically and mentally fit served. What I didn't know, until Sunday night, was that he'd been infantry. He waded ashore at Anzio, fought his way up into the Alps, where his feet got frostbite, and finally made it into Germany in time for the Nazi surrender. But the closest he came to talking about his experience was in describing the sick feeling that came over him when he killed his first German soldier. That's all he would say. Except to add that he still, more than 60 years later, suffers from nightmares. That's how I know he was really there.

[riona]

13. I'm feeling crowded -

now that the gov't has moved into my guest room. Seriously though, I hope the MSM realizes that they are in for a world of censorship - particularly if they do what a free press is supposed to do.