Ex-NSA Chief Assails Bush Taps

[kpete]

Ex-NSA Chief Assails Bush Taps

By Noah Shachtman
13:30 PM May, 09, 2006

NEW YORK — Former National Security Agency director Bobby Ray Inman lashed out at the Bush administration Monday night over its continued use of warrantless domestic wiretaps, making him one of the highest-ranking former intelligence officials to criticize the program in public, analysts say.

“This activity is not authorized,” Inman said, as part of a panel discussion on eavesdropping that was sponsored by The New York Public Library. The Bush administration “need(s) to get away from the idea that they can continue doing it.”

(snip)

Inman put the White House’s reluctance to change the surveillance regulations squarely on the shoulders of Vice President Dick Cheney. He noted that Cheney formerly served as chief of staff to President Gerald Ford, who was in power before the FISA restrictions were put in place. Cheney never really agreed with the controls, Inman asserted. “The ultimate test,” the retired admiral added, will be whether President Bush “walks away from the vice president on this.”

Despite his critical remarks, Inman was supportive of Gen. Michael Hayden, who initiated the controversial wiretap program as NSA director. Hayden was nominated Monday by Bush to take over the troubled CIA, which has been pounded by critics for a string of intelligence failures. Hayden “proved over time to be someone who could transform an organization” geared to deal with Cold War demands, changing it into one that could handle the new challenges of counterterrorism.

more at:
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/1,70855-0.html

[babylonsister]

1. How can Inman be against the admin's use of wiretapping, but

for Hayden, the man who was partially responsible for implementing their policies? :shrug:

[populistdriven]

2. He was just taking orders to wage information warfare against Americans

So how is he at fault?

[kpete]

3. VP Responsible for spying

Inman put the White House's reluctance to change the surveillance regulations squarely on the shoulders of Vice President Dick Cheney.

"The ultimate test," the retired admiral added, will be whether President Bush "walks away from the vice president on this."

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/1,70855-0.html