What makes this (NSA program) different from anything Clinton did?

[norml]

Please leave your answers here.

[chrisbur]

1. The NSA is a massive intelligence agency

with massive resources. The best Clinton could do is quietly tiptoe up to doors and put his ear against them or gingerly pick up a second phone line and eavesdrop on Chelsea.

[norml]

4. I'm looking for counter arguments I can use on the air.

Thanks!

[Flubadubya]

2. I suspect it was the NSA who was into Clinton's shit...

headed up by Herr Starr and the vast RW conspiracy, no doubt. They probably did more eavesdropping on the President than the Prez ordered on others.

[papau]

3. Clinton followed the law. He did not try to throw the Constution out the

window and claim he had to end democracy in order to keep us safe from terror.

[norml]

5. What about Echelon?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=echelon&btnG=Google+Search

[papau]

8. Under Clinton Echelon was held in check - this 1998 report below is clear

http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/05/cyber/articles/27network.html

<snip>...Echelon, a computer system that monitors millions of e-mail, fax, telex and phone messages sent over satellite-based communications systems as well as terrestrial-based data communications. The system was established under what is known as the "UKUSA Agreement" after World War II and includes the security agencies of the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Although Echelon was originally set up as an international spy network, lawmakers are concerned that it could be used to eavesdrop on American citizens. <snip>

The finished report will outline the legal bases and other criteria used by United States intelligence agencies when assessing potential wiretap targets. It will be submitted to the House and made available to the public. <snip>

According to the report, Echelon is just one of the many code names for the monitoring system, which consists of satellite interception stations in participating countries. The stations collectively monitor millions of voice and data messages each day. These messages are then scanned and checked against certain key criteria held in a computer system called the "Dictionary." In the case of voice communications, the criteria could include a suspected criminal's telephone number; with respect to data communications, the messages might be scanned for certain keywords, like "bomb" or "drugs." The report also alleges that Echelon is capable of monitoring terrestrial Internet traffic through interception nodes placed on deep-sea communications cables. While few dispute the necessity of a system like Echelon to apprehend foreign spies, drug traffickers and terrorists, many are concerned that the system could be abused to collect economic and political information. <snip>

"If this report reveals that information about American citizens is being collected without legal authorization, the intelligence community will have some serious explaining to do," Barr said.

[wiggs]

6. Clinton was investigated

because of suspicion he used a holiday card mailing list inappropriately, compromising personal information.

...and he was pilloried because he fired someone from the WH travel office. And this Bush WH purged the CIA to get rid of non-lapdog career professionals who might have an independent thought....

[ProfessorGAC]

7. One Add In About The Travel Office Thing

Nobody seems to remember (or care) that the management staff of the travel office could not account for $10 million in travel costs. Now, it was investigated, and nobody was ever accused of stealing the money or anything. But, in what other business would one get to mismanage a budget to the tune of $10 million over 9 years, and NOT get fired?
The Professor