56% want a court and not a chimpanzee to give OK for wiretapping

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-spy08.html

WASHINGTON -- A majority of Americans want the Bush administration to get court approval before eavesdropping on people inside the United States, even if those calls might involve suspected terrorists, an AP-Ipsos poll shows.

In the last three weeks, President Bush and top aides have defended the electronic monitoring program they secretly launched shortly after Sept. 11 as a vital tool to protect the nation.

Yet 56 percent of respondents in an AP-Ipsos poll said the government should be required to first get a court warrant to eavesdrop on the overseas calls and e-mails of U.S. citizens when the communications are thought to be tied to terrorism.

Agreeing with the White House, about 42 percent of those surveyed do not think the court approval is necessary.

''We're at war,'' Bush said during a New Year's Day visit to San Antonio. ''And as commander in chief, I've got to use the resources at my disposal, within the law, to protect the American people. . . . It's a vital, necessary program.''

'We're a nation of laws'

[skylarmae]

1. 56% stuns my senses. This number should be at least in the 90's%

with the descenting votes in the 'don't know' category. What's wrong with our message that this MOST important number is so low. Obviously the RW don't understand what they are frivolously toying around with. Makes me very sad and somewhat alarmed. The fact that this number (56%) isn't much higher means we are in trouble collectively...IMHO

These rights of privacy and keeping controls on the government is too important. It's the very essence of freedom.

[RC]

2. 42% think it is ok for a draft Dodger to spy on them on his say so?

We need to get the word out this idiot has sworn twice to protect the Constitution - Not the American people - On a Bible yet! How is he protecting the Constitution by ignoring whatever parts that get in his way?

George Walker Bu$h has broken his oath of office, repeatedly, so why is he still there?

[NNN0LHI]

4. That 42% would suck Bush's ass for another tax cut n/t

[spanone]

3. Public opinion is moot. HE BROKE THE LAW.

Period. End of story. Law is law. HE BROKE IT. HE WENT AROUND THE COURTS. IT'S ILLEGAL.