What's the likelihood that at least SOME of the "warrantless spying" was done on Democrats, in

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

order to gain political advantage?

Let's look at the behavior of this White House. They have aggressively attempted to subvert every single part of the federal government to help the Republican Party win elections, from the military to the GSA to the Department of the Interior to the Surgeon General and everything in between.

They have subverted the Department of Justice to the same goals.

They freely lie about all of this, but when caught red handed, like with the GSA PowerPoint presentations, shamelessly bat their eyes and say there was nothing inappropriate even when it clearly was.

Given all of this track record (this is not even TOUCHING the massive campaign of deception associated with Iraq), why would we expect otherwise?

[Cooley Hurd]

1. I would be shocked if they didn't...

...given their utter lack of ethics in just about every other way.:thumbsdown:

[dkofos]

2. 100%

[acmavm]

12. Yep. No 'likelihood' to it.

[williesgirl]

3. There is nothing they won't stoop to to remain in power - recommended

[Warpy]

4. I think Congressmen on both sides of the aisle were targeted

as were all mainstream media figures and every single person who is a known progressive or antiwar activist.

Blackmail goes a long way in explaining why this gang are still getting away with their shit.

[TomInTib]

8. Exactly. This reaches across the aisle.

I know very few people who wouldn't go to just about any length to hide some 'family' secrets.

And we all have some of those.

[disndat]

5. It is beginning

to be hard not to think that they spied freely on the Kerry campaign '04.

[Gman]

6. Approximately equal to the sun setting this evening

[Botany]

7. In Ohio 2004 Kerry's state HQ had it's computers and phones hacked

The computers had 5 & 6 firewalls. Other phones were hacked too.
It was a very sophosticated operation.

[MuseRider]

9. 100%

There is no way that they did not or don't do it. What or who would stop them and even then they would do it. They are 100% without control.

[TahitiNut]

10. How about industrial espionage?

Seems to me that's just as likely ... particularly regarding global corporations with home countries other than the U.S. and regarding countries in which some impasse/conflict exists with corporate 'interests' there. (I think about Bhopal, for example.)

[Usrename]

18. Sure, and insider trading.

We know they love those opportunities.

Remember the day-traders that camped in Tom Delay and Bill Frist?

What a group. I just know they using this info for insider trading. I just know it.

[TahitiNut]

26. Yes ... without question. Insider information.

Billions to be made. United Airlines and American Airlines derivative trades around 9/11 - yup. Commodity futures. Billions.

[Frustratedlady]

11. I've said that since the day I saw the stunned look on Kerry's face...

Something he said on the phone or in emails was overheard and that is why he didn't protest at the end. It was like night and day from the day before, so I have always suspected a "mafia-type" hit to shut him up.

We'll probably never know.

[MasonJar]

13. I remember when Kerry would be in a location, W would all too often

be around the corner. I am positive that the dems were a primary target in '02 and '04 and '06.

[Golden Raisin]

14. Did J. Edgar Hoover wear a dress?

If the truth ever gets out, this bunch, led by Rove and Cheney, will make Hoover look like a rank amateur. And I'll bet its bi-partisan spying and blackmail too --- they've got dirt on people on both sides of the aisle.

[Octafish]

15. That probably is the reason the program was started before 911.

Jason Leopold pegged the turds:

Bush Authorized Domestic Spying Before 9/11

Using the NSA against the American people is against the law.

Why Congreff doesn't do squat about it is anybody's guess -- except J Edgar Cheney's.

[sofa king]

16. Look at what the President did.

He actually got off his ass and contributed personally to the cover-up of this issue. Now look at what else he's done, personally, in the past six and a half years and you'll see that virtually all of it has to do with stealing elections.

That's all I need to know.

[tom_paine]

17. 95% +

n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

19. I have a feeling that some of us who are in the districts of some of the

more radical right-wingers have already been observed and screened. And I suspect that our civil liberties have been violated. And if I ever get evidence of it, I'll be the first on the doorsteps of the ACLU to make it an issue.

[many a good man]

20. It would be too irresistably tempting

That's why we have so many important safeguards in place. Power, paranoia, human nature tempt all men.

[PassingFair]

21. Their ends ALWAYS justify their means.

I see this in government, at work and at play.

Call them republicans if you will.

The people who will win at any cost.

They will lie, cheat and steal and believe that
they DESERVE it more than others because they are
WILLING to do ANYTHING to win.

The rest of us, those who play by the "rules";
those of us who have "morals" or "ethics";
those of us who believe in the "common good";

...we are LOSERS to them.

I try to ignore them. I try to teach my children
that virtue is its own reward.

...but it is hard when they are KILLING people (In Iraq and around the world);
...but it is hard when they are BANKRUPTING your country;
...but it is hard when they are SHREDDING your CONSTITUTION.

[Canuckistanian]

22. I don't even think it was that targeted

They're probably spying on ANYONE who shows even a TRACE of dissent.

Writers, authors, activists, artists. Maybe even soldiers, judges and defence lawyers.

Anyone who could possibly be influential or resisted the government would be marked for surveillance.

[Mme. Defarge]

23. Why would they limit their spying

to Democrats?

[rndmprsn]

24. about a 1 in 1 chance...

no doubt in my mind that they have dug up dirt on congressional dems in order to blackmail them into submission, i put NOTHING past these criminals.

[tblue37]

25. And also on both Dems and Repubs in order to keep them in

line by blackmailing them.

Probably one reason so many Repubs with very dirty laundry were left in place by TPTB, despite the apparent risks of having such people on their team, was that the more dirty laundry (or Pampers) they had, the easier they were to control.

[HootieMcBoob]

27. Wouldn't be surprised one bit

par for the course I would say.

[in_cog_ni_to]

28. 100%. They did it. No doubt in my mind. n/t