Isikoff: Bush wants satellites for domestic spying (W/Video)

[babsbunny]

http://rawstory.com/rawreplay/?p=1378

MSNBC’s Alex Witt talked to Newsweek’s Michael Isikoff about a new proposal by the Bush administration to use satellites for domestic surveillance.

Isikoff told MSNBC, “The Homeland Security Department is talking about expanding the program to use military satellites really, for domestic purposes. They say the primary driver is natural disasters — like the recent flooding in the midwest — to pinpoint areas that are most hard hit and to help with responses, first responses. But they also leave open the possibility that this could be used for other purposes, law enforce many purposes. Tracking potential terrorists but also tracking potential drug operations.”

“And that is where the concerns about civil liberty abuses come in. First of all, there are strict laws about the act that limits the use of the U.S. military for law enforcement purposes. But the precision of these satellites, they can literally capture crystal clear images of your car as you leave the studio this afternoon. And capture them in computer databases — in the governmentcomputer databases. And it raises all sorts of concerns. To some degree, the administration is paying the price of what is for — what many in congress see as way over stepping — in the electronic surveillance era.”

Read Michael Isikoff’s Newsweek article here.

This video is from MSNBC’s News Live, broadcast June 28, 2008.

[Contrary1]

1. That only means they are already doing just that.

Get it approved and then go for retroactive immunity.


"It's the same old song"

[Disturbed]

2. Another step towards a RWing Police State.

Will Sen. Obama capitulate on this, as well?

[Richard Steele]

4. I have no doubt that you are correct. nm

[ladjf]

3. Intimidation is the driving force behind this initiative. (In my opinion.)