John Conyers on CSpan3 NOW - Re: FBI use of Nat. Security Letters

[cspanlovr]

This should be good!

[bdamomma]

1. feed us cube rats!!!

all reporting would be appreciated.

[cspanlovr]

3. Opening statements now.

Conyers: "Nearly 6 years ago, in the aftermath of 9/11, DOJ said they needed significantly enhanced power, while promising in no uncertain terms that these new tools would be carefully and appropriately used. 2 years ago when the Pat. Act was reauthorized, they promised us there was not a single instance when the law had been abused. Now to underscore the importance for this meeting, many of us remember the time in our Govt. when power was abused. We risk now a continuation of these abuses. One tool in particular, NSL's, essentially secret subpoenas, issued without court review, was used repeatedly to invade the privacy of law abiding citizens outside the law a proper legal process."

[bdamomma]

4. thanks

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. Watching! ugh...time to make a second pot of coffee

Lamar Smith D-TX making remarks...

No, wait! Jerry Nadler's got 2 1/2 minutes. :popcorn:

[cspanlovr]

7. Nadler spoke so fast, I couldn't type it! I'm good, but not that good!

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. lol- I have same trouble

Still trying to keep up

[Norquist Nemesis]

5. Glenn Fine, Justice Dept Inspector General remarks now

under 5 statutory provisions, FBI can use NSL (national security letters)
from 2003-2005 use was reviewed
found widespread, serious misuse
FBI did not provide adequate guidance, controls, or training on use of letters

[Norquist Nemesis]

6. FBI employees did not intentionally seek to misuse NLS

instead it was through (whole list of negatives basically adding up to mismanagement)

use was serious and unnacceptable

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. OMG! 143,000 NSLs?!? and he thinks that's an understated amount?

[Norquist Nemesis]

10. One of most troubling findings, FBI obtained phone records

from three phone companies in over 700 'exigent letters'

[Norquist Nemesis]

11. Obtained letters AFTER obtaining phone records

[Norquist Nemesis]

12. Waxman: Will the person in the back of the room standing up

please sit down or leave the room. Thank you.

(Glad to see Waxman's keeping control)

[cspanlovr]

13. Forbes is a peice of work. Calls the hearing "theater", sites negativisim and

emtionalism "so prevalent" in public policy today. This makes great "soundbites".

[Norquist Nemesis]

14. I expect Party card check within the hour

Sir, are you a Democrat or Republican? Did you support John Kerry in 2004?

[Norquist Nemesis]

15. Valerie Caproni, FBI General Counsel

Whole lotta problems and she 'takes responsibility'. But hey! They're on it and it's being fixed! Whew!! Problems solved and you'll *ahem* never see them again!