White House Cuts Backroom Deal on Spying, from ACLU

[babylonsister]

White House Cuts Backroom Deal on Spying, ACLU Presses Judge for Immediate Halt to Program


Last week, while Congress was voting on Patriot Act reauthorization, a group of Republican senators brokered a deal with Vice President Dick Cheney that would ratify the President's NSA spying program after the fact, rewriting our laws with less disclosure and less judicial power to check wiretaps on Americans.

Many Americans are appalled that our President has not only ordered warrantless domestic spying, but has unapologetically claimed that he has the power to break the law.

It's at moments like these that our system of checks and balances matters most. The ACLU is aggressively challenging illegal government spying on multiple fronts, including our NSA lawsuit. Last week we asked a federal court to immediately block the illegal spying program. The ACLU v. NSA suit charges that the spying violates all Americans' rights to free speech and privacy under the First and Fourth Amendments of the Constitution.

Along with our lawsuits, the ACLU is continuing our effort to build support for a complete and independent investigation. White House allies in Congress may be willing to help cover up this illegal program, but there are leaders across the political spectrum who are pressing for a full investigation.

The fact is that the debate in Congress is far from over, and the ACLU's legal challenge to the NSA has only just begun. We must stay vigilant if we want to preserve a democracy where the people are both safe and free.

[MadHound]

1. Now, will somebody again tell me why Feingold's censure resolution

Was a bad idea? It is past time that somebody stood up to the Bushco bullies, and pull our country back from the brink of fascism.

[Supersedeas]

13. Now, will someone tell me what the Corporate Media will not tell the truth

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. Link? A couple of things bother me about the piece

First, they specifically name Cheney. Does that infer that he's making all of the decisions about it?

Second, they claim a "deal". Obviously, the WH gets retroactive absolution from suspected crimes. What do the Republican Senators get in exchange?

[DBoon]

4. They get to keep two functioning knees

That's how it works with the mob

[Norquist Nemesis]

11. LOL!

We need an smilie of Cheney shooting a rifle! :rofl:

[babylonsister]

5. Sorry, I rec'd it via e-mail, but here's a link:

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/24428prs20060308.html

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. Thanks! n/t

[Demit]

7. Are you sure they are implying what you are inferring? n/t

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. Maybe it's just the way I read it

but I'm not sure what you're implying I'm inferring. :shrug:

[Demit]

12. It's either the way you read it or the way you said it

Here's hoping it all will become clear to you in time.

[Demit]

3. Only fair to give a link to the ACLU site that has this info--

http://www.aclu.org/

I finally joined the ACLU as a Christmas present for myself. I laughed out loud when they sent me my membership card--they also enclosed a sticker that reads "Card-carrying member ACLU". I'm proud to finally be one.

[alfredo]

6. He wanted to be "The Dictator" and it appears that Frist, Hastert,

and Delay are giving it to him. When he refers to our government as "his" we now know he wasn't misspeaking.

[mdmc]

10. God bless the ACLU!