WP:Warrantless Wiretaps Possible in U.S.

[cal04]

By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 7, 2006; Page A03

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales left open the possibility yesterday that President Bush could order warrantless wiretaps on telephone calls occurring solely within the United States -- a move that would dramatically expand the reach of a controversial National Security Agency surveillance program. In response to a question from Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) during an appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, Gonzales suggested that the administration could decide it was legal to listen in on a domestic call without supervision if it were related to al-Qaeda.

"I'm not going to rule it out," Gonzales said.

In the past, Gonzales and other officials refused to say whether they had the legal authority to conduct warrantless eavesdropping on domestic calls, and have stressed that the NSA eavesdropping program is focused only on international communications. Gonzales previously testified in the Senate that Bush had considered including purely domestic communications in the NSA spying program, but he said the idea was rejected in part because of fears of a public outcry. He also testified at the time that the Justice Department had not fully analyzed the legal issues of such a move.

In yesterday's testimony, Gonzales reiterated earlier hints that there may be another facet to the NSA program that has not been revealed publicly, or even another program that has prompted dissension within the government. While acknowledging disagreements among officials over the monitoring efforts, Gonzales disputed published reports that have detailed the arguments.

"They did not relate to the program the president disclosed," Gonzales testified. "They related to something else, and I can't get into that." Justice spokeswoman Tasia Scolinos played down Gonzales's remarks, saying he "did not say anything new" about the NSA program.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/06/AR2006040600764.html

[madmark]

1. "They did not relate to the program the president disclosed"

That means there is another program of surveillance or type of surveillance not heretofore disclosed. And it would appear that it would involve warrantless domestic spying because what other type is left.

[dave502d]

3. madmark: I think you our right. n/t

[notadmblnd]

8. When he testified originally he kept specifying "program"

This is how he avoided telling a lie. IIRC, He refused to answer any questions about any other programs on the basis that they were matters of national security. He aslo pointed out several times when he did answer a question, that it was about the specific program the pretzledent had disclosed.

Anyone else recall that?

[JDPriestly]

2. Basically, we are living under a dictatorship.

Any illusion we have a freedom is just that -- an illusion. I'll bet NASA hones in on DU and knows all our addresses, telephone numbers and names. They can have mine.

[leftchick]

5. Exactly what John Dean said on KO tonight

he looked very upset by albert's statement. :(

[grasswire]

9. John Dean:

"If there is no check on the chief exective, the country is not a democracy."

That's what he said tonight.

[bullimiami]

4. oh stfu already. liars. they have been spying on their 'enemies' since it

began. they are criminals, using our own intel services against us.

[MasonJar]

6. It was evident to me from the beginning that these wiretaps were

not limited to al Queda. Do they think we are idiots? (Well, some of are.) I am sure that they wiretapped Kerry and Edwards and no telling who else. That is why the administration could not go to the judges.

[Generator]

7. Goddamn motherfuckers!

Yeah, I heard that golden nugget on Countdown. Meanwhile, the big story of the day is great and all but guess what Dean said: It's HEARSAY. Bush isn't going down just because Libby said Cheney said Bush said okay. WE ALL know Bush and all of them are guilty as sin and traitors and adding this to the rot just sends me over the edge. But whose going to prove it and who GOD in your little smug heaven, who is going to STOP them?

[Jose Diablo]

10. They just keep going further and further

As long as nobody takes them to task for breaking a law, they will push the limit as far as it will go.