1. I still have a problem understanding how the original FISA law was restricting the government's ability to track terrorists. Court orders for surveillance hardly seem that difficult of an impediment especially when you can get them retroactively.

Can someone please explain this to me?

Can someone please explain how Bush wasn't lying when he said that the government was following the FISA law at the time... turns out not true. Seems like his statements on issues shows a pattern of "falsehoods" from FISA to torturing. Its gotten to the point that if he denies something I take it to mean the opposite.

RMWiersema at 10:26AM on Feb 2nd 2008

2. Hey Russ, where were you December 21, 1996?

Where was your outrage when your collegue Jim McDermott Democrat-WA (aka: Baghdad Jim) had a pair of cohorts, John and Alice Martin, illegaly tape the cell phone conversations of John Boehner and Newt Gingrich?

I get it, Russ; Wide-Stance Republicans lawbreakers: Baaaaaaad, Wide-Band Democrat lawbreakers: Goooooood!!!!!!!

Paul Sparcello at 10:58AM on Feb 2nd 2008

3. I suppose it comes down to just how much respect we have for our Constitution if we are going to allow Bush and his corrupt administration to run roughshod over it.

Unfortunately, the neocons and pseudo-patriots like to blather on about the importance of freedom, yet they are all too eager to destroy and dismantle the very document which explains in perfect detail how those freedoms are to be administered to Americans. And, there's a tremendous embarrassment in the notion of just how ignorant these idiots are.

Personally, I hope the day comes when we bring Bush and his cronies up on charges of treason and hold the tiny tyrant accountable for his war crimes. No American should live beneath the banner of a regime of terror as we do today. The paranoia of the fools in charge is not the paranoia of the American people. And, the policies of this odious administration benefit no one other than the administration.

Dan at 10:59AM on Feb 2nd 2008

4. Hey Hoard,

FISA has been a Ferderal law since 1978. It's been amended two times; The Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006 and the Protect America Act of 2007.

The criticism is that the President may authorize, through the Attorney General, electronic surveillance without a court order for the period of one year.

Well, gee whiz. All this was passed by Congress. So if Senator Russ Feingold and Keith Olberamann don't like it.....tell them to write their congressman.

Willet at 11:02AM on Feb 2nd 2008

5. What are you whimpering about today, Paul? McDermott broke the law, and he was punished. According to a Seattle Times article from 2006:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002895236_webmcdermott28.html

"In a 2-1 opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that McDermott violated the rights of House Majority Leader John Boehner, who was heard on the 1996 call involving former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

The court ordered McDermott to pay Boehner more than $700,000 for leaking the taped conversation. The figure includes $60,000 in damages and more than $600,000 in legal costs."


Please read it several times so that the information can be adequately infused into that under-used puddle of sludge between your ears, okay? Maybe then you can stop your blubbering.

Dan at 11:08AM on Feb 2nd 2008

6. Dan:

I know all the details. I am wondering why there were no cat calls for his ouster from Congress by the Left Wing Liberals and their Media Cohorts.
Does the ability to get reelected outweigh the actual issuing of justice? If anyone needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law it is Politicians. Democrats and Republicans alike!!!!!!!

Paul Sparcello at 12:15PM on Feb 2nd 2008

7. 2. Hey Russ, where were you December 21, 1996?

Where was your outrage when your collegue Jim McDermott Democrat-WA (aka: Baghdad Jim) had a pair of cohorts, John and Alice Martin, illegaly tape the cell phone conversations of John Boehner and Newt Gingrich?

I get it, Russ; Wide-Stance Republicans lawbreakers: Baaaaaaad, Wide-Band Democrat lawbreakers: Goooooood!!!!!!!

***********************

So, are we to understand that because someone else (from the other side that is) did something that was illegal, it is now okay for others to do the same? Wow, we sure are willing to settle for very low standards from those who govern our nation.

This is so beyond being common sense, and decency, it actually reminds me of ill-mannered children acting out of control.

How ridiculous it is to see how some of our fellow Americans can actually use this argument to justify what those in the government are now doing.

If we believe that what others did in the past was wrong, we have an obligation and the responsibility to hold those accountable for their wrong doing now. Regardless of political affiliations, we must hold our government officials accountable and our nation must come first.

Patty at 12:58PM on Feb 2nd 2008

8. Patty:

Just my point. When is the Left going to demand the same accountibility of its Liberal Democrat Politicians that they demand of Conservative Republican Politicians?

Paul Sparcello at 1:32PM on Feb 2nd 2008

9. Our elected officals in House and Senate will decide the outcome of what powers are in the final FISA Law. If anyone has objections to the Law, contact your elected officals, as I have e mailed mine, and let your voice be heard. I do think that most will voice their opinion on various blogs and not bother to contact their elected officals, or even if they know who represents them in Washington. Democrats are in control of House and Senate, so they can block any unfair Law from being enacted and protect our privacy while still protecting our country.

ROBERT OKANE at 1:36PM on Feb 2nd 2008

10. #9
This may or may not be the only time I agree with Mr. Okane. However, he is 100% correct with this. We all must do our part.

One thing is to bitch about all the wrongs we see with our country and "the other side", sometimes it helps to get it out of our chest.

The responsible thing to do, is make our officials work for us. If they do not hear from us and what we want, nothing will ever get done.

I have written letters, emails and made calls. How many of you have done the same?

Patty at 1:55PM on Feb 2nd 2008

11. 8. Patty:

Just my point. When is the Left going to demand the same accountibility of its Liberal Democrat Politicians that they demand of Conservative Republican Politicians?

Well Paul - I'm pretty much an Independent, but I've gotta say that this incident must not have gotten much press! Neither the interception, nor whatever was said crosses my mind. Accountability goes along with impact!
I do know that the courts have ruled that neither cell phone nor cordless phone conversations are protected under wire-tap Laws - as drug deaslers have found to their chargrim!

Robert E. Quillen at 1:56PM on Feb 2nd 2008

12. poor russy feingold is gonna be sad that the mean ol' Bush administration is gonna read his daughters' email? wow, maybe she told him what a piece of crap his legislation was.

n danielson at 2:30PM on Feb 2nd 2008

13. oh, and the real hillarity is mr feingold sniveling about how the constitution has been trampled upon! wow.

N Danielson at 2:39PM on Feb 2nd 2008

14. you sniveling NEO-CONSTITUTIONALISTS take the cake.

N Danielson at 2:43PM on Feb 2nd 2008

15. sniveling neoconstitutionalist ???
What exactly doe's that mean ?

BOB JOHNSON at 3:47PM on Feb 2nd 2008