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Bush Backed Spying On Americans

Posted by Zonk on from the no-privacy-in-the-constitution-means-free-for-all dept.

jb.hl.com writes "President Bush allowed security agents to eavesdrop on people inside the U.S. without court approval after 9/11, the New York Times has reported. The report says that under a 2002 presidential order, the National Security Agency has been unconstitutionally and illegally monitoring international communications of hundreds in the U.S. When asked about the programme on U.S. TV, the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said, 'The president acted lawfully in every step that he has taken.'"

1 of 1,092 comments (clear)

  1. It's not illegal... by EmagGeek · · Score: 0, Redundant

    It's not illegal to wiretap international calls. The government is constitutionally allowed to tap any call to the US that originates from a foreign country, and also to tap any call originating in the US that terminates in a foreign country. A court order is only requred for calles originating in and terminating in the United States, that are not routed outside the United States and its possessions (including satellites, regardless of whose airspace they are in).

    Also, the Patriot Act authorizes domestic and international wiretaps if either of the subjects in the call are suspected of being involved in terroristic activity.

    Nothing to see here. Move along.