Slashdot Mirror
President Bush Blocks NSA Wireless Tapping Probe
scubamage writes "By denying security clearance to federal attorneys from the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) seeking to gather evidence in the NSA illegal surveillance scandal, President Bush has effectively blocked the Justice Department's investigation into the matter of who exactly authorized the illegal actions to take place. The president is apparently able to strictly control who does and does not have security clearance to examine documents regarding the program, citing that giving more people access would endanger national security. His denial is the first of its kind in American history. To quote the article, 'Since its creation some 31 years ago, OPR has conducted many highly sensitive investigations involving Executive Branch programs and has obtained access to information classified at the highest levels,' chief lawyer H. Marshall Jarrett wrote in a memorandum released Tuesday. 'In all those years, OPR has never been prevented from initiating or pursuing an investigation.'"
Come on, at least pretend you're clever. This isn't Orwellian, it's Nixonian.
Sheesh, the quality of Bush-bashing on Slashdot was never that high to begin with, but it's sinking to the level of calling him 'poopyhead' these days.
Slashdot - where whining about luck is the new way to make the world you want.
Wow, this is some of the most convoluted apologetics I've ever seen. The denial of the security clearance to the investigation team was directly authorized by the president, with the knowledge that it would, indeed, block the investigation of the problem. The AG said as much - I'm astounded by your analogy's inappropriateness.
Once again, Bush declares himself dictator and he and his Executive Branch above the law. Not good for the American people. Additionally, if some major event happens and Bush declares Martial Law, every American is screwed because the Constitution would likely be suspended and everyone would lose their most treasured rights. Removing accountability and oversight is essential to effective government, and the US government is now the most ineffective at allowing oversight than it's ever been.
I'm glad I'm not American...
clinton was impeached because he lied to congress. not for receiving a blow job. (although, the lie was about receiving said blow job.)
I support congress impeaching a president for lying. whether or not he should have had to testify about receiving a blow job is an entirely different subject.
If the option is another loser like Kerry there is no option.
I love stacking my barbecues in the shed at the end of summer - you can't beat a bit of grill on grill action.
Damn, someone must be confused to let an intelligent comment sneak in with all the anti-Bush crap. Since he can actually do what the article is saying that means Congress passed a law giving him that power, oh, that means he's acting within the law. The simple fact is that everything he is being accused of is LEGAL, either from the Constitution or from specific acts passed by Congress. With the NSA wiretap, some members of the intelligence committees were informed, just not all, or it would have leaked sooner, the chair of the committee is the only one that HAS to be informed in most cases. It's funny how some members of Congress will vote for an act when the President is from their party and then whine when the other party has the White House and uses the same law the same way!
The larger problem is the fact that most of the congresscritters are bought and paid for by interests that are not good for the average citizen. Remember Congress passes ALL the spending bills that waste over 50% of OUR money!
Professional Politicians are not the solution, they ARE the problem.
How does that line spoken by Padme in Star Wars go? I think goes something like "So this is how democracy ends - with thunderous applause."
In the 30's and 40's, there was a charismatic (however, very misguided) leader who achieved power in much the same way. Today, that power is achieved and retained through a perpetuation of FUD, granted impunity to do as they please and hidden from scrutiny in the interest of National Security.
In the 80's, I stood behind a president that stood for building this country's military back into greatness (I am former military). Now, I can't wait wait to see the whole lot of them voted out of office - assuming that we have elections in 2008 that aren't rigged to ensure certain people stay in power. That goes for a lot of democrats who don't have the balls to stand for what's right and in the best interest of THIS country. Assuming that our voices are truly heard via open and free elections, we might actually start to see us getting this country back on track and restoring our national dignity after the next round. That, of course, assumes that people aren't put off by the whole process and actually vote their conscience.
RD
I think you all need to give the NSA "Illegal" "Domestic" wire tapping a rest. How come you can be so ignorant and biased; get so mad over this but not when your best buddy Clinton did it to the world with (Echelon)? You can't have double standards like that to be truely a liberal. Do some research come back tomorrow and we can play again. Class Begins 8:00am PST!