If the DemoBats have the majority in the Congress and Senate, how did this pass? Man, they talked a good game before the election, but as usual, nothing but empty suits. Keep voting Democrat guyz ... they are the party that will lead us to liberty ... NOT!

House Approves Wiretap Bill


Sunday August 5, 2007 3:31 AM

By CHARLES BABINGTON
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The House handed President Bush a victory Saturday, voting to expand the government's abilities to eavesdrop without warrants on foreign suspects whose communications pass through the United States.
The 227-183 vote, which followed the Senate's approval Friday, sends the bill to Bush for his signature. He had urged Congress to approve it, saying Saturday, ``Protecting America is our most solemn obligation.''
The administration said the measure is needed to speed the National Security Agency's ability to intercept phone calls, e-mails and other communications involving foreign nationals ``reasonably believed to be outside the United States.'' Civil liberties groups and many Democrats said it goes too far, possibly enabling the government to wiretap U.S. residents communicating with overseas parties without adequate oversight from courts or Congress.
The bill updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, known as FISA. It gives the government leeway to intercept, without warrants, communications between foreigners that are routed through equipment in United States, provided that ``foreign intelligence information'' is at stake. Bush describes the effort as an anti-terrorist program, but the bill is not limited to terror suspects and could have wider applications, some lawmakers said.
The government long has had substantial powers to intercept purely foreign communications that don't touch U.S. soil.
If a U.S. resident becomes the chief target of surveillance, the government would have to obtain a warrant from the special FISA court.
Congressional Democrats won a few concessions in negotiations earlier in the week. New wiretaps must be approved by the director of national intelligence and the attorney general, not just the attorney general. Congress has battled with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on several issues, and some Democrats have accused him of perjury.
The new law also will expire in six months unless Congress renews it. The administration wanted the changes to be permanent.
Many congressional Democrats wanted tighter restrictions on government surveillance, but yielded in the face of Bush's veto threats and the impending August recess.
``This bill would grant the attorney general the ability to wiretap anybody, any place, any time without court review, without any checks and balances,'' said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., during the debate preceding the vote. ``I think this unwarranted, unprecedented measure would simply eviscerate the 4th Amendment,'' which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.
Republicans disputed her description. ``It does nothing to tear up the Constitution,'' said Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif.
If an American's communications are swept up in surveillance of a foreigner, he said, ``we go through a process called minimization'' and get rid of the records unless there is reason to suspect the American is a threat. The administration began pressing for changes to the law after a recent ruling by the FISA court. That decision barred the government from eavesdropping without warrants on foreign suspects whose messages were being routed through U.S. communications carriers, including Internet sites.

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Liberals are people that will believe anything twice.

I agree, the democrats should have stopped this.

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Life is good, the water is sweet. The ground keeps moving beneath my feet.

Vi please call the Democrat democrat... not DemoBat, No one here calls the Republicans Repukes or anything like that... They are called conservatives and republicans.

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The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. United State Constitution, Art. I Sec. 9 Par. 2

"Dissent is the Highest form of Patriotism" -- Howard Zinn

Actually I have seen the Republicans being called "Repukes".

Is John Edwards Setting the Agenda for the Democratic Nomination?


Despite the caustic criticism by right wing nutjobs about his Supposed specious carreer as an ambulance chaser, John Edwards is an Honest man. A real breath of fresh air in the political arena. He is out front with the right plan, I would gladly vote for him. I only hope he can out pace Hillary and Obama. If not, I will vote for any democrat. The repukes are definently more of the same, and not being a millionaire, more of the same doesn't work for me.

^^^LOL

Well, well, sticks and stones and all that....

Dank,for someone who is so willing to espouse Hitler and GWB comparisons with your promulgating of whack job 9/11 conspiracy theories, you sure have a thin skin!
IMO, DemoBat is relatively innocuous!

And, according to a Zogby poll from last week the Dems have achieved a record low approval rating regarding their handling of War……3%

Feckless dummies, who have somehow managed to make the slightly less inept Repubs look good in comparison. Amazing!

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If you wind up with a boring, miserable life because you listened to your mom, your dad, your teacher, your priest or some guy on TV telling you how to do your shit, then YOU DESERVE IT.
~ Frank Zappa ~

Liberty means responsibility, that is why most men dread it.
~George Bernard Shaw~

man republicans are just comin off like dicks lol im not political or what not but isnt are president republican an were pretty fucked up huh? i just want some changes is that so bad? an im not repin any set so dont roll on me or pop a cap

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i love pot

*lol* ... my apologies to the Dankster. From now on I won't refer to Democrats as DemoBats. I'll use DemoWacks instead.

Vi

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Liberals are people that will believe anything twice.