Text 17734, 90 rader
Skriven 2006-02-06 11:03:00 av LEE LOFASO (1:275/311)
     Kommentar till en text av GARY BRASWELL
Ärende: Framing
===============
Hello Gary,

GB>One thing I have noticed in the political area that has started to irritate
GB>is framing, specifically how the two parties are presenting to the public, t
GB>NSA eavesdropping.

Then why did Bush bring it up in his State of the Union speech?

GB>Democrats frame it as the administration spying on US citizens.

Warrantless wiretaps (calling a spade a spade).

GB>Republicans frame it as Democrats not wanting terrorists spied on.

Domestic spy program (insinuating that Americans are the bad guys).

GB>Both seems to discuss, little, the real issue at hand. I guess it makes sens
GB>since this issue may not generate any political hay to gain advantage over t
GB>other party.

Bush's guru, Karl Rove, thinks Republicans can gain political brownie
points by using the issue to divide Americans.

GB>First let me say I have zero problem with US citizens in contact with known
GB>suspected terrorists being spied on- legally.

Most Americans have a BIG problem with folks being in contact with known
or suspected terrorists.  And when folks know who they are dealing with,
and continue to be in contact with those individuals, that is an even
BIGGER problem of concern.  At least for most Americans.  After all, we
did lose the WTC Twin Towers, a severely damaged Pentagon, four
passenger airlines, and around 3,000 innocent people on 9-11.

GB>And that is the real issue. Legality. The following of laws, rules and
GB>procedures in carrying out these eaves droppings.

Then why is it that GWB refuses to abide by the FISA law, which REQUIRES
warrants?

GB>So far, what has become public, seems to call into question the Bush admin's
GB>record in what they did, with whom and when.

GB>"Informing" congress and the courts that deal with these issues may have not
GB>been enough or even correct.

Problem is, GWB did not inform the full Congress of his actions,
or intended actions.  GWB did not abide by the FISA law and its
requirements.  IOW, GWB placed himself ABOVE THE LAW.

GB>According to two people whom I have seen interviewed who were involved with
GB>creating the laws dealing with this kind of effort, not to mention people wh
GB>have used the laws in their jobs in government state there are provisions fo
GB>permission-after-the-fact. If there is no time, the agency does the work and
GB>then supplies explanation and paperwork to the courts to give their approval

The FISA law is a matter of public record.  GWB ignored the FISA law,
choosing to do whatever he wanted to do, whenever he wanted.

GB>Merely "informing" them that something took place is not enough, if indeed t
GB>was all that was done. Some of the congress people who were "informed" also
GB>objected to how the admin did what it did.

GWB did not inform the full Congress of his actions or intended actions.
The FISA requirement for warrants guards our civil liberties.  GWB chose
to ignore the FISA law, thus imperiling the civil liberties of all
Americans.

GB>We won't know for sure and might never know even with the upcoming
GB>investigation due to national security, exactly what was done or not done.

Any investigation into the matter will be a mere whitewash.

GB>But the hay making continues by both parties and right now its doing wonders
GB>for the Republicans, while the true issue, which would likely bore the publi
GB>to death, goes by little reported.

Karl Rove and his Republican Party created this issue in order to
attempt to paint the Democrats as "weak" or as "traitors".  IOW, it
is a political ploy, not a matter of national security.

GB>Its all those damn libs protecting terrorists or them damn Nazi Republicans
GB>spying on granny. Neither are true across the board.

It is about FASCISM IN AMERICA.

--Lee

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