Bush Weakens Espionage Oversight
While the media loses their nut over whether Barack Obama is really distancing himself from Rev. Wright (while secretly being a Muslim, mind you) , there are real issues that they (with the exception of outstanding journalist Charlie Savage) are ignoring.
Almost 32 years to the day after President Ford created an independent Intelligence Oversight Board made up of private citizens with top-level clearances to ferret out illegal spying activities, President Bush issued an executive order that stripped the board of much of its authority.
The White House did not say why it was necessary to change the rules governing the board when it issued Bush's order late last month. But critics say Bush's order is consistent with a pattern of steps by the administration that have systematically scaled back Watergate-era intelligence reforms.
"It's quite clear that the Bush administration officials who were around in the 1970s are settling old scores now," said Tim Sparapani, senior legislative counsel to the American Civil Liberties Union. "Here they are even preventing oversight within the executive branch. They have closed the books on the post-Watergate era."
Ford created the board following a 1975-76 investigation by Congress into domestic spying, assassination operations, and other abuses by intelligence agencies. The probe prompted fierce battles between Congress and the Ford administration, whose top officials included Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and the current president's father, George H. W. Bush. Read on...
Just another nail in the coffin of oversight. Remind me again, how did that whole Watergate scandal end up? Why, it's almost as if Cheney&Co. wanted to ensure that couldn't happen again.
It's just a taste of the assault Obama can expect when it's just Rep's vs. Dem's
Should I be surprised?
So Bush, thinking himself the Second Estate figures he doesn't want to have to answer to the Third Estate and wants to continue to stifle the workings of the Fourth Estate?
How long before the people of America actually figure out what this bunch of criminals is up to? They have stolen the meat of the government and fed it to the Corporations and the people are left with the bone.
We were promised transparency in government.
We were promised avoidance of even the appearance of impropriety.
We were promised that government would get out of our lives.
We were promised that invading Iraq would make us safer.
So now you don't like the ass-f-ing we got instead. Typical liberal (/snark)
i'm so sick of the "just wait til the GOP get's started on OB" meme...I think most of america is just tired of the fear card.
I'm glad some people are following this one. The Bushies have pulled the same "destroy oversight and independence" move at pretty much every agency in the government, at least those that deal with any sort of regulation. I believe Dan Froomkin mentioned this earlier in the week, but Savage's piece is more detailed, and correctly notes that this is the Nixon (and Iran-Contra) gang all over again.
IF EVER THERE WAS JUST CAUSE (oh boy do I wish I knew how to put that in 16 inch type)
DOES THIS EVENT/PATTERN OBVIOUSLY OPEN THE FLOODGATES FOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE "SECRET GOVERNMENT" OF THE United States?
You know, the alphabet soup of killers and thieves, who seek to destroy our nation and it's true heritage of the dignity of man being paramount and replacing it with SLAVE LABOR? Do you never feel like a slave to the system when you can't take a day off to rest because the bills have to be paid.
Don't you know the commercial/consumer world imprinted on your brain by the TV GOD has enveloped our society and convinced hard working people to allow themselves to become no more than Pavlovian mice in the scheme of these fascist dictators?
How long before they march us off by the millions into the next war grinder for profit?
How long before they open up an all out assault on our nation with the ultimate goal of eugenic cleansing?
They dare not speak it but it is their ultimate view of a good life.
We have GOT to take these people down hard, with bars and cement cells.
The Nixons are back.
#8 jimbo92107 Says:
The Nixons are back.
They never left...
http://www.bartcop.com/rummy-cheney-old-days.jpg
FUCK BUSH
DAMN NAZIS
I have to believe these criminals will be in jail one day. I just have to.
Batocchio @ 6:
It sure is. They are going to do whatever it takes to get their way. They've made it this far. Hopefully, congress grows a some independence (and balls to not accept the fear tactics) and puts them ALL jail (even the ones pulling the strings).
How is it possible to hate one man, with whom I have no personal relationship SO MUCH???!!!!
From now on, the Bush/Cheney administration will no longer be prevented from engaging in illegal spying activities.
Who spies on the spies of the spies?
Can we begin Bush's extradition proceedings from Paraguay today?
goodgirlroxie @ 13:
The bush/cheney crowd should remember, those rules that they set into motion now will be used against them when the Administration changes hands.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_Plot
Why aren't more people talking about this?
It has as at least as much credibility as anything the are putting out there about Obama or the Clintons.
17 19 per cent
Well for one thing it's Wikipedia
And for the other thing the link doesn't work.
[It does now-Sitemonitor]
Ironic isn't it that what many of us see for the first time what crooks and liars this administration represents on our very own Crooks and Liars.
Obama and Hilary need to come forward and commit to righting all of these wrongs on day one. That includes investigating bush and cheney when they can't hide anymore.
If they allow the secrets to stay hidden, then there is nothing to stop it from happening again.
O.K. America, here is the scene: you know it is likely Republicans lose the election for the Whitehouse. So, Obama, or Hillary has a chance to be president. So Bush does not want Hillary there because Billy would likely be able to spot how they will cover up a whole bunch of fraud currently in motion. Here, Obama, will likely be coached by Uncle Lieberman his Senate mentor to look the other way.
All the while Chris Mathews tries to fix the election by pounding the hell out Hillary and Billy 24x7.
After a whole bunch of speeches, Obama in denial that he is an Islamic radical is charmed and vindicated for this time by the media. All, done with excellence and endorsed by Limbaugh and Hannity. Obama gets the nod for the General election. Only Later, surprise, to be caught in an Islamic corruption cover up charge and be blamed for last seven years of Bush and Companies sacking the Treasury.
Bush wins again, Jeb sends another “Hussein” to the gallows. LOL.
Don’t think that couldn’t happen, sure, especially with Arab Petro-dollars and your sacked tax money.
17 19 per cent
The link works now
I've only known about for a couple of months or so. I got a book and a DVD on the subject from the History Channel.
I've known it from the internet even longer, but I wasn't sure how much to trust it.
I sent a letter to the Dallas Morning News about Jonah Goldberg and other attempts to redefine fascism, and in so doing mentioned the story, as well as the BBC Radio 4 story linking Prescott Bush to the attempted coup.
Of course the paper didn't print it.
ysbaddaden @ 14:
Who do you think?
The spies.
ysbaddaden @ 18:
Thank You.
Jay @ 20:
Totally.
Bush's executive order will not outlast his term, and Congress WILL restore the FISA court which it established. Indeed, the bill yesterday goes a long way in that direction.
Bushco is going to LOSE. They are pulling the strings they still can, and that is not power, it is corruption, and corruption won't hold together.
Since FISA is currently the law (regardless of an executive order), the CIA and others still have to follow the law. Bush can restrain his own administration's interaction with the FISA court, but no attempt to delete it by fiat will EVER stand court review, and Congress won't allow it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt0a-fUO--w
Orangutan. @ 25:
Don't you mean there would be nothing to stop it from going FURTHER from this point onward?
I mean; if you look at the Third Reich... the FOURTH REICH have gotten much much further.
It's why I hang my American Flag upside down on the 4th of July... and post the Declaration of Independence everywhere I can.
♣Bangkok Bob♣ @ 16:
Bangkok Bob, what makes you so sure the administration is going to change hands? I would change your comment to read "if the administration changes hands."
C&L,
Change this screen capture. To have an advertisement for John Adams, a very real & very true American Patriot, in the same screen shot as the Nazi's GW Bush and RB Cheney is nothing short of sacrilege.
Bush and Cheney, through numerous Executive Orders, that this Democrat ass kissing site has totally ignored or have been too busy caught up in the Craig's and Spitzer's of the world, have set themselves up quite nicely to usurp all Constitutional Powers to declare a national emergency, suspend elections and establish a security state under the auspices of these mongols.
Fallon gone, protection for average citizens flushed down the toilet of history and war with Iran in the offing the U.S. will soon be placed under martial law.
My advice for all you pacifists; buy gold, water and bullets. Be sure you have a good tent & sleeping bag and be prepared to die. Our nation will soon be embroiled in revolution.
Regardless of the outcome our only mission for each of us is to survive. None of us will be of any use in the salvation of this once great nation dead or in a Halliburton managed detention center.
goodgirlroxie @ 29:
Bushco cannot continue by fiat either.
V for Vendetta @ 30:
You don't have to live like a refugee.
What a craven statement. FIGHT back.
V for Vendetta @ 30 "John Adams, a very real & very true American Patriot, in the same screen shot as the Nazi's GW Bush and RB Cheney is nothing short of sacrilege."
Really. Check out the Alien and Sedition Acts some time. Adams is PERFECT for this thread. He specifically made it illegal to criticize him! And made himself a laughing stock doing it.
"Bush and Cheney, through numerous Executive Orders...usurp all Constitutional Powers to declare a national emergency"
None of that is more than a neocon pipedream intended to scare people like you.
They could not have pulled any of that crap if the Congress AND the American people didn't enable them!
How many Congressmen/women read the Patriot Act before voting on it? Etc., etc.
Yellowbird @ 28:
I don't believe that the Bush gang will leave office willingly. How can anyone who's truly been paying attention to what they've done to the constitution and the bill of rights think that they'll leave office when their term expires. They've been changing the rules specifically to ensure that what they say is what goes. The lower houses haven't done a thing about any of the crimes that the gang has committed. Remember "impeachment is off the table". I'm sure that there will be some sort of "crisis" around election time and it will be "postponed". The Supreme court is firmly in the hands of the Bush gang, so they'd be no help. And if you think about the last 7 and bit years, do you really believe that the gang would care one way or another if the court said that they had to leave office? They've proved time and again that they are a law unto themselves. If they don't like some rule or other, they change the rule, not their actions. Face it, they are not leaving office willingly. They don't have to, and they don't want to.
if either candidate promised me that their term would be dedicated to investigating and prosecuting the crimes of the bush administration i'd follow them well nigh anywhere. if a candidate promised that they would dedicate themselves to dismantling the many perversions of justice, signing statements, executive orders, and political lies hampering the reign of science fact, reason and common sense, i'd vote for them in a second.
i want these people to know it doesn't end here, that they don't get to go home and retire and write memoirs. that instead they'll have to worry about grand juries and subpoenas, and jail time and one eyed prison guards with steel teeth named nancy.
Yellowbird @ 28:
I rewrote the Declaration last 4th of July.
http://myfightfordemocracy.blogspot.com/2007/07/new-declaration-of-indep...
ysbaddaden @ 18:
You are right. If it isn't from a reliable source such as Youtube or the bible, or (more importantly) about a Democrat, it should be dismissed.
♣Bangkok Bob♣ @ 16:
Ya right. I'd pay to see that. We all know nothing will happen to them. Ever. They'll take their fraud money, and retire on the taxpayer's dime, then give little speeches to special interest groups and earn millions. There isn't a single person in office now, or in the future that will touch this.
Paul in LA @ 26:
Hahahahahahaa......
War criminals need to be held accountable.
39 19 per cent
Read 22 ysbaddaden
♣Bangkok Bob♣ @ 3:
When they are actually forced to live in their cars that they can no longer afford to put gas in. Which, by the way, is just around the corner.
From that picture of chainey I can swear he's thinking, "What is that moron going to say next?"
Paul in LA @ 26:
You really think this is still the U.S. of the mid 20th century don't you? It's amazing what people will delude themselves into believing.
ysbaddaden @ 43:
Sorry, I read it, but responding to you wouldn't allow me to be as snarky.
Here is the link to the BBC Documentary:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/document/document_20070723.shtml
Sorry it isn't a short video or the word of god.
This doesn`t upset me much as if the oversight board did refer something now it would be to Bush and Mukasey which might as well be to Bush only as Mukasey is more or less the brighter version of Alberto Gonzales.As far as de-politicizing the DOJ,and prosecuting the criminal Bush gang,Mukasey has done nada
"It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war; the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf."
Ah, yes, remember '72. Divide and something or other was the plan... And, if you remember well enough, it worked so well they destroyed McGovern’s career and the anti-war left. Nixon was reelected with the nonexistent ‘silent majority’. . .
Also, you might be well to remember something called ‘the Vietnam War 64-75.’ Turned out that the FBI and others sent many agent provocateurs into the American anti-war left to foment violence at demonstrations and make the left look crazy for supporting Weathermen, Black Panthers, etc. at a time when National Guardsmen were shooting students at American universities. Also, remember something quaint called the ‘Church Committee’; Cheney and company, for some unknown reason, hate the Church Committee so much even after all these years. Bush/Cheney repealed the last rules about the domestic spying oversight committee, which grew out of the Church Committee, on the anniversary of the day the same rules went into effect --just a few days ago in fact (‘Just a coincidence’ said a Bush spokesmen). This effectively strips any oversight within the Executive Branch, finally!
‘Course people don’t demonstrate today, they are too selfish, disorganized and programmed to hate hippies too much. But they sure seem to get on the internet and speak out these days, even raise money for progressive causes and have something called blogs, like Huffinstuff and DailyKaos. Bet Cheney hates that. Now consider how the Pentagon, NSA, CIA, FBI, plus something new called Homeland Security have billions and billions (much more money than during Vietnam in fact) to set up all kinds of great secret new domestic spying. Just to look for terrorism, don’t worry! Oh, they said they never would, but we accidently found out that the NSA and company are in fact tapping every email, phone call and credit card transaction not only around the world, but domestically as well. Of course they aren’t listening to the content of your communications! Heaven’s no! Of course, there is no warrant required, and they can tap directly into the ATT hubs so nobody can check. And now, thanks to Bush/Cheney/Rove there is no oversight of any kind.
Do you really think all this domestic spying does not include covert action to disrupt and discredit ‘domestic enemies?’ Pray tell what enemies might they find in our country, anyway? If I recall, Bush, Cheney, Rove, McCain, and the whole GOP has said on many occasions that those evil Democrats are working for terrorists! McClain speculated, just the other day, that the terrorists would do something to take the upcoming election away from him- cause we know he’s gonna win!
Today in 2008 do you seriously think these out of control spy powers --under the direct thumb of Bush/Cheney/Rove-- are NOT in fact being used against Clinton, Obama and the Democrats, as these spy powers were in groovy 1972?
Still think you are safe and secure? That all this spying going on is only to ‘protect’ you? That the lefty blogs are not being manipulated if not controlled by the same evil forces today? That it is all just ‘pure accident’?
Go do some reading and wake the hell up. Start with the Church Committee’s APRIL 26 1976 “D. Using Covert Action To Disrupt And Discredit Domestic Groups” at http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/cointelpro/churchfinalreportIIcd.htm
“Let them call me rebel and welcome, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul by swearing allegiance to one whose character is that of a sottish, stupid, stubborn, worthless, brutish man.”
Acting Patriotic @ 9:
These guys are way beyond Nixon.
With today's technology they can suck up all of the email and phone traffic in the country.
Paul in LA @ 26:
Yesterday's FISA revision in House will take some considerable work to get through Senate without being butchered.
As far as following the law, BushCo doesn't have much experience. They claim we are at war (Bush declared mission accomplished, what nearly five years ago), to them that expands the power of Commander in Chief well beyond the mere peacetime bounds.
They get a hacked opinion of what is legal and off they go.
Lot's of things can happen, like an October surprise.
Paul in LA @ 33:
Paul, you are talking about a nation in it's infancy. A nation that was saturated with remnants of British and French sympathizers. The Alien and Sedition Acts (four separate acts), most of which was repealed in 1802, was required to insulate and protect an embryonic Federal government. What was Adams' to do allow Newfoundland ex-pats to restore the crown?
Adams, a self made man of modest means, whose selfless work to free this nation from British rule was of different cloth than GW Bush, the ne'erdowell son of privilege, who seeks to destroy the Constitutional underpinnings of our nation to concentrate power into the hands of an unilateral executive as clearly warned by Al Gore.
As to your last point I fear nothing but, am fully prepared for anything. If you choose to remain unprepared that is on you.
I'll see you when I cross over to Hell.
Watergate is only a big deal because of E Howard Hunt. Hunt said "I'll tell the press who really killed kennedy and bring your down mofo if you don't get $1,000,000 and the heck outta jail"
Nixon had no choice. He ended his presidency defending the assassin of Kennedy.
They are not going to make the same mistake twice. They are going for "all the marbles" and Obama gets elected the fascists who "run the country" will in all probably kill him.
Alice Hussein @ 50:
I've seen the ventriloquist act shown in the picture. The dummy says the oddest things but none of them are funny.
♣Bangkok Bob♣ @ 16:
Yeah, Hillary and donkey-dong Bill will love`em. From the frying pan into the fire.
Steve E @ 55:
She won`t show her record of her earmarks or her income tax returns. Why not? She abhors oversight.
Can somebody explain to Pelosi what an impeachable offense is?
V for Vendetta @ 51:
Nonsense. Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe -- NONE of them thought it necessary to stop tabloids from smearing them by voiding the 1st amendment within a decade or two of its inception.
The apotheosis of Adams is RIDICULOUS, and McCullough is NOT a reliable scholar. The only reason why Adams is being elevated is in order to deny the Jeffersonian role. Who needs the first amendment?
And the whole point is that the Sedition Act ONLY protected Adams' sweaty self-image. Imagine the supposed need for a law that expires as soon as the current occupant leaves! If it was worth doing, it was worth doing for the first twenty-thirty years, not just for Adams' term because he had a thin skin.
gmsingh @ 57:
Will someone explain to you that without 67 votes in the Senate it doesn't matter what the definition of 'impeachable offense' is?
V for Vendetta @ 51:
There is no such thing. Your superstitions are many.
Alice Hussein @ 50:
The point is that the House solution ELIMINATES the argument for blanket immunity.
Can they give it up anyhow? Probably, but to do so without a legal justification is a deadend for those politicians. Since we need to replace incumbents in the Senate, let them destroy their careers -- FISA and the United States will survive.
V for Vendetta @ 51:
Unfortunately for the people thrown in jail under the Alien and Sedition Act stayed in jail long past the expiration of Adams term.
Peter G @ 62:
They would have been thrown in jail from the Sedition Act. Those punished were limited to five years in prison -- a possible death sentence in those days. The Alien Acts (3 of them) would have been punished by deportation (no one was ever deported, showing the falsity of those laws).
But Jefferson pardoned the last two remaining victims (Thomas Callendar and David Brown -- Adams himself pardoned some), so I don't think you're correct about the length of imprisonment.
Americans have to know by now that Bush/Cheney are reaching for complete power and control over this nation and by now,, they have obstain it.
Does anyone really believe that after Bush has destroyed our constitution , bill of rights and democracy that he or the republicans are going to let a democrat be elected to the office of presidency??
Do you really believe they will let the democrats receive enough seats in the senate and house to over-ride his veto??
Do you believe that Bush , Cheney or the republicans are going to take a chance to let the democrats start criminal proceeding against them after they leave office??
So were does that leave us??? We know Bush is going to invade Iran/Syria that is a given, but what we are not quite sure of yet ,, is Bush going to declare marshal law and place his Blackwater mercenary army in charge of our country as he did on a test trial in New Orleans or is he just going to make sure the elections are fixed so the democrats will lose..
Bush has illegally taken more power then the office of president gives him,, and our democrats have too many republican elected on our democratic ticket as democrats to stop him. Bush will never give this power up, because with his little Hitler dance he did the other day when talking about McCain , you can tell the power he has stolen/taken ,, has made he head twice as large as it was before (and that was quite an accomplishment) Bush/Cheney illegally stole the office in 2000 and 2004.
Sporty @ 64:
He doesn't have the power to stop it, just as he didn't have the power to stop the landslide in 2006. Their votefraud machine is broken, and the public have lost faith in his bullshit.
Paul in LA @ 65:
Their votefraud machine is broken…
How so?
Paul in LA @ 33:
This President and his administration will go down in history as the most criminal and corrupt ever. Nice legacy. The sad part about it is that he is probably proud of that fact.
Alice Hussein @ 66:
By replacing the SecStates in CA, OH, FL, and several others of the top ten populations, and by a myriad of voting rights activists, mainly.
The wildcard this time is the disenfranchisement lists, which are a major problem. But it is nothing like they had in 2000, 2004.
Patriot Scholar @ 68:
Just last week he said that it was "sweet."
This is the psycho who said in December 2001, "Laura and I have had a great year," who joked about not finding WMD under his Oval Office cushions, and when asked about his legacy, said, "We'll all be dead."
No such traitor has ever had this much fun.
The Son of Satan will now make us pay for all the debauchery. Adios
♣Bangkok Bob♣ @ 16:
IF it changes hands...I'm not so sure we'll even get to November without SOMETHING BAD happening that will give the fascist Bush regime the excuse to declare martial law and suspend elections.
The Bush Republicans are truly like a cancer eating away at our Democracy. Thus far, it seems the system is too weak to fight them off. That means America is dying.
ashabot @ 73:
On the contrary, the disease has, likely, been survived.
Consult Dr. 2006, and you may find Dr. 2008 is even better.
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 72:
They don't have either power.
Something bad happening is very likely, in order to throw the election. Nationwide martial law is entirely unsustainable, and blocking elections would bring swift political punishment. Can they blow the world up? Perhaps. But they haven't succeeded in holding onto power.
In order to run a country by fiat, you have to have a bit more than 20% of the population on your side.
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