Reid: I was briefed on wiretaps once, three years after it began

[rawstory]

Democratic Senate leader: I was briefed on wiretaps once, three years after it began

RAW STORY

Statement from Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) issued to RAW STORY.

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“The President asserted in his December 17th radio address that “leaders in Congress have been briefed more than a dozen times on this authorization and the activities conducted under it.” This statement gives the American public a very misleading impression that the President fully consulted with Congress.

“First, it is quite likely that 96 Senators of 100 Senators, including 13 of 15 on the Senate Intelligence Committee first learned about this program in the New York Times, not from any Administration briefing.
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“I personally received a single very short briefing on this program earlier this year prior to its public disclosure. That briefing occurred more than three years after the President said this program began.

“The Administration briefers did not seek my advice or consent about the program, and based on what I have heard publicly since, key details about the program apparently were not provided to me.

More: http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Democratic_Senate_leader_I_was_briefed_1219.html

[sabra]

1. Reid, it's time to take them all down.

peace.

[Born Free]

8. damn democrats

it's all their fault for not finding out sooner and telling him not to do it...

[Changenow]

2. Wait until we find out who they really spied on

won't that be fun?

[Arkansas Granny]

5. My guess is that it had nothing to do with terrorism.

[liberalnurse]

6. That is the big secret.....

and the red herring! I really sense they spied on Democrats, journalist, entertainers, CIA/FBI employees..... of course any one of us!!!!

This is why they try to make this look " justifiably acceptable".....They have major crime/spy activity to cover up.

[Quakerfriend]

9. Yup, yup, yup!

And, this is LIKELY, given that we know they have been 'spying' on Quakers and other peace activists, environmentalists and animal rights groups!

[Straight Shooter]

16. Considering that Rove's database includes 10,000 people*

and considering further that apparently 500 were spied on without benefit of warrant, we can probably deduce that those 500 are not enemies of the American people, i.e., terrorists, but are rather the most significant and potentially damaging political enemies of bush himself.

*sorry, no link about Rove's database, but I do remember reading that he has kept extensive data on everyone within bush's political realm, and the number 10,000 was given in the article I read. Rove uses it to instantly provide ammunition against anyone who can do damage to bush. Think about Paul O'Neill and how he backpedaled after his book was published which portrayed bush in a very negative light.

[ewagner]

3. I'd like to know

if Reid was briefed AFTER the New York Times tried to print the article a year ago. I so, I believe that the cursory briefing Reid was given was only innoculation against the disclosure that was to soon follow.

e

[rd_kent]

4. Harry is pissed!!!!

I hope he takes 'em all down!!!!!

[superconnected]

7. Well I see the bush administration is caught bold face LYING again

While breaking the law.

You gotta wonder where these people come from. They're letting the corruption seep out all over, yet THEY'RE NOT BEHIND BARS.

They should be tried for conspiracy against the united states people. They are traitors to the constitution.

[Hyernel]

10. I'm sure Wreakpublicans were briefed.

One party rule and all that stuff

[CreekDog]

11. They're probably wiretapping Republicans now

...not Democrats. Democrats have no power, why bother. But they have to keep an eye on those moderate Republicans (no big task, only 7 of them nationwide) and the libertarian Republicans. After all, they can't trust anyone who hasn't accepted "Republican" Jesus.

[Rainscents]

12. Bush, he'll lie and lie and lie to American people.

I am sick and tired of his BS lies!

[AlamoDemoc]

13. I HAVE A SIMPLE QUESTION!

WHAT IS THERE LEFT TO WAIT? THREE MORE YEARS OF THE SAME...OR WORST YET TO COME ABOUT?

ITS TIME TO SAY, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...ITS TIME FOR LEADERSHIP....Let the chips fall where they may. ITS TIME FOR IMPEACHMENT.

[Burried News]

14. The Senate Minority Leader was briefly briefed ONCE.

That's not a briefing - it's a weggey - just enough to split the opposition party into factions - but this time that isn't going to work. For one thing Reid has too much credibility.

[NVMojo]

15. Go Reid! Bush hates us for our freedomS!!!!