Bush Admin Has Been Using Illegal Wiretapping and Spying Activity for Political Purposes. Doubt It?

[kpete]

In a recent BuzzFlash editorial, we noted that the acquisition of domestic spying powers for political purposes was one of three key strategies in the Republican effort to achieve long-term control of the United States apparatus of government.
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/editorials/152

Bush Administration Has Been Using Illegal Wiretapping and Spying Activity for Political Purposes. Doubt It?
Submitted by mark karlin on Mon, 08/20/2007 - 8:01am. Editorials
A BUZZFLASH EDITORIAL

In an under covered trial in a California courtroom, a Constitutional drama is unfolding of major significance.
It a federal lawsuit filed by Americans who claim that the Bush Administration, with the cooperation of AT&T, illegally spied on them. The Bush Administration has taken the Orwellian position that the trial must not be allowed to proceed because it would require the White House to reveal if they indeed have illegally monitored the plaintiffs – and that – the Bush Politburo argues – would violate "state secrets."

......................

Reaching back into the recesses of our memory, we recall that in one of Alberto Gonzales’s farcical appearances before Congress – when the FISA illegal eavesdropping first broke in the New York Times (after they sat on the story for a year) – Gonzales was asked if the spying might have been used for domestic purposes other than terrorism. Gonzales’s responded, in essence, that he couldn’t say for sure.

...........................

With domestic spying powers just recently legally expanded by a Democratic Congress to include, according to the New York Times, certain types of physical searches on American soil and the collection of Americans' business records, the Bush Administration now has legal authority to achieve what Nixon attempted to do illegally in the Watergate burglary.

..................

This is not BuzzFlash idle speculation; it is what the Bush Administration, now enabled by the lack of caucus discipline in a Democratic Congress, has achieved.

much more at:
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/editorials/157

[Cooley Hurd]

1. This admin is the most unscrupulous, corrupt and malicious in US history...

...so, OF COURSE they would use all the tools of the military, CIA and the NSA at their disposal for political purposes.

I also believe they use that info to silence and neuter critics and opposition party members.

[indepat]

2. Using the national apparatus against political enemies rather than concentrating

on real/potential enemies keeps us so much safer?

[tibbiit]

5. you left out Political friends

Ive thought for years that the republicans are kept in line by spying.
tib

[madokie]

4. blackmail is the only thing that explains the mess the dems have allowed us to be in

one would not have to say to the other that if you do this then I will do this and you don't want me to do that now do you, no all is required is to tactfully insert a word or phrase to get the message across that you know something that they wouldn't want to let be known or whatever. Our congress critters are being blackmailed and I would bet on that, 'cept of course I don't bet but if I did I damn sure would.

[lonestarnot]

6. One would surely think so, even if they only have a couple of brain cells left to rub together.

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. Why would anyone doubt it? This adm. has made breathing political.

I'm sure they did use everything the their power to get info to use in their political madness.

[L. Coyote]

7. What about business spying. Go directly after the money. Insider tradings, etc.

[paparush]

8. Who is willing to do this? What kind of person spies on another? What mind frame can be

manipulated into acting on these powers?

Its just stunning...

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. I want to know how far this went. How prevalent was it?

Imagine if this was a bene they made available to their RNC & GOP cronies to stifle dissent in the local areas.

[GeorgeGist]

10. I've assumed this since the before 2004 election ...

I also presume it has some bearing on the reluctance of too many Congressional Representatives to sign onto impeachment.

[L. Coyote]

11. I assume it has been going on since long before the RNC/Nixon got caught

[Disturbed]

12. The FISA Court was generous but they turned down a few

requests for Spying.

Will we ever know what they turned down & why?

Now there won't be any restrictions.

Does anyone think that this will be changed after the six month expiration?