Crossposted from Stop the ACLU
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media@aclu.orgNEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today sharply criticized a Justice Department investigation into the disclosure of an illegal National Security Agency domestic eavesdropping operation approved by President George W. Bush.
In a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as well as two full-page advertisements in the New York Times, the ACLU has called for the appointment of a special counsel to determine whether President Bush violated federal wiretapping laws by authorizing illegal surveillance of domestic targets.
The following statement can be attributed to ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero:
“President Bush broke the law and lied to the American people when he unilaterally authorized secret wiretaps of U.S. citizens. But rather than focus on this constitutional crisis, Attorney General Gonzales is cracking down on critics of his friend and boss. Our nation is strengthened, not weakened, by those whistleblowers who are courageous enough to speak out on violations of the law.”
“To avoid further charges of cronyism, Attorney General Gonzales should call off the investigation. Better yet, Mr. Gonzales ought to fulfill his own oath of office and appoint a special counsel to determine whether federal laws were violated.”
Unbelievable! This shows just how concerned the ACLU is with National Security, absolutely none. Why would the ACLU not want an investigation of sources leaking classified information? What other reason, than hatred of America could it be? What we need is an investigation of the ACLU.
Ah, the madness of King George strikes again, from the BB (Bush Bullshit) administration.
Did the ACLU miss the Plame thing? Wouldn’t that be “whistleblowing” too?
Well Lynn … I’m not GWB’s biggest fan but then again, I thought Clinton was a bit of an arrogant scumbag too. I suppose I’m out of step with today’s world but I found it a bit offensive that he committed US troops while getting his stump licked by ML. I managed, however, to keep my mouth shut … whether I voted for him or not, he was my country’s President … duly elected, duly sworn in. I find people like you that are so focused on demeaning GWB that you demean the Presidency and our country in the process disgusting. If you can do nothing but attach labels and spout childish names, STFU. You add nothing intelligent to either discussion of or argument over the issues at hand.
:clap_tb: :clap_tb: :clap_tb: Well said, as usual, LTC. I suspect a drive by, though. We’ll never hear from Lynn again. Not entirely a bad thing.
Thank you both for your insite! Read on, perhaps you may understand the expression of outrage of AMERICANS at a lose of liberty is equivalent to a lose of Democracy.
http://safeinthewoods.blogspot.com/
http://godhumor.blogspot.com/2005/12/god.html
http://burnedupandburnedout.blogspot.com/
Well again, Lynn … I believe you mean “insight” and “loss” … but be that as it may, what liberties have YOU lost? And how many people do you know that have lost anything? After over 27 years serving the US, much of it overseas, I’m here to offer you my “insight” … “liberty” and “democracy” don’t come free. As to the root subject of this comment string … cogent arguments have been made on both sides of the legality issue. Since the President informed Congress of what he was doing (ie – he didn’t attempt to hide it from the Congressional leadership), I give him the benefit of the doubt unless and until somebody finds specific and incontrovertible evidence that the NSA eavesdropping was used for other than the stated purpose. All of this “moral outrage” is a crock of horse manure. AMERICANS should be applauding – no 9/11s since … well, 9/11/01.
Once again Thank You, I lost my brother.
Iraq? or 9/11? In either case, I regret your loss … sincerely.
With all due respect; I am a former United States Military Police Officer and after college I became a Social Worker. Both my parents were Marines and my x is a retired Sgt. Major. I like to think I am open-minded; perhaps I am not as much as I thought. I believe in this country, I have defended it. And I will continue to defend it while at the same time expressing my opinion on issues regarding my country. I believe that forums are a great place to express opinions. Disagreement over issues is part of a forum. For me to read an opinion different from my own is a very good thing. Just because I am older doesn’t mean I am set in my ways or opinions. If you disagree with me it is great to tell me why, I’m always learning. I may not change my mind but I listen and think about what has been said. To be abusive on a forum because one differs in opinions is not productive. To explain why you disagree is. A person can look at a situation through a different perspective and understand another opinion with additional clarity. And perhaps that conviction will change their mind or cause them to rethink the issues involved.
Well again, Lynn … I am a retired armor officer … my dad was a career army officer … WWII and Vietnam … my grandfather was army … WWI … and I am 56 … my daughter is a combat medic … just returned from a year in the Baghdad Army hospital where she worked the trauma room. I don’t think I have been abusive … I challenge name calling or demeaning the President. It adds nothing to a discussion. Maybe we have some common ground … my e-mail is jgw4miscmail@adelphia.net if you are interested. Regards -
Okay, Lynn. Take a look at your first post here and consider that it doesn’t really contain anything of substance. There’s nothing there to be discussed or taken seriously and, to my thinking, you got some of what you deserved for it.
Most of us who read this blog and comment like to discuss, debate and argue points. We often look at things the same way but that doesn’t mean that we always agree. When we don’t we discuss it and give our reasons.
Posters are even free to disagree with our host without deletions or banning. He takes pleasure in debating opinions different from his own and will do so vigorously. Again, you won’t be banned for disagreeing although foul language, personal attacks and general trolling may cause a problem.
This may be a different experience for you if you frequent blogs that delete and ban people who have opinions different from the host and the regular readership. Many of us here have been banned from “progressive” sites for disagreeing. I’ll link you to a site that banned me for this very sin, if you like. It’s in the archives here.
I too have served. I spent six years in the U.S. Navy; a year of technical schools and five years in the fleet on destroyers. I’ve never heard a “shot fired in anger” but I have experienced the loss of shipmates to the sea. Things happen. Young men and women die in service to their country. Sometimes it seems a stupid waste to no worthy purpose, sometimes it is not. It is always regretable.
After 9/11 I wanted to feel a steel deck under my feet again for the first time in twenty eight years. I wanted to contribute again. I wanted to strike another blow for freedom. There seems to be some prejudice against 57 year old sailors though. Dammit!
Looking at your first post I see you have a problem with Dubya. We have some gripes too, illegal aliens and his apparent inaction on them being a big one. Tell us what your problems are with him and we’ll discuss it. We might even find some common ground.
State an opinion of substance on the subject of the post. Give us something to discuss. The “BusHitlerCheneyHaliburtonEvilChimpyMcFlightSuit” crap just doesn’t fly.
We would also relish the opportunity to show you other aspects that you may not have considered and are open to having you try to convince us otherwise.
Just slinging mud without a substantial base is not taken seriously. Indeed it makes the mudslinger look like a Kool-Aid drinker parroting the “party line”.
Rather than just disparaging the Senators from Massachucetts, for example, I can tell you why I don’t like them. The same goes for the Senators from Ohio, the state in which I presently reside. It’s not partisan, as one pair is Dem and the other is Rep. It is my true opinion on what they have said and/or done. I can also tell you why I like Joe Lieberman and don’t trust John McCain any more, having once thought he might make a good President.
Give it a try. You may like it. We may all learn something and who knows, opinions might be modified, yours, mine and others.