"Data Mining" versus "Terrorist Surveillance Program"

Early last year, George W Bush admitted to "data mining" and eavesdropping on millions of Americans, with the assistance of AT&T and other communication giants. Of course, in his admission, Mr Bush changed the name of "data mining" to the more acceptable "Terrorist Surveillance Program". He "unclassified" the program to let the people know that it was only to eavesdrop on "terrorists" calling in or out of this country.

Of course, they immediately arrested all those folks on the other end of the phone calls from the terrorists.<sarcasm> Hadn't you read about all those folks they caught with their "data mining"?? I didn't think so. But why didn't they arrest those on the other end of the phone, especially those in our country?? Did they just let them continue going about their daily business, so as not to blow their cover? Could anyone honestly buy that bunch of bologna?

The truth is that Mr Bush used "TSP" as an excuse after the NYTimes exposed the "data mining" scheme, which was illegal. Of course, the "data mining" program was kept classified and, most likely, is going full steam even today? Now Mr Bush wants to change the law to make what he did "legal". That is why he insisted on changing the FISA laws in his radio address yesterday. Bottom line: The laws were broken and Mr Bush knows he alone is guilty of breaking the FISA laws. If it were to protect the American people, how many arrests have been made?

When Alberto Gonzales testifies before Congress that they went to the hospital bed of John Ashcroft, in attempts to get him to approve the actions of George W Bush and the Justice Dept, and that they discussed "other intelligence matters" than the program the President defined, the Terrorist Surveillance Program, then he is technically correct.

Because at that time, there was no TSP, there was only the "data mining" that was being done illegally. Several members of the Administration, including Ashcroft and the FBI's Mueller, threatened to resign if this went forward. That is when Mr Bush changed the name of the program to Terrorist Surveillance Program and promised that they would no longer do the illegal "data mining" that had been going on for years. Of course, why shouldn't we believe this Administration? Haven't they been honest about everything else?

this whole stinking kettle of fish out into the open where even the most non-political folks in this country can smell the illegalities that this administration has been engaged in (among all the other nefarious acts and actions) right from day one. Actually even before day one if you count stealing elections.

NOT.

Was thinking about you the other day - and wondering how you were. It has been eons since our paths crossed on the forums. :hi:

I have gone "underground"... :-)

I think if I was in Congress I would want to see a full report on the achievements of such data mining, whether it is actually improving our ability to catch terrorists? CIA asked for more leeway to be able to track terrorists without warrants but how can Congress be sure that this data mining is used in the correct way?

To use the analogy James Bamford uses.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1465930&mesg_id=1466107

Probably also uses ChoicePoint's 100% reliable (sic) data too. No wonder Green Party, Ted Kennedy et al, get jerked around. It's open season on liberals, just put a bull's eye on your back.

Kick and Nom.