Deep Something

Disturbing and Illegal Raids in Minnesota

September 1, 2008 B. John 262 Views 1 Comment FBI, FISA, Glenn Greenwald, Judge Joanne Smith, Minnesota, PATRIOT Act, Ramsey County, republican, Republican Convention, RNC, Saloncom

Leading up to the Rethuglican National Convention in St. Paul, the federal government is leading local law enforcement in a disturbing number of high profile raids on homes and protesters. Most disturbing is the show of force involved in these raids, and the lack of evidence of any intent to commit any violence (other than protesting the state the Rethuglican have put the country in). Of course, trying to squelch these protests would be a violation of the Constitution. China has no Constitutional Protections, yet all the main stream media here in the U.S. was hand wringing over China’s efforts to quell protests during the Olympics…yet nary a peep from them about what’s going on in St. Paul.

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The Real Importance of Telecom Immunity to the Cheney Administration

March 14, 2008September 29, 2018 B. John 212 Views 0 Comments Alberto Gonzales, Andrew Card, FISA, george bush, James Comey, John Ashcroft, Marty Lederman, Telecom Amnesty

Well, the House seems to be sticking to their guns, and not passing a FISA bill that will grant immunity to the telecom industry for illegal spying. This is critically important, because it’s the last best hope to have the illegal surveillance activities of the current Cheney Administration see the light of day. During a press conference on February 28, George Bush finally went rogue on Dick, and accidentally told the truth about the reason for telecom immunity.

Constitution Crime Politics Society

FBI Gets Wiretaps Cut for Non-Payment

January 11, 2008 B. John 202 Views 0 Comments FBI, FISA, non-payment, Surveillance, Telecommunications, Telecommunications Companies, Wiretaps

It seems the big telecom companies (you remember, the ones wanting immunity for assisting Dick Cheney and King George in their illegal wiretapping scheme because of the dire consequences to national security), have been having to cut off the phone lines providing wiretap information to the feds because the FBI can’t pay their bills on time.

Congress Constitution Politics Presidency

Bill Nelson Continues His Assault on The Constitution

August 7, 2007 B. John 389 Views 2 Comments Bill Nelson, FISA, S.1927, senate, Senator Jim Webb

Well, S.1927, An Act To Amend The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 passed the Senate and House, with a bunch of weak kneed Democrats rushing to its support. Unfortunately I’m not surprised to find that Florida Senator Bill Nelson has voted in favor of the amendment. The Senator has consistently cast votes hostile to the Constitution and with the Bush Administration. I can only guess he’s been promised a bed in the bunker during the coming coup.

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More Constitutional Erosion

July 29, 2007 B. John 259 Views 1 Comment FISA, george bush, president, Surveillance, Terrorism, Terrorists

In his weekly radio address Bu$h demanded that Congress update the laws governing electronic surveillance. Now why would George give a damn about whether the law is up-to-date or not. It’s not like the Cheney/Bush Administration is following any of the laws anyway.

Congress Constitution Courts Politics Presidency

Congressional Lapdogs Prepare to Gut FISA-Give President Imperial Power

March 9, 2006September 29, 2018 B. John 139 Views Domestic Spying, FISA, Illegal Spying, NY Times, republicans, senate

Republicans are packaging as “reform” a plan that would gut FISA, leaving the president free to spy on Americans without obtaining a warrant. A NY Times editorial expresses appropriate outrage at this cynical ploy to shield the president’s lawless behavior: