9/11 Reforms Could Weaken Rights, Says White House

[papau]

Bush worries that 911 recomendations might weaken civil liberties, increase political influence.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-commish31jul31.story

9/11 Reforms Could Weaken Rights, Says White House
By Maura Reynolds and Greg Miller
Times Staff Writers

July 31, 2004

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration warned Friday that the two central reforms proposed by the Sept. 11 commission — creating a powerful intelligence chief and establishing a new counterterrorism center — may remove barriers protecting intelligence from political influence and undermine civil liberties.

The president and his senior advisors are drafting initial orders on some of the commission's recommendations that could be issued as soon as next week. But action on the centerpiece reforms deserves more consideration, a senior White House official said.

"We need to, in considering each of these recommendations, place a premium and real attention on how to protect civil liberties while better safeguarding our homeland," the official said.

Similar concerns were expressed by senators Friday during the first congressional hearing on the Sept. 11 commission's recommendations. The question of how to protect the independence of the intelligence community has become perhaps the most difficult dilemma for policymakers who are otherwise eager to embrace reform.<snip>

[Q3JR4]

1. Well, there's a first time for everything I suppose. n/t

[louis-t]

2. Worried about it?

HE'S COUNTING ON IT!

[freedom_to_read]

3. nice death bed conversion, Bush

... now you're suddenly concerned about our rights!!

Seriously, though, they have a point (even though they're only making it because it's convenient.) How to make sure any new domestic intelligence powers have enough oversight to protect our civil liberties?

One thing: if the "Intelligence Czar" is an independent office, separate from WH control, then we would have a better chance of intelligence being used to protect us, rather than Bush's reelection bid.

[Rose Siding]

10. That's a lot of power to hand to an independent office

Almost like a fourth branch of govt. I don't think I like the idea anyway. The turf war between agencies seems to be the problem. -Just replace anyone who isn't on board with cooperating instead of calling them "superb".

HS is one giant expensive beast whose worth hasn't been proven. Another cabinet office created by a repub govt just doesn't look like the answer to the problem.

[ramapo]

4. Laugh or cry?

Amazing what an upcoming election will do to these whores....

[jimshoes]

5. That's a real hoot...

you know all the bushbots will be begging the chimp to trample all over the Bill Of Rights if it will save us from the terraists. Then * will happily oblige them.

[Ravenseye]

6. hmm...what about my rights as an Arab American

...not to have my name sent to the department of Homeland security to be on a watch list.

It's nothing new though. They've done this before. "people" came to our house during the first gulf war. My dad was born in Iraq and though we never could find out anythign about it, we're pretty sure that he was followed and watched for a while. And he's a businessman in Fortune 500 companies who wears a suit and plays golf badly.

What a threat to our nation.

Anyway...If I stop posting, I'm probably in Gitmo...Isn't it great that I now have fears in the country of my birth that my own country that I love will turn on me and imprison me without trial. I never imagined that this could happen, and now I have nightmares about it.

[librechik]

7. so he seizes control of the process this am

and concocts an intelligence czar postion, with authority over bothe foreign and DOMESTIC intelligence--under Bush's CIC control.

Now how do you like how Bush is protecting your rights?

[bpilgrim]

8. he can feel the HEAT breathing down his NECK

hows it feel numbnuts?



SWEAT'N BULLETS

peace

[KansDem]

9. So THIS is why Bush opposed the 9/11 commission...

First he opposed and blocked the creation of the commission (didn't want his administration to weaken civil rights); then he wanted to make Henry Kissinger head of it (probably based on Dr. Kissinger's reputation for advancing civil rights); then he didn't want his people to testify (didn't want them to be a part of this weakening of civil rights); then refused to give answers under oath and only behind closed doors (probably wanted to slam the committee for their intent to weaken civil rights and didn't want his earthly language to become part of the official record).

I can see him now when the 9/11 families wanted an investigation: "Well, I'd like to help them, but what's more important?: finding answers to the questions of 9/11 for these families or protecting the civil rights for almost 300 million Americans?!"

[mad_hatter]

11. Hmmmm

Who's the flip flopper now?

[newyawker99]

14. Hi mad_hatter!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Eurobabe]

12. Since when did they ever worry about this B4?

Bu$h is in FULL campaign mode again!

[papau]

13. Bloomberg below has Kerry reply to Bush ok'ing Intel Czar

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aI2aWCpDSnPc&refer=home

Bush Endorses Creating New Intelligence Director, Terror Center
Aug. 2 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush said he supports two key recommendations of the commission that studied the Sept. 11 attacks: creating the post of national intelligence director and an office to coordinate all U.S. efforts to combat terrorism.

Bush, acting 11 days after the bipartisan commission released its findings and recommendations, also backed giving a handful of congressional committees authority over intelligence and homeland security now shared by dozens of panels.

``We are a nation in danger,'' Bush said, citing fresh warnings about terrorist plots to bomb financial buildings in New York City, northern New Jersey and Washington. ``We're doing everything in our power to confront the danger.''

Democratic presidential challenger John Kerry, 60, said Bush had three years to make the country safer against a terrorist attack. ``We Americans have a right to ask why you haven't done the things necessary to make America as safe as possible,'' Kerry, a four-term U.S. senator from Massachusetts, said in an interview with Cable News Network.

Asked about that criticism, Bush said, ``My job is to take a look at what I think is right'' and build on improvements already made. ``We have already done a lot,'' said Bush, 58. <snip>

[struggle4progress]

15. Oooh! Mr. "Lockem up without a trial and torturem" is concerned ...

... about our civil liberties! How touching!