So, is Bush telling us that they have identified THOUSANDS

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

of Americans with links or ties to Al Quaida IN AMERICA RIGHT THIS MOMENT? Isn't that who he says these taps are limited to? Does that sound right to anyone? I think this is THE big question. The reason that some Americans are actually ok with the taps (despite their illegality)is because they are believing the WH spin that the taps are being used solely on people that have been identified as being linked already to Al Quaida. They think Bush is only violating the civil rights of suspected terrorists.

There are 2 stories making the rounds on this. On Meet the Press, Joe Biden said the taps were on all calls from Americans going overseas. He stated that he wondered if his own mother was being tapped because she speaks to his daughter who is studying in China.

So which is it?
1. Is it only people who have been identified as being linked with Al Quaida?
2. Is it all Americans making overseas calls?

Big difference and will probably determine how this ultimately plays out. If it's 1, Bush will survive. If it's 2, Bush will be impeached along with others.

[underpants]

1. Hold it! I thought we were fighting them THERE so we didn't have to

fight them HERE

Wasn't that what they were saying oh ... last week?

You realize that this is the same reason we invaded Iraq-alQaeda is IN Iraq.

[KansDem]

13. No, we're fighting them there, but listening to them here...

...so we won't have to fight them here, or...listen...to them...there(?) Hey, it's not my soundbite!

[hwmnbn]

2. As someone on DU noted........

If they are listening to Americans with KNOWN LINKS to Al Qaeda, why are they just listening and not arresting, renditioning, and disappearing them?

[C_U_L8R]

4. Who says..

that they aren't.

This adminstration has run completely amok...
the law needs put a k-bosh on all the illegal activities
and throw these crooks in jail. NOW

[Ouabache]

12. so if a list comes out and all the citizens on it are disappeared

he has another outrage to overcome with pr and polls.

[Burried News]

3. Does anyone seriously believe that we or our representatives

will ever be provided with the data to determine who was spied upon? The very fact that the process wasn't followed creates the presumption that there was something to hide and it is up to the Administration to now prove otherwise - at an impeachment trial.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

6. you're right about that

We will probably only get the answer to my question through an impeachment trial. I do think the answer will determine whether he gets thrown out of office or not. But, if people know right this moment that it is the #2 scenario (all Americans making overseas calls) then we also know right this moment that Bush is actively, provably lying if he continues maintaining it's only scenario #1.

If we know it's 2 and he keeps saying 1, he and everyone else - Gozales, Cheney, Rice, etc. need to be called out on it every time they float this spin.

For my personal knowledge - can someone answer this question now?

[chelsea0011]

9. They're destroying evidence as we speak. All that will be left is

one poor guy named Abdul in Qatar.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. We have no idea who they have been spying on and the

likelihood of ever finding out is very slim. I find it troubling that he is so proud of his actions and that he intends to keep doing it.

This administration keeps chipping away at our personal liberties and justifies it by saying 9/11 changed everything and they are doing it for our own security. This just doesn't fly. If Bush truly believes that the terrorists hate us for our freedoms, does he think that he can placate them by doing away with our freedoms in a dictatorial fashion?

[chelsea0011]

7. Also, think about this. How many times have you called customer

support only to be directed overseas to a help line? What Bush is saying is all calls overseas are fair game for investigation including, I think, calls the public wouldn't even imagine can be wiretapped.

[Evergreen Emerald]

8. The premise is based on Bush telling us the truth

He says: "So what if I 'technically' don't have the authority. Trust me. You 'elected' me (giggle) to protect you from the enemy that, have I mentioned lately is ALL AROUND US. We can't see the enemy but it IS there. Trust me. I would not use the power improperly. I am only using that power which is MINE for your own good."

The problem, of course, that the masses who condone his behavior do not seem to grasp is that the power is bigger than one president. That is the purpose of the system of laws. (Would they trust Clinton with that power?) And for God's sake, what in the world would possess anyone to believe Bush?

[Burried News]

10. So simple and so obviously true. His is the house of hundreds of lies.

"And for God's sake, what in the world would possess anyone to believe Bush? "

[xchrom]

11. since i believe that terrorist groups know they are being spied on

-- and bushco would certainly know that as well -- they're collecting information that has NOTHING to do with al queda.

they're collecting information on whoever they damn well please.