Thread: AG Gonzales: warrantless surveillance needed

PLEASE NOTE:
Gonzales attended RICE UNIVERSITY. Rice U is JAMES BAKER's "Institute's" home base. James Baker is deeply involved with the CFR and moving their agenda into the governments policies.
This is a new piece of information {for me} concerning Gonzales and connects yet a few more important dots. The BAKER INSTITUTE is literally involved in just about every single important policy that affects Energy, SPP, NAU, NASCO SUPERHIGHWAY, Immigration, Corporate Globalism...........just everything!

AG Gonzales: warrantless surveillance needed
STORY TOOLS

By Associated Press
November 19, 2006
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. _ Attorney General Alberto Gonzales contended Saturday that some critics of the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance program were defining freedom in a way that presents a ''grave threat'' to U.S. security.

Gonzales was the second administration official in two days to attack a federal judge's ruling last August that the program was unconstitutional. Vice President Dick Cheney on Friday called the decision ''an indefensible act of judicial overreaching.''

Gonzales, told about 400 cadets from the academy's political science and law classes, that some see the program as on the verge of stifling freedom rather that protecting the country.

''But this view is shortsighted,'' he said. ''Its definition of freedom _ one utterly divorced from civic responsibility _ is superficial and is itself a grave threat to the liberty and security of the American people.''

A theme throughout the 26-minute speech was that criticisms of the surveillance program were based on what he called ''myths,'' the myth that terrorist surveillance was an invasion of privacy, the myth that the Patriot Act was overly intrusive, and myths about Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

''You surely have heard the myth that the U.S. is holding detainees in Guantanamo Bay in violation of international laws and basic human rights,'' he told the cadets. ''This is not supported by the facts. It is a mistaken perception.''

He said the U.S. provides detainees at Guantanamo with more rights than prisoners have under the Geneva Conventions.

Gonzales and Cheney's attacks on the court order came as the administration was urging the lame duck Congress to approve warrantless surveillance legislation. The bill's chances are in doubt because of Democratic opposition in the Senate, where 60 votes are required to end debate and vote.

Gonzales said the administration is not worried about how such a bill would fare in a Democratically controlled Senate next year. Regardless of what passes, the warrantless surveillance program is within the president's powers, he said, and any bill would simply add to that authority.

''Irrespective of who controls the Congress, this would be a priority for the administration,'' Gonzales told reporters after the speech. ''We believe the president has the authority under the authorization of military force and inherent authority of the constitution to engage in this sort of program, but we want to supplement that authority ... We look forward to working with Congress to find a way we can supplement the president's authority.''

He declined to speculate on what might happen if the Senate produces a bill that doesn't match the administration's vision.

The Bush administration has long argued that its warrantless surveillance program focuses on international calls involving suspected terrorists. It dismisses charges that it is an illegal tool because it bypasses federal law requiring a judge-issued warrant for such eavesdropping.

In August, U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in Detroit struck down the warrantless surveillance program, saying it violated the rights to free speech and privacy and the constitutional separation of powers. She was the first judge to rule on the legality of the program, which is operated by the National Security Agency.

Bush and other administration officials criticized the ruling, which the government appealed. They argued that the program is legal under the president's constitutional powers and saved lives by helping to disrupt terrorist plots.

Gonzales told the cadets the program is part of a history of wartime surveillance.

''George Washington, for example, steamed open the mail in our earliest fight for freedom,'' he said.

''To achieve victory at the cost of eroding civil liberties would not really be a victory. We cannot change the core identity of our nation and claim success,'' he said.

He added, ''The Terrorist Surveillance Program does not invade anyone's privacy, unless you are talking to the enemy in a time of war.''

Gonzales served in the Air Force from 1973 to 1975 and attended the Air Force Academy between 1975 and 1977. He transferred to Rice University and completed a bachelor's degree there in 1979.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/l ... 32,00.html

ABG alberto Gonzales is:

utterly divorced from civic responsibility

along with his boss. Anarchy rules.

He added, ''The Terrorist Surveillance Program does not invade anyone's privacy, unless you are talking to the enemy in a time of war.''

Therein, lies the problem. Gonzales is at war, and it seems to be against United States citizens. jmho

Originally Posted by loservillelabor

ABG alberto Gonzales is:

utterly divorced from civic responsibility

along with his boss. Anarchy rules.

[quote:1yfkcc7f]He added, ''The Terrorist Surveillance Program does not invade anyone's privacy, unless you are talking to the enemy in a time of war.''

Therein, lies the problem. Gonzales is at war, and it seems to be against United States citizens. jmho[/quote:1yfkcc7f]

I'm still looking for that Declaration of War.

Has anybody seen it? If you have, who have we declared war against?

I think Alberto Gonzales needs to be surveiled without a warrant, deprived of legal council, and strapped to a chair in Guantamo to understand why America is the home of freedom and fair play.

W

LOL, I really like that "GITMO THING!"

Perfect place for the laraza dude.

Military tribunal, anyone? Wouldn't that just be the best end to this creepy little man.

.

I wonder why he washed out at the Academy.

Originally Posted by Newmexican

I wonder why he washed out at the Academy.

Do you have information on this, NEWMEX? If so, please get it to me?
Would like to pass it to some other folks.

.

I think this entire Administration from the President down to every member of the US Cabinet needs removal from office.

And removing them to GITMO sounds fine with me!!