President Bush Blocks NSA Wireless Tapping Probe

scubamage writes "By denying security clearance to federal attorneys from the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) seeking to gather evidence in the NSA illegal surveillance scandal, President Bush has effectively blocked the Justice Department's investigation into the matter of who exactly authorized the illegal actions to take place. The president is apparently able to strictly control who does and does not have security clearance to examine documents regarding the program, citing that giving more people access would endanger national security. His denial is the first of its kind in American history. To quote the article, 'Since its creation some 31 years ago, OPR has conducted many highly sensitive investigations involving Executive Branch programs and has obtained access to information classified at the highest levels,' chief lawyer H. Marshall Jarrett wrote in a memorandum released Tuesday. 'In all those years, OPR has never been prevented from initiating or pursuing an investigation.'"

Comming soon to a theater near you..

[plasmacutter]

"Watergate II"..

twice the scandal, twice the criminal activity, twice the obstruction of justice..

*movie rated "R", all viewers must take delivery of dealer stock, offer void in utah, west virginia, and texas*

Article title: "Bush blocked surveillance probe"

[Davus]

Just aim the probe out of the garden, for God's sake!

Democracy in action

[mikeswi]

I am so proud today to be an American, where the rule of law.... errr..... I mean.... What I mean is ......

errrmmm.........

Nevermind :/

Apperantly...

[LaminatorX]

...this is how one "restores honor and dignity to the White House."

Re:Don't forget, kids...

[Rakshasa Taisab]

I'm sorry, but could you explain to me in what way George W. Bush has prevented the American public from remaining fat, ignorant and watching reality shows?

I'd like to be the first

[ignavus]

I'd like to be the first to welcome our new presidential overlord.

I know where quite a few of your enemies are, I believe I can help you round them up ....

Re:Get real.

[Tx]

To risk a little bit of theoretical "personal privacy of innocent Americans" seems like an extremely reasonable price to pay.

Posted by an Anonymous Coward. Now that's irony, Alanis.

Re:Don't forget, kids...

[gowen]

They can no longer afford enough gas to drive to McDonalds.

Not Necessarily

[physicsphairy]

Just because people are willing to part with their freedom, liberty, and happiness does not mean that they want to risk something serious like losing karma on Slashdot.

Re:As a foreigner...

[renderhead]

Ah, yes. Robert Kennedy, Jr., the very picture of impartiality and fairness in a feud between Democrats and Republicans. Why, I can't think of any reason that he'd want to sway the debate in favor of one party!

Re:Revolution!

[CokoBWare]

Or headbutt him when he insults your mother... either way, it will do the trick. :)

Re:There's your answer:

[lbrandy]

Freedom is expensive my friend.

You are god dammed right it is. In the words of one the greatest American poet/philosophers: Freedom isn't free [stlyrics.com]. There's a hefty fucking fee. If you won't throw in your buck 'o five, who will....

Re:Illegal Actions?

[Arhat]

If Bush outright suspended the next election, I'm convinced that at least 40% of Americans would support him.

Dear Sir,

I find your ideas intriguing and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Sincerely,

George W. Bush

Re:WTF? Obstruction of Justice is a crime last I k

[200_success]

And who's going to nab him for obstruction of justice? The Justice Department?

Re:Incorrect Assumption

[Anonymous Coward]

If you don't understand what's going on, maybe you should refrain from assuming a position.

Actually I think he already has assumed the position.

Re:There's your answer:

[Anonymous Coward]

America's image in other countries (I have to travel as a canadian...)

Stop that. Really, it's beginning to piss us (Canadians) off. You (Americans) have ruined your own image around the world, so now you ruin ours too.

You've made your bed; It's only fair that you sleep in it.