House Approves Warrantless Wiretapping Extension

An anonymous reader writes "The House of Representatives voted 227-183 to update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to allow warrantless wiretapping of telephone and electronic communications. The vote extends the FISA amendment for six months. 'The administration said the measure is needed to speed the National Security Agency's ability to intercept phone calls, e-mails and other communications involving foreign nationals "reasonably believed to be outside the United States." Civil liberties groups and many Democrats said it goes too far, possibly enabling the government to wiretap U.S. residents communicating with overseas parties without adequate oversight from courts or Congres.'"

Blackmailing Congress

[Doc Ruby]

The CIA/NSA is using the spying they've already done (illegally, massively for at least 5 years) to blackmail Congress into granting the Unitary Executive [wikipedia.org] ("dictator") any powers he wants, under cover of a "struggle with Congress" that signs over war authorizations, spying authorizations, anything the dictator wants.

Blackmailing not just Democrats. Blackmailing Republicans, too, to enforce their lockstep rubber stamps. But Republicans also get the offer of getting cut in on some power (as long as it doesn't cross Cheney/Bush). Democrats just get cut in on cosmetic power sharing, so they can be the decoy party in our soviet politburo.

Re:mod parent down

[DavidTC]

At least when the Dems cheated, the country got JFK.

Let's make it easy. Here's the scenario.

[khasim]

Jack Bauer is in the super secret NSA communication intercept room along with various other people.

Unnamed extra #1: "Sir, you need to see this. It's Osama's cell phone! And the call is coming across OUR circuit!"

JB: "Dammit! He's up to something. I want that call intercepted and get me a translator! I want to know what he's saying and to whom he is saying it!"

Unnamed extra #2: "But sir, if we don't get a warrant within the next 72 hours, that will be ILLEGAL!"

JB: "No problem. I only need 24. Just tap that call!"

JB walks over to a different phone and picks it up.

JB: "Get me the FISA court! This is an emergency!"

Begin one-way telephone communication bit ...

JB: "I have an emergency and I need a warrant! No, I'm not going to wait! Yes, I will be right over! That's right, I want your Liberal judge ass sitting on that bench when I arrive!"

JB slams down the phone and walks over to unnamed extra #1.

JB: "Are you getting it all?"

UE#1: "Yes sir. Will there be a problem with the warrant?"

JB: "Not as long as I still have 3 days to get it there won't be."

JB then grabs some paper work and runs to his car. He then races across D.C. avoiding enemy mines, fighter aircraft and snipers. He screeches to a halt outside of the Court and runs up the steps. He slams open the door to the judge's chambers and throws the paperwork at him.

JB: "Listen, you have less than 71 hours and 26 minutes to sign that warrant or I'll have your terrorist loving Liberal ass!"

Unnamed Judge: "Always nice to see you, Jack. Here's your warrant. Let's see, that leaves you 71 hours and 24 minutes to get back to your secret spy base. Can you manage that this time without speeding or running over anything? Hmmmmm?"

JB: "You Liberal judges make me sick! My ass is on the line every time I have to drive over here! Good bye!"

JB then runs down to his car, notices the parking ticket on the windshield and throws it away. He then gets in and races back to work. Avoiding various mines, attacking aircraft and snipers.

Yes, I can certainly see how a 72 hour limit on getting a warrant AFTER THE FACT would be a "crippling" restriction on our intelligence gathering.

What if the judge HAD BEEN AT LUNCH for an hour? What if Jack Bauer had decided to WAIT 3 DAYS before calling the judge? What if Jack Bauer's car had gotten a FLAT TIRE?!? Does he have a can of Fix-A-Flat?!?