SEN Rockefeller: WH Has NOT Been Able To Document Benefits Of Wiretapping

[kpete]

From Rockefeller's office:

Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today urged his colleagues in the Senate not to support legislation codifying the NSA warrantless surveillance program until the Congress is fully briefed and can answer critical questions about the programs effectiveness and legality. ...

“As one of the few members who have received the most detailed information to date, I can say that the Administration has not been able to document convincingly the benefits of the program,” Rockefeller said, adding, “I support all efforts to track down terrorists wherever they are – using all of our best technology and resources. But, it must be both effective and legal, and it must be conducted in a way that protects the rights of all Americans.”

“For the past six months, I have been requesting without success specific details about the program, including: how many terrorists have been identified; how many arrested; how many convicted; and how many terrorists have been deported or killed as a direct result of information obtained through the warrantless wiretapping program.

“I can assure you, not one person in Congress has the answers to these and many other fundamental questions,” Rockefeller stated emphatically.

http://www.warandpiece.com/blogdirs/004883.html

[democrat_patriot]

1. Go John.

“I support all efforts to track down terrorists wherever they are – using all of our best technology and resources. But, it must be both effective and legal, and it must be conducted in a way that protects the rights of all Americans.”


This is what Democrats want, how can this be called appeasement? Does he sound like a Nazi? A terrorist sympathizer?

I don't get repugs, do they hate liberals so much that they just disagree with everything we do?

[stepnw1f]

2. BUSTED! Thanks for the Post

I'll just have to "Johnny Appleseed" this elsewhere.

[magellan]

3. Of course not

Because the benefits aren't as advertised. IOW, why do they continue eavesdropping if there's been no provable beneficial result in five years? Just WHO are they eavesdropping on that it's justified in their minds to continue this illegal program?

edit: missed out a word

[bluedeminredstate]

4. This needs to be hammered home

until Bush explains himself. He always gets away with vague statements like: "It's legal, and I'm here to protect the American people." I mean just look at how he handled Matt Lauer - he said nothing of substance in response to Lauer's repeated questions. His attitude is: because-I-said-it's-so-and-you-better-trust-me-dammit!
Democrats like Rockefeller need to be a broken record on this subject - there are NO explanations or accountibility from this White House, ever. And Democrats need to demand it on behalf of the American people and our Constitution.

[babylonsister]

5. Nom! Dems have to attack and keep it up! nt

[Leopolds Ghost]

6. Key word: "Until" ... This is not an attack on the bill.

In other words, he supports the program. You guys are wearing rose-colored glasses.

Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today urged his colleagues in the Senate not to support legislation codifying the NSA warrantless surveillance program UNTIL the Congress is fully briefed ...

... meaning he intends to vote for the final bill.

and can answer critical questions about the programs effectiveness and LEGALITY. ...

... meaning he is a fool who doesn't understand that this bill MAKES it legal.

“I support all efforts to track down terrorists wherever they are – using all of our best technology and resources. But, it must be both effective and legal, and it must be conducted in a way that protects the rights of all Americans.”

Meaning he supports the bill, provided it is worded properly, and desires that warrantless wiretapping MUST be made legal, which is the purpose of the bill.

These Senators are Quislings.

[indepat]

7. Protecting the rights of all Americans is what this junta is all about, in

fact, it is their job #1.