Greenwald: New FISA Law Means Admin ‘Can Listen To Every Single International Call That You Make’

[ProSense]

Greenwald: New FISA Law Means Admin ‘Can Listen To Every Single International Call That You Make’

The White House has engaged in an all-out spin operation to downplay its new warrantless wiretapping powers. Yesterday, White House spokesperson Dana Perino falsely alleged that the new law returns the FISA law to “its original intent.”

After the New York Times explained that “by changing the legal definition of what is considered ‘electronic surveillance,’ the new law allows the government to eavesdrop on conversations without warrants,” spokesperson Tony Fratto issued a statement attacking the Times, arguing that it is “highly misleading” to say Congress has broadly expanded Bush’s authority:

(U)nder FISA, court approval is required for the government to target an individual located in the United States, and nothing in the new law changes that.

Fratto’s claims are baseless. Today on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, former constitutional lawyer Glenn Greenwald, whoblogs at Salon.com, debunked the White House’s claim that the new FISA law requires “court approval” prior to spying on an “individual located in the United States.” In fact, as Greenwald explained, the law now allows the government to “listen to our conversations, read our e-mails, with no connection to terrorism, with no proof that anyone has ever done anything wrong” — without judicial oversight.

Watch it:

<…>

Under the new FISA law, the “sole authority” to authorize the warrantless surveillance of people is now granted to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

[ixion]

1. It's more than just international calls

as an ex-AT&T research scientist explained in an earlier thread, the ONLY way to do what they describe is to listen to ALL calls. Period.

Next time you ring up your old college buddy, make sure to give a shout out to big bro. They're sure to be listening.

[IndyOp]

3. Link? I am more than ready to believe you. I had been wondering

if "international" was in the statement because it would allow them to eavesdrop on any calls routed through relay stations in Canada...

:shrug:

[ixion]

13. here's a link to the original thread

a LTTE in the Boston Globe...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1532023

[rhett o rick]

9. Besides without any oversite who is going to keep them to only international calls. I have no doubt

they will use this power to effect the 2008 elections.

[tridim]

12. Oversight is pointless.. BushCo has been monitoring calls for 6 years

It matters not that it used to be "illegal". They don't follow any laws, past, present or future.

[leftchick]

14. data mining

Risen warned us.

[NewJeffCT]

2. sheesh, we make international calls from our house every day

to people that are registered communist party members... (my wife's parents)

And, now I have to trust Alberto Gonzales to authorize wiretapping me?

Can I jump now?

[ProSense]

6. So does every American who is

living/serving abroad calling the U.S.

[Az_lefty]

7. you may want to start using a pay phone...

:scared:

[Babsbrain]

4. It's ALL calls n/t

[jazzjunkysue]

5. I'd like to organize a phone out. We all call at the same time and yell

over and over, BCCI! BCCI! BCCI! Saudi Arms Deals! Saudi Arms deals!

How about next thursday?

[jtrockville]

8. They'd probably write that off as one of their own. We need to

yell: IMPEACH BUSH, CHENEY, and GONZALES if we want their attention.

[datadiva]

10. Outsourcing

I think I am going to have to call my internet provider and complain about a problem. When I am connected to my agent in India or wherever, I will have to ask to speak to someone in the US and explain why. I imagine they are going to get a lot of that. he he

[Homer12]

11. How about domestic communication

No oversight = They'll do whatever they want!

[EVDebs]

15. "Collect call from Al Qaeda, will you accept the charges ?" -- Karl Rove, Bush WH