A reminder about when the domestic wiretapping really began

[magellan]

Bush Authorized Domestic Spying Before 9/11

By Jason Leopold
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Friday 13 January 2006

The National Security Agency advised President Bush in early 2001 that it had been eavesdropping on Americans during the course of its work monitoring suspected terrorists and foreigners believed to have ties to terrorist groups, according to a declassified document.

The NSA's vast data-mining activities began shortly after Bush was sworn in as president and the document contradicts his assertion that the 9/11 attacks prompted him to take the unprecedented step of signing a secret executive order authorizing the NSA to monitor a select number of American citizens thought to have ties to terrorist groups.

In its "Transition 2001" report, the NSA said that the ever-changing world of global communication means that "American communication and targeted adversary communication will coexist."

"Make no mistake, NSA can and will perform its missions consistent with the Fourth Amendment and all applicable laws," the document says.

more....

The link to the declassified document isn't working, but I downloaded it at the time. It's a .pdf though.

[Sydnie]

1. These needs to be sent to Olbermann

He would talk about it I think ... and make the connection for all.

[Mojorabbit]

2. Wouldn't this take some time to set up?

It makes me wonder why they had it ready to go when he was elected. Just like how the patriot act was already written and ready to go. It creeps me out.

[crickets]

3. The patriot act already being written and ready to go is creepy enough

The amount of "already in place" inside help needed to crank up the surveillance on a dime is horrifying.

*almost quashes urge to mention Sept 11*

[magellan]

4. Kick (nt)

[crickets]

5. Another kick (nt)

:dem:

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

6. This is so important, don't let this get lost. nt