Kerry: White House spying unconstitutional, Bush excuse `lame'

[sabra]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/20/kerry_white_house_spying_unconstitutional_bush_excuse_lame/

Kerry: White House spying unconstitutional, Bush excuse `lame'

BOSTON --Sen. John Kerry said Tuesday that the domestic spying authorized by the White House "doesn't uphold our Constitution," and that President Bush offered a "lame" defense in recent public appearances.

...

Though leaking any classified information is against the law, "there is a world of difference between what the president's engaged in and what was leaked out of the White House," Kerry told reporters after addressing ironworkers at a local labor hall.

"The leak in the White House was an effort to destroy somebody and his family and attack them for telling the truth," the senator said, referring to former ambassador Joe Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame. Her identity as a CIA analyst was exposed in July 2003 after Wilson challenged an administration justification for the Iraqi war.

"The leak that took place in this case is a leak that -- I'm not excusing it -- is to tell the truth about something that violates the rights of Americans and doesn't uphold our Constitution," Kerry said.

[maddezmom]

1. good for JK

glad he brought up they have no problems with leaks if they are the ones doing the leaking.

[ohtransplant]

2. Go JK!

Keep their feet to the fire. Keep pushing the truth.

[rsmith6621]

3. No Not Kerry Speaking again....

The DLC quitter just has to get his voice in the news.......Kerry could habve fought Ohio and maybe he would have won the White House.........He didnt even fight so my ear isnt listening to him anymore.

[jaysunb]

4. I'm not a big Kerry fan, but

ANY PORT IN A STORM !

[Kralizec]

5. He'll probably back off later this afternoon. n/t

[leftchick]

7. exactly

wait a few hours and his words will be "taken out of context" :eyes:

[sabra]

8. this isn't one of those, "was overheard at a party" stories

this seems different.

peace.

[YvonneCa]

13. He hasn't been silent...

...have you been paying attention? Watch his Georgetown University speech (C-SPAN website, Oct. 26th). The media continue to ignore him.:patriot:

[ohtransplant]

10. I'm not sure I understand.

Isn't the message more important than flogging the messenger?

Do we have to turn news of a good Dem fighting * and his thugs into a chance to bash the good guys?

Opinions vary and the time will come to pick nominees but as I see it - right now the bad guys are on the other side of the aisle.

Just sayin'. Peace.

[YvonneCa]

11. He did...he is...

...have youbeen paying attention? Watch his Georgetown University speech on Oct. 26th, 2005 (C-SPAN website). He hasn't yet stopped fighting...he just isn't getting media coverage of his work. :patriot:

[stepnw1f]

19. Enough With The Useless Bashing for Once

The guy is on our side. The guy is my Senator, and has worked very hard for his constituents.

[MH1]

24. Wow, spout rethug talking points often?

:eyes:

Apparently your ear was listening enough in what John Kerry said to cop a squat here.

The guy's doing his f*cking job, not just because he "has to get his voice in the news." He isn't even "DLC" in any way that matters - check out his voting record, then check the DLC's positions.

Sorry if you didn't like the way he did his job on Ohio, but SOME of us think he did exactly the right thing... let's not hijack this thread though.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

33. Are you in your right mind?? Kerry couldn't have fought the 2004....

...election results any better than Gore tried to fight the 2000 election results!!

What is it you don't understand about the fact that the NeoCons had control of the Executive. Legislative, and Judiciary branches of the Federal government in 2004?

What is it you don't understand about the fact that neither Kerry nor any other Democratic Party candidate could have won ANYTHING in 2004??

[emulatorloo]

35. How DARE John Kerry defend my Constitutional Rights?!>!>!>!>!>!>

There is so much misinformed BS in your post I am assuming it is parody.

[katinmn]

6. I wish Kerry would take a real stand

[lebkuchen]

9. He was "joking" about impeachment the other day

I'm not.

JK needs to either get in the loop or get out of the way.

[sandnsea]

12. This story hadn't broken the other day

We'll see what happens as more is discovered.

[lebkuchen]

15. At least by Sunday, it had broken

We'll see what congresspeople still have an ounce of integrity remaining after this latest attempt at democracy usurpation has been dealt with.

[YvonneCa]

14. What convinces you that he hasn't? n/t

[katinmn]

17. Maybe he has, but I haven't heard it yet

"doesn't uphold our Constitution," and that President Bush offered a "lame" defense in recent public appearances.


are not complimentary comments but they aren't exactly bold, either.

[YvonneCa]

20. How about this...

John Kerry:

"The leak in the White House was an effort to destroy somebody and his family and attack them for telling the truth," the senator said, referring to former ambassador Joe Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame...

...The leak that took place in this case is a leak that -- I'm not excusing it -- is to tell the truth about something that violates the rights of Americans and doesn't uphold our Constitution."

John Kerry:

"I think the president's explanation is lame... The fact is that there is no wording whatsoever in the law that permits what he engaged in. ... And the president's claim that he has some inherent authority to do this -- against the stated intention of Congress not to -- is simply wrong."

[karynnj]

26. Kat, Bush swore to UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION

It goes to the very heart of the President's job. Combined with yesterday's comments on the Patriot Act - Kerry respects and loves the US Constitution. Bush shows utter disregard for it.

Kerry's comment is extremely strong - and comes with in inches of saying on public record what he said (without knowing this) in private.

[katinmn]

29. Comes within inches? Why not all the way? If not now, When?

This is the time to call for heads to roll.
He doesn't always have to be such a gentleman and a scholar. :)

What does this mean from your post? "what he said (without knowing this) in private." Someone said something in private but they didn't know they said it? I'm confused by that.

[karynnj]

31. I was referring to the story last week that he

mentioned something about needing the house in 2006 and impeachment at a staff and former staff party in DC, where someone reoported it to various DC gossip columns so it was reported (and was mentioned here.)

I just meant it was last week before all of this was know.

[katinmn]

34. Oh, I missed that. Interesting

[longship]

16. Good, except for the hedging.

This is a hedge:
I'm not excusing it

Why hedge? Isn't Kerry aware of the First Amendment and the Pentagon Papers case?
The person releasing this is a patriot.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

21. absolutely a hedge

That's all he and Hill ever do is hedge their bets.

Where is the straight talk?

They lied-
They spied-
Unforgivable what they are allowing to be done to
our country.

[confludemocrat]

50. You've laid your finger on it. He invalidates any umph behind his words w/

the hedging. Typical.

[More Than A Feeling]

18. Senator Kerry, you've been on a roll.

Being the first national voice to bring up impeachment (of course you were just joking;-);-)), and continuing to speak out wins you more respect from me, even though I won't support you in 2008. Keep up the good work!

[goforit]

22. You can count me in not voting for another S&K member!!!!

But he can keep up the obvious PR campaing all he wants!!!

[Mass]

27. Good - You can vote for George Allen - He is not S&B

[Kolesar]

28. Skull & Kahones?

[emulatorloo]

36. S&K Menswear - Free Shipping on Orders over $100.00

http://www.skmenswear.com/skmenswear/0010_index.asp

[Kolesar]

37. thanks!

Just in time for the holidays!!

[warrens]

23. The leaker is a national hero

This is what whistle-blowing is supposed to be, exposing corruption and lawbreaking. I doubt that someone with access to this information was in any way a political enemy of the Bushies, just someone who can tell the difference between right and wrong, a despised talent in this white house.

[katinmn]

30. I'd call the whistleblower someone that loves their country!

It's easy to go along like all the other sheep.

I hope other whistle-blowers learned a lesson. Don't go to the NYT if you are in a hurry.

[second edition]

25. Kerry is absolutely correct! Lame excuses and unconstitutional. n/t

[MellowOne]

32. Why bash Kerry....We need his voice n/t

[Inuca]

38. Agree...

... Everybody has the right to agree or diagree, like or dislike, but I am sorry to say many of the bashing comments I read about Kerry and others lack substance and do not help in any way.

[praxiz]

39. Kerry calls Bush defence of domestic spying: "Lame".

http://www.salon.com/wire/ap/archive.html?wire=D8EK94180.html

Kerry Calls Bush Spying Defense 'Lame'

- - - - - - - - - - - -

By GLEN JOHNSON Associated Press Writer

December 20,2005 | BOSTON -- Domestic spying authorized by the White House "doesn't uphold our Constitution" and President Bush's defense of the practice is "lame," Sen. John Kerry said Tuesday.

The Massachusetts Democrat also said the alleged White House leak of a CIA agent's identity was more serious than the media's disclosure of the spying program.

Bush said Monday it was "a shameful act" for someone to have leaked details of the spying program that he authorized shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The program allows the National Security Agency to eavesdrop -- without warrants -- on international calls and e-mails of Americans and others inside the U.S. with suspected ties to al-Qaida.


___________

LOL PWNAG3

[Big Kahuna]

40. Talk about lame Mr Kerry...

Why is only one senator calling for impeachment?

Ass cheese!

[Tiggeroshii]

41. It would be "inappropriate" if Kerry called for Bush's impeachment

meaning, he would be easily labeled a sore loser by the other party if he did. That shouldn't keep him and every other Senator and House member from doing it though, IMHO

[emulatorloo]

42. In honor of your IDIOTIC post, a longer story w more Kerry Quotes

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/12/20/kerry_white_house_spying_unconstitutional_bush_excuse_lame/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerry: White House spying unconstitutional, Bush excuse `lame'

BOSTON --Sen. John Kerry said Tuesday that the domestic spying authorized by the White House "doesn't uphold our Constitution," and that President Bush offered a "lame" defense in recent public appearances.

<snip>

Though leaking any classified information is against the law, "there is a world of difference between what the president's engaged in and what was leaked out of the White House," Kerry told reporters after addressing ironworkers at a local labor hall.
"The leak in the White House was an effort to destroy somebody and his family and attack them for telling the truth," the senator said, referring to former ambassador Joe Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame. Her identity as a CIA analyst was exposed in July 2003 after Wilson challenged an administration justification for the Iraqi war.
"The leak that took place in this case is a leak that -- I'm not excusing it -- is to tell the truth about something that violates the rights of Americans and doesn't uphold our Constitution," Kerry said.

(my ed comment: here comes Nasty repuglican reply -- they are still scared of him)

The Republican National Committee batted away the criticism.

"While President Bush remains focused on defending Americans against those intent on doing us harm, John Kerry remains focused on attacking President Bush," RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said.

<snip>

"I think the president's explanation is lame," Kerry said. "The fact is that there is no wording whatsoever in the law that permits what he engaged in. ... And the president's claim that he has some inherent authority to do this -- against the stated intention of Congress not to -- is simply wrong."

<snip>

[Big Kahuna]

44. up yours buddy.

and Kerry is still a worthless eunich.

[lumpy]

49. That 'worthless eunich' has done

more for his country than worthless eunichs who apparently have huge penis envy.

[Mass]

43. Actually, no senator is calling for impeachment.

Read Boxer's letter again.

And they are right. Let Conyers do his job. He is doing it fine and do not need Senators to intervene in the middle.

[0007]

45. Are you lost or something?

[karynnj]

47. No Senators are calling for impeachment

Boxer has asked some legal scholars if John Dean's assertion that this is an impeachable offense is true. Several steps from calling for impeachment. (In fact not far from saying that it fails to uphold the constitution - which is what the President swears to do. Not to mention words that would have been spoken from his heart and soul if Kerry would have been the one taking the oath in January 2005.)

[rodeodance]

46. it is obvious BushCo is racing to come up with 'rationals"--sad that many

seem to believe them!

[lumpy]

48. Obviously some people need

to bother reading Kerry's statements before going into bashing mode. Petty-fogging is not helpfull at all.

[confludemocrat]

51. Why does Kerry always fumble the ball just short of the goal line?

It's telling that his usual band of rabid apologists show up to say, "don't bash him, he did pretty good" yippee, he speaks for me (as even they admit to themselves, "god, he blew it again by his "-I'm not excusing it-'hedge', but I still am going to call his critics 'idiots' and stupid, 'cause that's what I do".