CNN/AP: Democrats question sincerity of domestic spying probe

[DeepModem Mom]

Democrats question sincerity of domestic spying probe
November 27, 2006



WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Justice Department has begun an internal investigation into its handling of information gathered in the government's domestic spying program.

However, Democrats criticized the review as too narrow to determine whether the program violated federal law.

The inquiry by Glenn A. Fine, the department's inspector general, will focus on the role of Justice Department prosecutors and agents in carrying out the surveillance program run by the National Security Agency.

Fine's investigation is not expected to address whether the controversial program is an unconstitutional expansion of presidential power, as its critics and a federal judge in Detroit, Michigan, have charged....

***

Fine's letter outlining his review was welcomed by congressional Democrats. At the same time, they said it falls short of examining issues at the heart of the debate -- how the spying program evolved, and whether its creation violated any laws.

"A full investigation into the program as a whole, not just the DOJ's involvement, will be necessary," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California....

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/27/domestic.spying.ap/index.html

[NYC Liberal]

1. Time for the new Dem CONGRESS to investigate.

And now we have subpoena power - so start your shredders!

[jaysunb]

4. The shredders started 2 weeks ago....

:evilgrin:

[Kikosexy2]

5. That pic...

of Babs...she has got to be the scariest looking hag ever! She's hideous!

[Double T]

2. The next two years will expose the GRAND ABUSE OF POWER........

bushco has engaged in during the past six years.

[nebenaube]

3. This domestic spying is killing innovation...

There is no way in hell that people will continue to be discussing trade secrets like new product designs or bleeding edge technologies unless they can personally congregate in seclusion these days. Even then, by being secretive enough to protect said innovations; one wonders will doing so only bring on the attention of the watchers? Will my next new product be stolen, or my activities be mistaken for forbidden activities? How much intellectual property has been passed on to larger organizations?

After all, I've been rather disdainfully informed that "individuals don't invent, companies do"!

How many 'independent' inventors have been screwed by all this domestic surveillance?

[OnyxCollie]

9. How many "independent" inventors have been screwed by all this

domestic surveillance?

Well, you could start with this guy:

Secrecy Power Sinks Patent Case
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/1,68894-0.html

Spy agency taps into undersea cable
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-529826.html

[niceypoo]

6. So, ol' Alberto Gonzales is investigating the program he touts?

Looks like a bit of pre-emptive whitewash. They are actin' mighty suspicious yessiree they are...

[Supersedeas]

12. Al Gonzo has two more years of job security

[Cocoa]

7. some guy says Congress can't investigate

I'd like to see him tell this to John Conyers. :-)

Former Reagan administration national security official Robert F. Turner, now associate director at the Center for National Security Law at the University of Virginia, said congressional demands for sensitive information about the program puts them at odds with long-standing presidential powers over the collection of foreign intelligence.

"It's good that the executive branch, on its own, is making sure that someone's not abusing this power," Turner said. "But when Congress usurps power vested in the president by the people through the Constitution, then it becomes the lawbreaker."

[struggle4progress]

8. Another BS self-investigation. They never could figure out who leaked Plame's name, could they?

[woodsgirl]

10. Do you

ever wonder who exactly is responsible for the horrible legislation that keeps on coming out of D.C. ? wayne madsen report has an article up today by Sibel Edmonds...explains who is benefiting and who is losing. I just hope the new crop of legislators will dig deep.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. Fox, meet Henhouse.