Category «Civil Liberties»

Objections Conveyed to White House On Limited Scope of NSA Briefings

AP reports that House Intelligence Committee ranking Democrat, Rep. Jane Harman sent a letter to the White House stating the limited scope of NSA briefings on domestic surveillance, provided only to select members of Congress, did not comply with the National Security Act. Related references: “EPIC has obtained the first Freedom of Information Act documents …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Privacy

White House May Not Cooperate With Intelligence Committee Hearings

In following previous postings on domestic surveillance, a glimpse into the contentious situation between Congress and the White House, exemplified by the following exchange from the White House Press Briefing by Scott McClellan, January 3, 2006: Q A number of members of Congress do not agree that the President has the authority to do what …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Government Documents, Privacy

Release of New Documents Complicates Understanding of NSA Actions Post 9/11

Several articles available today expand upon the discussion about, and information related to, the escalating controversy generated by revelations of a post 9/11 domestic surveillance program. Listed below are the articles and links which collectively shed new light on the issue, result in further questions yet unanswered, and offer additional commentary and perspective on potential …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Government Documents, Legal Research, Privacy

Declassified Letters by Pelosi and Hayden on NSA Activities Released

Following up on my December 21, 2005 posting, Pelosi Requests Declassification of Her Letter on NSA Activities, today Congresswoman Pelosi released the text of her letter, along with the response of then National Security Agency (NSA) Director Michael Hayden, both of which have redacted, and date from October 2001. Related references: AP: Intelligence Panel Had …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Government Documents, Privacy

The Divide Deepens Over Domestic Surveillance Program

Several new articles worth highlighting in reference to the domestic surveillance program that has raised vociferous responses from the President, members of Congress, the polls, bloggers, and a range of other sources. Time Magazine, Bush Says, Bring It On; the Critics Will: “…the White House decided its strategy would be to “overwhelm the skeptics, not …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Government Documents, Privacy

Domestic Surveillance Data Distributed Among Intel Agencies

Washington Post (reg. req’d): NSA Gave Other U.S. Agencies Information From Surveillance – Fruit of Eavesdropping Was Processed and Cross-Checked With Databases Related reference: Frank Church, Chairman of Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities – investigates alleged abuse of power by CIA and FBI. See the Church Committee Reports.

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Government Documents, Privacy

Domestic Surveillance Program: Opposition Within DOJ and Administration Defense of Actions

Several news items today regarding the domestic surveillance program revealed in a December 15, 2005 New York Times article, the ramifications of which are subject to Congressional and DOJ investigation, continued commentary and perhaps further response by other judges on the FISA Court. New York Times: Justice Deputy Resisted Parts of Spy Program: The authors …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Courts, Government Documents, Privacy

Five Week Patriot Act Extension Signed By President

Follow-up to my December 22 posting, House Approves 5 Week Extension for Patriot Act, news from AP that Bush Signs Patriot Act Extension at Ranch. From the NJ Madison Eagle: Librarians sounding off on Patriot Act – ‘Chilling Effect’ ‘Ask For Subpoena’ – “As the House, the Senate and the White House wrangled last week …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Government Documents, Libraries, Patriot Act, Privacy

DOJ Launches Investigation Into Leak About Domestic Surveillance Program

As a result of the New York Times article published on December 15 of this year, as reported by CNN and AP: “The Justice Department has opened an investigation into the leak of classified information about President Bush’s secret domestic spying program.” Related references: White House spokesman Trent Duffy: “The leaking of classified information is …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, E-Government, Government Documents, Privacy