Timing of Natl Sec Agency Spying on Americans Helps Kill Patriot Act

Timing of National Security Agency Spying on Americans Disclosure Helps Kill Patriot Act Extension

Although the New York Times cut a deal with the Bush administration a year ago to keep hidden the fact that it knew that the National Security Agency was spying on the electronic voice and data transmissions of American citizens -- without court approval -- the news of this which hit today resulted in the Senate saying enough is enough.

The Senate voted to kill extension of 16 Patriot Act provisions expiring on December 31st.


From an AP report:

President Bush, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Republicans congressional leaders had lobbied fiercely to make most of the expiring Patriot Act provisions permanent.

But the Patriot Act's critics got a boost from a New York Times report saying Bush authorized the National Security Agency to monitor the international phone calls and international e-mails of hundreds — perhaps thousands — of people inside the United States. Previously, the NSA typically limited its domestic surveillance to foreign embassies and missions and obtained court orders for such investigations.

"I don't want to hear again from the attorney general or anyone on this floor that this government has shown it can be trusted to use the power we give it with restraint and care," said Feingold, the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act in 2001




There is momentum now behind those who want to clip the wings of the Bush White House. A genuine battle is breaking out. . .finally.
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/patriot_act;_ylt=AvymMU3VYJ_UbJFrticoALas0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

I'd like to know the story behind this.

Were they threatened? Was there some tit-for-tat? Or are they just whores?

and I don't want to wait for Clancy to write it.