ptown_trojans_1 wrote: Looks like between 2002-2006, the FBI illegally tapped more than 2000 phones. A pretty article explaining the stress, situation and misuse of power by the FBI. So, is this a huge, huge deal invoking an infringement of civilian liberties, or an honest mistake by the FBI trying to protect the country?

I actually have no big issue with it, so long as the FBI did not misuse the information on trumped up charges to people, which the article did not mention. It is a problem, but one, given the time period, that I'd say was an honest mistake. A mistake, but one that one can understand as they were under huge stress to stop another attack.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/18/AR2010011803982.html?wpisrc=newsletter&sid=ST2010011804299

fish82 wrote:

ptown_trojans_1 wrote: Looks like between 2002-2006, the FBI illegally tapped more than 2000 phones. A pretty article explaining the stress, situation and misuse of power by the FBI. So, is this a huge, huge deal invoking an infringement of civilian liberties, or an honest mistake by the FBI trying to protect the country?

I actually have no big issue with it, so long as the FBI did not misuse the information on trumped up charges to people, which the article did not mention. It is a problem, but one, given the time period, that I'd say was an honest mistake. A mistake, but one that one can understand as they were under huge stress to stop another attack.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/18/AR2010011803982.html?wpisrc=newsletter&sid=ST2010011804299

Agreed. If it comes out that they misused the info as you said, then I have no problem bringing the hammer down on them. Otherwise...it's a pass.

BCSbunk wrote: No pass they need hammered now. No wonder our government is in the mess it is in when people give free passes to those that break the law especially the government.

I hope they are hammered to every extent of the law for their crimes.

FatHobbit wrote:

BCSbunk wrote: No pass they need hammered now. No wonder our government is in the mess it is in when people give free passes to those that break the law especially the government.

I hope they are hammered to every extent of the law for their crimes.

I'm with you. I don't think the FBI get's to break the law just because they have an excuse. I doubt they would do it for me.

FatHobbit wrote:

BCSbunk wrote: No pass they need hammered now. No wonder our government is in the mess it is in when people give free passes to those that break the law especially the government.

I hope they are hammered to every extent of the law for their crimes.

I'm with you. I don't think the FBI get's to break the law just because they have an excuse. I doubt they would do it for me.

fish82 wrote:

FatHobbit wrote:

BCSbunk wrote: No pass they need hammered now. No wonder our government is in the mess it is in when people give free passes to those that break the law especially the government.

I hope they are hammered to every extent of the law for their crimes.

I'm with you. I don't think the FBI get's to break the law just because they have an excuse. I doubt they would do it for me.

If you were working to keep any more bad guys from flying planes into buildings, my guess is that they would.

eersandbeers wrote:

fish82 wrote:

FatHobbit wrote:

BCSbunk wrote: No pass they need hammered now. No wonder our government is in the mess it is in when people give free passes to those that break the law especially the government.

I hope they are hammered to every extent of the law for their crimes.

I'm with you. I don't think the FBI get's to break the law just because they have an excuse. I doubt they would do it for me.

If you were working to keep any more bad guys from flying planes into buildings, my guess is that they would.

And any evidence you gain against me is immediately inadmissible in court. Why do you think the Bush admin was trying to create loopholes where they could detain American citizens suspecting of terrorism without concern for their Constitutional rights?

gut wrote: TWO THOUSANDS phones?!? Ohhhh, the humanity!

Aside from the slippery slope argument, I find it really hard to bitch about that.

fish82 wrote:
Because Bush is the farking devil. He kills small children in their sleep and eats their flesh with BBQ sauce. After listening to their phone calls, of course. :rolleyes:

gut wrote: TWO THOUSANDS phones?!? Ohhhh, the humanity!

Aside from the slippery slope argument, I find it really hard to bitch about that.

eersandbeers wrote: Or besides its unconstitutional.

ccrunner609 wrote:

BCSbunk wrote: No pass they need hammered now. No wonder our government is in the mess it is in when people give free passes to those that break the law especially the government.

I hope they are hammered to every extent of the law for their crimes.

I guess right after the FBI gets raked throught he coals we can take Obama in there and string him up for breaking the law numerous times.

He broke the law when it comes to the census, removal of an official without notifying congress, Obama and is cronies are also breaking the law when it comes to TARP also by not mandating oversight.

As for cronies I guess Little Tax cheat Timmy Geitner can also attend this government lynching on his tax evasion.

gut wrote:

eersandbeers wrote: Or besides its unconstitutional.

Like I said, I get the slippery slope argument, but neither my rights nor the rights of 99.9999% of Americans was violated here. I don't really have issue with the govt operating on the fringe to target and catch criminals operating on the fringe. "Absolute Liberty" is a great concept but also incredibly naive. Protecting US citizens and their rights involves trade-offs whether we want to admit it or not.

gut wrote:

eersandbeers wrote: Or besides its unconstitutional.

Like I said, I get the slippery slope argument, but neither my rights nor the rights of 99.9999% of Americans was violated here. I don't really have issue with the govt operating on the fringe to target and catch criminals operating on the fringe. "Absolute Liberty" is a great concept but also incredibly naive. Protecting US citizens and their rights involves trade-offs whether we want to admit it or not.

BCSbunk wrote: This is exactly the attitude that has created the mess our government is in.

Let the government do as they wish it is for our betterment.

eersandbeers wrote: Anything can be justified in the name of "safety."

gut wrote:

eersandbeers wrote: Anything can be justified in the name of "safety."

No it cannot. You are painting this in black & white. Healthy, logical and rational debate prevents anything arbitrary from being justified in the name of "safety".

Carte blanche dismissal of the issue is no better than carte blanche acceptance. Reality dictates there is a middle ground where balance is found.

fish82 wrote: I think it's safe to say that if the FBI was in any danger here whatsoever, Eric Holder would already be pontificating eloquently on the subject. The fact that he's not jumped in front of a microphone someplace today speaks volumes.