Senators Hagel, DeWine, Graham, and Snowe must have literally just lost their minds...
The four senators hope to settle the debate over National Security Agency eavesdropping on international communications involving Americans when one of the parties is suspected of terrorist ties. President Bush prompted a months-long uproar when he said that constitutional powers absolve him of the need to seek warrants in such cases, even though the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act requires warrants for domestic wiretaps.
....
The bill would allow the NSA to eavesdrop, without a warrant, for up to 45 days per case, at which point the Justice Department would have three options.
Let me make sure I understand this....
They think the current plan, which gives the President 72 hours to obtain a warrant is illegal, and the solution is to give him 45 days instead....?!?!?
What country do I live in again? Someone please pass me the red pill?
It gets crazier....check out the three options...
It could drop the surveillance, seek a warrant from FISA's court, or convince a handful of House and Senate members that although there is insufficient evidence for a warrant, continued surveillance "is necessary to protect the United States," according to a summary the four sponsors provided yesterday.
Are you kidding me....These guys want to write into law the ability of the executive branch to spy on American citizens without a warrant for 45 days, and then allow the executive branch to simply drop it as though nothing ever occured???
I am stunned. What part of this amendment don't they understand?
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
And to cap off this abomination of a bill...
The bill introduced yesterday calls for fines of up to $1 million and prison terms of up to 15 years for those who disclose "classified information related to the Terrorist Surveillance Program," the administration's name for the NSA operation. The penalties would not apply to journalists.
So, if someone were to disclose that any Administration decided to spy on their political opponents for 45 days, it is 15 years for you buddy.
Fortunately, Sen. Specter has at least one marble left...
It is far from clear whether the bill can win passage. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) -- whose panel plays a major role in the surveillance matter -- pointed his thumb down yesterday when asked about the measure. He said he particularly objects to letting the government "do whatever the hell it wants" for 45 days without seeking judicial or congressional approval.
It is hard to believe that this is not some sort of distorted leak by someone opposed to the bill. If these Senator's actually signed their names to sponsor this bill as it is stated in the article, they deserve to be recalled for utter contempt of the Constitution....