In a tale of widespread, warrantless wiretapping, Russell Tice, a former National Security Agency analyst, claimed that the Bush administration engaged in extensive electronic surveillance of Americans. His revelations were made on Keith Olbermann's MSNBC show. The eavesdropping was extensive, the former spook says, revealing enormous -- though not unlimited -- NSA capabilities when it comes to listening in on electronic communications. According to Tice:
The National Security Agency had access to all Americans' communications -- faxes, phone calls, and their computer communications.
Of particular interest to the Bush administration, says Tice, were "U.S. news organizations and reporters and journalists." That continues a pattern of surveillance of the news media. Just months ago, the FBI apologized for eavesdropping on the phone calls of reporters working for the Washington Post and New York Times. The surveillance detailed by Tice would seem to go further.
Tice's revelations come after earlier reports, details of which are in James Bamford's latest book, that the NSA was intercepting the international phone calls of journalists, military personnel and civilian aid workers.
Olbermann asks if Barack Obama's new administration can put a stop to this eavesdropping. The bigger question, of course, is if the latest gaggle of politicians even wants to curb such surveillance.
You might also enjoy these:
Civil Liberties Examiner is now on Facebook!
Or follow the latest civil liberties news on Twitter: Libertywriter
Contact J.D.: civilliberties (at) tuccille.com
Comments
Is Mueller really being kept on at the FBI?? What does Mr. Tice think of him? I remember Mueller admitting to rendering "terror suspects" overseas to be tortured--shouldn't he arrested immediately now that the criminal Bush is out?
Bush is the worst president EVER! He has pretty much destroyed America as we know it. How long will it take for Obama to restore some of our self respect. I wonder if other countries could arrest Bush and Cheney for war crimes.
The MSM has hardly noticed, but these new revelations are huge. If Government knows what the press is up to, Government wrongdoing can easily escape detection forever. They wouldn't have to suppress the media in any way that would draw criticism, All they would have to do is use their spying program to stay one step ahead of any investigation. The press would be "free" but forever in the dark. The government would enjoy unlimited secrecy and impunity forever. All government accountability would be destroyed once and for all.
I am finally convinced that we came within a hair's breadth of trading the constitution for an authoritarian police state. If they had been a little less arrogant, a little more competent, it might have happened differently.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!