Domestic Policy
Arlon Specter Wants Domestic Spying Hearings On Bush Policy
The domestic spy issue President Bush is embroiled in will most likely be headed into hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee in January. If the committee finds Bush acted in total compliance with his given powers, will this change your opinion of the program, and Bushs’ actions? Most say it will but some are still skeptical of the man himself. Where are you at on this issue?
Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter advised that he remains skeptical about the government surveillance program recently brought to light. In spite of an explanation he received from Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on the matter Chairman Specter expects the issue to be heard before the Senate Judiciary Committe.
Specter met with Gonzalez to discuss the issue but he came away believing hearings on the matter will begin in January. Chairman Specter commented on his meeting with Gonzalez by stating, “I would summarize it by saying I have grave doubts about his legal conclusion…I’m skeptical, but I’m prepared to listen.”
Specter says he expects Attorney General Gonzales to be the leadoff witness at a hearing on the surveillance issue, which he said he would like to start immediately after the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito conclude.
While individuals bicker back and forth about whether President Bush was right or wrong in issuing his wiretaps inside the domestic United States without attaining the proper warrants, the Senate Judiciary committee is trying to set a timetable for hearings on the issue.
It was revealed over a week ago that President Bush enacted unique measures he felt necessary to protect American citizens. The measures called for the NSA to set up surveillance on individuals inside the United States without first receiving a warrant from the FISC, FISC is a special court set up to assist the President on issues of security for domestic America.
Many staunch conservatives support Vice President Dick Cheney who called for strong and robust presidential powers in regards to the Presidents ability to enact measures domestically. Cheney stated that executive authority has eroded since the Watergate and Vietnam eras. Cheney went on to say that, “It is good, solid, sound policy. It is, I’m convinced, one of the reasons we have not been attacked for the last four years. It’s absolutely the right thing to do.”
Attorney General Gonzales recently defended the Presidents’ decision not to seek warrants first from the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Court by stating, “we don’t have the speed and the agility that we need in all circumstances to deal with this new kind of enemy.”
Senator Spector advised that he feels there will be much national debate discussing the issue of presidential powers in this matter, Specter stated, “ does the president really have the kind of power he’s been using…There may be legislation which will come out of it to restrict the president’s power.”
If the Senate committee finds Bush acted appropriately will this change your mind about Bush and the policy? Some say it will, others still feel violated. Where are you on this issue?
Specter Wants Domestic Spying Hearings Next Month
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If Bush is found to be in his rights to do what he did then yes I will absolve him of guilt, if not then the bashing shall continue. I look forward to hearing what others think but many are so opinionated they usually don’t offer nothing but rhetoric regardless of what side of the Bush debate they fall. I hope to hear some good reasoning one way or the other, not just a bunch of hating.
This is the sentiment I hear a lot, if he is considered by the Judiciary Committee to have overstepped his powers (boundaries) then he should have to face some sort of reprimand or offer atonement. Many will not let this just be explained away by simply saying it was for our own good and protection. Some feel strongly that Bush should have absolute powers, almost unchecked. However, there are many more out there who feel Bush needs to be reeled in. It will definitely be interesting to see how this all falls into place. Leave it to Arlen to add fuel to the fire once again, he is a man known for holding the feet to the flame when it comes to perceived wrong-doings. Whether you like Arlen or not, he is vigilant.
“If the committee finds Bush acted in total compliance with his given powers, will this change your opinion of the program, and Bushs’ actions? Most say it will but some are still skeptical of the man himself. Where are you at on this issue?”
Unfortunately, yes. I don’t trust the GOP to investigate this president. This is the same crowd that investigated the Clintons down to the first lady’s cat, but can’t be bothered to look into a single failing of their party’s president. I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them. They’re partisans before they’re Americans. The inquiry should be independent of the tainted Congress and White House.
While most inquiries of this nature are conducted by a bipartisan commission, I don’t think you’ll hear too many republicans sticking their necks out and pushing for an investigation — maybe only if they’re up for re-election this year
But seriously…I hope they look hard into this. I really think the President went too far. Especially since the law states that a wiretap can be ordered and executed immediately, and they have three days to get the appropriate warrant.
So I don’t think the excuse the Bush Administration is using (time sensitive) is going to fly…I think there is other things going on…
Great points guys. I want to see the investigation take place so that both sides of the debate can quit taking partisan shots at each other. I have not seen something that is so bound by law be discussed by something by logic based on partisan ideals. The law should not be a Republican, or Democratic, law, it should be the law. I think we all want to live a safe life with our civil rights and liberties in tact. Is this possible? I guess we will find out.
I’m all about protecting our domestic citizens. However, we must keep our rights granted to us by the constitution. Is there a balnace between protection and invasion, I am not sure, lets stay on this subject and see what happens.
With the revelation that the White House has been utilizing Web bugs, this argument will heat up even more than it already is. Many people are voicing this displeasure with these measures, they feel violated and taken advantage of. Has a level of trust been comprimised?
These hearing will not come soon enough to allieve the growing fears of Americans.
Hopefully the hearings will settle down all of the namecalling and speculation by both political parties. The facts get lost because of the bi-partisan arguing, this really hurts all Americans. Hopefully the hearings will help alleviate the anxiety surrounding this issue.