Those Pesky Laws.
The Republicans want to make it a crime for Whistle-blowers, reporters or the Media to report on any crimes which this Administration commits.
The proposed legislation for the so-called Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006 to be introduced by Ohio Senator. Michael DeWine. The principal purpose of which is to legalize the Bush Administration’s illegal warrant less eavesdropping on Americans. This proposed legislation contains unprecedented provisions which create whole new categories of crimes designed to punish any future discussion of the President’s eavesdropping activities, including by reporters, if they were ever inclined to do so.
Reporters who write about government surveillance could be prosecuted under proposed legislation that would solidify the administration’s eavesdropping authority, according to some legal analysts who are concerned about dramatic changes in U.S. law. (Even before this new legislation has been passed, an American citizen has been charged with three felonies. Mr. Heller worked for the voting machine vendor Diebold and blew the whistle by publicizing some internal documents.)
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the draft of the legislation. The draft would add to the criminal penalties for anyone who “intentionally discloses information identifying or describing” the Bush administration’s terrorist surveillance program or any other eavesdropping program conducted under a 1978 surveillance law. Under the boosted penalties, those found guilty could face fines of up to $1 million, 15 years in jail or both.
Kate Martin, director of the Center for National Security Studies, said the measure is broader than any existing laws. She said, for example, the language does not specify that the information has to be harmful to national security or classified.
How much did the reporting of Mr. Nixon’s crimes have to do with his removal from office? The Church Report and subsequent laws enacted to keep the Executive Branch in check, to not have an Imperial President. How much did the release of the Pentagon Papers help to bring an end to the Vietnam (Police Action) War? Could this current war have been avoided or at least an end in sight, if we had some reporters who did their job? Can’t say it enough! The reporters job is to report to the American People on the Government. You and I have no way of getting to the people in power. We have no easy way or time, to find and research the Government’s documents. We count on the Media to inform us. To tell us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Didn’t Mr. Bush promise that he would bring honesty and integrity back to Washington?
When Bush Came Into Office He Pledged to Restore Honor and Integrity to the Presidency. George W. Bush, upon being elected, promised to “restore honor and integrity to the office to which I have been elected.” [Boston Globe, 12/3/00]
When Rove Was Sworn In Bush Stressed That His Administration Must Avoid Even The Appearance Of Ethical Problems. Bush at Senior Staff Swearing in Ceremony: “[W]e must remember the high standards that come with high office. This begins with careful adherence to the rules. I expect every member of this Administration to stay well within the boundaries that define legal and ethical conduct. This means avoiding even the appearance of problems. This means checking and, if need be, double-checking that the rules have been obeyed. This means never compromising those rules. No one in the White House should be afraid to confront the people they work for, for ethical concerns. And no one should hesitate to confront me, as well.” [Public Papers of the Presidents, 1/29/01]
So yes, Mr. Bush pledged to restore “Honor and Integrity” to the Presidency. Did he mean to do so and just found that he could not get done what he wanted done and still uphold the laws and restore “honor and integrity” to the Government? There seems to be no end to this Cabal’s making new laws to cover it’s grab for total domination and the destruction of the American Way and our Republic.
The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.
~Socrates~ (469 BC - 399 BC)
I have stopped watching the television “news” and I have written to them telling them why. I do not read most newspapers anymore, (other than a few online ones which are still trying to do their jobs). It amazes me that more of the Progressive people in America still support these media moguls. I suggest that you cancel your subscriptions to magazines and newspapers. Tell them why. Write to all the television stations, local and national, and tell them you are not going to continue to watch their news programs, until they bring back the fair and balanced policy, until they stop doing gossip pieces, until they start doing their real jobs.
I watch LinkTV, (Democracy Now is a great news program), CurrenTV and a few PBS programs. Although, since Mr. Bush has replaced the Administration of PBS with his cronies, I do not find that you can get much truthful reporting on it. I listen to Air America. I get my news from the Internet. I read foreign newspapers and Internet Sites.
When it starts to hit them in the pocketbook, they will have to change. We have the power, let’s use it!
