AP: Experts: Ruling Weakens Bush Spying Plan

[Eugene]

Experts: Ruling Weakens Bush Spying Plan


Friday June 30, 2006 11:31 PM

AP Photo OHCD103

By PETE YOST

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Supreme Court ruling striking down military commissions seriously
weakens the foundation of the Bush administration's domestic surveillance program,
critics said Friday.

A congressional resolution President Bush relied on in creating commissions is a key
rationale for the National Security Agency to listen in on phone calls without first
obtaining a judge's permission.

The court "reinforces our view that the NSA operation was unlawful," said George
Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley. "The Supreme Court cut away
the administration's principal legal argument for the NSA operation - the congressional
resolution following Sept. 11."

<snip>

In January, the Justice Department invoked the resolution 92 times in a 42-page paper
designed to quell the outcry that the White House had broken the law with its program
of warrantless surveillance. A centerpiece in the administration's counter-attack
against its critics, the DOJ entitled the white paper "Legal Authorities Supporting
the Activities of the National Security Agency Described By the President."

<snip>

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5923248,00.html

[Rex]

1. They allowed 911, invaded Iraq without merit, ignored Katrina,

and now have signing statements to overrule the other branches of gummit. BFEE.