James Risen on Bush Spying on Reporters

[slipslidingaway]

Run time: 05:08 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRCm4077qos   Posted on YouTube: January 23, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: April 11, 2009 By DU Member: slipslidingaway Views on DU: 492

 

[EFerrari]

1. Risen downplays the threat to reporters but we've already seen what happens

to reporters that cross the status quo. If they are Americans, they get fired like Robert Parry and Sy Hersh. If they are foreigners, they are put in physical danger like Sgrena and like Sami al Haj.

[slipslidingaway]

2. You're right about downplaying the threat....

we'll see what happens next in the case below.


ACLU Challenges Unconstitutional Spying Law

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/nsaspying/faachallenge.html

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/nsaspying/35945res20080710.html

"In July 2008, Congress capitulated to the White House's demands and scare tactics by passing the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, giving the NSA even more power to spy on Americans without warrants than it exercised under its illegal surveillance program. The ACLU is asking the court to protect the privacy rights of all Americans and declare the FAA unconstitutional..."


http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut/336123/our_warrantless_wiretapping_lawsuit

"...A few hours after Bush's signing, The Nation joined with the ACLU in a lawsuit filed in the US District Court (Southern District) of New York challenging the constitutionality of the Act. The Nation is suing on behalf of itself, our staff and two of our contributing writers--Chris Hedges and Naomi Klein...

....Today, we are proud to join with the ACLU and other plaintiffs in this lawsuit in the belief that the government 's surveillance activities should respect, not trample, the Constitution. Our history as America's oldest weekly journal of opinion has taught us that surveillance powers can easily become a threat to a free and open society..."