So what about those warrantless searches

"Illegal" Warrantless Searches
Constitutional Authority of the President and National Security.
Internet Links and Resources

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113513395228428163.html

"Wiretap Dance," by Ronald Kessler, Wall Street Journal , December 21, 2005

Commentary on problems with FISA, why the NSA intercepts are necessary.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/12/20/131610.shtml

"FISA Court Approved Bush Spy Program," Newsmax.com , December 20, 2005

Previous court ruling gives the President power to conduct "warrantless searches" to obtain foreign intelligence.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0512210142dec21,1,3677848.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

"President Had Legal Authority to OK Taps," by John Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, December 21, 2005

Commentary on legal precedent and Constitutional authority of the President. Under Clinton, Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick confirmed President's authority.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nypost/20051227/cm_nypost/thegrayladytoyswithtreason

"The Gray Lady Toys With Treason," New York Post, December 27, 2005

Editorial on New York Times breaking story about Bush's "secret" warrantless eavesdropping, thus compromising national security. Cites Carter's and Clinton's use of warrantless searches.

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20051222-122610-7772r.htm

"'Warrantless' Searches Not Unprecedented," by Charles Hurt, Washington Times, December 22, 2005

Cites Clinton's (and previous administrations') use of warrantless searches, and quotes Clinton Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick, including testimony before Intelligence Committee. Also cites court opinion upholding Presidential power for warrantless searches.

http://www.cnsnews.com/bozellcolumn/archive/2005/col20051228.asp

"Media Paint Bush As 'Dictator'," by L. Brent Bozell III, cnsnews.com, December 28, 2005

(Also ran as a commentary in Investor's Business Daily, headlined "Good or Evil? First Ask Who's In Oval Office," January 3, 2006)

Commentary citing media reaction to New York Times story, with Bush as a "dictator," yet Clinton didn't receive such labels when he used warrantless surveillance.

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=27012&docId=l:340405237&start=1

"Safety Net," Investor's Business Daily, December 28, 2005

Editorial on problems with relying on FISA, cites FISA denials for pre-9-11 warrants on Zacarias Moussaoui.

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=20&artnum=1&issue=20060103&view=1

"Upper Echelon," Investor's Business Daily, January 4, 2006

Editorial, describes NSA's Echelon program as depicted on "60 Minutes."

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=20&issue=20051222&view=1

"Unwarranted Flak," Investor's Business Daily , December 23, 2005

Editorial citing use of warrantless searches under Carter, Reagan and Clinton. Also cites U.S. Code for authority, and Nancy Pelosi's admission that she was advised.

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash8.htm

"Flashback: Clinton, Carter Search 'N Surveillance Without Court Order" drudgereport.com, December 21, 2005

Cites Clinton-era articles on Clinton use of warrantless searches.

http://cryptome.org/echelon-60min.htm

"Top Secret Echelon," CBS News, "60 minutes," August 6, 2000

Transcript of "60 Minutes" report on Echelon.

http://www.aclu.org/privacy/spying/15068prs19990406.html

"ACLU Calls for Investigation into Global Surveillance System" ACLU.org, April 6, 1999
ACLU press release calling for Congressional investigations into Echelon.

Democrats are knee deep in "Jack's Ass"

Originally titled "Democrats Don't Know Jack???" by the National Republican Senatorial Committee


“It’s very odd that Democrats at the national and state levels have sought to exploit the Abramoff matter for political gain, while in the process throwing countless congressional Democrats under the bus,’ said Brian Nick, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).” (Charles Hurt, “Dorgan Returns Abramoff Money,” The Washington Times, December 14, 2005)


An NRSC Report Shows That Nearly 90 Percent Of Senate “Democrats Have Taken Abramoff-Related Money.” “The NRSC has begun circulating among fellow Republicans new reports showing that all but five of the chamber’s 44 Democrats have taken Abramoff-related money. In addition, the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have taken more than $1.2 million, according to records provided to The Washington Times.” (Charles Hurt, “Dorgan Returns Abramoff Money,” The Washington Times, December 14, 2005)


“The NRSC Report Is Part Of A New Counteroffensive By Republicans To Neutralize An Issue That Democrats See As Central To Electoral Gains In 2006.”


“If The Democrats Are Alleging That Republicans Are Guilty Of Any Wrongdoing, They’re Sitting In The Same Boat.” “Democrats have run two television advertisements in Montana, castigating Burns for his activities on behalf of Abramoff, but as the lobbyist’s taint spreads, its political impact may dissipate, said Brian Nick, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. ‘If the Democrats are alleging that Republicans are guilty of any wrongdoing, they’re sitting in the same boat,’ he said. ‘It just becomes a nonstarter.’” (Jonathan Weisman and Derek Willis “Democrat On Panel Probing Abramoff To Return Tribal Donations,” The Washington Post, December 14, 2005)


Tribal Clients And Associates Of Jack Abramoff Have Contributed Over $3.1 Million To Democrat Party Interests Between 1997 And 2004. (Campaign Finance Analysis Project Website, www.campaignfinanceanalysisproject.com, Accessed December 2005; Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed December 2005)


National Democrat Party Affiliated Committees Received Over $1.2 Million From Indian Tribe Clients And Lobbying Associates Of Jack Abramoff. (Campaign Finance Analysis Project Website, www.campaignfinanceanalysisproject.com, Accessed December 7, 2005; Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed December 7, 2005; Internal Revenue Service Website, www.irs.gov, Accessed April 21, 2005)

The Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Received Over – $430,000
The Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Received Over – $629,000
The Democrat National Committee (DNC) Received Over – $177,000

Incumbent Senate Democrat-Affiliated Campaign And Leadership Committees Received Over $729,000 From Indian Tribe Clients And Lobbying Associates Of Jack Abramoff*. (Campaign Finance Analysis Project Website, www.campaignfinanceanalysisproject.com,, Accessed December 7, 2005; Political Money Line Website, www.tray.com, Accessed December 7, 2005; Internal Revenue Service Website, www.irs.gov, Accessed April 21, 2005)


(Charles Hurt, “Dorgan Returns Abramoff Money,” The Washington Times, December 14, 2005)

40 Of The 45 Members Of The Senate Democrat Caucus:

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) Received At Least – $22,500
Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) Received At Least – $6,500
Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) Received At Least – $1,250
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Received At Least – $2,000
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Received At Least – $20,250
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Received At Least – $21,765
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) Received At Least – $7,500
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Received At Least – $12,950
Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) Received At Least – $8,000
Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ) Received At Least – $7,500
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) Received At Least – $14,792
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) Received At Least – $79,300
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) Received At Least – $14,000
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Received At Least – $2,000
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) Received At Least – $1,250
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) Received At Least – $45,750
Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Received At Least – $9,000
Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT) Received At Least – $2,000
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) Received At Least – $14,250
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) Received At Least – $3,300
Senator John Kerry (D-MA) Received At Least – $98,550
Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) Received At Least – $28,000
Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT) Received At Least – $4,000
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) Received At Least – $6,000
Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) Received At Least – $29,830
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Received At Least – $14,891
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) Received At Least – $10,550
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) Received At Least – $78,991
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) Received At Least – $20,168
Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) Received At Least – $5,200
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) Received At Least – $7,500
Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) Received At Least – $2,300
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) Received At Least – $3,500
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Received At Least – $68,941
Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV) Received At Least – $4,000
Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) Received At Least – $4,500
Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) Received At Least – $4,300
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Received At Least – $29,550
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Received At Least – $6,250
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) Received At Least – $6,250