Bush is So Bored He's Spying on You

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"pay as you go" cellphones. There is no record of who even bought them?

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And they are used more and more by those who will commit crimes. There is no record if they are bought in cash and renewed with cash. Of course you can track the sales point but not the individual.

I don't know why the republicans are on and on continually defending Bush's case after case of rolling the constitution up and wiping his ass with it. I defended the first or second, even acts right after 911. This is 2006 and enough is enough. Sure they asked.. they meaning the NSA that normal DOES NOT spy on domestic targets... and were given the records so that's the only thing that's keeping me glued. They didn't serve a warrent they just asked. But this **** is geting old. In fact I am thankful that my telco company was the ONLY company that said no. The rest are like **** it, here ya go. Can I have some of your constitution to wipe MY ass with too please?

//EDIT don't know why but this reminds me of Eddie Izzard "YOU cake or death... ummmm cake please."

But tell me how this is so bad -- The government can see what phone number called what other phone number. What's the big deal?

I'm open to an explanation on this, I just haven't heard one yet. If such information can be useful, and isn't actually spying on innocent people (or in this case, anyone at all), who cares?

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I agree, who really cares that that they know who I have called? I have nothing to hide.

To be honest with you, (despite this being an unpopular opinion) if they told us that they have been recording all of our calls too, I would be very happy with that. The government doesn't care that you just shared some stupid secret about your genetial warts with your buddy Sam. They are only going to listen to your calls if they feel you are a suspect.

The people that should care about all of these are the people that are doing something wrong... and if they are doing something wrong... I hope the government IS listening to them.

Don't get me wrong, I love my privacy, but I just dont care that the government want to protect us.

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The problem is, is where does it stop? Today it's your phone calls, tomorrow, who knows? Maybe they start coding you, and putting the code on your arm to better track you, in the possibibility that you are kidnapped. Also - how do you know what the government considers important? You would be amazed at where some investigations start or what evidence is used to build a case against someone. Yes it's sounds a bit paranoid, but then again it also smacks of the start of fascist movement. Believe me, as someone who volutntarily once reliquished his freedom in service of his country, and I don't regret it at all mind you, you want to keep all the freedoms and privacy you can take or are allowed.

Also - the phone records are part of the foundation, you really don't think it stops there now do you?

"Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power." - Benjamin Franklin

or as paraphrased by many:

"Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither" - not a direct meaning - but still...

The human nature is to act then overreact.

Looking at a phone number is a far cry from slapping a chip in my arm. Number ok, chip not ok.

The solution is not to not let them do anything, nor is it to allow them to do everything.

Just a little word called discernment. When the American people lose that (which can be argued pretty easily nowadays, granted), and we let our government get away with whatever, then we should be worried.

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Just a little word called discernment. When the American people lose that (which can be argued pretty easily nowadays, granted), and we let our government get away with whatever, then we should be worried.

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Agreed - i just wonder how far away, as you mention already, that our government is getting away with whatever they want. The Justice Department had to close it's case against the NSA because of security clearance issues. A former Qwest executive says that handing over the phone records violates the law:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washing...-support_x.htm

Also - checkout the timeline on the left of the page, if nothing else, interesting.

I would suggest at this time, that we all need to be vigilant against all potential enemies, both foreign and domestic. We need to at this point, stay informed and get legally involved to ensure our security and liberties are both protected. "Th-th-th-that's all Ethel!"

I must admit that I don't see anything exciting about telephone numbers. They don't even prove who was actually on the phone at the time. And if it is a public phone all it tells you is the location...........a public place:)

If you know that an individual is a criminal then it might broaden the scope of the investigation. I would look on that as "criminal intelligence" rather than an invasion of privacy.

I am reminded of keyloggers in a way...............how many phone calls are there in the USA every day? Talk about information overload :D

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i just wonder how far away, as you mention already, that our government is getting away with whatever they want.

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That problem resides as much with the people as it does the politicans though. As long as we fail to act, fail to respond, then we have to point the finger at ourselves for the government running rampant.

Americans are just too comfortable doing nothing nowadays.

The big deal is.... "Due Process"

Should we eliminate the process? If there was a specific danger, why the mass records. Do I think they are up to no good with the numbers. No not at all. But the willingness for an Agency that USED to be off limites toward using their extreme technologies on our own people, now sping on the people they protect and the fact that hardly none of the companies said "NO" scares the **** out of me. Normally it wouldn't but a trend is emerging. I said this in another forum. The war on terror is becoming Bush's "White Wale" It blinds him and the agencies have too much power (where it is not necessary) under rules that have been forced upon us by the 911 commission. This isn't much different than the other issue from last fall and isn't a big deal perhaps but I don't like the trend. And when I make an issue of it, it is not because of this single issue or instance. It's really because we are expected to think it's not a big deal and just take it.

as long as these bills are still reversable when and if this battle of a culture and something else is over i want my government to know *EVERYTHING* thats going on and im one of those nuts that wont use easy pass just because i dont want a record kept of where i go and when. and i drive a toll road twice a day.

people are acting like their doing these things for no reason...we got people in this country plotting to kill us. wanting to blow up our schools and slit the throats of people in their sleep. i think that's pretty good reason.

its when i hear politicians say we should make it permanent to save the trouble of voting on it every 3 years that gets me going.

5 Years on, jails full, reduced threat, million of americans being spied on at once. Naw I'm getting tired of it. The best thing Bush can do, is get off his ass, grow some balls and restrict imigration and enforce existing laws that track criminal finance and movement.