Obama staunchly defends government surveillance programs

[Cali_Democrat]

By Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland

SAN JOSE, California (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday staunchly defended U.S. government programs conducting surveillance of Americans' phone and Internet activity, insisting that they were conducted with broad safeguards to protect against abuse.

"Nobody is listening to your telephone calls. That's not what this program is about," Obama told reporters on a visit to California's Silicon Valley.

He insisted that the surveillance programs struck the right balance between keeping Americans safe from terrorist attack and protecting their privacy.

Obama stressed that the programs are overseen by federal judges and by Congress, where senators and representatives are regularly updated on their use, and he said his administration has also instituted audits to make sure safeguards are observed.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obama-staunchly-defends-us-government-164030610.html

[still_one]

1. Actually they left out an important detail, he said this should have been debated when the patriot

Act was created, but essentially rubber stamped.

The President said the debate is long over due

[LWolf]

7. "long overdue." RIGHT.

That's why he pushed for the extension two years ago.

The White House is pressing Congress to act so there will be no interruption. Specifically, the provisions to be renewed would authorize the FBI to use roving wiretaps on surveillance targets; allow the government to access "any tangible items," such as library records, in the course of surveillance; and allow the surveillance of "lone wolf" targets who are not connected to an identified terrorist group.

My senator:

Merkley suggested in an interview that rushing the bill to the floor violated a promise that lawmakers would be given time to fully debate and change a law that has become central to the nation's anti-terrorism efforts.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/post_30.html

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. Translation: We're protecting your freedoms by curtailing them.

[pinto]

4. Encourage your Senate and House reps to bring this up for debate / review.

Pres. Obama said he welcomes the discussion. Let's encourage all to have one.

[Cali_Democrat]

5. True

I hate to say this, but I think Bin Laden essentially achieved his objectives.

[Rex]

3. Oh shit, you mean Congress is involved?

They can fuck up a Sundae on Sunday.

[ohheckyeah]

6. I feel so much better that bought and paid for

judges and Congress members are overseeing things. NOT

[BlueCheese]

8. Hard to debate a secret program.