Domestic Spying without Warrants – What’s Going On?
Posted by Liz Kaplan, Legislative
Assistant
One of the biggest issues in civil liberties so far this year has been President Bush’s authorization for the National Security Agency (NSA) to spy on international phone calls and e-mails of people within the United States without a warrant. First revealed to the public in a New York Times article on December 16 th, 2005, the program has generated much controversy and debate between those in the Bush Administration and civil liberties advocates. It’s easy to get wrapped up in (and a little confused by) the different legal arguments surrounding this issue. A Question and Answer piece from National Public Radio explains the controversy in straightforward terms. There are links below of the latest news, legal commentary, and a paper detailing the Bush Administration’s position.
Coverage of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ First Hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee
Column by Elaine Cassel from FindLaw.Com
One
explanation of some of legal controversy surrounding the NSA program by an
attorney and professor, with links to other related FindLaw columns and
background documents:
U.S.
Department of Justice White Paper
Document
released detailing the Bush Administration’s legal justification for the NSA
program:
Column by Charles Krauthammer
A conservative
columnist defends the legality of the NSA program, with links to comments by law
professors and others.
Text of Al Gore’s Speech Sponsored by the American Constitution Society and the Liberty Coalition:
Resources on the ACLU’s Lawsuit against the National Security Agency: