Bush Defends Phone-Tapping
Sign up today for breaking news and weather text alerts!
Save Email Print
Updated: 11:50 AM Dec 20, 2005
Bush Defends Phone-Tapping
Reno
The phone-tapping controversy won't subside any time soon. While the president continues to defend the program, civil libertarians are outraged, claiming it violates the constitution.
Posted: 4:42 PM Dec 19, 2005
Reporter: Kara Tsuboi
Font Size:

"One 2 minute phone conversation...here...operative overseas...could lead to loss of American lives. "

President Bush vehemently defended the rationale behind the wire-tapping program in a press conference Monday morning.

He insists he has the legal authority to authorize the National Security Agency to eavesdrop domestically without warrants.

But Bill Dressel, the President of the National Judicial College based here in Reno, says not so fast: "The constitution is saying no matter who you are, they can't go in there and listen to your telephone calls. They can't be seizing material from you unless they have a reason to do it."

Dressel understands the president is playing the "war" card: that we are living in extraordinary times with terrorism...and that calls for extraordinary measures.

But he says public suspicion is high...for two reasons.

One, if we start to phone-tap, where will the spying measures end? And two, does the public even have a fundamental trust for this administration?

"What you have here is a basic "trust me" situation. I will only use it when I deem it required to in the most serious of situations with someone of a terrorist background. The problem is we know from the polls right now that trust level is low."

KOLO 8 News Now on Facebook
KOLO Features
Northern Nevada Jobs
Find great local jobs here!
Pro Football Picks
Play the Pro Football Game and win cash and prizes from the Peppermill each week!
Coupons, Click Here!
Find great deals here!
Stay-Cations
Find a Stay-Cation close to home!
HDTV Information
Everything you need to know about the Digital TV Transition.
Win Tickets to the Nutcracker
Enter to win a family 4 pack to see the performance of the Sparks Hometowne Nutcracker!
KOLO Online Poll
What do you think about Oprah ending her talk show?

It is about time
I wish it would never end
I couldn’t care less
Should have ended about 23 years ago


Share Your Thoughts With Us!

Read the full story here
Northern Nevada Medical Center
KOLO AP Online Videos
KOLO Blogs
Covering Rural Nevada Alone pat 6 - 2 Comments Posted
Covering Rural Nevada Alone part 5 - Post Your Comments!
"The Home of the Free?" I don't think so! - Post Your Comments!
Covering Rural Nevada Alone part 4 - Post Your Comments!
Covering Rural Nevada part 3 - 1 Comments Posted
More Blogs >>>
Stock Quotes
QUOTES
    Symbol Lookup