Originally published February 15 2006
Bush tells Kentuckians he has the authority to set domestic spy program into motion
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Speaking to an audience in Louisville, Ky., President Bush declared that he was operating within his wartime powers when he ordered a domestic eavesdropping program that was carried out by the NSA.
President George W. Bush on Wednesday insisted he had the legal right to authorize a domestic eavesdropping program that has sparked outrage among civil liberty groups.
"I have the right as a commander-in-chief in a time of war to take action necessary to protect the American people," Bush said during a discussion on the "war on terror" with citizens in Louisville, Kentucky.
The revelation last month of the wiretap program run by the National Security Agency has sparked a debate about presidential powers, with civil libertarians contending that Bush overstepped his constitutional limits by authorizing it.
Bush's 2002 order enabled the NSA to monitor, without court warrants, the international telephone calls and electronic mail of US citizens with suspected ties to Al-Qaeda.
"It seems to me if somebody is talking to Al-Qaeda, we want to know why," Bush said Wednesday.
"I understand people's concerns about government eavesdropping.
I share those concerns as well," he said.
"I had to make the difficult decision between balancing civil liberties and on a limited basis, and I mean limited basis, try to find out the intention of the enemy," Bush added.
Before authorizing the program, he said, he made sure he had "all the legal authority necessary to make this decision as your president."
Bush said the program was being scrutinized regularly to ensure it does not infringe on civil liberties.
Congressional hearings are planned on the matter.
"That's good for democracy," Bush said, "just so long as the hearings, as they explore whether or not I have the prerogative to make the decisions, doesn't tell the enemy what we're doing.
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