CSPAN discussion on wiretapping, terrorism, and more

This morning, CSPAN Washington Journal hosted a discussion that includes Ruth Connif, Political Editor, The Progressive and Mona Charen, Syndicated Columnist. If you missed it, you can watch it online.

Ruth Connif is the liberal voice and Mona Charen the conservative. Both had pretty good points. Connif argued that the Government should get a warrant and have 72 hours after they start surveillance to obtain one. Charen argued that this simply is not realistic based on the amount of surveillance the Government has to do if they want to fight a war on terror.

There were any new arguments brought up in the discussion, but an eloquent restating of comments we've heard previously. Such as conservatives seeking to give President Bush the presidential powers he needs for the war on terrorism, liberals accusing conservatives of stomping all over the constitution, and conservatives alledging that liberals are extending due process to foreign nationals who might have connections to terrorism.

A couple of callers to the show commented they knew their calls were being monitored because of clicking on the line. I agree with Connif that these type of calls just demonstrate a lack of trust in the Government. If you think your phone is being monitored, check out Wiretapping/Eavesdropping on Telephone Conversations: Is There Cause for Concern?

Categories: CSPAN, Wiretapping