Investigation of Rep. Kennedy Incident(Cover Up, Again)

[White_Male_Canada]

Officers Claim Brass Interfered in Investigation of Rep. Kennedy Incident

Thursday, May 4; 4:16 pm
By John McArdle,
Roll Call Staff


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Police labor union officials asked acting Chief Christopher McGaffin this afternoon to allow a Capitol Police officer to complete his investigation into an early-morning car crash involving Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.).
According to a letter sent by Officer Greg Baird, acting chairman of the USCP FOP, the wreck took place at approximately 2:45 a.m. Thursday when Kennedy’s car, operating with its running lights turned off, narrowly missed colliding with a Capitol Police cruiser and smashed into a security barricade at First and C streets Southeast.
File Photo
Rep. Patrick Kennedy


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




“The driver exited the vehicle and he was observed to be staggering,” Baird’s letter states. Officers approached the driver, who “declared to them he was a Congressman and was late to a vote. The House had adjourned nearly three hours before this incident. It was Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy from Rhode Island.”

Baird wrote that Capitol Police Patrol Division units, who are trained in driving under the influence cases, were not allowed to perform basic field sobriety tests on the Congressman. Instead, two sergeants, who also responded to the accident, proceeded to confer with the Capitol Police watch commander on duty and then “ordered all of the Patrol Division Units to leave the scene and that they were taking over.”

Baird said he had been advised that after the officers departed, Capitol Police “House Division officials” gave Kennedy a ride home.

Kennedy’s office did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

“If the events unfolded as they have been reported to me, and I believe they did, a complete and immediate investigation into them is required,” Baird wrote to McGaffin. Baird asked the acting chief why officers on the scene were prevented from completing the appropriate investigation “into violations of law they witnessed. This appears to be interference with their duties as U.S. Capitol Police Officers and may have prevented the collection of evidence of such violations."

“My members were attempting to carry out their duties with the professionalism and objectivity their oaths require. They should have been assisted in those duties by every level of supervision and command. Instead these circumstances call the integrity of our organization into question by creating the appearance of special favor for someone who is perceived to be privileged and powerful,” Baird wrote.

While a Capitol Police spokeswoman could not be reached for comment, Baird said in an interview this afternoon that McGaffin had contacted him about his letter.

“I want the public and those who we protect to know that we are fair and impartial when it comes to enforcing the laws on capitol grounds and the officers are doing their jobs in accordance to the laws and D.C. code and U.S. code,” he said.” That’s really why we want this addressed.”


Like father,like son. One `ll get ya 10 he skates.

[trish]

let's see. if i got this right John McArdle writes that Officer Greg Baird, acting chairman of the USCP FOP, wrote in a letter (presumably to McArdle?) that Capitol Police Patrol Division units were not allowed to perform basic field sobriety tests on the congressman Patrick Kennedy at the scene of a car accident yesterday. Later police labor union officials asked acting Chief Christopher McGaffin this afternoon to allow a Capitol Police officer to complete his investigation.

this is just the sort of thing that gets my guff. what makes our public officials think they're above the law? why don't our police officers insist on carrying out their sworn duties? this exact same thing happened just months ago when Cheney shot a man in the face.[/quote]

[Dino Velvet]

First of all, that picture of Ted rules. Looks like he might have lost a few pounds.

Now, if I can be serious for a moment, Patrick Kennedy has now admitted to being impaired, but by prescription drugs only. He did not admit to having alcohol in his system. The police should have still taken him in. If Patrick Kennedy has another incident of impaired driving where someone is hurt or killed, this PD will be held partially to blame for giving preferential treatment.

[Felicia Katt]

this is just the sort of thing that gets my guff. what makes our public officials think they're above the law? why don't our police officers insist on carrying out their sworn duties? this exact same thing happened just months ago when Cheney shot a man in the face.
Dick Cheney has two drunk driving arrests on his record, admitted to using alcohol while hunting, but wasn't questioned until the next day and was never tested.
Bush admits to only one drunk driving arrest, but according to records, his license was suspended for much longer than a first offense would warrant, suggesting prior convictions, but records are missing. He got a new drivers license number in 1996 which effectively erased his tracks before that date. He also got out of jury duty while Governor before he had to fill out the standard questionaire which asked about prior convictions.
Bush also did community service for Project Pull in Houston when he was supposed to be with the National Guard. It has been reported by several sources this was to take care of, and help cover up an arrest for cocaine use, and was a special favor by a partisan judge. He admitted to past drug usage, but euqivocated about the details.

People who hide in glass houses really shouldn't throw stones. Every one is human and entitled to make mistakes, but not everyone is a hypocrite about others with similar transgressions

FK

[White_Male_Canada]

this is just the sort of thing that gets my guff. what makes our public officials think they're above the law? why don't our police officers insist on carrying out their sworn duties? this exact same thing happened just months ago when Cheney shot a man in the face.
Dick Cheney has two drunk driving arrests on his record, admitted to using alcohol while hunting, but wasn't questioned until the next day and was never tested.
Bush admits to only one drunk driving arrest, but according to records, his license was suspended for much longer than a first offense would warrant, suggesting prior convictions, but records are missing. He got a new drivers license number in 1996 which effectively erased his tracks before that date. He also got out of jury duty while Governor before he had to fill out the standard questionaire which asked about prior convictions.
Bush also did community service for Project Pull in Houston when he was supposed to be with the National Guard. It has been reported by several sources this was to take care of, and help cover up an arrest for cocaine use, and was a special favor by a partisan judge. He admitted to past drug usage, but euqivocated about the details.

People who hide in glass houses really shouldn't throw stones. Every one is human and entitled to make mistakes, but not everyone is a hypocrite about others with similar transgressions

FK

The hypocracy is amazing.

The Kennedy clan conspire with higher ups and once again a Kennedy(Pat) walks away, not being charged with anything !

PS: He was drunk and on pills ! :

Pat cites pills in car wreck
By Dave Wedge
Friday, May 5, 2006 - Updated: 01:05 AM EST

WASHINGTON -U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy insisted yesterday that he had consumed “no alcohol” before he slammed his Mustang convertible into a concrete barrier near his office, but a hostess at a popular Capitol Hill watering hole told the Herald she saw him drinking in the hours before the crash.
“He was drinking a little bit,” said the woman, who works at the Hawk & Dove and would not give her name.

Leaving his office late last night, Kennedy refused to say whether he’d been to the Hawk & Dove the night before.

Earlier in the evening, Kennedy issued a statement through his office blaming the accident and strange behavior surrounding it on prescription drugs.

He said he returned to his Capitol Hill home on Wednesday evening after House votes and took “prescribed” amounts of Phenergan and Ambien.

Phenergan is for gastroenteritis, he said. Ambien is a popular sleep medication.

“Sometime around 2:45 a.m., I drove the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote,” his second statement said. “Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication.”

Questions arose surrounding the wreck amid police reports that Kennedy was “staggering” and appeared intoxicated after nearly hitting a Capitol Police cruiser and then striking the barrier.

The incident became public when the union representing Capitol Police alleged in a publicly released letter that superior officers prevented rank-and-file cops from properly investigating the crash.

The letter from the cops union said police spotted Kennedy’s Mustang swerving with its lights off. The car narrowly missed a cruiser before slamming into a security barricade, according to the letter written by officer Chris Baird, chairman of the department’s union.

The driver exited the vehicle and he was observed to be staggering, Baird’s letter states. The letter also said that Kennedy claimed he was“late to a vote.” The last House vote was taken nearly six hours earlier.

Patrolmen’s union president Lou Cannon told the Associated Press that officers were fuming that police brass intervened and blocked attempts to give Kennedy sobriety tests. “The officers just want to be able to do their jobs,” Cannon said.

Leaving his Capitol Hill office last night, Kennedy told reporters: “I asked for no special treatment.”

After Kennedy responded to the swelling scandal with his first letter, a Herald reporter visisted bars where Kennedy is known to socialize.

A bartender at the Tune Inn, which is next to the Hawk & Dove, also said Kennedy was spotted in the Hawk & Dove Wednesday.

Hawk & Dove manager Edgar Gutierrez said Kennedy is a regular in the bar. Gutierrez said he was working Wednesday night but did not see the congressman.

Kennedy, who has battled booze and drug problems in the past, said in his first statement: “I will fully cooperate with the Capitol Police in whatever investigation they choose to undertake.”

Despite the wreck, Kennedy took part in normal business at the Capitol yesterday and appeared unshaken by the incident as he chatted with other members. But one Rhode Island political insider said there has been talk of Kennedy’s bizarre behavior of late.

“He has looked terrible lately,” the source said. “He’s been acting goofy, kind of zany.”

In addition to seeking substance abuse treatment as a teen, Kennedy has acknowledged being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

A spokeswoman for Kennedy’s father, U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, said the senior Massachusetts senator would have no comment on the matter.


Must get those skills from his uncle:

[trish]

Felicia Katt writes:


not everyone is a hypocrite about others with similar transgressions

touche'. you're exactly right, girlfriend. there's quite an asymmetry between the cases.

[Hugh Jarrod]

this is just the sort of thing that gets my guff. what makes our public officials think they're above the law? why don't our police officers insist on carrying out their sworn duties? this exact same thing happened just months ago when Cheney shot a man in the face.
Dick Cheney has two drunk driving arrests on his record, admitted to using alcohol while hunting, but wasn't questioned until the next day and was never tested.
Bush admits to only one drunk driving arrest, but according to records, his license was suspended for much longer than a first offense would warrant, suggesting prior convictions, but records are missing. He got a new drivers license number in 1996 which effectively erased his tracks before that date. He also got out of jury duty while Governor before he had to fill out the standard questionaire which asked about prior convictions.
Bush also did community service for Project Pull in Houston when he was supposed to be with the National Guard. It has been reported by several sources this was to take care of, and help cover up an arrest for cocaine use, and was a special favor by a partisan judge. He admitted to past drug usage, but euqivocated about the details.

People who hide in glass houses really shouldn't throw stones. Every one is human and entitled to make mistakes, but not everyone is a hypocrite about others with similar transgressions

FK

Exactly Felicia, wrong is wrong Cheney, Bush, Kennedy, all idiots. Crooks, liars and politicians who get away with it period. Regardless of what party they are in they're all pieces of sh*t who should face the same laws as we do, yet seemingly don't.

[Quinn]

Cheney, Bush, Kennedy, all idiots. Crooks, liars and politicians who get away with it period. Regardless of what party they are in they're all pieces of sh*t who should face the same laws as we do, yet seemingly don't.

Cosign.

Convincing people that there is a notable difference between the two parties and adopting the role of "the lesser evil" is little more than a metaphorical shell game. Empty rhetoric aside, there really is no difference between the two. Both establishments are utterly self-serving and care far more about staying in power than they do about the public good. Both will sacrifice anything -- including this nation's future -- to stay in power today. Frankly, I no longer care who's in power. It's all about the Benjamins now.

-A political cynic

[specialk]

Cheney, Bush, Kennedy, all idiots. Crooks, liars and politicians who get away with it period. Regardless of what party they are in they're all pieces of sh*t who should face the same laws as we do, yet seemingly don't.

Cosign.

Convincing people that there is a notable difference between the two parties and adopting the role of "the lesser evil" is little more than a metaphorical shell game. Empty rhetoric aside, there really is no difference between the two. Both establishments are utterly self-serving and care far more about staying in power than they do about the public good. Both will sacrifice anything -- including this nation's future -- to stay in power today. Frankly, I no longer care who's in power. It's all about the Benjamins now.

-A political cynic


Thank you Quinn for putting it all in perspective, very nicely done. My sentiments exactly. End of non- story so let's move on, dot or no dot org.

[White_Male_Canada]

Driving under the influence,whether alcohol or drugs will get you arrested.

Your last name a Kennedy? Well, that`s royalty. He skates.

[White_Male_Canada]

Is that the same Kennedy`s fighting wind power off Cape Cod,

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/04/27/kennedy_faces_fight_on_cape_wind/

Kennedy faces fight on Cape Wind
Key lawmakers oppose his bid to block project


http://cbs4boston.com/local/local_story_059144258.html

Robert Kennedy Jr. Fighting Cape Wind Amendment


while Pat drives an 8 cylinder hot rod ! :P

[rick_932]

whats up with the kennedy family. everytime you hear about em, someone died or nearly died

[trish]

whats up with the kennedy family. everytime you hear about em, someone died or nearly died

hey! what's up with the bush family. everytime one of 'em get's in office there's a war, a disaster and a foul up and thousands of people DO die.

[Felicia Katt]

Apparently, the Kennedy's are public enemy number 1 in Canada LOL

FK

[Hugh Jarrod]

Driving under the influence,whether alcohol or drugs will get you arrested.

Your last name a Kennedy? Well, that`s royalty. He skates.

So you agree these assholes get away with such things?

[White_Male_Canada]

whats up with the kennedy family. everytime you hear about em, someone died or nearly died

hey! what's up with the bush family. everytime one of 'em get's in office there's a war, a disaster and a foul up and thousands of people DO die.

There was a disaster,now there is a war. Some prefer to capitulate,others prefer to run `em to ground .

[White_Male_Canada]

Driving under the influence,whether alcohol or drugs will get you arrested.

Your last name a Kennedy? Well, that`s royalty. He skates.

So you agree these assholes get away with such things?

(D) Rep. Cynthia McKinney agrees .

McKinney Backers: 'Double Standard?

Congressman Patrick Kennedy said he does not recall the accident, or the citations from the Capitol Police.

But a police union official charged senior officers ordered the patrol officers to leave the scene; blocked them from running field sobriety tests; and later gave Kennedy a ride home -- in the view of Fraternal Order of Police chapter president Lou Cannon, special treatment.

"It's not the normal course of action," he said. "I think that he was given consideration in regards to his position, and that he was afforded the opportunity to be taken home."

The Capitol Police issued a terse statement saying they are continuing to investigate.

But friends of Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney said they're watching.

Rainbow-PUSH Southern Director Joe Beasley is close to McKinney. He told 11Alive, "What we're very concerned about is a contradiction."...

http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=79503

[trish]

There was a disaster,now there is a war.

No...now there's a FOUL UP!

[White_Male_Canada]

There was a disaster,now there is a war.

No...now there's a FOUL UP!

The foul up came in underestimating the enemy:

“In 1994, two jetliners were hijacked by people who wanted to crash them into buildings, one of them by an Islamic militant group. And the 2000 edition of the FAA’s annual report on Criminal Acts Against Aviation, published this year, said that although Osama bin Laden ‘is not known to have attacked civil aviation, he has both the motivation and the wherewithal to do so,’ adding, ‘Bin Laden’s anti-Western and anti-American attitudes make him and his followers a significant threat to civil aviation, particularly to U.S. civil aviation.’”

NY Times Oct. 3 2001


“The FBI had advance indications of plans to hijack U.S. airliners and use them as weapons, but neither acted on them nor distributed the intelligence to local police agencies. From the moment of the September 11th attacks, high-ranking federal officials insisted that the terrorists’ method of operation surprised them. Many stick to that story. Actually, elements of the hijacking plan were known to the FBI as early as 1995 and, if coupled with current information, might have uncovered the plot.”

Chicago Sun-Times Sept. 27 2001


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States told Saudi Arabia more than three years before the September 11 attacks that Osama bin Laden might be targeting civilian airplanes, according to a newly declassified State Department cable.

The June 1998 cable, obtained by George Washington University's National Security Archive under the Freedom of Information Act, said the United States had no specific information that al Qaeda was planning such an attack, and did not say it might fly planes into buildings.

A copy of the cable, first reported by The New York Times on Friday, was obtained by Reuters. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers on September 11, 2001, were Saudi nationals.

The cable, from the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh to U.S. government officials, said concerns were based on threats bin Laden had recently made against military aircraft in an interview with U.S. network ABC.

"We could not rule out that a terrorist might take the course of least resistance and turn to a civilian target," the cable said, noting bin Laden had said his group did not differentiate between civilians and the military.

The cable said three U.S. officials had met with Saudi officials at Riyadh's King Khaled International Airport on June 16, 1998, "to discuss the Osama bin Laden threat, and press for enhanced vigilance by Saudi security screeners and police patrols around the airport."

"We noted that while we have no specific information that indicates bin Laden is targeting civilian aircraft, he made a threat during the June 11 ABC News interview against 'military passenger aircraft' in the next 'few weeks,'" the cable said.

The cable is the latest of several signs made public that U.S. officials had concerns, long before the 2001 hijacked airplane attacks on New York and Washington, that al Qaeda might be targeting aircraft.

Others include a highly classified President's Daily Brief report to former President Bill Clinton dated December 4, 1998, which was titled "Bin Ladin Preparing to Hijack US Aircraft and Other Attacks."

Dec.9 2005

[Hugh Jarrod]

There was a disaster,now there is a war.

No...now there's a FOUL UP!

The foul up came in underestimating the enemy:

“In 1994, two jetliners were hijacked by people who wanted to crash them into buildings, one of them by an Islamic militant group. And the 2000 edition of the FAA’s annual report on Criminal Acts Against Aviation, published this year, said that although Osama bin Laden ‘is not known to have attacked civil aviation, he has both the motivation and the wherewithal to do so,’ adding, ‘Bin Laden’s anti-Western and anti-American attitudes make him and his followers a significant threat to civil aviation, particularly to U.S. civil aviation.’”

NY Times Oct. 3 2001


“The FBI had advance indications of plans to hijack U.S. airliners and use them as weapons, but neither acted on them nor distributed the intelligence to local police agencies. From the moment of the September 11th attacks, high-ranking federal officials insisted that the terrorists’ method of operation surprised them. Many stick to that story. Actually, elements of the hijacking plan were known to the FBI as early as 1995 and, if coupled with current information, might have uncovered the plot.”

Chicago Sun-Times Sept. 27 2001


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States told Saudi Arabia more than three years before the September 11 attacks that Osama bin Laden might be targeting civilian airplanes, according to a newly declassified State Department cable.

The June 1998 cable, obtained by George Washington University's National Security Archive under the Freedom of Information Act, said the United States had no specific information that al Qaeda was planning such an attack, and did not say it might fly planes into buildings.

A copy of the cable, first reported by The New York Times on Friday, was obtained by Reuters. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers on September 11, 2001, were Saudi nationals.

The cable, from the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh to U.S. government officials, said concerns were based on threats bin Laden had recently made against military aircraft in an interview with U.S. network ABC.

"We could not rule out that a terrorist might take the course of least resistance and turn to a civilian target," the cable said, noting bin Laden had said his group did not differentiate between civilians and the military.

The cable said three U.S. officials had met with Saudi officials at Riyadh's King Khaled International Airport on June 16, 1998, "to discuss the Osama bin Laden threat, and press for enhanced vigilance by Saudi security screeners and police patrols around the airport."

"We noted that while we have no specific information that indicates bin Laden is targeting civilian aircraft, he made a threat during the June 11 ABC News interview against 'military passenger aircraft' in the next 'few weeks,'" the cable said.

The cable is the latest of several signs made public that U.S. officials had concerns, long before the 2001 hijacked airplane attacks on New York and Washington, that al Qaeda might be targeting aircraft.

Others include a highly classified President's Daily Brief report to former President Bill Clinton dated December 4, 1998, which was titled "Bin Ladin Preparing to Hijack US Aircraft and Other Attacks."

Dec.9 2005

Oh I see you're one of those when the Democrats do it it's wrong, but I won't mention the Republicans guys.

Well if we knew 3 years in advance (without illegal wire taps I might ad) we failed to do anything. Bush, Clinton and others fucked up. However I suppose you'll answer back with it's all Clinton's fault.

[Dino Velvet]

Driving under the influence,whether alcohol or drugs will get you arrested.

Your last name a Kennedy? Well, that`s royalty. He skates.

So you agree these assholes get away with such things?

(D) Rep. Cynthia McKinney agrees .

McKinney Backers: 'Double Standard?

Congressman Patrick Kennedy said he does not recall the accident, or the citations from the Capitol Police.

But a police union official charged senior officers ordered the patrol officers to leave the scene; blocked them from running field sobriety tests; and later gave Kennedy a ride home -- in the view of Fraternal Order of Police chapter president Lou Cannon, special treatment.

"It's not the normal course of action," he said. "I think that he was given consideration in regards to his position, and that he was afforded the opportunity to be taken home."

The Capitol Police issued a terse statement saying they are continuing to investigate.

But friends of Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney said they're watching.

Rainbow-PUSH Southern Director Joe Beasley is close to McKinney. He told 11Alive, "What we're very concerned about is a contradiction."...

http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=79503

Man, I can't wait until the next time that goofy Cynthia McKinney steps up to a podium. That broad is the gift that keeps on giving. "Fight the power, Bad Mamma Jamma!"

[Hugh Jarrod]

LOL! You couldn't have written anything better than that.

[White_Male_Canada]

There was a disaster,now there is a war.

No...now there's a FOUL UP!

The foul up came in underestimating the enemy:

“In 1994, two jetliners were hijacked by people who wanted to crash them into buildings, one of them by an Islamic militant group. And the 2000 edition of the FAA’s annual report on Criminal Acts Against Aviation, published this year, said that although Osama bin Laden ‘is not known to have attacked civil aviation, he has both the motivation and the wherewithal to do so,’ adding, ‘Bin Laden’s anti-Western and anti-American attitudes make him and his followers a significant threat to civil aviation, particularly to U.S. civil aviation.’”

NY Times Oct. 3 2001


“The FBI had advance indications of plans to hijack U.S. airliners and use them as weapons, but neither acted on them nor distributed the intelligence to local police agencies. From the moment of the September 11th attacks, high-ranking federal officials insisted that the terrorists’ method of operation surprised them. Many stick to that story. Actually, elements of the hijacking plan were known to the FBI as early as 1995 and, if coupled with current information, might have uncovered the plot.”

Chicago Sun-Times Sept. 27 2001


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States told Saudi Arabia more than three years before the September 11 attacks that Osama bin Laden might be targeting civilian airplanes, according to a newly declassified State Department cable.

The June 1998 cable, obtained by George Washington University's National Security Archive under the Freedom of Information Act, said the United States had no specific information that al Qaeda was planning such an attack, and did not say it might fly planes into buildings.

A copy of the cable, first reported by The New York Times on Friday, was obtained by Reuters. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers on September 11, 2001, were Saudi nationals.

The cable, from the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh to U.S. government officials, said concerns were based on threats bin Laden had recently made against military aircraft in an interview with U.S. network ABC.

"We could not rule out that a terrorist might take the course of least resistance and turn to a civilian target," the cable said, noting bin Laden had said his group did not differentiate between civilians and the military.

The cable said three U.S. officials had met with Saudi officials at Riyadh's King Khaled International Airport on June 16, 1998, "to discuss the Osama bin Laden threat, and press for enhanced vigilance by Saudi security screeners and police patrols around the airport."

"We noted that while we have no specific information that indicates bin Laden is targeting civilian aircraft, he made a threat during the June 11 ABC News interview against 'military passenger aircraft' in the next 'few weeks,'" the cable said.

The cable is the latest of several signs made public that U.S. officials had concerns, long before the 2001 hijacked airplane attacks on New York and Washington, that al Qaeda might be targeting aircraft.

Others include a highly classified President's Daily Brief report to former President Bill Clinton dated December 4, 1998, which was titled "Bin Ladin Preparing to Hijack US Aircraft and Other Attacks."

Dec.9 2005

Oh I see you're one of those when the Democrats do it it's wrong, but I won't mention the Republicans guys.

Well if we knew 3 years in advance (without illegal wire taps I might ad) we failed to do anything. Bush, Clinton and others fucked up. However I suppose you'll answer back with it's all Clinton's fault.

Enough blame to go around for everyone on this one. Those who seek the Caliphate were taken lightly as if it were a jaywalker. The pols waited for them to commit a "crime" first,then sought prosecution. We`re not playing that game anymore.

As for the "illegall wiretaps". First there are is no physical tapping of phone lines going on.

Secondly , it`s quite legal.
The Federal Court of review stated clearly that the FISA Court had, in effect, attempted to unilaterally impose the old 1995 FISA rules. “In doing so, the FISA Court erred...The Truong court, as did all the other courts to have decided the issue, held that the President did have inherent authority to conduct warrantless searches to obtain foreign intelligence information. . . . We take for granted that the President does have that authority and, assuming that is so, FISA could not encroach on the President’s constitutional power.”.
Meaning simply, FISA is unconstitutional and the Constitution can never be trumpted.

Also see: Appeals panel rejects secret court's limits on terrorist wiretaps

http://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/11/18/spy.court.ruling

I think we`ve forgotten how Clinton did attempt to "tap" every phone line with the ClipperChip. And how could anyone forget his Project Echelon.

[Hugh Jarrod]

Still get the "democrats" bad, "republicans" saints in your posts my friend, it reaks of it.