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I had to put one of them on unaccepted email list

Posted By: anon on 2008-10-14
In Reply to: Watch your e-mails folks....now they're - e-mailling their nasty comments

It was like receiving emails from a child that would post a rebuttle to everything I posted. I'm all for differences of opinions, but everytime I posted something I received a very immature email. Seeing as she was kicked off this board awhile back she decided to do emails instead.

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Watch your e-mails folks....now they're - e-mailling their nasty comments
- I had to put one of them on unaccepted email list - anon
- I got one emailed to me a while back, and I just re-posted here from her...sm - nm
- Boy, they're getting desperate..... - NM

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Anyone who wants to email me
I would love to hear from you but this is why the gourd is going elsewhere. Expect this will be deleted as well.

I sent you an email.
are going down, but if Medquist, the largest transcription company can cut employees pay by 10%, other companies may follow. That means ASR work now being done by a Transcriptionist will get paid for 60% of that work. We figured out it will be approximately 1.60-2.00 cut in pay an hour. MQ states they need better quality being performed. Hello? It is NOW going to make MT's fly fast through the report and will probably careless about the quality because MT's are just trying to make the same money they were making a year ago. Basically MQ just might get crap work back to them. Does not make sense at all. Also did a survey with MQ and 51% of the employees felt that ASR was worthless and ASR has been getting worse since a year ago.

You got the email because you
visited the questions section the other day. Their's was an internet campaign and will be an internet administration.

I get their emails all the time and enjoy joining in the discussions. It's a lot different that MT Stars. I think you should go for it since you get a kick out of it. Makes no difference who you voted for or whether you like him or not.

Sent you an email.
x

It would help if I could see the email since obviously someone has it.
nm

It would help if I could see the email since obviously someone has it.
But even so, I stand by what I've said. I'm not suffering a bout of outrage over a joke by republican or democrat or anything in between.

It was sent by email and us mail
to the Clerk of the House and the Superintendent Senate Office of Public Records. I don't think he would have backdated it 3 weeks and then emailed it, but maybe he did. I will have to investigate.

email hacking
If, IF it is true that someone hacked into her personal email, that is IMO going to far. Other than that, any candidate should be open to the closest scrutiny (sp?). The American people have a right to know everything, good and bad, about all candidates. However, I think that if intelligent people listen to what they are saying and watch the body language, they'll learn all they need to know. Both candidates will do anything and everything to get elected. They lie. Personally I have no use for liars and I have absolutely no respect for people who get their way by lying and slinging mud. Maybe they should quit bad-mouthing each other and get down to the issues?

Obviously a "form" email but

read it carefully, especially that we have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track. We most certainly do. *IF* I do get the follow up emails, I'll be glad to share if anyone is interested. WE need to get this country back on track. IF you really care about abortion, immigration, whatever....GET TO WORK TO CHANGE IT!!!

Doris --

I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.

We just made history.

And I don't want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.

We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing...

All of this happened because of you.

Thank you,

Barack

Who else got an email from the O camp?

I got one yesterday. They want help with their health "discussions" on health care.

"Over the coming weeks, thousands of Americans will be leading Health Care Community Discussions -- small local gatherings in which Americans are sharing thoughts and ideas about reforming health care. President-elect Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Tom Daschle are counting on Americans from every walk of life to help identify what's broken and provide ideas for how to fix it.

You can help shape that reform by leading your own Health Care Community Discussion anytime between now and December 31st. "

Do ya think I should do it? Do ya think I can get them to stop outsourcing? I'm not an O lover as you all know and I get a real kick out of this. How many of you O lovers got this email?

I didn't get an email but I got my Yes We Did
x

Just received this by email
http://www.countryfirstpac.com/petition/economic.aspx

petition to sign to VOTE NO ON THE STIMULUS PACKAGE.

An email I got - didn't know this
(Hope the spacing isn't off)

This is an interesting message about the reason AIG was bailed out....

Remember when this economic crisis hit, and Congress let Bear Sterns go under, pushed a bunch of forced marriages between banks, etc.?

Then they bailed out AIG. At the time, I thought: "That's strange, what does an insurance company have to do with this crisis?"

I think I just found the answer.

Among other things, AIG INSURES THE PENSION TRUST OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS!!

No wonder they got bailed out right away!

To he!! with the people, let's protect our future, said all our Senators and Congressmen. Nice to see where their loyalties lie!

(I'm from the government and I'm here to help you!)

My comment - and now you know why I don't trust congress.

It wasn't my son, it was an email sent to me
by my friend. I'll bet the mom was very proud. Looks like her son understands very well what it means to be patriotic. Congress needs to take some tips from him.

OK. Are we going to email the Prez about all the

backwards stance he is taking and all the trips Michele is taking, or are we going to sit here and take it?

Sorry, but at least GW mostly stayed in Washington if not in Texas and ran the government. They did not take "geography" classes on the road. How's the garden doing Michele? Do we hear about that? Nope. Just another publicity stunt.

Now he is praising Pelosi for her wonderful help? Give me a break.

When O became president, I figured I would give him a chance....but I figured okay, some of those bailouts he did might work Today, he is pushing for the CLNE, clean energy bill, which Pelosi has a big stake in, and now I know he is just a puppet of Pelosi and the others. I will not sit here and take his lies any longer. If i have to I will send an email every day to the WH telling him where to get off.

We get a magazine on country living and they are telling us to brace ourselves for the coming new policies on food. They are telling us to stock up on food for at least 3 years especially if H.R. 875 passes. Now, I don't know when this is coming up for a vote but I read the bill and it doesn't make me happy with the wording. If what the magazine is stating, they can stop us from producing family gardens if they will it. I'm hoping they straighten this out because as I read through it, it directly aims at the larger food production facilities, but the words that bother me are "any farm, .....or facility.... that produces food for resale." That means you will not be able to sell your garden grown extra foodstuffs unless you have a registration number....which also means government intervention. If anyone is interested, I can post the article pertaining to that.

O is finding out that his words aren't penetrating those who hate us a lot, so, as of this week, he has decided to pull back on international "friendship" and just deal with the USA because he knows we are getting disheartened with his policies. This gets our minds off the real issues of the world and we are supposed to believe every word he says, yet some are still idolizing him. Just wait another year. Then it will be too late..

Sorry, not in my book. I think it's time for all Americans to stand up and fight, deluge the goverment with emails, etc., whatever gets through to our President. Heck, I've been emailing every time I hear something new that goes against the laws of the land. Does it fall on deaf ears? Certainly....but I still do it. Guess I wil lbe on he UnAmerican list soon but I don't care. I've been quiet too long and am actively taking a stance in the American way of life....which is almost gone already after the 100 days. So sad.....

Now I'm getting off my and going for a . All the politics make me very thirsty.

American Woman - email sent
Hi American Woman. I sent you an email. Hope you get it.

If you truly are Democrat, then please check your email.

I hope you received it. I received a confirmation saying it had been sent, while at the same time receiving an *error* message, so I don't know what that means.

I hope it truly was you who posted and not just another misleading, dishonest ploy on the part of some of the less than forthcoming people who frequent these boards. Given the recent threats and their admission of stalking me and my posts, my safety and the safety of my family simply isn't worth it.

Palin's email hacked

http://gawker.com/5051193/sarah-palins-personal-emails

and her email address is gov.palin@yahoo.com

If I ever receive an email like that from my employer...

..I will IMMEDIATELY begin to send out resumes and when I find another job, I will quit. I will give the courtesy of two weeks' notice, though, because one of us should be professional. However, my association with an employer like this will end immediately.

email petitions are not valid - nm
x

Here is the speaker's email address.

Maybe we should all send her an email. Let her know how we feel about her use of taxpayers' money for her own personal benefit.

sf.nancy@mail.house.gov

I have already written the author of this- others should email
Doctors swamped, having to dictate from a zoo. Honestly. How many of us have heard doctors dictating from the bathrooms, doing their business 1 and 2, their homes with dogs barking, eating, snorting, and the list goes on. Also as an Editor was amused by the fact "only doctors are allowed to edit reports or change." I do not know of any physicians here in the US doing that. As far as what is not to like, when my hospital tried to send work overseas the physicians up in arms because of the horrible work they got back. That did not last long with them when the doctors spoke.

I'd be most happy to receive an email from you.

I don't understand why MTStars won't forward yours to me.

I guess receiving an email from you would require me to publicize my email, and that sort of makes me feel like I'm diving into a river swarming with piranhas, and, not knowing what kind of physical damage (viruses, etc.) they could do to my computer, I'm just not comfortable doing that.

Let me think about this for a while, and I'll get back to you (or you get back to me if you think of something). In the meantime, yes, I really would like to have an intelligent conversation with a reasonable person. It would be a breath of fresh air.

This is an unfortunate email rumor that is actually a hoax
nm

An email I recieved tonight and my answer

"Much is made of McCain's age. Has anyone brought up the fact that Obama smokes and both of his parents died at an early age. Plus Biden has had two brain aneurysms which could have killed him. If they both died while in office; that would leave Nancy Pelosi as president.

I can't think of a better reason to vote for McCain & Palin – and McCain's mother is 96 and still living!"

My answer

I can think of a better reason. SOCIALISM is NOT FOR THE USA. Age doesn't matter. True love for this country does. I will not "hobnob" with a socialist who will be a "fanatic" against the rich. The rich could be anyone who makes over $250,000 a year but is that gross or net? He aint's sayin'. I'd rather somebody who knows Washington and tries to change it rather than somebody who is trying to be an old-fashioned "Robin Hood".

Do you really think this will play well with the senate and congress who makes that kind of money? No, I don't think so.

Do we want Venezula as an ally? How about Cuba, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, etc.? No, I don't think so. I'd rather live "poor" than give my money away. I'd rather they try to stop illegal aliens, businesses moving out of the country because of low taxes,. etc. If I was McC, I would have sat down with the businesses and asked what it would take to keep them in this country, but if it was an outrageous answer, then I would tell them to take it or leave it. If they leave it, then no tax breaks for them. Stiffer taxes for them.

I do not buy Hershey's candy because they moved most of their production to Mexico and other countries. Am I alone? Apparently I am. I will buy M&M (Mars) for the reason that they have not done that as far as I know. I try to buy American as much as I can except if I want authentic Mexican food, authentic Italian cheeses, etc. But for an American company to move because of cheap wages and tax breaks, NO! I am trying to find a list of those, but don't have much time to do so.

McCain/Palin is the only way to go if you are a true American.

You may notify admin of their email address,
and that can be blocked as well. Usually there is a link in the email that says report as spam, which will direct you to admin@mtstars.com

did ya get the email about requiring a urine test to
have their employees urine teseted to keep their jobs and get a check. Now there is an idea. If they had to provide urine and drug screens to collect a check, they might be forced to actually get a job.

And another though, is that a lot of handicapped and mentally ill persons can do some sort of work.

Form email from John Kerry and my reply

...and my response. (Warning: It's lengthy.)

This is our moment of truth. You and I have to make it absolutely clear that we won't stand for Republican Swift Boat style attacks on Jack Murtha.

Yesterday, an extraordinary congressman, former Marine Drill Sergeant and decorated Vietnam veteran, spoke out on the war in Iraq. He didn't come to that moment lightly. He spoke his mind and spoke his heart out of love for his country and support for our troops. No sooner had the words left his lips than the vicious assault on his character and patriotism began.

Today, in a statement on the Senate floor, in interviews with the national media, and in this message to you, I am seeking out every opportunity to defend a brave American hero that the Republican attack machine has set their sights on.

I urge you to do the same. Whether you agree or disagree with Jack Murtha is irrelevant. These despicable attacks on Jack Murtha's patriotism and courage must be met with an enormous public outcry. Call your local talk radio show, write a letter to the editor, phone your members of Congress - join me in acting now to reject these Swift Boat style attacks on Jack Murtha.

It disgusts me that a bunch of guys who have never put on the uniform of their country have aimed their venom at a marine who served America heroically in Vietnam and has been serving heroically in Congress ever since. No matter what J.D. Hayworth says, there is no sterner stuff than the backbone and courage that defines Jack Murtha's character and conscience.
Dennis Hastert -- the Speaker of the House who never served -- accused Jack Murtha of being a coward. Well let me tell you, Jack Murtha wasn't a coward when he put himself in harm's way for his country in Vietnam and earned two purple hearts -- he was a patriot then, and he is a patriot today. Jack Murtha's courage in combat earned him a Bronze Star, and his voice should be heard, not silenced by those who still today cut and run from the truth.

Instead of letting his cronies run their mouths, the President for once should stop his allies from doing to Jack Murtha what he set them loose to do to John McCain in South Carolina and Max Cleland in Georgia.

The President should finally find the courage to debate the real issue instead of destroying anyone who speaks truth to power as they see it. It's time for Americans to stand up, fight back, and make it clear it's unacceptable to do this to any leader of any party anywhere in our country.

I urge you to join today in a massive public outcry that rejects the attempt to demonize and destroy anyone who dares to disagree with George W. Bush's aimless stay for as long as it takes policy on Iraq.

Please act now. Call and email your elected officials. Flood talk radio with calls rejecting these vicious smear tactics. Send a letter to the editor.

Express your outrage about the tired old Rovian Swift Boat style attacks on Jack Murtha.

Sincerely,
John Kerry

MY REPLY:

Dear Senator Kerry:

I absolutely agree with everything you wrote, and I have been posting my views on political message boards, as well as emailing Duncan Hunter, and I've written a four-page letter to Congressman Murtha himself.

Now I must address YOUR response to the attacks on Congressman Murtha.

I thank you for your defense of him; however, I felt it was very, VERY weak. (By the way, please pass this on to Senators Clinton and Reid so they might get a clue into what makes the majority of Americans tick).

For years now, Democrats, including yourself, have openly expressed their opposition to the Iraq war, but you haven't had one single idea to fix the problem, and when asked WHY you voted for it (before you voted against it), you all give some lame, limp, meaningless excuse.

NOW is the time to aggressively defend Congressman Murtha and his plan for leaving Iraq. Bush HAS NO PLAN. MURTHA DOES. It's really quite a simple concept.

Although I'm beginning to lose patience with you all, let's regroup and start over. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives.

I realize that most of you fell down on the job and didn't really scrutinize the Bush intelligence (this term is found in the dictionary under oxymoron and/or just plain old moron).

You were probably busy and didn't have time to read thousands of pages of documents. That's understandable. What's even more understandable is that as President of the United States, there's a preconceived notion that this person is, in fact, ethical and honorable. We now know that is not the case. We now know that he possibly took America to war on the blood of thousands of 9/11 victims simply to insure a successful Presidency. NOW is the time to admit that you, as well as every intelligent, thinking American and the entire WORLD, were FOOLED by this man because he was so blatant and aggressive in his pursuit of this war, it simply never occurred to any of you that you were dealing with a man who planned on attacking Iraq before he was even (s)elected President. (See
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20...went_to_war.php,)

NOW is the time to expose the true character and motives of this prior alcoholic who never received professional help for his addiction. He comes across as a simple man because he IS a simple man, in every sense of the word. His simplicity extends to the largest deficit in American history, and his tactics remind me of a teenager who recklessly maxes out Daddy's credit card because he has no responsibility for the bill, given that Daddy will pay it.

NOW is the time to embrace Congressman Murtha's plan, since it DOES make sense, reflects an actual THOUGHT PROCESS taking place, and is the thing that most Americans want. This man is not some 5-deferment draft dodger or Air National Guard absentee. He's a decorated Purple Heart recipient, who has devoted his entire life to helping the military and veterans.

NOW is the time to reveal an administration who would place the lives of a CIA agent in jeopardy and with everyone who ever worked with her, simply because her husband exposed the TRUTH.

NOW is the time to reveal the administration's press secretary's Plamerizing of John Murtha. NOW is the time to acknowledge that you truly have connected the dots, and the picture of a lying, unethical administration has emerged. If you do this NOW, most forward-thinking Americans will probably forgive you for now just catching up with everything they've known for months.

NOW is the time to publicly condemn Friday's histrionics of the House of Representatives. I, as a taxpayer, resent having to pay for that crap.

Sadly, you've pretty much already proven that you don't have many original ideas. NOW is the time to attach yourselves to John Murtha's coattails and hang on for dear life.

In case you haven't figured this out yet, you're up against an administration who will stop at NOTHING to transform this country into a theoracy, who will brag about the impending freedom for all Iraqis, while simultaneously slowly removing the freedoms of Americans, as his narrow-minded base pursues control over every single American regarding when we're born, who we love, which God we're allowed to worship, and when and how we die.

NOW is the time to expose the evangelical recruitment taking place in the Air Force in Colorado and the accompanying ridicule and persecution of soldiers who have different religious beliefs.

NOW is the time (albeit it four years LATE) to prove you care about the safety of Americans and aggressively pursue the security of our borders so that al Qaeda members cannot come into America from Mexico and KILL US.

Above all else, NOW IS THE TIME to reveal this President as the one who is truly aiding and abetting the enemy by providing them free, complimentary OTJ training in Iraq where they can hone their craft while killing our American soldiers.

NOW is the time to STOP being quiet and milquetoasty and to aggressively pursue this Administration's lies (I know they're numerous, ongoing, and difficult to keep track of) and reveal them for what they truly are.

MOST OF ALL, NOW is the time to honestly express what Congressman Murtha REALLY said when he outlined his plan to leave Iraq. It was a very thoughtful, sensible plan, and the fact that administration henchmen are maliciously mischaracterizing it should be revealed and aggressively FOUGHT.

If you truly foresee a future for your party, NOW is the time to embrace and advertise something the Administration doesn't have: A PLAN for Iraq. Although you might be able to win some elections by simply being the least worst party, is that really the future you envision for the Democratic party?

The ball is in your court. Don't let this one get away.... again.

Americans are losing patience.

Go ahead, I'm sure she will accept your help. Email her and find out where to mail your help. nm
x

This is just ridiculous! Is this kind of a funeral? Have you ever heard of emails? Email her!..nm
nm

A friend sent me this email today about the stimulus payments. Thought this board could use a laugh.

Subject: Stimulus Payment Info.

"This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ?
A. Shut up.

Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:

If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China .
If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.
If you purchase a computer it will go to India .
If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico , Honduras , and Guatemala (unless you buy organic).
If you buy a car it will go to Japan .
If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan .

And none of it will help the American economy.

We need to keep that money here in America . You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer and wine (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US.

Add this to the list
Remember a while back when this story first hit the fan and the cons from the other board came over to tell us we are paranoid? Boy, life sure is simpler if you drink the Kool-Aid, isn't it?

A representative from Qwest just told me they have had lots of calls switching their service over to them.

By Leslie Cauley, USA TODAY
The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY.

The NSA program reaches into homes and businesses across the nation by amassing information about the calls of ordinary Americans � most of whom aren't suspected of any crime. This program does not involve the NSA listening to or recording conversations. But the spy agency is using the data to analyze calling patterns in an effort to detect terrorist activity, sources said in separate interviews.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: The NSA record collection program

It's the largest database ever assembled in the world, said one person, who, like the others who agreed to talk about the NSA's activities, declined to be identified by name or affiliation. The agency's goal is to create a database of every call ever made within the nation's borders, this person added.

For the customers of these companies, it means that the government has detailed records of calls they made � across town or across the country � to family members, co-workers, business contacts and others.

The three telecommunications companies are working under contract with the NSA, which launched the program in 2001 shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the sources said. The program is aimed at identifying and tracking suspected terrorists, they said.

The sources would talk only under a guarantee of anonymity because the NSA program is secret.

Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden, nominated Monday by President Bush to become the director of the CIA, headed the NSA from March 1999 to April 2005. In that post, Hayden would have overseen the agency's domestic call-tracking program. Hayden declined to comment about the program.

The NSA's domestic program, as described by sources, is far more expansive than what the White House has acknowledged. Last year, Bush said he had authorized the NSA to eavesdrop � without warrants � on international calls and international e-mails of people suspected of having links to terrorists when one party to the communication is in the USA. Warrants have also not been used in the NSA's efforts to create a national call database.

In defending the previously disclosed program, Bush insisted that the NSA was focused exclusively on international calls. In other words, Bush explained, one end of the communication must be outside the United States.

As a result, domestic call records � those of calls that originate and terminate within U.S. borders � were believed to be private.

Sources, however, say that is not the case. With access to records of billions of domestic calls, the NSA has gained a secret window into the communications habits of millions of Americans. Customers' names, street addresses and other personal information are not being handed over as part of NSA's domestic program, the sources said. But the phone numbers the NSA collects can easily be cross-checked with other databases to obtain that information.

Don Weber, a senior spokesman for the NSA, declined to discuss the agency's operations. Given the nature of the work we do, it would be irresponsible to comment on actual or alleged operational issues; therefore, we have no information to provide, he said. However, it is important to note that NSA takes its legal responsibilities seriously and operates within the law.

The White House would not discuss the domestic call-tracking program. There is no domestic surveillance without court approval, said Dana Perino, deputy press secretary, referring to actual eavesdropping.

She added that all national intelligence activities undertaken by the federal government are lawful, necessary and required for the pursuit of al-Qaeda and affiliated terrorists. All government-sponsored intelligence activities are carefully reviewed and monitored, Perino said. She also noted that all appropriate members of Congress have been briefed on the intelligence efforts of the United States.

The government is collecting external data on domestic phone calls but is not intercepting internals, a term for the actual content of the communication, according to a U.S. intelligence official familiar with the program. This kind of data collection from phone companies is not uncommon; it's been done before, though never on this large a scale, the official said. The data are used for social network analysis, the official said, meaning to study how terrorist networks contact each other and how they are tied together.

Carriers uniquely positioned

AT&T recently merged with SBC and kept the AT&T name. Verizon, BellSouth and AT&T are the nation's three biggest telecommunications companies; they provide local and wireless phone service to more than 200 million customers.

The three carriers control vast networks with the latest communications technologies. They provide an array of services: local and long-distance calling, wireless and high-speed broadband, including video. Their direct access to millions of homes and businesses has them uniquely positioned to help the government keep tabs on the calling habits of Americans.

Among the big telecommunications companies, only Qwest has refused to help the NSA, the sources said. According to multiple sources, Qwest declined to participate because it was uneasy about the legal implications of handing over customer information to the government without warrants.

Qwest's refusal to participate has left the NSA with a hole in its database. Based in Denver, Qwest provides local phone service to 14 million customers in 14 states in the West and Northwest. But AT&T and Verizon also provide some services � primarily long-distance and wireless � to people who live in Qwest's region. Therefore, they can provide the NSA with at least some access in that area.

Created by President Truman in 1952, during the Korean War, the NSA is charged with protecting the United States from foreign security threats. The agency was considered so secret that for years the government refused to even confirm its existence. Government insiders used to joke that NSA stood for No Such Agency.

In 1975, a congressional investigation revealed that the NSA had been intercepting, without warrants, international communications for more than 20 years at the behest of the CIA and other agencies. The spy campaign, code-named Shamrock, led to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which was designed to protect Americans from illegal eavesdropping.

Enacted in 1978, FISA lays out procedures that the U.S. government must follow to conduct electronic surveillance and physical searches of people believed to be engaged in espionage or international terrorism against the United States. A special court, which has 11 members, is responsible for adjudicating requests under FISA.

Over the years, NSA code-cracking techniques have continued to improve along with technology. The agency today is considered expert in the practice of data mining � sifting through reams of information in search of patterns. Data mining is just one of many tools NSA analysts and mathematicians use to crack codes and track international communications.

Paul Butler, a former U.S. prosecutor who specialized in terrorism crimes, said FISA approval generally isn't necessary for government data-mining operations. FISA does not prohibit the government from doing data mining, said Butler, now a partner with the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in Washington, D.C.

The caveat, he said, is that personal identifiers � such as names, Social Security numbers and street addresses � can't be included as part of the search. That requires an additional level of probable cause, he said.

The usefulness of the NSA's domestic phone-call database as a counterterrorism tool is unclear. Also unclear is whether the database has been used for other purposes.

The NSA's domestic program raises legal questions. Historically, AT&T and the regional phone companies have required law enforcement agencies to present a court order before they would even consider turning over a customer's calling data. Part of that owed to the personality of the old Bell Telephone System, out of which those companies grew.

Ma Bell's bedrock principle � protection of the customer � guided the company for decades, said Gene Kimmelman, senior public policy director of Consumers Union. No court order, no customer information � period. That's how it was for decades, he said.

The concern for the customer was also based on law: Under Section 222 of the Communications Act, first passed in 1934, telephone companies are prohibited from giving out information regarding their customers' calling habits: whom a person calls, how often and what routes those calls take to reach their final destination. Inbound calls, as well as wireless calls, also are covered.

The financial penalties for violating Section 222, one of many privacy reinforcements that have been added to the law over the years, can be stiff. The Federal Communications Commission, the nation's top telecommunications regulatory agency, can levy fines of up to $130,000 per day per violation, with a cap of $1.325 million per violation. The FCC has no hard definition of violation. In practice, that means a single violation could cover one customer or 1 million.

In the case of the NSA's international call-tracking program, Bush signed an executive order allowing the NSA to engage in eavesdropping without a warrant. The president and his representatives have since argued that an executive order was sufficient for the agency to proceed. Some civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, disagree.

Companies approached

The NSA's domestic program began soon after the Sept. 11 attacks, according to the sources. Right around that time, they said, NSA representatives approached the nation's biggest telecommunications companies. The agency made an urgent pitch: National security is at risk, and we need your help to protect the country from attacks.

The agency told the companies that it wanted them to turn over their call-detail records, a complete listing of the calling histories of their millions of customers. In addition, the NSA wanted the carriers to provide updates, which would enable the agency to keep tabs on the nation's calling habits.

The sources said the NSA made clear that it was willing to pay for the cooperation. AT&T, which at the time was headed by C. Michael Armstrong, agreed to help the NSA. So did BellSouth, headed by F. Duane Ackerman; SBC, headed by Ed Whitacre; and Verizon, headed by Ivan Seidenberg.

With that, the NSA's domestic program began in earnest.

AT&T, when asked about the program, replied with a comment prepared for USA TODAY: We do not comment on matters of national security, except to say that we only assist law enforcement and government agencies charged with protecting national security in strict accordance with the law.

In another prepared comment, BellSouth said: BellSouth does not provide any confidential customer information to the NSA or any governmental agency without proper legal authority.

Verizon, the USA's No. 2 telecommunications company behind AT&T, gave this statement: We do not comment on national security matters, we act in full compliance with the law and we are committed to safeguarding our customers' privacy.

Qwest spokesman Robert Charlton said: We can't talk about this. It's a classified situation.

In December, The New York Times revealed that Bush had authorized the NSA to wiretap, without warrants, international phone calls and e-mails that travel to or from the USA. The following month, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a civil liberties group, filed a class-action lawsuit against AT&T. The lawsuit accuses the company of helping the NSA spy on U.S. phone customers.

Last month, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales alluded to that possibility. Appearing at a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Gonzales was asked whether he thought the White House has the legal authority to monitor domestic traffic without a warrant. Gonzales' reply: I wouldn't rule it out. His comment marked the first time a Bush appointee publicly asserted that the White House might have that authority.

Similarities in programs

The domestic and international call-tracking programs have things in common, according to the sources. Both are being conducted without warrants and without the approval of the FISA court. The Bush administration has argued that FISA's procedures are too slow in some cases. Officials, including Gonzales, also make the case that the USA Patriot Act gives them broad authority to protect the safety of the nation's citizens.

The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., would not confirm the existence of the program. In a statement, he said, I can say generally, however, that our subcommittee has been fully briefed on all aspects of the Terrorist Surveillance Program. ... I remain convinced that the program authorized by the president is lawful and absolutely necessary to protect this nation from future attacks.

The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., declined to comment.

One company differs

One major telecommunications company declined to participate in the program: Qwest.

According to sources familiar with the events, Qwest's CEO at the time, Joe Nacchio, was deeply troubled by the NSA's assertion that Qwest didn't need a court order � or approval under FISA � to proceed. Adding to the tension, Qwest was unclear about who, exactly, would have access to its customers' information and how that information might be used.

Financial implications were also a concern, the sources said. Carriers that illegally divulge calling information can be subjected to heavy fines. The NSA was asking Qwest to turn over millions of records. The fines, in the aggregate, could have been substantial.

The NSA told Qwest that other government agencies, including the FBI, CIA and DEA, also might have access to the database, the sources said. As a matter of practice, the NSA regularly shares its information � known as product in intelligence circles � with other intelligence groups. Even so, Qwest's lawyers were troubled by the expansiveness of the NSA request, the sources said.

The NSA, which needed Qwest's participation to completely cover the country, pushed back hard.

Trying to put pressure on Qwest, NSA representatives pointedly told Qwest that it was the lone holdout among the big telecommunications companies. It also tried appealing to Qwest's patriotic side: In one meeting, an NSA representative suggested that Qwest's refusal to contribute to the database could compromise national security, one person recalled.

In addition, the agency suggested that Qwest's foot-dragging might affect its ability to get future classified work with the government. Like other big telecommunications companies, Qwest already had classified contracts and hoped to get more.

Unable to get comfortable with what NSA was proposing, Qwest's lawyers asked NSA to take its proposal to the FISA court. According to the sources, the agency refused.

The NSA's explanation did little to satisfy Qwest's lawyers. They told (Qwest) they didn't want to do that because FISA might not agree with them, one person recalled. For similar reasons, this person said, NSA rejected Qwest's suggestion of getting a letter of authorization from the U.S. attorney general's office. A second person confirmed this version of events.

In June 2002, Nacchio resigned amid allegations that he had misled investors about Qwest's financial health. But Qwest's legal questions about the NSA request remained.

Unable to reach agreement, Nacchio's successor, Richard Notebaert, finally pulled the plug on the NSA talks in late 2004, the sources said.

Contributing: John Diamond
Posted 5/10/2006 11:16 PM ET

Wow. That is quite a list
you've got there. It sounds like you would be happiest in another country and I am not being a smart aleck here. There are countries where your list is pretty much real life. Cuba, Equador, Paraguay, Uruguay to name a few. I know a man who just moved to Equador and he is quite happy. He went for many of the reasons you state. He really just wanted to be left alone. Besides, it is beautiful there...the Gallapagos Islands...the best mangoes in the world. I have given a lot of thought to moving out of the U.S. for a time anyway to try to gain some perspective. Just a thought.

P.S. I don't have a list

of bottom feeders. In this world of ever worsening crises, misery, pain, hunger, intolerance, etc., I am trying more and more to avoid what I consider to be the ugliness that I cab avoid; meaning I don't have to listen to, I don't have to read, etc. There is enough sadness that I cannot turn my back on but I can turn my back on bottom feeders.

List what he's done, please

Sean Hannity has been asking people all over the place, to no avail. I'm guessing you saw Newt & that NBC guy, who couldn't provide an answer?

At least you posed your piece in a respectful tone. The tone on this board has become so obnoxious that I could be in DailyKos Land and not even know the difference.

Sally Quinn even went on O'Reilly Factoid to admit she had been wrong about Sarah. That's impressive.

Acc. to your list......
almost everybody is then a natural-born-citizen.
Then no need to change the constitution.
Thank you for proving again that Obama is a natural-born American citizen.
I hope that the Republicans put this issue FINALLY to rest.

Add another one to the list...sm

Hurt by competition from Best Buy Co. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and by pressure from the downturn in the economy that led shoppers to cut back on discretionary purchases, the 59-year old Circuit City Stores Inc. on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Circuit City's move came a week after the company, suffering from declining sales, traffic and cash, said that it planned to shut 155 U.S. underperforming stores and cut 7,300 jobs in a last-ditch effort to stay afloat.

Click link below for more info....................

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/circuit-city-files-chapter-11/story.aspx?guid=%7BD9CB8DE9-943F-4C3F-A007-24081B471F20%7D&dist=msr_5

Do you really want the list...(sm)

of broken promises from Bush? He had 8 years to get his done, and failed miserably. Obama has had what....3 whole days and you already want to crucify him? For all the whining you guys did about kool-aid drinkers thinking Obama is God, you seem to be the ones expecting miracles.

Here is a list.

Democrats and their affairs.

John F. Kennedy: widely known to have had many extramarital affairs while President - including one with Marylin Monroe.

William Jefferson Clinton- Gennifer Flowersgate - Paula Jonesgate- The Lewinsky Affair - Perjury and Jobs for Lewinskygate - Kathleen Willeygate - Jaunita Broaddrick Gate

John Edwards: Ex-Democrat presidential candidate and Senator- admitted to having an extramarital affair during his campaign for president while his wife was suffering from brast cancer.

Reverand Jesse Jackson: Ex-Democrat presidential candidate admitted in 2001 to having an extramarital affair and fathering a child out of wedlock.

Barney Frank: U.S. Representative from Massachusetts. Admitted to having paid Stephen L. Gobie, a male prostitute, for sex and subsequently hiring Gobie as his personal assistant. Gobie used the congressman's Washington apartment for prostitution. A move to expel Frank from the House of Representatives failed and a motion to censure him failed.

Colorado Sen. Gary Hart: He was considered the front-runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination until the press uncovered his extramarital affair with 29-year-old model Donna Rice. He dropped out of the race a week later.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer: Democrat - New York governor - resigned from office after being tied to a prostitution ring and having affairs with prostitutes..

New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey: McGreevey resigned three months after admitting in 2004 that he had had an extramarital affair with a male employee.

Modesto Rep. Gary Condit: Authorities revealed Condit had an extramarital affair in 2001 with intern Chandra Levy, who had disappeared. In 2002, he lost a primary election, and Levy's remains were found in a Washington park. The case is still unsolved.

Florida U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney: admitted he had an affair with an aide and it is reported paid her $121,000 to keep her quiet and avoid a sexual harassment lawsuit.

Henry G. Cisneros: Former housing secretary under Bill Clinton pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of lying to the FBI about money he paid to a former mistress.

Rep. Mel Reynolds: of Illinois was convicted in 1995 of sexual assault against a 16-year-old girl- sentenced to five years in prison. President Bill Clinton pardoned him before leaving office.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick: Text messages indicate he had an extramarital affair with his chief of staff.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom: The mayor admitted an extramarital affair in 2007 with the wife of his former deputy chief of staff.

Marion Barry: Democrat - mayor of Washington, D.C., from 1979 to 1991 and again from 1995 to 1999. Convicted of cocaine possession after being caught on videotape smoking crack cocaine ith a longtime female friend.

Gov. David A. Paterson acknowledged Monday having extramarital affairs during a period in their 15-year marriage.

Gerry Eastman Studds - U.S. Representative from Massachusetts from 1973 to 1997. The first openly gay member of Congress. Censured by the House of Representatives for having sexual relations with a teenage House page.

Former New York Rep. Fred Richmond: arrested in 1978 for soliciting sex from a 16-year-old boy. He remained in Congress and won re-election, but resigned in 1982 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and drug possession.

Jerry Springer - Democrat - Resigned from Cincinnati City Council in 1974 after admitting to paying a prostitute with a personal check, which was found in a police raid on a massage parlor.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: Announced he had a 2007 extramarital affair with a television reporter covering City Hall. He has filed for divorce from his wife, and remains in office.

David Giles: Candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington in 1986 and 1990. Convicted in June 2000 of child rape.

Neil Goldschmidt: Oregon governor. Admitted to having an illegal sexual relationship with a 14-year-old teenager while he was serving as Mayor of Portland.

Kentucky Governor Paul Patton: political career fell apart after allegations he retaliated against an ex-mistress' business when she ended the affair.

Ohio Rep. Wayne Hays: Rresigned from Congress in 1976 after his mistress, Elizabeth Ray, said he hired her as part of his staff.

Washington Sen. Brock Adams: abandoned a reelection campaign in 1992 amid numerous allegations from women of drugging, assault and rape.

West Virginia Governor Bob Wise: admitted to an extramarital affair;

Allan Turner Howe: U.S. Representative from Utah from 1975 to 1977. Arrested for soliciting a policewoman posing as a prostitute.

Joseph Waggonner Jr.: U.S. Representative from Louisiana from 1961 to 1979. Arrested in Washington, D.C. for soliciting a policewoman posing as a prostitute.

I'm sure there are many pubs that have had affairs as well but I couldn't find an actual list.