The difference between the Clinton and Bush admin is that Clinton had no idea that we were already at war with the terrorists during his term, while Bush got a massive wake-up call on 9/11. Apples and oranges.

Agree with most of what Matt, Len and Jon say above. I feel that there needs to be some checks and balances. Congress is now saying that they are "surprised" but they were notified several years ago and what is going on now is just political posturing. Fukking Peloisi is puffing her chest up and trying to pull the party line against Bush even though she was in on the classified briefings and said nothing since.

I do not want the NSA running amok through all of our homes but if they feel that they have a real need to monitor a call coming from me (am in Beirut Lebanon now) to my house in Phoenix, then fine. They will hear me briefing the guy taking care of my house, cat and so on. They will also hear me trying to talk him through how to save all my favorite TV shows off of TIVO. If they want to listen to this I could care less.

As well, if they feel that they need to monitor a call from the guy in the room next to mine, also calling from Beirut, to a contact somewhere in the states and they are talking about his transferring funds there to be used to support a terrorist action, then so be it. Hope that they catch the bastards and if they need help, say so.

We are at war and many people do not realize it. Hope that we can chop the head of the snake off before it gets too large in our country.

Joe A

Joe, everything you state makes sense but how many more of our freedoms/civil liberties would you sacrifice in the name of fighting terrorism. where would u draw the line?

I personally have a problem with the government listening in my telephone calls, even if I had nothing to hide. Let's say I have relatives in Iraq and I need to call them several times a week? Can I call them that many times or would this raise a red flag and have my calls spied on?

So now i would have to fear that if I said something the wrong way i may get a knock on the door by the authorities.this is called living in fear and it leads down a dangerous path. sorry you don't see it.

On-ramp,

Sorry but I view things from a different point as many others. I have just spent the last couple of months in the Middle East, some of it in rather "sporty" places.

These people are in many cases trying to kill us or end America as we know it.

Do I like the possibility of someone listening to my calls? Hell no, but I like it less than having a terrorist living next to me. I lived in Dallas 4 years ago and it came out that a soldier of OBL was living there, running a tire repair store. He lived a very quiet life and made no waves, but went back to serve OBL every year or so. He was tracked by his communications and tracking flights and funds. The good guys found him and his cell out and put the lot in jail, where they deserve to sit there until they rot.

If the NSA and other agencies do not investigate people who have family in "suspect" areas then how are we going to ferret terrorists out?

I agree with you in principal and feel that there must be checks and balances. Who is in charge of this is a good point and what are their limits? I see the same path that you do and fear it less than the fear that I would have should the terrorists get a real foothold here.

Joe A