ACLU Skeptical About New Intel Overhaul

A press release just out from the ACLU on Bush's intelligence overhaul:

The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed concern regarding significant new changes made to a previously existing executive order governing the intelligence activities of a multitude of US government agencies, including the FBI, CIA, Defense Department and National Security Agency (NSA). President Bush signed amendments to Executive Order 12333 last night before informing Congress of the changes. The ACLU applauded members of the House Intelligence Committee who walked out of a briefing today in protest of their lack of involvement in drafting the language.

“It seems like our spy agencies are getting more and more into the business of spying on Americans rather than foreign agents,” said Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. “The complete lack of consultation with Congress on these sweeping changes is yet another example of this administration’s disregard for checks and balances. This order is simply the latest in a series of measures taken by the Bush administration that undermine our basic assumption as Americans that our government doesn’t monitor our behavior without a reason. We have secret laws governing secret agencies that are engaging in secret spying against Americans, and they're using our own tax dollars to do it. This isn't keeping us safer – it's only making all Americans suspects in the eyes of the government."

Meanwhile, I've been poking around into whether the role of the National Security Council is changed under the updated order -- something that the White House apparently denies. I should have more on this later today.

print Share

Register or log in to rate