How does monitoring every American's personal calls stop terrorism?
538207
It doesn't.  President Bush just claims it does, to get a reason to get suspicious about Iraqis and Arabs.  Any wrong word, even though it's a free country, the president will get suspicious.  And, there's no way of knowing if the system will be abused, the president has already lied to us enough.
545234
Probley,but the Gov.over rides everybody and everything.The FBI right now is eve droping on AT&T and BellSouth and other phone companys customers like you. Nothing is private or free in this country we all answer to somebody.It is another way for them to catch drug dealers and tearest. our social security number is out mark of the beast With it,the law knows what you done sence the day you were born.
246641
I don't know if there is a definite measurable point where the ends justify the means, but I do know that it does become a necessity, especially in today's world with the constant flow of information and ideas. It is a sad thing to be sure, that our own government needs to spy on us, however the greater good is served. Think about it this way, lets say another horrible attack happened on US soil, killing thousands, and it came out that the government had the means in place to stop it, but didn't pursue them for fear of violating your privacy. How outraged do you think the general populous would be, honestly? They would never live it down. The thing is, they are preventing these attacks, but because they aren't happening there is no outrage, so the government is the Big Bad Wolf now. It is a catch 22. Also, can you point out the section of the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights that covers your right to privacy, I can't seem to find it.
673291
What does a terrorist look like?\nAre we backing this terrorist's country at this time?\nWhat can I do as an individual to help stop terrorism?\nWhat is the definition of terrorism?\nCan the CIA, NSA, or the FBI win the war on terrorism
1159221
Who do you think is stealing identities?  Terrorists, thats who.  You would not believe who I got calls from when mine was stolen a few years ago.  National Security called me and inquired about it.  They weren't interested so much in the cars that were purchased using my name, but they sure as heck were interested in the cell phones someone got under my name. \n\nSo yeah, the terrorists are hurting families, and they can't be stopped.
569943
You are correct, nothing could save the people stuck in the Towers.  However, cell phones helped people tell others they were OK. \n\n I want to be able to contact my kids ASAP if/when something else happens.  I'm living in a "target area" - its different from living in North Dakota or someplace not on the short list.
688369
Bush isn't spying in on your calls, the CIA has reviewed phone records and call patterns- not listening in on actual calls.\nIf we can prevent another 9-11 incident by watching call patterns wouldn't you expect it?\n\nPLEASE EVERYONE- READ THIS: http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/12/19/114807.shtml
865277
because the government is monitoring calls to terrorist.  The democrats are just going to have to thank the terrorist some other way for financing their campaigns.
419280
Both, I think.  There is significant evidence that our government spies knew a great deal about OBL, and there is apparently also some evidence that his operations have, at times in the past at least, been financed by American money.  So I wonder if he isn't a real terrorist conveniently manipulated by the US Government to have an excuse to put in place the draconian "homeland security" measures to take away our privacy.\n\nThe problem I have with these "emergency" measures is that once the government has the data on individual citizens it seeks, then even if the laws are later declared unconstitutional, the data and the pathways to collect it is still there.  And I am "paranoid" enough to fear Big Brother (or in American, it has become Big Sister) more even than I do Arab terrorists.
385043
The National Security Agency, or the NSA, is an intelligence gathering agency.  Their mission is to gather information on threats and potetnial threats to the United States, primarily through Signals Intelligence (electronic communications).  To that end they should have a great deal of flexibility on gathering information that may relate to this mission.  It is very unlikely that an actual person ever reads all the email or listens to all the phone calls made (just the volume generated in the time between when you asked this question and when I posted an answer would be more than a days work for an individual analyst) so what is looked for has to be targeted (Specific Phone Numbers and Emails known or suspected to belong to terrorists, and even these are probably sorted electronically) to even be remotely useful.  The second issue is that even if this information is gathered and used to stop terrorist attacks, it probably can't be used against US Citizens to pursue criminals, so if for example the NSA caught an entire conversation detailing how the Mafia was laundering money (and happened to notice they had it) they probably could not turn it over to the Department of Justice to prosecute.
345794
Sure, pay attention to the opinions of the Supreme and Federal Courts.  Also, actually read the bills going through the legislature.  At this point, a good place to start is with the Patriot Act.  See http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html
1004067
Here's a theory, maybe the government is using the media. Knowing they will report everything they hear, the government claims tactics they will use against terrorism which are actually false. The terrorist sects read this and change their tactics, maybe making it easier for us to catch them
435884
The federal government agency that tries to monitor and prevent terrorist financing is part of the State Department, the Office of Foreign Assets Control\n\nHere is a description of their Mission:\nThe Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and \nnational security goals against targeted foreign countries, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of \nweapons of mass destruction. OFAC acts under Presidential wartime and national emergency powers, as well as authority granted by specific legislation, to impose controls on \ntransactions and freeze foreign assets under US jurisdiction. (more)\n\nThey may have the type of manual your are interested in.\n\nFor more information, contact:\nhttp://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/
254705
Nobody can know for sure unless they're privy to that classified information.  However, I don't think it would be possible for them to run a server so huge that it can keep track of everybody's conversations like that.  It's possible that they only do this for people who are already under suspicion.  There could be various reasons why someone could make the "suspicion list," though, such as making a phone call to a certain country.
565157
Legally speaking, it is a brilliant strategy! Obviously, any self-respecting al-Qaeda operative (is that an oxymoron?) will plan everything in graphic detail on ordinary, everyday domestic telephone lines. This is exactly how we foiled those vicious bastards on 9/11, remember? We were all over that plan... erm... no, wait. Well, if our dictator-for-life wants it, it just has to be good for us, right? I mean, that's what life under an ultra right-wing neo-fascist regime is all about, isn't it? Welcome to America! Love it or leave it!\n\n(God, did I just say that? Even in a satirical context that felt dirty... I'll go have a thorough wash, lol...)
176686
9/11 is a conspiracy and the perpretators are the one who is fighting fake terrorists. It was a well planned attack to create fear and to erode the freedom rights of the American people.\nCan't you see, now they are spying on your homes, peeking at your emails and tapping your phones to control you?\n\nBe aware but don't fear because justice will finally prevail and the truth will come out. The days of the Bushmen are numbered.
363869
defense of our nation from terrorist activity &#92;\nallows telephone tapping without subpoena for suspect groups