“There has been a lot of speculation in the news media. The fact is, AT&T does not allow wiretapping without a court order nor has it otherwise given customer information to law enforcement authorities or government agencies without legal authorization.”

Ordinarily, a company that conceals their transactions and activities from the public would violate securities law. But an presidential memorandum signed by the President on May 5 allows the Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte, to authorize a company to conceal activities related to national security.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Who's lying? What's going on?

Without legal authorization? Would that come in the form of a presidential memo?

New Presidential Memorandum Permits Intelligence Director To Authorize Telcos To Lie Without Violating Securities Law

Ordinarily, a company that conceals their transactions and activities from the public would violate securities law. But an presidential memorandum signed by the President on May 5 allows the Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte, to authorize a company to conceal activities related to national security.

So, the pres signed a memo that authorizes these companies to lie to us about it?

Of course the Federal government can claim 'legality' of anything that can't be openly challenged in court. Nothing is 'illegal' until the justice system has a chance to review evidence or arguments, within a court of law.. Until then, the Feds are innocent until proven guilty. If the courts are not permitted to review the "proof" because of an executive trump card called "National Security" (NS), then they can do anything at all as long as they cover it up with the NS card.

Fascism has taken root and Bush may have finally gotten his longed for title of dictator... Not decider. DICTATOR

31 December 2005

I wrote the following document in 2004 when it became clear to me that AT&T, at the behest of the National Security Agency, had illegally installed secret computer gear designed to spy on internet traffic. At the time I thought this was an outgrowth of the notorious Total Information Awareness program which was attacked by defenders of civil liberties. But now it's been revealed by The New York Times that the spying program is vastly bigger and was directly authorized by President Bush, as he himself has now admitted, in flagrant violation of specific statutes and constitutional protections for civil liberties. I am presenting this information to facilitate the dismantling of this dangerous Orwellian project.