U.S. President Barack Obama’s Justice Department (USDOJ) surreptitiously obtained more than two months worth of phone records from Associated Press offices in New York, Washington, D.C. and Hartford, Connecticut – the wire service announced this week.
The “massive and unprecedented intrusion” affected more than twenty telephone lines – and included work and personal numbers for reporters and editors.
The wire service was, understandably, livid.
“There can be no possible justification for such an overbroad collection of the telephone communications of The Associated Press and its reporters,” AP president and chief executive officer Gary Pruitt said. “These records potentially reveal communications with confidential sources across all of the newsgathering activities undertaken by the AP during a two-month period, provide a road map to AP’s newsgathering operations and disclose information about AP’s activities and operations that the government has no conceivable right to know.”
It’s not immediately clear what USDOJ was looking for in lifting these records – from March and April 2012 – but it’s believed the intrusion has something to do with identifying the sources for a story the AP wrote last May detailing a foiled terror plot.
Whatever the reason … it’s chilling.
News of the Justice Department’s secret breach of the AP phone system comes just days after news broke that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been targeting tax exempt applications of groups with conservative-sounding names. It also comes amid a major escalation of the Benghazi scandal – which deals with efforts by the Obama administration to cover up the truth about a terrorist attack on a U.S. diplomatic outpost in Libya.
The only good news in all this? Maybe more people will start to realize their government isn’t the benevolent actor it purports to be … of course if our government-run schools have anything to do with it, Americans will remain ignorant of what’s happening to them. Oh, and speaking of ignorance – while the AP may be outraged at the moment, we suspect it won’t be long before the wire service is once again carrying the water for establishment politicians like Obama.
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75 comments
As time goes on, government will go further and further with this kind of bullshit. Might as well go with the assumption that they are tapping everyone’s phones and email.
Privacy is a right that was brutally clubbed to death after 9/11, pretty late for a funeral now. We need to stop this shit.
It’s NOT Government, it’s a CORRUPT Obama Administration…
You prove what I’ve said all along . These half-wits who bash ALL gov’t…do it so they can front when Obama gets caught.
Umm, no. It’s pretty much government T.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
Now what Republican president has gone after (targeted) liberal groups, using personal IRS tax info??…Or what GOP president tapped the phone lines of the AP…????
If you cannot give me a Direct and honest answer,,,you are a F*#*in Idiot, Liar and Dumb#$$, getting used by the left to run interference for Leftwing Corruption…
President Nixon was pretty corrupt, stupid boy ! Learn history, stupid boy ! Get a life, stupid boy !
So you are advocating that Obama RESIGN???……Since you are telling me Obama and Nixon are the same…and Nixon resigned…
PS: I expected some simple-minded, Dumb-@$$ cliche, like you, to come out with the Nixon comparison…Obama makes Nixon look like a Boy Scout,…
The point is T that its the government, not just Oshitforbrains.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
So Frank: are you in favor of giving Obama as pass, since (you contend) they ALL do it???
Remember: How you answer this question will Define who and what you are..and what you stand, or fall, for….
I think they should take every politico, EVERY POLITICO, sans a very few and put them all in a field. Provide them a gun with one bullet each and tell them only one of them is coming out of the field alive.
The one that comes out alive should be immediately tried by a jury/judge/executioner/judge dredd kind of person and summarily disposed of for capital murder and crimes against humanity (and my wallet).
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
Government should not have the kind of powers it has for warrantless bullshit, period. It by its very nature will be abused regardless of pretty much anyone being in power. There’s a reason we have these kinds of processes, and forgoing them has done little to thwart terrorism and has done great harm to constitutional rights.
Obama should not ABUSE power..and idiots like you should not make excuses, just because you suck-off at the feet of your lord and god, Obama…
You are the epitome of a dangerous American citizen, who does not undertand the need for an honest government.
You measure justice by party affiliation. You are as ignorant to freedom and morality as any third-world dictator…
Your Stupidtiy is your bondage…and you deserve the chains you don for your corrupt masters…
T, No one ‘needs’ any government. You and I both need food, water and basic shelter.
As for ‘honest government’. REALLY?!? And where exactly does ‘honest government’ exist? In my some 50 years I have never, EVER, seen ‘honest government’. Well that’s probably a lie.
I think Pol Pot was glad to look people in the eye and tell them he was going to torture/rape/murder them/kin/kids/family/friends and probably did it with an honest smile on his face. Can anyone confirm Genghis Kahn was an honest pillager and rapist? I don’t think Hitler hits this group though. I think he lied along with the best of them, like Pelosi, Grahmnesty, McPain, Bushy, Oshitforbrains.
Wait Wait…. I think Odumbass did say he was going to give it to us in the poot sans lubricity? Yeah, your right T. I guess Oshitforbrains is probably right up there with Pol Pot and his bro’s.
And remember T, Bro’s before Ho’s.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
They don’t have the power to do this. It’s illegal. They do it anyway and no SCOTUS or state level equiv. is going to tell them not to. Doesn’t make it any more legal and congress has no authority to pass laws stating otherwise.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
Ever hear of Hoover or McCarthy?
Ever hear of Ancient History, Dumb@$$???
Ain’t none of the past gone help your Corrupt @$$, here today…
History? Apparently you haven’t.
I’m Just LingMAO at the present…
Not sure where the Obama scandals will take us…but I KNOW this stuff is BAD, and easy for the average person to understand…
I’m going to have fun..and It’s just going to get worse (for you) as the Mid-Terms get here…
Sure thing…with The Patroit Act and NDAA being bipartisan bullshit, see if it improves any. Have a great day in SC and the great U.S. of fuckin’ A, Hoss…
This is ILLEGAL, politically based Spying on Americans, because of Hate and bias by a US President ..done by Obama and Obama only…
So STFU, you ignorant, excuse-making idiot…
You sound mad, Honey…I thought you were “laughing your ass off”…sorry if U.S. history and facts are over your noggin.
“Ever hear of Hoover or McCarthy?”
Or even worse, the Palmer Raids during and after WWI, plus the associated spying and repression of many other sorts at that time.
Exactly …. the people supposedly working for us are the enemy within.
As time goes on, government will go further and further with this kind of bullshit. Might as well go with the assumption that they are tapping everyone’s phones and email.
Privacy is a right that was brutally clubbed to death after 9/11, pretty late for a funeral now. We need to stop this shit.
American Idol results are far more important this story.
Muhahahahahaha!
American Idol results are far more important this story.
Muhahahahahaha!
Good grief…I am beginning to get the feeling that I am living in a bananna republic fascist police state….land of the free…home of the brave?
You are!
Good grief…I am beginning to get the feeling that I am living in a bananna republic fascist police state….land of the free…home of the brave?
You are!
disqus is the head of the spear in this bullshit wire tapping identifying people opinions it is a horror show of intrusive big brother now that the Irs is becoming jack booted thugs
disqus is the head of the spear in this bullshit wire tapping identifying people opinions it is a horror show of intrusive big brother now that the Irs is becoming jack booted thugs
And this will be turned into a partisan argument devoid of any substance or change, when in fact the National Security State and all of its consequences have been supported by both parties and their media allies at all networks. Only those on fringe, brave souls like Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, Glenn Greenwald and Jeremy Scahill, have been talking about the atrocious violations of civil liberties that both Republicans and Democrats have supported at one time or another. “Land of the Free” my ass.
STFU up you ignorant @$$-Hole.
Obama is Corrupt, and he’s been made King by Dumb@$$#$, like you, and the media.
He needs to stand up and account…
But, let me guess, the Patriot Act is cool, right Big(o)T?
Abuse of power is a LIBERAL Trait…and we Must Prosecute it, even if your corrupt and Filthy @$$ would rather have a Dictator and Hitler-level king swaying over you, as you kneel in front to service huim…
Yeah, because Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld – that entire administration – were all liberals. Oh, and Nixon, too – big liberal. Once again, you must remove your head from your ass if you want to be taken seriously.
Sorry, Dumb@$$…but NONE of them you listed violated any law….
And Nixon RESIGNED…are you advocating Obama Resign for what we ALREADY know about his Administration???…
Shit T. You do understand you have the entire internet at your disposal. It’s really easy to do research. I guess it is a disease.
Have a Great Day!! :) There won’t be many left with the Demlicans and Republicrats in charge.
Frank Pytel
And it just gets worse and worse as time goes on. NDAA enjoyed huge bipartisan support. I’m sure the next stripping of liberties will be the same way.
And this will be turned into a partisan argument devoid of any substance or change, when in fact the National Security State and all of its consequences have been supported by both parties and their media allies at all networks. Only those on fringe, brave souls like Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, Glenn Greenwald and Jeremy Scahill, have been talking about the atrocious violations of civil liberties that both Republicans and Democrats have supported at one time or another. “Land of the Free” my ass.
And it just gets worse and worse as time goes on. NDAA enjoyed huge bipartisan support. I’m sure the next stripping of liberties will be the same way.
God I hate to be that guy, but I just can’t stop myself- Can you imagine the outrage and absolute cheetah-flip-crazy reactions from the media and other left-of-center folks had a Republican President knocked out this list: IRS targeting left-wing groups, raiding a news org’s phones, promising to close Gitmo and defaulting, criticizing drone strikes before increasing their use, etc.? Ho-lee-sheet…
God I hate to be that guy, but I just can’t stop myself- Can you imagine the outrage and absolute cheetah-flip-crazy reactions from the media and other left-of-center folks had a Republican President knocked out this list: IRS targeting left-wing groups, raiding a news org’s phones, promising to close Gitmo and defaulting, criticizing drone strikes before increasing their use, etc.? Ho-lee-sheet…
I will guarantee haley has her enemies list.
If the politicos get after you, they will go to any length to discredit and destroy you. i’ve been there!
LMAO: You people are just STUPID when you come unhinged…I love it….I cannot wait to see the defense and the ignorance you’ll use to try and cover for your Corrupt god…
I will guarantee haley has her enemies list.
If the politicos get after you, they will go to any length to discredit and destroy you. i’ve been there!
This is getting as unbelievable as it is obvious….
Obama’s is a CROOKED Administration, out of control.
How long can Obama keep blaming everybody else, and get away with it?
How long will the media keep covering for Obama?
Obama is a very CORRUPT king, who thinks laws do not apply to him.
It is as funny as it is scary. Media bows to 0bama and the Democrats so they can get their stories and even help them advance their agenda (i.e. gun control) then are surprised when they find out the government has been secretly targeting them. This is practically keystone cops. To paraphrase a saying “they came for the Christians and I said nothing, they came for the jews and I said nothing, they came for the guns and I helped them, now they come for me and I need y’alls help”. You shouldn’t pick pieces of the Constitution to defend, the Constitution defends us all, we all should defend the Constitution, or we all lose.
It is as funny as it is scary. Media bows to 0bama and the Democrats so they can get their stories and even help them advance their agenda (i.e. gun control) then are surprised when they find out the government has been secretly targeting them. This is practically keystone cops. To paraphrase a saying “they came for the Christians and I said nothing, they came for the jews and I said nothing, they came for the guns and I helped them, now they come for me and I need y’alls help”. You shouldn’t pick pieces of the Constitution to defend, the Constitution defends us all, we all should defend the Constitution, or we all lose.
Obama is making Nixon look like a Romney (squeaky clean.)
This is Orwellian…will the media acknowledge that we have an evil and corrupt administration, in Obama, that represents EVERYTHING the media is Charged w/ protecting us against???
This is the most outrageous intrusion of government every documented. Forget hearings…what about criminal indictments of all persons involved. Not just those requesting the records, but there superiors as well. Just not a slap on the wrist but put them behind bars to the fullest amount of time as the sentencing commission will allow. Complete loss of all retirement and all other benefits offered to federal employees.
and obama MUST answer. this was to Help him. If nothing else, Obama is Guilty of Criminal Neglect…
This is the most outrageous intrusion of government every documented. Forget hearings…what about criminal indictments of all persons involved. Not just those requesting the records, but there superiors as well. Just not a slap on the wrist but put them behind bars to the fullest amount of time as the sentencing commission will allow. Complete loss of all retirement and all other benefits offered to federal employees.
Hi: It really makes me sad to say I told you so. Husans thugs are after you now HOW DOES IT FEEL.
Hi: It really makes me sad to say I told you so. Husans thugs are after you now HOW DOES IT FEEL.
Impeach HIm Now,
Impeach HIm Now,
So, you’re saying is not OK to go after someone that has leaked classified information?
Does this come to mind: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/us/politics/ex-military-and-cia-officers-attack-obama-over-bin-laden-leaks.html?_r=0
Damned if he does, damned if doesn’t!!
So, you’re saying is not OK to go after someone that has leaked classified information?
Does this come to mind: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/us/politics/ex-military-and-cia-officers-attack-obama-over-bin-laden-leaks.html?_r=0
Damned if he does, damned if doesn’t!!