Response from Senator Reid

September 6, 2006



Mrs. Sandra Bonadonna
Las Vegas, Nevada 89117

Dear Mrs. Bonadonna:

Thank you for contacting me regarding warrantless wiretapping by the National Security Agency (NSA). I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, last December, The New York Times reported on the existence of a covert program under which the NSA monitors the telephone calls and e-mails of individuals, including Americans, without obtaining a warrant under the procedures set forth in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Although Administration officials contend that this program is limited to people with ties to terrorism, additional concerns were raised by a USA Today report that the NSA also has collected the phone records of millions of American citizens.

On August 17, 2006, a federal district court judge in Detroit ruled that the warrantless wiretapping program violates the First and Fourth Amendments of the Constitution and the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that requires the government to obtain a warrant for intelligence wiretaps involving people in the United States. The Justice Department immediately filed an appeal of this ruling, and the surveillance program will continue for the time being.

You may also be interested to learn that Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has introduced legislation (S. 2453) that would largely authorize the NSA program, subject to a review by the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. While Senator Specter deserves commendation for conducting oversight of the NSA program, I believe that his legislation would amount to ratification of a program that does not adequately protect the privacy of innocent Americans.

The court's ruling is the latest example of how the Bush Administration has failed to implement balanced and effective anti-terror policies. The Administration's decision to ignore the Congress and skirt constitutional protections has jeopardized the security and liberties of the American people. It is time for the Administration to work with the Congress to develop effective tools to prevent terrorist attacks.

Please be assured that I am continuing to monitor this matter. I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind as the Senate considers Senator Specter's legislation and related proposals.

My best wishes to you.

Sincerely,
HARRY REID
United States Senator


HR:ss


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Traitors, Liars, Killers

This story is more upsetting to me than any other. This former American, Adam Yehiye Gadhan, is a traitor of the worst kind. The words former American, are mine, and it is what I hold this terrorist to be. Basically he is saying that if we don't convert to Islam we can expect to die. How dare you! Who do you think you are? You are so weak minded that you turn against your homeland to take up with terrorists, and threaten your own people? Yes, you are weak minded, as is anyone who follows you in your cause. In this great country you are free to speak your mind, to disagree, to create movements explaining your cause. But what do you do? You pack your bags and take your sorry ass over to another country and befriend and buddy up with people whose sole agenda is to destroy our way of life and mass murder innocent people. People who have no quams killing innocent people all in the name of what? Islam? Give me a break. You are asking people to convert to being murderers, liars and traitors. Either convert or we will kill you. That's a great message, you idiot. Here's a thought, shave your face, take the turban off, resign your citizenship to this great country, and then make a tape explaining to the parent-less children of the victims of 9-11 exactly why you have done what you did, and why your moronic ideals are so important that their families had to die. You are a terrorist, not an American. You are a terrorist, not a religous man! You are a terrorist, you are a killer! Shame on you!

These are the words of the traitor:

"Instead of killing yourself for Bush ... why not surrender to the truth (of Islam), escape from the unbelieving army and join the winning side. Time is running out so make the right choice before it's too late," he said.
"You know that if you die as an unbeliever in battle against the Muslims you're going straight to Hell without passing 'Go,'" Gadahn said on the video, addressing American soldiers. "You know you're considered by Bush and his bunch of warmongers as nothing more than expendable cannon fodder ... You know they couldn't care less about your safety and well-being."
"We send a special invitation (to convert to Islam) to all of you fighting Bush's crusader pipedream in Afghanistan, Iraq and wherever else 'W' has sent you to die. You know the war can't be won," he said, using Bush's nickname.
Gadahn also urged other Americans to convert to Islam.
"It is time for the unbelievers to discard these incoherent and illogical beliefs," he said. "Isn't it the time for the Christians, Jews, Buddhists and atheists to cast off the cloak of the spiritual darkness which enshrouds them and emerge into the light of Islam?"

Hey, Adam, I've got one for you - It is time for all traitorous Americans and the terrorists they blindly follow, to go to hell.

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Salt Lake Grandma Puts Mugger in His Place

A 75 year old grandma from Salt Lake City, Utah, Betty Horton, took on a mugger in a grocery store parking lot. To read the full story click here.

I was watching Good Morning America this morning and saw the interview with Betty and immediately thought, "This is a great story for my blog". This is a story of inspiration, and all Americans should pay attention.

Betty, you are my hero, we need more people like you in the world. Although what she did was not safe, I would do the same thing in her shoes. The only way to bring an end to crime is to put your foot down and refuse to let it happen. I'm sure the last thing this 30 year old mugger expected was to be chased down by his 75 year old victim. Betty said she ran across the parking lot, yelling for help, and caught the man down an alley around the corner from the grocery store parking lot.
She says to the mugger, "What's the matter with you? I want my purse back and when I get it back, there's a gun in there and I'm gonna shoot you in the ear or the toe!"
The mugger apologized, explaining that he was down on his luck. Betty, being the true American she is, told the young man that all he had to do was ask for some help, instead of mugging her. She put $3.00 in his hand and said, "Now get the hell out of here the police are on their way."
Betty's response is to be admired. She helped the one who tried to hurt her, and took a huge chance on getting hurt in the process.
She proclaimed on GMA this morning, "My Irish temper got the best of me!"

Way to go, Betty!

Is it really foolish to chase down a mugger? Is it more foolish to just let it happen? If criminals know that we will fight back, will it lower crimes? Who knows, but I am taking a lesson from this 75 year old brave woman. Like her, I will refuse to give in to criminals. And like her, I will do what I can to help others who are down on their luck. If more of us reach out to help people in need, maybe we can help prevent future crimes. Who knows, just a humble American opinion.

Sandra Bonadonna

Bush -isms

Another Washington Post Article Reports:
Bush also repeated his assertion that the advance of democracy will bring to power in the Middle East countries that oppose terrorism, although free elections in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories have given power to Hezbollah and Hamas, both deemed by the United States to be terrorist entities.

Dear Mr. President:
I cannot help but ask, if FREE ELECTIONS gave power to these groups, wouldn't that mean that this is what the PEOPLE want? Isn't that democracy? Maybe we should allow the will of the people of those nations to make their own decisions, even if you don't agree.
Just a humble American opinion.
Sincerely,
Sandra Bonadonna