After all that has occured since 2000, does America still have three branches of government?

Congress makes the laws, the Judicial branch interprets the laws. You know this. If you allow lawsuits against the telecom companies, the next time the government needs their help, they won't get it because the telecom companies will be too afraid of the lawsuits.

The three branches of government are working just fine. The Judicial Branch determined that there was no violation. May I ask you sir? Was the Judicial Branch working when FDR rounded up all the Asian Americans after the Japanese bombed Pear Harbor and stuck them in the desert in a camp until after the war. Many time in history the three branches make decisions to protect the people, that is there greatest job. How many tear attacks have happen since 2001 Sir how many? That law was passed after the United States People were attacked not before 9/11/2001.

Much of the liberal view of federal reach of power is derived from the commerce clause (of the US Constitution). From that, any economic activity that has impact across state lines is the concern of the federal government. You pay federal taxes on interstate phone calls, and your constitutional rights terminate at the border in any case.

That you think Bush/Cheney are heathens is a popular position these days, but you can hardly blame telecoms for simply obeying the laws as they were written at the time. Especially when THEY had the evidence that would be needed to find terrorists in America.

If a person is sentenced to death and later because of law changes they are given life is that not retroactive? I know this is the State and not National but what is the difference in retroactive decisions?

Here is a sight I will never forget: the normally glad-handing, smiling, seemingly buoyant Obama went to the White House for his initial security briefing.

He came out of it practically pale (exaggeration noted), stammering, and visibly shaken.

Now, would you care to guess what he learned? One thing I can envision is the real danger assessment of terrorist activity. I'll bet he had no idea how close we have come to disaster since 9-11, each time only thwarted because of excellent work by people charged with protecting us.

And what do you want to do? Make it impossible for these people to get the information they need. Without a doubt, programs such as the Terrorist Surveillance Program (TSP), which executes wiretaps against United States citizens and residents suspected of contacting foreign terrorist groups, more large-scale attacks would have occurred on U.S. soil.

But you get to sit there in the comfort and safety of your own home, oblivious to the real dangers, the dangers I'm betting the swaggering Obama was suddenly privy to.

The Judicial Branch has already looked into this matter, and they found it perfectly legal.

I would love to know what problem you have with this program. Do you realize it is only directed at people (often not even citizens) who are engaging in suspicious activity. This program is not listening to your thrilling calls to Aunt Sally in Des Moines, Iowa.

And how would you want to punish the Telecom Companies for doing what the government ordered them to do? Do you see the absurdity in this?

However, even though I don't agree with you on this issue, I am pleasantly surprised (and relieved) to read a question of yours that did not mention the President. For that, I congratulate you.

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EDIT: I think I'm just going to give up answering questions that just seem to be magnets for Libbys. They are proving themselves to be completely uneducable, and further prove their willful ignorance with every Thumbs Down they issue.

Sure

The Bush branch

The Chaney branch

And the Puppet Master Branch

The Bush administration tried to change equality between the 3 branches. They expanded the executive branch, somewhat neutered Congress and have a full frontal attack on the Judiciary.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/286027_mcfea...

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/12/ashcroft...

http://www.lambdalegal.org/news/pr/lambda-legal-as...

Passing immunity laws is a perfectly legit activity of Congress.

Actually law enforcement falls under the executive branch.

Congress makes laws

Judicial ratifies them

Executive is responsible for enforcing them.

no no no no

the government has FOUR branches...don't let anyone tell you it's three!

the same people who control the government also own corporate media

corporate media = the new MK Ultra