So teach me: what am I missing? I'm open to being educated.
Able Danger was a program that mapped the Al Qaeda network starting in 1999. They used open source, publically available information and identified the four lead hijackers of 9/11 over a year before the attack. However, since some of the open source data from the internet that they mined for clues included information on US persons, they were prevented from sharing their information with the FBI, which Louis Freeh says could have prevented 9/11. Since then, government officials have been trying to coverup the fact that 9/11 was preventable. Neither Clinton nor Bush followed up on the plans recommended by Able Danger. That is why I find it humorous that you think Bush should be impeached for pursuing this, when he still has not, but should if he wants to prevent the next attack! Open source, publicly available data is not something which requires FISA to be involved. It is a completely different problem than wiretapping, but you put the two of them together.
TopDog08: I appreciate the primer! I thought AbleDanger was another surveillance program, when apparently it's not. I appreciate the info, and will edit my post accordingly. I'm only interested in seeing Bush censured and having truly invasive surveillance brought under judicial supervision, not in hobbling non-invasive data-mining programs like the one you describe (nor even in hobbling NSA-style surveillance of real terrorism suspects, so long as it's done within the law).
Thanks again.
Wait just a dog gone second?
On your quote from the "Vicy Democrats" blog, did you insert the words "Able Danger" or has that blog changed its text since you quoted.
I don't want to jump to conclusions, but if you misquoted them on purpose, that's fairly serious in my eyes.
As I quoted him in my update, he has edited his post.
Bill: no, this site has been nothing but straightforward with VichyDems, and I'm grateful for being set straight on my understanding!
I apologize for doubting. Thanks for the clarification...
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