Author Archives: Team VCS

Arizona Senator decries Defense earmarks for games, museums

Posted on December 21, 2005 by Team VCS

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Tuesday decried as “obscene” and “disgraceful” millions of dollars in earmarks in the fiscal 2006 Defense appropriations conference agreement and criticized colleagues for an excess of local and special interest items in the $453.5 billion spending … Continue reading →

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’78 Law Sought to Close Spy Loophole

Posted on December 20, 2005 by Team VCS

In 1978, Congress thought it had closed a loophole in the law when it passed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The loophole concerned secret spying authorized by the president on grounds of national security.     On Friday, many in Washington were … Continue reading →

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Shocking The Conscience Of America

Posted on December 20, 2005 by Team VCS

If the events I am about to describe were taking place in a movie, or novel, I would lose my ability to suspend disbelief: Who could conceive of an American President and Vice President demanding that Congress give them authority … Continue reading →

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McCain says some torture justified

Posted on December 20, 2005 by Team VCS

Sen. John McCain, who pushed the White House to support a ban on torture, suggested Sunday that harsh treatment of a terrorism suspect who knew of an imminent attack would not violate international standards. The Arizona Republican said legislation before … Continue reading →

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Torture Ban May Include a Backdoor

Posted on December 19, 2005 by Team VCS

U.S. President George W. Bush suffered a stinging defeat Thursday when overwhelming congressional support forced him to abandon his opposition to anti-torture legislation and reach an agreement with its sponsor, Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican. The president’s reversal came … Continue reading →

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America’s Anti-Torture Tradition

Posted on December 19, 2005 by Team VCS

It is nice that the Bush administration has finally been pressured into backing a ban on cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners. But what remains shocking about this embarrassing and distasteful national debate is that we had to have it … Continue reading →

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Bush Gesture to McCain: Less than Meets the Eye

Posted on December 17, 2005 by Team VCS

    In deciding not to follow through on his threat to veto Sen. John McCain’s amendment against torture, Bush actually surrendered very little. Torture is still in the eyes of the beholders in the defense and intelligence communities.     The unseemly spectacle … Continue reading →

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Securing America Without Destroying Liberties

Posted on December 17, 2005 by Team VCS

Remarks by US Senator Robert C. Byrd as delivered on the Senate floor.  I believe in America. I believe in the dream of the Founders and Framers of our inspiring Constitution. I believe in the spirit that drove President Lincoln … Continue reading →

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Bush Defends U.S. Wiretaps, Urges Patriot Act Renewal

Posted on December 17, 2005 by Team VCS

Bush Defends U.S. Wiretaps, Urges Patriot Act Renewal December 17, 2005 (Bloomberg, Update 2) — U.S. President George W. Bush defended his authorization of spying on American citizens and foreign nationals after the Sept. 11 attacks and urged Congress to renew the … Continue reading →

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Enemies of the State?

Posted on December 16, 2005 by Team VCS

    Four men deprived of their liberty for four years on suspicion of being international terrorists disclose today that they have not once been questioned by police or security services since being arrested.     The four, who were among 16 suspects detained … Continue reading →

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