Should Michael Hayden Run the CIA?

George Bush wants to put Gen. Michael Hayden in charge of the CIA. Hayden previously ran the powerful National Security Agency and created the secret program of warrantless wiretapping of law-abiding American citizens. Hayden lied about the program to Congress in 2002. He now refuses to describe the program to Congress but insists it is legal, even though every legal scholar outside the Bush administration says the opposite. Tell Congress to STOP the nomination of Michael Hayden and to END illegal warantless wiretapping of law-abiding Americans.

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The question is: "Should Michael Hayden Run the CIA?".

This petition will submit your "No" vote.

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1. Gen. Michael Hayden refused to deny spying on political enemies at National Press Club.

At a public appearance, Bush's pointman in the Office of National Intelligence was asked if the NSA was wiretapping Bush's political enemies. When Hayden dodged the question, the questioner repeated, "No, I asked, are you targeting us and people who politically oppose the Bush government, the Bush administration? Not a fishing net, but are you targeting specifically political opponents of the Bush administration?" Hayden looked at the questioner, and after a silence called on a different questioner. (Hayden National Press Club remarks, 1/23/06)

Hayden dodged similar questions on both ABC and FOX.

2. Gen. Michael Hayden lied about the crucial Fourth Amendment, which reads:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon PROBABLE CAUSE, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

QUESTION: Jonathan Landay with Knight Ridder. I’d like to stay on the same issue, and that had to do with the standard by which you use to target your wiretaps. I’m no lawyer, but my understanding is that the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution specifies that you must have probable cause to be able to do a search that does not violate an American’s right against unlawful searches and seizures. Do you use —
GEN. HAYDEN: No, actually — the Fourth Amendment actually protects all of us against unreasonable search and seizure. That’s what it says.
QUESTION: But the measure is probable cause, I believe.
GEN. HAYDEN: The amendment says unreasonable search and seizure.
QUESTION: But does it not say probable –
GEN. HAYDEN: No. The amendment says unreasonable search and seizure.

CrooksandLiars has the video.

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