A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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June 05, 2008Bush SWIFT Mistake: Mebbe Misusing Our Helpers Was A Bad Idea?Since reading the news about SWIFT being used to pursue terror via bank tranfer information, I've been afraid that the Bush Administration's unaccountable and harsh overuse of SWIFT would come back to haunt us. Now my fears seem to have acquired more material. SWIFT, according to the Economist, is building a new data center. I'm less than astonished that it's NOT going to be located in the US or UK, but in Geneva, where arbitrary subpoenas won't reach. No doubt access will become far more complicated for us. Thanks alot, Bushie Boy! I've long felt and blogged that I thought the ability to follow and tear down financial links via SWIFT's been THE most powerful antiterror mechanism the Bush Administration's found and used. We''ve seen Al'Qaeda go from being able to kill thousands and topple the WTC and influence elections, down to killing hundreds, down to killing only tens outside Iraq and Afghanistan. I call it deglobalization. What other govt method can claim anthing like that kind of record? Thanks alot, Bushie Boy, for causing trouble with the one really effective anti-terror method your guys found. Posted by Jon Kay at June 5, 2008 01:27 AMComments
On 22 October 2006, the New York Times (NYT) published a “Mea Culpa” by its public editor/ombudsman, Byron Calame, now admitting that his previous defence of the NYT 23 June story about SWIFT compliance was a mistake. He cites two main factors for reversing his position: http://www.swift.com/index.cfm?item_id=60735 Even the Times admits the article should not have been published... give blame where it's due. Surely there are better topics to use for Bush-bashing. Posted by: Justin at June 5, 2008 10:28 AMWhat Justin said. The Europeans were perfectly happy to help us on the quiet. What pissed them off was our inability in this country to keep secret the most beneficial of international surveillance programs. Posted by: PatHMV at June 5, 2008 01:52 PMSo, Justin, caring about how the War On Terrorism is Bush-bashing. That's nice attitude. Clearly, you must want the terrorists to win. But, don't worry, you have company - I voted for Hussein, after all. ;-) And, I must say, it's quite a reversal for you guys to care what NYT journalists and editors think. In fact, Pat, the article said they were happy to help to start with, and then grew unhappy, both at having to serve high volume at some times, and at the lack of checks and balances, though less unhappy recently when some process was agreed to, in just the way I said. There's my evidence - where's yours? Nor does your intrepration make logical sense. Moving to Switzerland hardly protects them from the media, but it DOES protect them from US subpoenas, as the Economist article suggested. |
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