Former CEO Says NSA Punished Phone Firm

Washington Post:

A former Qwest Communications International executive, appealing a conviction for insider trading, has alleged that the government withdrew a $100 million contract after Qwest refused to participate in an unidentified National Security Agency program that the company's top lawyer said was illegal.

Former chief executive Joseph P. Nacchio, convicted in April of 19 counts of insider trading, said the NSA approached Qwest more than six months before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, according to court documents unsealed in Denver this week.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[Jane22]

I have noted that all U.S. Presidents seem to age remarkably while in office. In the case of W, it must be hard to keep track of all the pathological lies he has been forced to remember. Greg Palast in "Armed Madhouse" documents all of this very compellingly. That all of this had been well-planned is a no-brainer if one reads the right stuff! If they can't character assassinate you effectively enough, they will economically hurt you. There is a large arsenal of weapons to silence those who do not cooperate. The saddest part is as osage has said: There are 100's of thousands who have paid the ultimate price for this Treason and dishonesty. Their lives are nothing to these money changers! As Bob Dylan said so long ago, "he's only a pawn in their game..." Peace

[loki]

Lets not forget either that Cheney and Rumsfield both were approaching even Clinton about invading Iraq before 9-11 too. A lot of this seems to have been in the making for a long time. Concouring the oil rich countries and turning the US into the ultimate Police state has been a dream of Capitalist and Republicans for many years now. None of this just 'happened'. Most of this has been planned out and wished for long before Bush was in the white house. I would think even before the first Bush was in the white house. Its all part of the great Reagan divide.

[Gary47]

Interesting picture. Makes one wonder what object he's indicating the size of with his fingers. Any caption suggestions?

-- the number of childrens not left behind;

-- the chance of him vetoing his tax cut for rich people;

-- the number of angels sitting in dick's office.

[Not Blind]

If the telecommunications companies did nothing wrong or illegal, why the need retroactive immunity from prosecution or litigation? The law is very clear about freedoms and rights when it comes to surveillance, search and siezure. The comapnies could have requested a warrant before handing over information about or access to consumer's private ommunications. One way to hit back at those comapnies who violated their privacy policies is to take your business away from them. I left AT&T when I found out what they were up to. I have nothing to hide. If the government was within legal limits, then why does it refuse to turn over documents pertaining to surveillance upon U.S. citizens?

[WeHadEnough]

I totally agree and I'm Not blind either, what's wrong with our media?

[MetalCanuck]

The media is owned by Banks and big business so they are in on it for the money.

[WeHadEnough]

I get crazy when I head pelosi mutter some non-sense about civility. This administration is shredding the Constitution and our Dems are scratching their heads wondering what to do. Demand the papers on surveillance and prosecute if they don't turn them over. I don't understand the non-action, we have laws! I think if she doesn't have the balls to do the job she should step aside because she is only in the way.

[Not Blind]

That we've been spied upon since before the 9/11 attack is not at all surprising. What is surprising is that the fact and (hopefully) hard evidence will come forth proving what Naccio states. It certainly explains why Bush is demanding blanket retroactive immunity for the telecommunications firms. Once in place, the immunity would cover Bush and the companies for their illegal surveillance, and corporate malfeasance regarding consumer's privacy and legal rights (notification) before information about personal phone calls, internet usage and emails are provided to anyone outside the company itself.

[FlowerGirl]

It seems that most of us have been wrong in our assumptions about how we are governed. The corporations are a main part of "our" government, more important than any of the representatives we (sometimes!) elect.

[BadChristian]

Are we still pretending that Impeachment is off the table for something other than blackmail?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Less Bush.
More cowbell.

[dadw5boys]

IF YOU HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE BUSH ADMINSTRATION BEWARE OF THE POP UP SERVEY'S ASKING IF YOU SHARE YOUR COMPUTER WITH OTHERS!

[PollM]

Wow even before 9/11.

It's a decision made, it contradicts their contractual agreement with the customer. They should be held responsible as they have violated their agreement. If they are given immunity this behavior will repeat itself. In addition to the above, I believe telecommunication companies need to inform their customers if they have released any info about their customers and what info. Full Disclosure.

Do you believe telecommunication firms should be given immunity for disclosing customers' phone records & other data to the government?
-------> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=702
.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Booo youpolls.
Yay beer.

[eugenegerard]

This march to fascism has culminated with the twit younger Bush. It's been going on for a long time. Since they Killed both Kennedys.

[PollM]

Wow even before 9/11.

It's a decision made, it contradicts their contractual agreement with the customer. They should be held responsible as they have violated their agreement. If they are given immunity this behavior will repeat itself. In addition to the above, I believe telecommunication companies need to inform their customers if they have released any info about their customers and what info. Full Disclosure.

Do you believe telecommunication firms should be given immunity for disclosing customers' phone records & other data to the government?
-------> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=702
.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Booo youpolls.
Yay beer.

[realitytrumpsbull]

Kind of gives a little credence to the whole
Reichstag fire bit over in the tinfoil hat section...

[Tr0uBle]

WOW !

Bush's Criminal activities extend far beyond the 911 attacks.

It's becoming more and more interesting as his presidency come closer to an end. Maybe just maybe there was a little truth in the osama tape, you know the one where he made the statement that the 911 attacks were conspired and implimented by the administration it's self.

I know that sounds crazy, but the more we uncover about bush and his criminal activities and the more confused we seem to become with all the new 911 reports and events the more and more it raises the possibility and questioning.

COULD WE HAVE BEEN ATTACKED BY OUR OWN?

[CalculatedRiskTaker]

Yea, once you realize the buildings on 911 were an inside job. You realize the people are not in controll of there government.

Those building had as much steel in them as an aircraft carrier.

They were blown up.

[itmaybetoolate]

you still believe his "presidency" is going to come to an end?

[Mileva Maric]

If you have not watched this movie, you should.

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/index.html

It's a bit long (approximately 2 hours) but worth every minute.

Warning: Not for those offended by the questioning of religious doctrine (my favorite part as it gave me a new perspective). But it is necessary to understand how we got here.

[jazzman]

Hey Bill Maher! No 9/11 conspiracy? Explain this!!!!

[loslobo]

Here is what the stoner said..


"Crazy people who still think the government brought down the twin towers in a controlled explosion, have to stop pretending that I’m the one who is being naïve. How big a lunatic do you have to be to watch two giant airliners packed with jet fuel, slam into buildings on live TV, igniting a massive inferno that burned for two hours, and then think “Well if you believe that was the cause?” Stop asking me to raise this ridiculous topic on the show, and start asking your doctor if Paxcel is right for you."

Ok yes I will stop asking you to raise this ridiculous topic. I will go to my doctor and see what drugs I can get that will make me forget Bush's news conference last year where he tried to blame KSM for SETTING EXPLOSIVES in the towers. Because your prestiogious NOVA totally proved the pancake theory (there were no outside gurders attached right?). Maybe I can forget the molten metal still there weeks after Rudy had all the recyclables (some call it evidence) shipped to Asia. Maybe I can forget how the military changed the story about how they "just missed" the highjacked planes. Maybe I can forget everything Dr. David Ray Griffin so eloquently discribed YEARS ago. And maybe I can forget how I used to look forward to your shows. Because you feel the need to denounce the real Americans not afraid to do the research. Who is the IDIOT now?

[Mileva Maric]

How many know that on the morning of 9-11 the military was practicing for possible air attacks? You know the type they vehemently argued no one saw coming?

Is it true that Dick Chenney was in charge of the exercise?

I felt stupid at first entertaining this but I am now conviced. Even if don't accept they planned it, I do believe they let it happen.

Also -- where are all of the 17 other terrorist named?

How do we know who was on those planes? If everyone on the plane died, who is to say otherwise? They can write the story. And they did.

And why wouldn't Bin Laden want to take credit? Imagine that. What a gift. As #1 wannabe terrorist, wouldn't he be first in line to claim sucess?

Why did Bush NOT work at catching OBL?
Considering that the Bush family are personal and business partners with OBL's BROTHER, perhaps there are skeletons in that closet that would otherwise come out.

[yathink]

For all those who keep excusing Bushco--if there is no court oversight, WHO KNOWS WHO IS BEING SURVEILLED?

Yes, those "who haven't done anything" and are so frightened by everything the neocons say, next week they will be declaring white men terrorists for carrying blackberries. Or speaking a foreign language. Or eating apples. Or wearing white sox. Or? Read 1984, read a few memoirs by survivors of Nazi Germany. We are well down the path of no return thanks to people who keep allowing this criminal enterprise just because they have R's after their names.

[ssaz]

I hope to hell that every class action suit against each and every telco that assisted Bush gets run out of business in fines. The only way big business in this country will return to the days of respecting the citizens and people of this country that made them great is to be held accountable to them. Unfortunately, Bush has bought and paid for the Supreme Court now so we continue to slip into the abyss without even realizing it's happening.