Story: Senate Investigates Government Spying Program, 02/06/06
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june06/nsa_2-06.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the Senate debating this week?

2. What is FISA?

3. Why does President Bush believe he has the right to listen in on domestic conversations?

4. When and why was FISA passed?

5. What are the rules about domestic eavesdropping as outlined by FISA?

6. What does the attorney general say about Congress's post-Sept. 11 authorization to use military action against terrorism?

7. What does Tom Daschle say about the authorization?

8. How do Article II and the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution relate to this case?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. In his State of the Union address, President Bush said, "If there are people inside our country who are talking with al-Qaida, we want to know about it because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again." Do you agree? Why or why not?

2. Benjamin Franklin is often quoted as saying: "He who would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety." Do you think this relates to the current debate about domestic eavesdropping?

3. Keep a list of the words different officials use to describe domestic eavesdropping. Which is the most accurate? How do politicians use words to strengthen their case?

Write a 300-500 word essay on either of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.