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Secondly, there are such things as roving wiretaps. Now, by the way, any time you hear the United States government talking about wiretap, it requires - a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed, by the way. When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order before we do so. It's important for our fellow citizens to understand, when you think Patriot Act, constitutional guarantees are in place when it comes to doing what is necessary to protect our homeland, because we value the Constitution.

George W. Bush#140

National security

About this quote

What does it mean?
Bush asserts that wiretaps require court orders even under the Patriot Act, emphasizing constitutional safeguards remain during national security efforts.
In plain terms
Government wiretaps need court approval, and the Patriot Act keeps constitutional rights while protecting the homeland.
What can you take from it?
Constitutional rights are preserved even during security measures like wiretaps.

Where it applies

  • debates on surveillance
  • national security policy
  • civil liberties discussions

Putting it to work

  • explain surveillance laws
  • defend security policies
  • clarify legal requirements

Questions to consider

  • How do security needs balance with civil liberties?
  • What safeguards exist for surveillance?

Another view

The quote simplifies complex legal realities around warrantless surveillance debates.

More from George W. Bush

  1. They could still be hidden, like the fifty tons of mustard gas in a turkey farm.

    Permalink to quote #139
  2. There are no longer torture chambers or rape rooms or mass graves in Iraq.

    Permalink to quote #141
  3. Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be somewhere.

    Permalink to quote #138

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