Forum Thread

Should all presidential conversations be recorded

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  • wwjd
    2017-11-22 08:17:20 PM
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    Should congress pass a law that all presidential conversations (phone, meetings, email, etc) be recorded\archived and marked classified for 10+ years unless the president unclassifies them or a court judge orders their release for legal purposes (not necessarily made public).

    I am not sure if this a good or bad idea. If a person knows they are being recorded, they are going to be careful about what they say and how they say it. This can be good and can be bad.

  • jaredsxtn
    2017-11-22 09:06:27 PM
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    I don't think it's a good idea because all of our leaders, the President included, should be able to speak frankly with people without fear of censoring themselves. However, if they record themselves (as Nixon did) and then refuse to make those tapes available then I think it's fair game.

  • TJ
    2017-11-22 09:59:11 PM
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    My initial thought is no it is not a good idea. There should be free conversations between key individuals without second guessing word choices or intent.

    I am listening though and remain open minded.
  • wwjd
    2017-11-22 10:50:43 PM
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    I would generally say "No", and I find it scary\appalling that we have a president make such a question necessary.

    Hypothetical, but realistic, example specific to trump:

    trump tweet: A democratic Senator told me today in private that Cooked Hillary took bribes while Secretary of state. DOJ appoint SP now!!

    Outcry from public\media\etc: Release the name of the senator!

    trump: when the DOJ appoints a special prosecutor to investigate Cooked Hillary, I will consider releasing the name very soon.

    Fact: no such conversation ever happened, thus trump never release names or admits it was fabricated. If DOJ takes the bait, trump feeds the fire with more tweet statements that can not be proven or disproven. aka, "When did she stop taking the bribes, or has she?"

  • Dockadams
    2017-11-23 03:15:08 AM
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    I would say yes. How else would Amerikans ever hold a commander in chief responsible or accountable for his actions?

    Nixon wasn't the only prez to record conversations, LBJ did it too.

    This youtube audio reveals LBJ calling black people by the N word.

    youtube.com/watch?v=r1rIDmDWSms

    I would be interested to hear what Trump said to Comey before he fired him, wouldn't any of you using this forum? Trump bragged about his recorded conversation with Comey, anyone remember that one?
  • Dutch
    2017-11-23 09:39:45 AM
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    Yes I think all conversations on that level should be recorded. Especially with Putin. Now no one knows what was said in the hour and a half call; Trump claims it was only about Syria and the Middle East. I doubt it! Trump can't be trusted, especially with foreign leaders or foreign visits.
  • Schmidt
    2017-11-23 11:49:30 AM
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    I would say yes and no. When Trump says he had an hour and half conversation with Putin, it should at least be recorded for the archives, if not released immediately. I can appreciate that conversations with some foreign leaders may have sensitive information, but if Trump, for example, is discussing war, we need to have a record of that. I agree, Trump cannot be trusted...therefore all calls to foreign leaders need to be recorded.

    As far as the "no" goes, I don't see that phone conversations with Trump's staff, cabinet members and members of Congress need to be recorded. But with Bannon perhaps.

  • Dockadams
    2017-11-23 01:05:17 PM
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    What if Trump discussed Russian election meddling with Putin? Should that be private too?

    The Conversation

    Trump: I keep telling the media and my people that there was no collusion, no collusion.

    Putin: That good comrade, keep up the good lies. I make you my pet lap doggie some day comrade.

    Trump: I would appreciate that Vlad, really appreciate that.

    click - beeping sound
  • Dutch
    2017-11-23 03:02:18 PM
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    Schmidt Wrote:

    I would say yes and no. When Trump says he had an hour and half conversation with Putin, it should at least be recorded for the archives, if not released immediately. I can appreciate that conversations with some foreign leaders may have sensitive information, but if Trump, for example, is discussing war, we need to have a record of that. I agree, Trump cannot be trusted...therefore all calls to foreign leaders need to be recorded.

    As far as the "no" goes, I don't see that phone conversations with Trump's staff, cabinet members and members of Congress need to be recorded. But with Bannon perhaps.

    One point I'll try to make is as follows: With Obama no problem: with Trump an huge problem, because he can't be trusted

    He needs plenty of "baby sitters"
  • Dockadams
    2017-11-24 01:30:46 PM
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    Dutch Wrote:
    Schmidt Wrote:

    I would say yes and no. When Trump says he had an hour and half conversation with Putin, it should at least be recorded for the archives, if not released immediately. I can appreciate that conversations with some foreign leaders may have sensitive information, but if Trump, for example, is discussing war, we need to have a record of that. I agree, Trump cannot be trusted...therefore all calls to foreign leaders need to be recorded.

    As far as the "no" goes, I don't see that phone conversations with Trump's staff, cabinet members and members of Congress need to be recorded. But with Bannon perhaps.

    One point I'll try to make is as follows: With Obama no problem: with Trump an huge problem, because he can't be trusted

    He needs plenty of "baby sitters"

    The white house visitor list is no longer being made public either, that is telling of how secretive this administration wishes to be, right now, Flynn is about to spill his guts to Mueller, good.
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