At this point it seems if the Bush Administration asked for the power to murder Democratic members of Congress, the DC Dems would immediately pass legislation to that effect.
“After being caught trying to steal an inch, the administration now has the gall to ask for the whole mile,” says Anthony Romero, head of the ACLU.
Yet now the Democratic leaders appear ready to give such spying their retroactive blessing.
“Under pressure from President Bush, Democratic leaders in Congress are scrambling to pass legislation this week to expand the government’s electronic wiretapping powers,” reports James Risen in the August 1 edition of The New York Times. (Risen was one of two Times reporters who broke the original story of the NSA spying.)
Not all Democrats are going along, however. Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin calls the bill “an egregious power grab.”
But that’s what Bush is best at and Democratic leaders so complicit in.
Given that Congress is enabling Bush with MORE unconstitutional powers, does anyone seriously think the Dick Cheney Democrats will stop Bush's plans in Iraq? If so, I have a bridge to sell you.
We have definitely entered the twilight zone. From Glenn Greenwald:
Voting for the bill from Daily Kos:
A comment on the Kos from Troubadour:
Man, it didn’t take them long to get Jim Webb to dance to their tune. Hate to think how they might have influenced him. Casey is showing the true colors we knew were there. Inouye, Feinstein WTF? No big surprise on the rest of the Reps in drag. Looks like the WA Senators know better than Pelosi on this one. Next we get to watch The House cave. Isn’t this fun?
There is something fundamentally wrong here.
Chad Lupkes has the complete list of traitors over at Washblog.
It looks like we may be heading full circle back to 1968. I don’t think we are there yet, but when we get into these modes, necessary or not, eventually someone abuses for political advantage. Last time it was Lyndon Johnson (D). Who will it be this time? My guess it that it will be the next administration or the administration after that. I don’t think Bush is a Putin.
I noticed this post today. Pretty much reflects the cynicism I hold.
Pat, You are much more forgiving of Bush and Co than me. I could go on a rant about W in comparison to Putin but that will not change anything. Besides his surveillance apparatus might notice.
I just hope that the next person that is installed is an adult. My expectations have been lowered exponentially.
Well John I hope I am right about Bush, but I could be proven wrong given the history of the current administration…