Political Bloviation

Add massive data mining operations to the laundry list of transgressions by the Bush administration:

Yahoo News gives us the President’s reaction to a USA Today story - NSA has massive database of Americans’ phone calls
Text: Bush’s Comments on NSA Activities - Yahoo! News

Today there are new claims about other ways we are tracking down al-Qaida to prevent attacks on America. I want to make some important points about what the government is doing and what the government is not doing.

First, our international activities strictly target al-Qaida and their known affiliates. Al-Qaida is our enemy, and we want to know their plans. Second, the government does not listen to domestic phone calls without court approval. Third, the intelligence activities I authorized are lawful and have been briefed to appropriate members of Congress, both Republican and Democrat. Fourth, the privacy of ordinary Americans is fiercely protected in all our activities.

What a load of complete and utter bullshit!!!

First: We have no idea who they’re targeting

Second: What’s already come to light about the NSA wiretapping program proves this statement to be false. The whole point of it was to circumvent the need to get a FISA court order for call terminating domestically because it was simply too much bother. Plus they wanted to return to the Nixonian era conception of presidental powers.

Third: He only offered the barest fig leaf of congressional oversight after the fact. He completely ignored the FISA law by simply saying he had inherent authority. He could have had the law changed at any point.

Forth: Yeah right more of that “just believe me” Bushit.

GOP sycophants in congress stand ready to sacrifice basic liberties to their lip quivering fear over a few cave-dwelling bomb throwers. We have faced far worse as a nation without that kind of snivelling pant wetting reaction. The GOP needs to grow some balls and actually try protecting the rights that millions died for. These ass-clowns sicken me.

Glenn Greenwald has a somewhat calmer and more reasoned take on all this
Legal issues governing the Administration’s newly disclosed surveillance program
No need for Congress, no need for courts

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