We got computer, we’re tapping phone lines, I know that ain’t allowed
The Administration says they can do anything they want. Legal scholars are not so sure. It’s an election year, so expect it to get ugly. It’s not surprising that folks in San Francisco think that these are high crimes and misdemeanors, especially given that Clinton was impeached for – what was that again? – something to do with an intern. Much worse than going to war under false pretenses, lying to Congress, detaining citizens without charging them with a crime, secret renditions, torture, etc. Why does Bush hate the US constitution so much?
While you’re pondering that, consider this speech from a 30-year veteran of the CIA and FBI:
The Administration’s wholesale by-passing of court review under the guise of “national security” is an extremely bad precedent. If after-the-fact judicial review of eavesdropping operations can be legally accomplished in a secret court, why should such a review requirement be totally ignored by this President? Is it because the government does not want anyone to know exactly who they are listening in on? Is it only suspected terrorists who are being targeted? If the Bush administration continues to have its way, we, and the congressionally authorized secret FISA court, will never know.
Bonus link: What macroeconomist and hedge fund manager Barry Ritholtz learned over the past few weeks.
Finally, how about that Dick Cheney! Our friends at the Wall Street Journal gather together in one place the late-night jokes.