Despite a Year of Ire and Angst, Little Has Changed on Wiretaps

New York Times ^ | 25 November 2006 | Eric Lichtblau

[shrinkermd]

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 — When President Bush went on national television one Saturday morning last December to acknowledge the existence of a secret wiretapping program outside the courts, the fallout was fierce and immediate.

Mr. Bush’s opponents accused him of breaking the law, with a few even calling for his impeachment. His backers demanded that he be given express legal authority to do what he had done. Law professors talked, civil rights groups sued and a federal judge in Detroit declared the wiretapping program unconstitutional.

But as Democrats prepare to take over on Capitol Hill, not much has really changed. For all the sound and fury in the last year, the National Security Agency’s wiretapping program continues uninterrupted, with no definitive action by either Congress or the courts on what, if anything, to do about it, and little chance of a breakthrough in the lame-duck Congress.

While the Democrats have vowed to press for more facts about the operation, they are of mixed minds about additional steps.

Some favor an aggressive strategy that would brand the program illegal and move to ban it even as the courts consider its legality. Others are more cautious, emphasizing the rule of law but not giving Republicans the chance to accuse them of depriving the government of important anti-terrorism tools.

[shrinkermd]

The wiretap allegations served its purpose--defeat the Republicans no matter what the lie. I note that we no longer hear of Richard Clarke, Valerie Plame, outing of homosexual Republicans and widespread graft that resulted in the imprisonment of one lobbyist.

The big news in all of this was how hard, how long and how effectively the MSM did. Perhaps their last hurrah but surely one to be remembered.

[Diogenesis]

. I note that we no longer hear of Richard Clarke, Valerie Plame, outing of homosexual Republicans and widespread graft that resulted in the imprisonment of one lobbyist.

Great point. Apparently the terrorist-MSM got what it wanted.

[A message]

The wiretap allegations served its purpose--defeat the Republicans no matter what the lie. I note that we no longer hear of Richard Clarke, Valerie Plame, outing of homosexual Republicans and widespread graft that resulted in the imprisonment of one lobbyist.

Great point.

Just like in November '92 when all the homeless suddenly found homes. All those homeless stories that disappeared almost overnight from the news.

[DJ Frisat]

Mr. Bush’s opponents -- most notaby media outlets like US -- accused him of breaking the law...

[Doctor Raoul]

Where's My
Pulitzer?

[Unmarked Package]

I expect the NYT and other Democrat Media outlets will push stories in the future about successes of the NSA terrorist surveillance program, leaked by insider sources, when the Democrat majority in Congress controls oversight of the program.

The hordes of reporters and editors formerly engaged in the misinformation campaign to discredit the NSA program will turn their expert talent for deceit to the task of trumpeting imaginary accomplishments of Democrats on a 24/7 schedule.

[Buckhead]

One thing that hasn't changed - Lichtblau and the NYT are still traitors that think themselves patriots as they urge us over the cliff.

[oldironsides]

Another thing that has not changed is the meddling of George Soros in elections. At least one nation kicked him out when they saw what he was doing (Georgia). America is full of really dimwitted Democrats that do not care how they get power. They allow Soros and his money for quick results. The end game will be painful and deadly for the United States of America.

[Carl LaFong]

Leftie turds like li'l Eric wouldn't consider themselves "patriots"-that's unbecoming to a leftist. Most likely he considers himself a good "citizen of the world".

[kb2614]

Great point. Just like in November '92 when all the homeless suddenly found homes. All those homeless stories that disappeared almost overnight from the news.

Then the homeless magically reappeared in the news cycles, just in time for the Bush administration. Imagine that?

[OSHA]

Just like in November '92 when all the homeless suddenly found homes. All those homeless stories that disappeared almost overnight from the news.

And the amazing economic turnaround that had BC taking credit for it before he was even sworn into office.

[Dilbert56]

When President Bush went on national television one Saturday morning last December ..

Oh, did we at the NY Times leave out that it was first leaked on our front page? Guess that little fact wasn't fit to print. Like most of the Slimes swill, it definitely isn't fit to read.