True these agencies are part of the executive branch, but are suggesting that they have no autonomy?
The article didn't say they called the president, and odds are he never knew about the incident until well after.
It isn't Bush that these lawyers worried about sending some other lawyers after them, it's the prospect of financial ruin trying to pay other lawyers to defend themselves in front of some senate turd throwing committee.
Getting the OK from Bush isn't going to help - how long has congress been trying to compel Cheney to testify about Bush firing a handful of attorney generals?
If you can't do your job without worrying about getting indicted for it, you're not going to be very effective.
Congress killed that soldier, just as sure as if they pulled the trigger themselves. It's turned into a repulsive circus of witch hunts, freak shows, and spitting contests, nothing more.
“If you can’t do your job without worrying about getting indicted for it, you’re not going to be very effective.”
§ 1809. Criminal sanctions
(a) Prohibited activities
A person is guilty of an offense if he intentionally—
(1) engages in electronic surveillance under color of law except as authorized by statute; or
(2) discloses or uses information obtained under color of law by electronic surveillance, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through electronic surveillance not authorized by statute.
(b) Defense
It is a defense to a prosecution under subsection (a) of this section that the defendant was a law enforcement or investigative officer engaged in the course of his official duties and the electronic surveillance was authorized by and conducted pursuant to a search warrant or court order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) Penalties
An offense described in this section is punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both.
(d) Federal jurisdiction
There is Federal jurisdiction over an offense under this section if the person committing the offense was an officer or employee of the United States at the time the offense was committed.
AMEN!