The Wall Street Journal's opinion on the "mere Constitution"

Seems like the Wall Street Journal editorial page is playing as Bush's lap dog again. In their editorial on the wiretap issue, I was flabbergasted by this flippant comment:

The mere Constitution aside, the evidence is also abundant that the Administration was scrupulous in limiting the FISA exceptions.

You know, this "mere Constitution" is the reason you are allowed to write piles of poo like this. The Neocons have gone totally flipping stark raving power mad.

Inside the executive branch, the process allowing the wiretaps was routinely reviewed by Justice Department lawyers, by the Attorney General personally, and with the President himself reauthorizing the process every 45 days. In short, the implication that this is some LBJ-J. Edgar Hoover operation designed to skirt the law to spy on domestic political enemies is nothing less than a political smear.

Uh, what?! The process is reviewed by the Justice Department and the Attorney General? the same Attorney General who supports torture? Look, that is not a review. That is called a rubber stamp. The process of going to FISA is a review and a check by the judicial branch. There is not check here. This is a blatant violation of Presidential power and the Fourth Amendment rights of US citizens. There is not paper trail, At least not one that this President will be allowed to be reviewed. There is NO PROOF that this is not LBJ-J. Edgar Hoover all over again. Plus, the "trust us" line is no longer valid. They have long since lost the trust on issues like this.

The FISA process was designed for wiretaps on suspected foreign agents operating in this country during the Cold War. In that context, we had the luxury of time to go to the FISA court for a warrant to spy on, say, the economic counselor at the Soviet embassy.

The BS flag is on the field and it is getting deep. FISA allows for 72 hour retroactive authorizations of wiretaps. However, that would mean documenting what was done. Can't have a paper trail. God forbid someone finds out the NSA just happened to listen to something they should not have.



This policy must stop now. The system that is in place has enough loopholes to drive a planet through. There is no reason to subvert this system, unless the administration and NSA is really doing something illegal. I would sooner be killed by a terrorist then allow the liberties of this country to be destroyed in the name of protecting this country. If this policy does not end or is rolled back under FISA review, I would support impeachment and removal of President Bush for a blatant violation of the Fourth Amendment. Something that is a hell of a lot worse then lying about getting a blowjob under oath and far more dangerous to this country. America and the Country are a lot higher on my list then party loyalty. As a Republican, I call on the President to end this policy or be impeached!