Congress Reacts to Warrantless Wiretaps

President Bush today defended his decision to authorize warrantless spying on suspected terrorists, characterizing this policy as both necessary and legal.  Members of Congresss of both parties have vociferously disagreed with the President on this:

"They [administration officials] talk about constitutional authority.  There are limits as to what the president can do."  And: "There is no doubt that this is inappropriate." - Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) (both quotes)

"We cannot set aside the rule of law in a time of war, because that's what we're fighting for in Iraq, for them to follow the law, not an outcome." - Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

"How can any member of this body go out and say that under the Patriot Act we protect rights when the president goes out and says he won't be bound by the ... law?" - Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA)

But Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) seemed to say it best: "The president believes that he has the power to override the laws that Congress has passed. [But] he is a president, not a king."

( Read more... )

(Post inspired by a recent reply I gave in moonmelody 's journal.)

For your political amusement ...

... may I present the Jib-Jab Year in Review, courtesy of yesthattom .

Also, Doonesbury considers the perils of modern medicine when you're a Creationist, brought to you courtesy of feyandstrange .