Uh, Mr. President, there is the law

Like my new throne?

In Address, Bush Says He Ordered Domestic Spying

President Bush delivered his radio address in the Roosevelt Room. In the live address, he criticized senators who voted not to renew the antiterrorism law known as the USA Patriot Act.

By DAVID E. SANGER
Published: December 18, 2005

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 - President Bush acknowledged on Saturday that he had ordered the National Security Agency to conduct an electronic eavesdropping program in the United States without first obtaining warrants, and said he would continue the highly classified program because it was "a vital tool in our war against the terrorists."

In an unusual live radio address, President Bush defended a classified eavesdropping program.

In an unusual step, Mr. Bush delivered a live weekly radio address from the White House in which he defended his action as "fully consistent with my constitutional responsibilities and authorities." He also lashed out at senators - both Democrats and Republicans - who voted on Friday to block the reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act, which expanded the president's power to conduct surveillance, with warrants, in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The revelation that Mr. Bush had secretly instructed the security agency to intercept the communications of Americans and suspected terrorists inside the United States, without first obtaining warrants from a secret court that oversees intelligence matters, was cited by several senators as a reason for their vote.

"In the war on terror, we cannot afford to be without this law for a single moment," Mr. Bush said forcefully from behind a lectern in the Roosevelt Room, next to the Oval Office. The White House invited cameras in, guaranteeing television coverage.

He said the Senate's action "endangers the lives of our citizens," and added that "the terrorist threat to our country will not expire in two weeks," a reference to the approaching deadline of Dec. 31, when critical provisions of the current law will end. His statement came just a day before he is scheduled to make a rare Oval Office address to the nation, at 9 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, celebrating the Iraqi elections and describing what his press secretary on Saturday called the "path forward."

Mr. Bush's public confirmation on Saturday of the existence of one of the country's most secret intelligence programs, which had been known to only a select number of his aides, was a rare moment in his presidency. Few presidents have publicly confirmed the existence of heavily classified intelligence programs like this one.

What Patriot Act?

Bush just lost the trust of every thinking member of Congress. This was hoked up by Cheney.

The Conghress just got a lesson on why trusting Bush is dangerous, and my bet he briefed Goss, Frist amd Hastert, and that's it.

What Bush doesn't get is that HE doesn't determine his constitutional responsibilities, Congress does. The courts do.

I can't imagine the week will end without an injunction filed to stop this. The excuse that they couldn't use the courts is bullshit. They didn't want to. Because thius is about creating an imperial presidency.

I think people's reactions to this will stun Bush. The Bushies will still kiss his ass, but everyone else should be scared shitless.

Let's ask about an enemies list as well.

posted by Steve @ 6:53:00 PM