Bush Working to Make Domestic Spying Legal After the Fact

The Bush administration has spied on Americans. There's no doubt about that; Mr. Bush addmitted and even bragged about it. It's legal, say Mr. Bush and his advisors. So why does the administration need a bill to make domestic spying without FISA court approval legal? At least the bill may not pass.

Daily Kos: How Very Nixonian Of You, Mr. Bush:

How Very Nixonian Of You, Mr. Bush
by georgia10
Fri Jul 21, 2006 at 08:55:11 AM PDT

Do you remember that MoveOn ad, the one where Nixon's face morphs into that of President Bush?

When the domestic spying scandal broke, there was a huge focus on the President's lawyers ("he was just following their advice"), or on General Hayden ("it was his idea!") or on Vice-President Cheney ("it's just another step in Cheney's quest to restore executive power").

Well, let there be no doubt now. The President himself is leading a cover-up.

First, let's talk about recent developments with the Arlen Specter's bill. The bill, as you recall, does not require the President to submit the program for review to the FISA court. But, according to Specter, the President pinky-promised that he would seek approval of the program, so apparently, that makes everything better.

One bright spot, even if the bill passes to give the president permission for domestic spying, it seems to me that the courts could declare it unconstitutional.

More later,
Russ

Technorati tags: George W. Bush, NSA, domestic spying

Inhofe: Global Warming Is a Hoax

I don't get it. How can adults ignore scientific evidence? I haven't researched global warming extensively, but the only people who to deny its existence seem to be those with conflicts of interest about slowint or stopping global warming.

Think Progress � Sen. Inhofe: ‘Gore Is Full of Crap,’ ‘All Recent Science…Confirms This Thing Is A Hoax’:

Sen. Inhofe: ‘Gore Is Full of Crap,’ ‘All Recent Science…Confirms This Thing Is A Hoax’

Yesterday, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) attacked Al Gore and global warming science, claiming that Gore was “full of crap” on global warming.

Appearing on Glenn Beck’s radio show and CNN television program, Inhofe said that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which concluded that global warming was real and caused by humans, used “one scientist.” Inhofe added: “[A]ll of the recent science…it confirms that I was right on this thing. This thing is a hoax.”

More later,
Russ

Technorati tags: Gore, global warming, Inhofe, greenhouse gasses, lies

Britain shows sense about assault on Hezbollah in Lebanon

I have no doubt that Hezbollah includes some nasty types. they have killed civilians, but Britain seems to be the only country that thinks bombing the hell out of civilians is not a good idea. As noted below, the Americans think Israel's plan of action is just dandy, and why shouldn't they, it's the same plan of action the Americans are using in Afganistan and Iraq. Of course, it's a plan that isn't working.

Britain fears assault on Hezbollah will backfire - Britain - Times Online:

Britain fears assault on Hezbollah will backfire
By Bronwen Maddox, Foreign Editor
BRITAIN fears that Israel’s assault on Hezbollah is failing to cripple the guerrilla group and that continued bombardment will bring huge civilian casualties in Lebanon for little military gain.

The rising concern that any further Israeli military action could intensify the crisis, expressed by senior officials yesterday, strikes a much more urgent tone than the American position, which accepts a continued Israeli campaign to crush the Shia militant group.

Yesterday was the heaviest day for civilian casualties since Israel’s bombardment began last week, with at least 63 killed and scores more wounded. A total of 315 Lebanese, mostly civilians, have been killed and hundreds injured since the start of the Israeli offensive.

Last night dozens of planes dropped 23 tonnes of explosives on what the Army said was a bunker in south Beirut used by Hezbollah’s leadership. The group said none of is leaders where killed in the attack.

Israel is already hated in the middle east. This won't help.

More later,
Russ

Technorati tags: Hezbollah, Israel, Britain, Lebanon

Rice Wants Israel to Crush Hezbollah Before Peace Talks

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice won't be going on a peace mission any time soon. Instead, she's going to wait until Israel makes the need for peace talks pointless by destroying Hezbollah, along with who knows how many civilians. Sure, Hezbollah kills civilians, too, but that doesn't make it right.

CNN.com - U.S. official: Israel needs time to 'defang' Hezbollah - Jul 19, 2006:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will not go on a peace mission to the Mideast before next week, giving Israel time to "defang" Hezbollah, a senior administration official said Wednesday.

Maybe Israel should listen to one of their own instead of a member of the Bush administration. This quote comes to mind:

"If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies." — Moshe Dayan

More later,
Russ

Technorati tags: Condoleezza Rice, Middle East, Hezbollah, Israel

Russia and China Inch Toward Iran Sanctions - New York Times

Nuclear proliferation is bad. But why, if it's bad for Iran, is it not bad for the United States and other nuclear powers? According to the Federation of American Scientists, the U.S. has more than 6,000 deployed nuclear warheads, and Russia less than 5,000. If Iran having one or two is dangerous, then why aren't we getting rid of our nukes?

Russia and China Inch Toward Iran Sanctions - New York Times:

PARIS, July 12 - Russia and China, crossing a diplomatic threshold in the effort to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions, joined the United States and Europe on Wednesday by agreeing to seek a United Nations Security Council resolution ordering Iran to freeze some nuclear activities, or face sanctions.

The movement toward a resolution represented increased anger over Iran's refusal to respond to an offer of economic and energy incentives if it suspended its uranium enrichment.

Of course, we are the "good guys" so if we have nukes it's OK because we will never use them. But, the United States is the only country that ever has used nuclear weapons. Personally, I don't think anyone should have nukes, especially a country with a history like Iran's, but given the fact that the rest of the world, led by the United States, is willing to mount unprovoked invasions of multiple countries in the Middle East, I understand why Iran turned down the bribe and is going ahead with uranium enrichment. As President Bush has said, nations have the right to protect themselves from terrorists.

More later,
Russ