UPDATE:
most of the discussion has already happened on a front-paged diary here, sorry, this is my first time!
UPDATE2: Also, my favorite comment from that story (by Mary Julia):
I took a look at the filing referenced. The only thing that happened as far as Obama is concerned is that he was substituted for Bush as a party, under the applicable federal rule. Otherwise, this filing was made by the Bush DOJ. Let's all recall that Eric Holder hasn't even cleared the Judiciary Committee yet before we start saying that Obama is going to continue with the "unitary executive" theory.
This is much ado about nothing. Take my word for it. I play a lawyer in real life.
We do not rent rooms to Republicans.
by Mary Julia on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:04:55 PM PST
So, this is a first, I see this on slashdot and not on dailykos: A wired story about politics (especially Obama!). The starting paragraph is quite inflammatory:
The Obama administration fell in line with the Bush administration Thursday when it urged a federal judge to set aside a ruling in a closely watched spy case weighing whether a U.S. president may bypass Congress and establish a program of eavesdropping on Americans without warrants.
Now, lots of folks want to see Obama fail to deliver, just to say "I told ya so", and most of them are on the other side of the aisle. However, in this case, it seems that there's more than meets the eye... but what is that something?
Some speculate that Obama is just paying the price to get Bush out the door without a bloody revolution, so we can focus on the Economy, Iraq and other urgent and important matters. Others (who might feel comfy in tinfoil) feel that he is powerless to say "no" to the some of the real power brokers, the spy community, and as such, he is simply obeying the same masters as Bush. Clearly there is the danger that the powers Bush gave the executive are seductive and Obama, as strong as he is, may find them "useful" to achieve his ends.
I couldn't find this story reported anywhere, so I want to ask you Kossacks if this is what we think it is... I don't like jumping to conclusions, but I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable right now.
btw, this is my first diary (long time listener, first time caller, so to speak) so please help me improve it!