Friends and countrymen,
I addressed this the other day in the comments but want to return to the idea for a minute and encourage you to bring other examples to light that I might overlook or point out how I might be completely wrong.
When I heard that Bush had authorized the monitoring of US communications, it sent a chill up my spine. Why? Because this administration has not introduced one program where the original intent was overlooked for personal gain and political purposes. From no bid contracts in Iraq and the Gulf, to patronage and subversion of the press, to torture memos, and the promotion of incapable individuals to postions of power; the list could literally go on forever. They have used and abused the system to consolidate their power.
In the most political administration ever with a nack for always being ahead of the story and spinning it perfectly, there is plenty of reason to suspect that Bush allowed the NSA to monitor members of the media.
More on the flip....
Who talks to various sources around the world?
Who has the capability to stop this administration from their goals?
Who has been beat up, paid off, sent to jail, and just used by this administration more so than ever before?
Who did Bush "joke" with Tony Blair about sending a missile down their chimney? (Al-Jazeera).
The media.
How did the bloggers know to take on Dan Rather? How did the White House know that the story was going to be run?
How did Rove know to come back again and again to the Grand Jury?
How have they stayed ahead of the game on every issue?
The reason is that they have been in the media's inbox monitoring what is going on and who is talking to who. I don't think it ends there. Shrum's political memos. Wilson's communications about his wife (he has contacts around the world). Richard Clark's communications. Possibly even Senators and Congressmen.
When is someone in the media going to ask Scott McCellan if any members of of the press have been snooped on?
You don't need a Watergate break in when you can go and get the information yourself.