Does Arlen Specter
smell bullshit, or is just another show for the kids?
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' written answers to questions about the Bush administration's eavesdropping program may require him to testify a second time before the Senate Judiciary Committee, the panel's Republican chairman said Monday.
"There is a suggestion in his letter there are other classified intelligence programs that are currently under way," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., told reporters.
What's it going to be Senator? Is it time for you to represent your country and not your party? It's got to be clear to you that Gonzo's "clarification" smells like sewer------>
OMG! What's that overpowering stench?
Gonzales testified last month "it has always been our position" that President Bush inherently had the power to order the monitoring as commander in chief and under a Sept. 2001 congressional authorization to use force in the war on terror.
But Gonzales said his comments may have given "the misimpression that the department's legal analysis has been static over time."
In fact, "the department's legal analysis has evolved," Gonzales wrote Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa.
Byrd asked what Gonzales' clarification meant. "Does it mean the department had to gin up some legal basis for the spying once the program became public?" he asked.
Gonzales also stressed that his comments were limited to the president's program allowing the government to monitor international calls and e-mails of U.S. residents, when terrorism is suspected. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said Gonzales' revised answers suggest there are other "secret programs impinging on the liberties and rights of Americans."
Its hard for me not to escape into tin foil land when even the GOP's top dogs start wondering publicly about "other classified programs." But what's it going to be this time? Some real investigation, or partisan stonewalling? A "request" for records or a righteous demand? Because Senator, we know about another "committee" that your friends in the House have been cooking up:
The House Intelligence Committee has agreed to expand its oversight of the Bush administration's anti-terror eavesdropping program and will seek full briefings for select members of the panel.
The deal - worked out Thursday between House Intelligence Chairman Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., and the panel's top Democrat, Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif. - would open a comprehensive review of whether the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act needs to be modernized. Hoekstra and Harman sent the Justice Department a list of 27 questions they want answered.
Hey! That sounds great. Finally, we can start getting to the bottom of this domestic spying thing.
Hoekstra (R-MI) helps his friend George keep secrets
Administration officials want additional oversight, Hoekstra said, "but they are also very concerned, just to make sure what is still secret in this program stays secret."
So if we don't know it now it will still remain secret? Guess that answers all my questions.
Harman (D-CA) demonstrates amazing decorum in face of utter bullshit
The White House has resisted such briefings in the past and has only shared full details of the program with the eight lawmakers who lead the House and Senate and the two intelligence committees. While Harman still wants all members of the intelligence panel to be briefed, she said, "this is movement in the right direction."
Is this debate club? How about demanding complete access because this is no negotiation for railroad tariffs, this is the right flank assault on the constitution!
The Committee Needs Quiet Time to Prepare Propoganda
As part of its expanded oversight, the committee will privately receive information on the operations and authorities of the 1978 law and will later hold an open hearing to improve the public's understanding.
There vill be no investigation!
In a subtle nod to the difficult politics facing Congress as it seeks information from the administration, the committee is not initiating a full-scale investigation and will do this work in its normal course of oversight.
Heather Wilson Caves Like Failed Souffle
Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., who chairs a subcommittee that oversees the NSA, said she's interested in a thorough review of the 1978 law and details on the program's operations, limitations, oversight and privacy protections.
Wilson said a change in law might be necessary. "We want to make sure the intelligence agencies have the tools they need to gather intelligence," said Wilson, an Air Force veteran who grabbed headlines by breaking with the White House last month to publicly urge it to give more information to Congress.
A Polite Request Will Do!
During a committee session Thursday, however, Wilson and the nine other Republicans voted to disapprove a Democratic measure that would have required the administration to produce legal advisory opinions and intelligence reports related to the warrantless surveillance program. Hoekstra said his committee would request the information, without making it a demand from the House.
So you see Senator Specter, what with the circus in the House, is it really that difficult to predict what will come from your committee? No offense intended sir, I recognize your "delicate" position.