I don't understand what it means when I read that Sen. Rockefeller wasn't allowed to discuss the meager information on the warrantless wiretapping program given to him by the Bush administration.
Not allowed? Rockefeller is a high official of a branch of government
co-equal with the President, the one specifically responsible for overseeing the Executive. If he comes across -- by
whatever means -- information that the President is breaking the law, subverting the Constitution and trampling on the civil liberties of American citizens, then it is incumbent upon him to
GET THAT INFORMATION OUT! Unlike the
New York Times which merely has a duty to publish that information under any reasonable code of journalistic ethics, Rockefeller has the absolute
responsibility to blow the whistle, because
THAT'S HIS CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED JOB!, that's the entire purpose of having a divided government in which each branch checks the others.
By meekly submitting to the restrictions placed on him and keeping his mouth shut, Rockefeller certainly preserved his own position of power, but he also subverted the Constitutional plan of the founders almost as much as Bush did.
It's understandable that he would be loathe to take such a drastic step, since there would obviously be repercussions, blowback from the Administration. His security clearance would probably be lifted, and he would be cut off from information he needs to do his job -- but the very act of blowing the cover off this program, and the repercussions that resulted from it, would create a legal case which could then be sent to the Supreme Court to be settled. Without that, there's no case. (Since no one knows who's been wiretapped, because there's no warrant, there's no aggrieved party to sue and create a case which the Supreme Court can review.)
I don't know if I would have the fortitude necessary to take that step, knowing that it could potentially be my downfall, but, then, I'm not a United States Senator, and Rockefeller is. If he can't handle the responsibilities inherent in that position, he had best step down and let someone else have a try.
[Cross-posted to unfutz]