Spying on little old ladies is not a 'bold vision' for homeland security and won't protect us from terrorists.
Just as Republicans successfully framed the invasion of Iraq as "going after the terrorists", they have framed Bush's illegal wiretapping program as "wiretapping terrorists".
Afraid of looking weak on national security, Democrats who vote NO on Censure will once again have fallen into a Republican trap. Don't they understand that failing to stand up to the President is what makes them look weak???
The President's illegal wiretapping program is about spying on innocent Americans, political enemies (peace activists, quakers, environmentalists, animal lovers, senators, candidates, Democrats) and yes, little old ladies.
Rep. Ron Wexler (D- FL 19) was alarmed that a Pentagon agency infiltrated a quaker meeting house in his Florida district, labelling a peaceful anti-war group a "threat". Wexler offered one of the best arguments against Bush's illegal wiretaps during House Democrats' basement hearing on January 20, 2006:
These programs are not only a violation of these individuals' civil liberties but also a tremendous waste of critical resources that should be employed to fight the genuine threats America faces. Instead of using one of the most far reaching invasions of privacy in our country's history to target immediate and credible threats, the Administration is needlessly diverting the scarce time and resources of our intelligence community on wild goose chases...The administration cannot act alone and in secret as judge and jury for its actions
In that same speech, Wexler pointed out that if the President were really going after terrorists, he wouldn't be afraid of obtaining a warrant. He would have no problem obtaining a warrant. The only possible explanation for Bush's circumventing the FISA court is that he knows he won't be granted warrants to spy on innocent Americans, political enemies, and yes, little old ladies.
Democrats should vote YES on censure and use the floor to explain to the American people, once and for all, that this illegal spying program is not about wiretapping terrorists. It's about wiretapping innocent Americans, political enemies and yes, little old ladies.