from The Associated PressPresident Bush makes a statement on FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) legislation, Thursday, March 13, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Associated Press © 2008
WASHINGTON March 14, 2008, 05:36 pm ET · The House on Friday approved a Democratic bill that would set rules for the government’s eavesdropping on phone calls and e-mails inside the United States. The bill, approved as lawmakers departed for a two-week break, faces a veto threat from President Bush. The margin of House approval was 213-197, largely along party lines.
Because of the promised veto, “this vote has no impact at all,” said Republican Whip Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri.
The president’s main objection is that the bill does not protect from lawsuits the telecommunications companies that allowed the government to eavesdrop on their customers without a court’s permission after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18394905
Mr. Bush not only wants himself to be above the law. He also wants those he directed to break the law to be above the law. He wants Congress to make a law that changes the current law – else he will VETO.
OK. Let him VETO. That, at least, is his legal right!
If the Bush team stays true to form, next will come the game of “CHICKEN” in which the stability of some part of the country “may be at risk”. And only the Bush team may be able to “sense” the threat that not allowing them to be above the law – triggers.
Not all Telecom companies were persuaded to break the FISA law. Qwest refused to comply with NSA’s end – around the FISA court. Qwest, somehow was able to determine that what the Bush team was asking was illegal.
You might want to consider synchronizing your good – citizenship – clock to Qwest’s good – citizenship clock. You might want to avoid the White House and some of the other telecom companies good – citizenship - clocks.
