Bush Would Forgo New FISA Programs to Make Sure Dick Gets Immunity

[kpete]

Bush Would Forgo New FISA Programs to Make Sure Dick Gets Immunity
By: emptywheel Sunday January 27, 2008 8:18 am

Bush says he wants a new FISA bill, and he wants it now.

The White House told Democratic congressional leaders Saturday that President Bush opposes a 30-day extension of an expiring eavesdropping law and instead wants an expanded version to be passed by Friday.

“The president would veto a 30-day extension,” a senior administration official said. “They’re just kicking the can down the road. They need the heat of the current law lapsing to get this done.”

To which Reid appropriately pinned any blame on Bush.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) called the veto threat "shamefully irresponsible" and "simply posturing in advance of Monday’s State of the Union address."

"There will be no terrorism intelligence collection gap," Reid said. "But if there is any problem, the blame will clearly and unequivocally fall where it belongs: on President Bush and his allies in Congress."http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/8117.html

Reid's response is useful. But he needs to say one more thing. If Bush vetos a 30-day extension, he will be doing so for one reason and one reason only: because the existing legislationg, PAA, doesn't offer immunity to telecoms--and with it, to Dick Cheney and everyone else in this Administration who pushed the telecoms to continue their spying even after the acting AG, Jim Comey, refused to certify the program for a period in 2004.

Bush is willing to forgo implementing new FISA programs (all the existing ones will continue for at least six months) all because he wants Dick to get his immunity ... now. This is about Bush putting Dick's interests--and his own--above the security of the country.

more at:
http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/01/27/bush-would-forgo-new-fisa-programs-to-make-sure-dick-gets-immunity/#respond

[bluesmail]

1. Kick to the dick in the dick

[VP505]

2. We here know that,

trouble is Reid and the other so called Democratic Leaders don't have the balls to tell * that publicly, to his face, until they do the charade will continue.

[thunder rising]

3. Reid will not come out and say it. That's what's wrong with Reid. He allows the neocons to define

the argument and will not address the issues that are in the legislation that are offensive. Why not just come out and say loudly "We will not grant immunity to anyone not directly involved in and for the furtherance of an investigation of any matter; and, certainly not this one." Somebody is going to get immunity, but it's generally used to get them to implicate others.

[old guy]

4. This week is "put up or shut up" time for both sides.

We will see how tough Reid really is. We should also see how much leadership our two candidate Senators will exert.

[VP505]

5. The candidates

are kind of in a odd position with that, IMO, if they make too much noise about it they will be accused of grandstanding because of their run for Pres. Yet if they don't show up for the vote they will be accused of not being effective leaders.

[old guy]

8. Very true. Catch 22.

Either way, the corporate media will have its way though,so I guess they will have to decide which is the least of the two evils. A hell of a way to run a railroad.

[pacalo]

6. K&R.

[Olney Blue]

7. For God's sake, the Chimp MUST be reigned in on this one.

[MiniMe]

9. And then * is going to stomp his foot and hold his breath until he turns blue

Little temper tantrum there Shrub?