The notion that you would somehow not want to use your capabilities to avert terrorism both inside the country and outside the country is a concept that Condi Rice, frankly does not understand. That (approximately) is what she just said to Tim Russert of Meet the Press.
This is me paraphrasing: “Tim, violating the constitution to protect us from terrorism is such an obvious call that I, frankly, think you are an idiot for asking me this question.”
We’ll get a transcript up of this shameful interview as soon as we can. In the meantime, just let it sink in that the administration has been caught red-handed violating the constitution on a routine basis and they are not apologizing, but trying to justify it with more fear-mongering.
This behavior has to be an impeachable offense. If they begged for mercy and promised to never do this type of extra legal domestic surveillance again, then maybe we could forgive them. But there is no way we can back down in the face of their determined attempt to brazenly jettison the fourth amendment.
Update [2005-12-18 14:39:25 by BooMan]: here is the transcript. It’s awful to read.
