Justice's Watchdog Resists Eavesdrop Probe (by Dems re: Bush)

[UpInArms]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/10/AR2006011001320.html

WASHINGTON -- Rejecting Democratic requests, the Justice Department's independent watchdog says it does not have jurisdiction to open an investigation into the legality of the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program.

In a three-paragraph letter circulated Tuesday, Inspector General Glenn Fine instead forwarded the request to Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility, which reviews allegations of misconduct involving employees' actions when providing legal advice.

President Bush's decision to authorize the nation's largest spy agency to monitor _ without warrants _ people inside the United States has sparked a flurry of questions about the program's legal justification.

Bush and his top aides say the activities of the National Security Agency were narrowly targeted to intercept calls and e-mails of Americans and others inside the United States with suspected ties to al-Qaida.

But a growing chorus of legal experts from both parties are raising doubts about Bush's authority to order such monitoring on U.S. soil and questioning whether the White House should have sought changes in law.

...more...

[Demeter]

1. Nope. Can't Pass the Buck. Gotta Impeach Him, ASAP

Do it right, do it once, and get the crooks out of the system forever.

[mom cat]

2. Surprise! The DOJ won't investigate.

[Synnical]

3. Not - they won't investigate themselves

Leaving it to the Pentagon. And we know that will go nowhere. The illegal wire traps investigations will go nowhere. Abuse of power investigations - not going to happen.

I'm agreeing with you, that is, voicing my total lack of surprise, and disgust.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[HuffleClaw]

4. ok, they'll investigate who 'leaked' the truth but refuse to

investigate the ILLEGAL acts that were exposed? typical actions from a justice department headed by bush's personal lawyer.

[mom cat]

5. You mean the one who justified torture?

The Dems better start fighting a lot harder.