Connecting the Dots: Has the Bush Administration Spied on Political Enemies? (The Nation)

[marmar]

BLOG | Posted 03/14/2007 @ 10:54am
Connecting the Dots

Christopher Hayes

Over at TAPPED, Ezra Klein proposes the following maxim as a means of understanding the Bush administration: "Bush's Razor: Given a possible universe of explanations for a particular administration action, the most morally pessimistic and politically cynical will inevitably be proven correct."

As the details of the US attorney purge leak out, it's clear that the Bush administration sought to convert the Justice Department into a partisan sledgehammer reminiscent of the way Nixon subverted the machinery of the state to pursuing his own petty vendettas. So here's the next question: We know that the administration has the power to wiretap any American it wants. Back during the Nixon administration, the White House used similar powers to spy on political enemies. Has the Bush administration done the same? As of now there's no evidence that they have, but given their record, and the hyper partisan mo that the most recent scandal is illuminating, it seems like a perfectly reasonable question to ask.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion?bid=15

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. We've been asking the same question for quite some time

Never did get an answer. There never was an answer whether Christine Armanpour (married to a Kerry advisor) was tapped into under the guise of national security.

[cascadiance]

12. Sibel Edmonds says the answer is YES and she has proof! PLEASE call to have her testify to congress

Waxman's and Conyers' committees need to hear from you to get her to get this on the record.

Probably the big reason why there is hesitance to get her on the stand is that she has the goods on both Republicans and Democrats, which make it that much more imperative that you and I call and DEMAND that she be heard!

Here's the story from a week ago about her and some other FBI whistleblowers putting together info that show that the surveillance was being used against public officials! We just need to have it put on the record under oath!

http://www.nswbc.org/Press%20Releases/PressRelease-March5-07.htm

Please go here for more info on Luke Ryland's site on helping her out!

http://letsibeledmondsspeak.blogspot.com/

Also note the latest thread from Brad Friedman appeals to us to do the same!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x411851

[indepat]

2. That wiretaps et al serve to ferret out those not loyal to der Fuhrer, and not terrorists,

should be painfully obvious to all but god-damned fools.

[Warpy]

4. Why the hell else would he want to avoid getting warrants

from a rubber stamp court like FISA? Warrants against an enemies list would probably not get approved. All other warrants would.

Honestly, some people are S-L-O-W when it comes to connecting those dots.

[paparush]

3. Answer: Did W ever cut classes at Yale?

[kestrel91316]

5. Dera Mr. Hayes: Gee, I wonder. You get ONE guess.

[gratuitous]

6. Well, I'm sure the Attorney General has looked into this thoroughly

And who are we to doubt Mr. Gonzales when he says the administration would never, ever abuse this very tempting power? Pillars of moral rectitude, that's what we got going for us in the Bush administration. You can be sure that the good, Christian men and women in the Bush/Cheney White House obey not just the letter of the law, but the spirit of it, as well.

Otherwise, you'd have to think that high officials in this administration were obstructing justice and lying to congressional committees and stuff, and what possible justification could you have for that? I mean, other than the criminal convictions in open court?

[Old and In the Way]

7. "Bush's Razor"....I really like that terminology.

It's the framework I always employ when evaluating the actions of this administration. Hope George doesn't cut himself with it.

Cheney's Razor: Given a possible universe of explanations for Cheney's secrecy, always assume he's working on a policy deal that will have a positive impact on his portfolio.

[Cha]

8. No Doubt. Why would those benedict

arnies stop at that? Answer.."they wouldn't."

[Vincardog]

9. Do you have any reason to believe that aWoL has ever resisted the impulse to LIE CHEAT and STEAL?

He has never done the right thing. Why would you think he would suddenly go against his breeding and temperament?

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

10. Is water wet?

Why else violte FISA?

It's a rubberstamp court that will grant retroactive warrants.

[robinlynne]

11. you beat me to it!

[Qutzupalotl]

13. Bush's Razor: What the CIA leaker shaves with every morning.

K&R