A question about Dubya's latest flip-flop

[Orrex]

Okay, so they've nominally decided to stop explicitly violating the Constitution and to discontinue the warrantless wiretapping program of which they're so very fond. Peachy.

But what does that change, really? Even if the policy is entirely abandoned at this point, they still violated the Constitution, right? And surely the statute of limitations on such high crimes has to be longer than, say, a few weeks, doesn't it?

As I understand it, if I stole a loaf of bread back in January of 2001, I could still be prosecuted because I'm still within the statue of limitations, even if I adopted a dynamic new "No Stolen Bread Policy." So what difference does it make, in terms of accountability, whether Bush abandon his illegal policy now?

[Dhalgren]

1. Not only that, but the very fact that now that there may, possibly,

be oversight and accountability the administration drops this "program", points to their knowing it was illegal all along. When their lapdog, cronies were in charge of "oversight" they were all, "It's completely legal and aboveboard!" But now that they may actually be held accountable it's, "We have stopped doing this." Sounds too fishy, even for Republicans...

[gratuitous]

2. My guess

And really, what do we know about warrantless wiretapping? They claim they'll now go to a secret FISA court for a secret warrant before listening in on whatever they damn well please, but how do we know that will be the procedure in every instance? Where is the check? And who provides a balance? This whole set-up is so much more suited to a totalitarian regime like Stalin rather than an allegedly free and open society.

The reason for the announcement is to provide the Attorney General the window dressing to say that "Oh Senator, don't you read the papers? We stopped wiretapping without a warrant! So I'm not going to answer any questions about anything that might have happened in the past (even 72 hours in the past). I prefer to look ahead. This administration prefers to look ahead. We're all looking ahead to a glorious future where terrorism is no more. Why are you wallowing in the dead and gone past? Join us in the bright future!"

[hwmnbn]

3. I don't think this tack will work on Leahy........

There is always a nefarious reason behind the chimp's actions. It's up to the investigations to bring them to light.

[hwmnbn]

4. I don't think this tack will work on Leahy........

There is always a nefarious reason behind the chimp's actions. It's up to the investigations to bring them to light.