While McKinney distracted us, Alberto was admitting domestic spying

[Atman]

How many people realize Alberto has been testifying for the last two days?

We've been had again. We fall for it EVERY time. How do we stop this cycle?

[southernleftylady]

1. yeah didn't he admit to spying domestically?

where was that??
i missed the link

[Atman]

3. Linky, from LBN

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales suggested on Thursday for the first time that the president might have the legal authority to order wiretapping without a warrant on communications between Americans that occur exclusively within the United States. "I'm not going to rule it out," Mr. Gonzales said when asked about that possibility at a House Judiciary Committee hearing.

The attorney general made his comments, which critics said reflected a broadened view of the president's authority, as President Bush offered another strong defense of his decision to authorize the National Security Agency to eavesdrop without warrants on international calls and e-mail messages to or from the United States. Mr. Bush, in an appearance in North Carolina, told a questioner who attacked the program that he would "absolutely not" apologize for authorizing it. "You can come to whatever conclusion you want" about the merits of the program," Mr. Bush said. "The conclusion is I'm not going to apologize for what I did on the terrorist surveillance program."

At the House hearing, Mr. Gonzales faced tough questioning from Democrats and Republicans but declined to discuss many operational details. Representative F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., the Wisconsin Republican who is chairman of the Judiciary Committee and one of the administration's staunchest allies, accused the administration of "stonewalling."

"Mr. Attorney General, how can we discharge our oversight responsibilities if every time we ask a pointed question, we're told that the answer is classified?" Mr. Sensenbrenner asked. "Congress has an inherent constitutional responsibility to do oversight. We are attempting to discharge those responsibilities." The House and Senate have conducted limited inquiries into the surveillance program, which many Democrats contend is illegal. Republicans on the Senate intelligence panel have agreed on measures to impose new oversight but allow wiretapping without warrants for up to 45 days.

more
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/07/washington/07nsa.html?hp&ex=1144382400&en=9aedb40ee43d7452&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[neoblues]

6. Oh, Mr. Criminal, Now that you're on the stand...

Though you've set a new precedent by refusing to be sworn in (whine), why... I mean, uh, won't you tell us the truth (whine)? Please... We're trying (halfheartedly) to do our job here, so won't you tell us what we should be told (whine)? Please (whimper)? We don't understand, you're supposed to just tell us what you've been up to... C'mon, please (grovel)? How can we do our oversight if you won't tell us what you've been doing (snivel)? We're feeling like, and I apologize for the strong language, but we're feeling like maybe you don't respect us (sniffle). Surely you must respect us, 'cause we're Congressmen... Won't you please make us feel better and answer, or at least pretend to answer, at least a couple of our questions (whine)?

Welcome to the Doug and Wendy Whiner Congress. Ooooh, he "faced tough questioning from Democrats and Republicans"! Gosh, I'm sure he was trembling with fear. Alas, he "declined to discuss many operational details.". "Many" indeed. I'm surprised he bothered to even show up, he could've just sent a memo telling them that their services are no longer required; Bush doesn't need any oversight and is perfectly willing to write such laws as he deems the country needs (for it's pwoteckion fwum terrowists, of course; tho he'll let them hang around to keep up the pretense of Democracy).

[Justice Is Comin]

2. That new guy from New York

Weiner or something like that gave him a trouncing didn't he?

[madame defarge]

4. I disagree...

I don't think we've been "had" again. I think most people who follow the news online do know he was testifying. (I'm pretty sure it even made CNN, for what it's worth.) And we can pull up references to it for use when we need it, just like we do all the time. Besides, I don't think he was under oath (again...), so anything he says is pretty much just noise (again...). (Yes, he admitted to domestic spying, but you know he'll deny it later -- or claim that's not what he meant.)

But those who follow news stories like runaway brides, missing white girls, etc. will most likely only follow news stories about representatives that take swings at Capital police.

[magellan]

5. I saw it

We already knew it was a fact. What are we supposed to do? It's completely out of our hands as long as the Rethugs are in charge. They aren't going to do anything about it.