I think Gonzalas just slipped--He said they went to congress to ask

[rodeodance]

for modifications in the Fisa law.

Even Nora McDonald seemed to be surprized.

[mattclearing]

1. That's partially true, if he's referring to the BA request to Daschle

that was rejected.

[rodeodance]

4. I did not catch any of that (msnbc)

[mattclearing]

8. I'm sure they didn't follow-up on it...they never do. n/t

[rodeodance]

2. He seemed to be saying --well we already asked (but then determined

that if we asked the secret would slip out).

[npincus]

3. When did Gonzales say this request was made?

Are they doing it NOW or he is saying they had tried that in the past?

[rodeodance]

6. he was talking past tense.

[EFerrari]

5. It sounds like they think that if they give a nod to Congress

ruffled feathers will smooth and then everything will be just fine. They seem to have no concept about how far off the reservation they have gone.

[rodeodance]

7. as i said even Nora seemed surprized and thied to clarify--then Gon

gave a longer response--but something is fishy here.

[underpants]

9. Likely a big mistake for Gonzales to be their front man on this

he doesn't strike me as being able to keep within the message and on point and all that BS...at least to me. "I don't know" and "I will have to get back to you on that" isn't gonna fly now. His confirmation basically showed him to be a waste of government funds as he didn't do anything for his client (W) he just passed along what the DoJ gave him.

[jarab]

18. I get the same impression of him ....

I'd prefer he stay on the point for them.

...O...

[meganmonkey]

10. I am under the impression that they DID request the changes in the law

(maybe in the original Patriot Act?) but Congress refused.

Of course that didn't keep them from illegally spying.

[gratuitous]

12. That's my understanding, as well

There wasn't a formal request, and certainly no legislation was proposed or introduced, but I've heard it said in a roundabout way a couple of times from administration mouthpieces that they checked with a couple of Senators (Lindsey Graham?) and each time they were told that there was no way in the world Congress would pass legislation in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

So the corrupt Bush administration did what it always does: Went ahead as if they had permission anyway, and then trumped up any number of after-the-fact justifications, which seem to fool the rubes pretty reliably.

[rodeodance]

14. so why are both Dems and Repugs saying NOW that--sure we have

given them the required law.??

[gratuitous]

16. Not sure who you're talking about

Obviously there are administration mouthpieces out there claiming that Bush has all the authorization he needs, based mostly on dubious readings of various laws and the constitution. But I don't recall seeing elected folks -- at least from the Democratic side of the aisle -- confirming that laws have been passed favoring warrantless searches. Do you have some names and cites? I'd like to get in touch with some of our elected representatives who think they gave Bush yet another blank check to do as he pleases.

[Triana]

11. They went to FISA and got rejected, the Senate rejected bu$hit's version

...didn't Daschle say they changed some wording last-minute to the effect of "inside the United States"? They were TOLD no at numerous turns, and told that what they were doing was unconstitutional and illegal by various factions in the Congress, Senate, and the FISA court (except Gonzo, of course) -- but they just DID IT ANYWAY. Maybe bu$hit/Gonzo decided it might be easier to get forgiveness than permission. DOH!

KEEP IN MIND, also, that bu$hit BEGAN HIS DOMESTIC SPYING ***BEFORE*** 9-11 HAPPENED. Tricky Dick II (Cheney) keeps saying "Well, if we'd been spying on Americans before 9-11, it might not have happened!"

BULLSHIT. They WERE SPYING ON AMERICANS before 9-11 and it happened anyway because 'terrorism' isn't what they were looking for then and it isn't now, either. They were spying on political opponents and those who disagree with bu$hit's policies.

Same as Nixon. Same unconstitutional lawbreaking. Different Repuke Moron and different decade.

[rodeodance]

13. more twisting.

[babylonsister]

15. "They went to FISA and got rejected", so they did it anyway.

Totally illegal and unconstitutional, despite how they try to spin it.

[wishlist]

17. He's adding to justification for a special counsel to investigate n/t