White House lashes at criticism of 'scare tactics'

[sabra]

Source: Chicago Tribube Politics Blog

The White House has opened the week with some harsh words for critics accusing the president of "scare tactics'' in his press for new terrorist surveillance legislation, with the Bush administration insisting that congressional inaction has left Americans vulnerable.

"There is an old rhetorical tactic in Washington: you repeat something often enough, regardless of whether it’s true, and hope people will start to believe it,'' White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said in a written statement issued today. "This has been the preferred tactic of many Democrats involved in the FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act( debate, and the Democratic chairmen of the House and Senate Intelligence and Judiciary committees employ it again in an op-ed published today in the Washington Post.''

Chairmen Jay Rockefeller, Patrick Leahy, Silvestre Reyes and John Conyers write in the piece published by the Post today: "Unfortunately, instead of working with Congress to achieve the best policies to keep our country safe, once again President Bush has resorted to scare tactics and political games.

"In November, the House passed legislation to give U.S. intelligence agencies strong tools to intercept terrorist communications that transit the United States,'' the committee chairmen write. "Almost two weeks ago, the Senate passed similar legislation. The Senate bill also contains a provision to grant retroactive legal immunity to telecommunications companies that assisted the executive branch in conducting surveillance programs after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"While the four of us may have our differences on what language a final bill should contain, we agree on several points,'' they write.

"First, our country did not "go dark" on Feb. 16 when the Protect America Act (PAA) expired. Despite President Bush's overheated rhetoric on this issue, the government's orders under that act will last until at least August. These orders could cover every known terrorist group and foreign target. No surveillance stopped. If a new member of a known group, a new phone number or a new e-mail address is identified, U.S. intelligence can add it to the existing orders, and surveillance can begin immediately.''

Read more: http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/white_house_lashes_at_criticis.html#more

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Let me get this straight.

The White House is upset that we won't let them scare us, right?

[hobbit709]

3. That's the correct answer.

[Warren DeMontague]

2. Oh Noes! We might have to get a retroactive, rubber-stamp FISA warrant to wiretap!

Oh Noes!

[strategery blunder]

4. Projection much?

"There is an old rhetorical tactic in Washington: you repeat something often enough, regardless of whether it’s true, and hope people will start to believe it,'' White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said in a written statement issued today.

[mwb970]

7. I thought she was acknowledging the scare tactics at first!

But no, she's just projecting, as you say.

[tanyev]

16. I know. I had to read that paragraph several times.

I kept getting to "This has been the preferred tactic of many Democrats..." and going WTF?

[George II]

8. One wonders how Dana Perino gets her hair done so neatly each morning

It's clear she hasn't looked in a mirror for years!

[Donnachaidh]

9. yeah -- Goebbels used it quite a lot too Dana

That's where * and his lapdogs got it from.

[Ishoutandscream2]

10. Yeah, Jesus Christ, does she realize who she's paraphrasing?

Never mind, rhetorical question. I'd like to ask Dana if she'd be able to find Cuba on a map.

[woundedkarma]

12. common repub tactic

1. Do something. Usually something retarded, annoying or evil.
2. Tell everyone the Democrats are doing it.
3. If called on it, deny it.

Good example "Liberal media"

The msm being run mostly by big business repubs/conservatives, yet they keep repeating that it's the LIBERAL media.

(so every time someone who watches fox might, for one moment, start doubting what fox is saying.. they say to themselves,"well what do you expect from the liberal media?")

[tabasco]

17. Welcome to DU.

I am amazed that the "liberal media" myth still lives.

It seems conservatives think it's liberal if it doesn't bark "sieg heil."

[Roland99]

13. My exact same thought.

[Kali]

15. yep Isn't it their whole freaking platform?

Orwellian doesn't even begin to describe these lunatics.

[the grey area]

5. Keith Olbermann

Keith Olbermann, the greatest broadcaster of our time in my opinion, released a "special comment" or op-ed on his show last week that was the single greatest slap in the face of George W. that I have ever seen. Olbermann brilliantly accused W. as being a "liar" and called him out on his disgusting use of fear propaganda. PLEASE go to Olbermann's website on MSNBC and check out the video of this piece....it was exactly what we've all wanted to say to W. but haven't been able to....

[bdamomma]

6. welcome to DU grey area!!

:hi:

[Tempest]

11. There's proof the WH is using scare tactics

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3195778&mesg_id=3195778

[ladywnch]

14. Hello, Pot, meet Kettle.......

"There is an old rhetorical tactic in Washington: you repeat something often enough, regardless of whether it’s true, and hope people will start to believe it,'' White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said in a written statement issued today.


They've been using this tactic since the day they took office. Repubs hate it when anyone else use their tactics.

[Parche]

18. Dana, The Dumb B calling the Kettle Black

:scared: :scared: :nuke: :hi:

[Supersedeas]

22. which way does she turn -- she is not a lawyer but shilling anyways

[truthisfreedom]

19. "Lashes at criticism of 'scare tactics.'" So they acknowledge they were using scare tactics.

They're just pissed they got caught.

[fascisthunter]

20. Projection Only Works Once in a While

ya might wanna deal with reality like the rest of us do.

[Hotler]

21. Didn't Jay Rockefeller vote with the repugs to give the..

telecoms immunity?? Shouldn't he just shut his spineless mouth and go sit with Joe Lieberman?