Michael Barone’s latest column is up at Real Clear Politics. He, like most people, is dismayed that the editor of the New York Times, Bill Keller, took it upon himself to disclose without legitimate justification a national security operation that is meant to protect American lives:
Why do they hate us? Why does the Times print stories that put America more at risk of attack? They say that these surveillance programs are subject to abuse, but give no reason to believe that this concern is anything but theoretical. We have a press that is at war with an administration, while our country is at war against merciless enemies. The Times is acting like an adolescent kicking the shins of its parents, hoping to make them hurt while confident of remaining safe under their roof. But how safe will we remain when our protection depends on the Times?
Good question, Mr. Barone.
You know, Barone used to be a Democrap. There is hope for some, but certainly not for most.
He is spot on. Poetic justice if the Times suffers a terrorist attack at the hands of jihadis who use SWIFT.
I just would like to ask the people on the left a question: do they wish the US or the terrorists to succeed in Iraq?
Hope they can honestly answer that question.
I love it: “the fear of abuse by unchecked power” of the Bush Admin. You Libs. are idiots.
Look at history, if you can put down your NY Times and cafe latte’s for a moment.
We have never been freer. Never. Our Pres. constantly talks about tolerance for Muslims, gays, blacks, hispanics, Iraquis and Afghanis, to name a few of the groups. Adequate education for children who are the least powerful among us.
The right to abortion in 2006 has never been so fully exercised. The rates of abortion are sky high.
The rate of home ownership–and yes, minority home ownership–is higher now than during any previous presidency.
Latino students virtually shut down a school over immigration protests, and they are allowed back in without any “jack-booted Bush thugs” clearing them out. In fact, the Anglo kids who try to protest are the ones disciplined!
Gay marriage is legal in Massachusets and several other places. When did that happen? On Bush’s watch!!
This administration has taken great pains, greater than previous ones–including Clinton’s–to brief FISA and other federal courts, as well as congressional leaders, on the most sensitive intelligence programs. Programs which the great weight of legal opinion finds perfectly legal. Even at the cost of having the NY Times betray those secrets, the Administration has been careful, and has not hidden any abuse of any kind. None.
There is no white house travel office, no Monica, no white water, no Brodderick, no IRS audits of political adversaries, no bribes of admin. officials. No abuse of government power, unlike his predecessor.
And, no homes have been sacked, no offices searched, no hints of even one domestic call among our citizens intercepted or listened to. No public speech stopped. In fact, protesters are everywhere to be seen.
Where exactly are all the people who’ve lost their precious freedoms the past 6 years of Bush? Under a rock someplace? Deported? Where exactly–besides in in the fevered minds of the Liberal crowd?
So, I ask you, when have YOU been freer–in the entire history of this country, when have we been more prosperous and free?
MItchell,
Well said. The people who are worried about theoretical possibility of abuse by Bush don’t seem to worry about the fact that the terrorists took advantage of the wall between FBI and the intelligence community (set by Gorelic, a Clinton appointee) to cause 9/11. They don’t seem to worry about the real possibility of far worse damage caused by further terrorist attacks. THis reminds me of a common propaganda used by the left during the cold war: focus solely on the shortcomings of the US (perfection fallacy) to criticize and condemn this country. At the same time, they either ignored or excused the far worse “shortcomings” of the communists. There are murders in the US, you know. So it is not much different from Iran. Abhu Graib happened under Bush, so Bush is the greatest terrrorist in the world. The same moral equivalency argument cleverly disguised.
They also seemed to have forgotten that one of Clinton’s bigger issues was an attempt to have all internet providers provide the government with keys to inscription software so they could read emails.
Surely I’m not the only one who remembers THAT proposal.
-=Mike
MikeSC
Good to see somebody else remembers Clipper
I notice you don’t mention that those American citizens being held without “due process” were captured as terrorists under American laws that would permit the military to “due process” them with a quick bullet to the head.
And where exactly is this happening? Where are we mutilating bodies? Where do we drag insurgents behind vehicles? Where do we cut their genitals off and stick them in their mouths after we’ve gouged out their eyes?
You can take your torture allegations and shove them up your ass. Those miserable beings don’t get from us half of what they deserve.
As to the last post, another false contention.
The Supreme Court has reviewed the Bush Admin’s detention policies and for the most part has upheld them.
So, now you dems. need to find another thing to whine about, but not this.