Democrats seek eavesdropping special counsel

CNN.com ^ | February 27, 2006 | Associated Press

[Daytyn71]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should appoint a special counsel to investigate the legality of the Bush administration's eavesdropping program, 18 House Democrats told President Bush in a letter released Monday.

The lawmakers said the surveillance of terrorists must be done within the bounds of U.S. law, but complained that their efforts to get answers to legal and factual questions about the program have been stymied -- "generally based on the feeblest of excuses."

"If the effort to prevent vigorous and appropriate investigation succeeds, we fear the inexorable conclusion will be that these executive branch agencies hold themselves above the law and accountable to no one," wrote the lawmakers, led by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California, a member of the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees.

A White House spokeswoman, reached Sunday in advance of the letter's release, declined to comment immediately.

The lawmakers initially asked the independent watchdogs at the Justice and Defense departments to open inquiries. Both declined.

Justice's inspector general Glenn Fine said he lacked authority, and deferred to the department's Office of Professional Responsibility. That office has said it is investigating the conduct of the department's lawyers, but not the program's lawfulness.

[Daytyn71]

Where were the Democratic Pundits when Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton used the same surveillance powers that W is using??

It's all part of a systematic effort to destroy the Bush Administration and affect the mid-term elections.

[Peach]

Ping

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Another absurd political headline play. Game's over Donks. Live with it.

[COEXERJ145]

Guess the non-issue port story is just about over so it is time to bring back the NSA crap.

[norwaypinesavage]

Merry Fitzmas, Rats. I think you're about to find out that Special Counsels are unconstitutional.

[Patriot from Philly]

What's that definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. After the dubious work of the prosecutor who shall not be criticized, I think the administration shall say, no!!

[dirtboy]

The lawmakers said the surveillance of terrorists must be done within the bounds of U.S. law, but complained that their efforts to get answers to legal and factual questions about the program have been stymied -- "generally based on the feeblest of excuses."

It's telling that the need to keep this secret in order not to tip off our enemies is the "feeblest of excuses" to Democrats.

[prairiebreeze]

Geeze, I hope the DoJ and WH doesn't cave to this.

[smoothsailing]

Zoe Lofgren and the same old Marxist moonbats.The White House should return the letter un-opened and attach a note: BITE ME!

[devolve]

[Peach]

Me too. But the Congress is turning its back on the president in droves lately so I'm not terribly hopeful.

[eureka!]

Re#5 Here's hoping the courts so decide on Scooter's motion...

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Republicans have nothing to fear but themselves.

[YOUGOTIT]

Another group of anti-American left-wing fascist Nazi democrats who support the terrorist. A democrat is the scum of the earth and below whale dodo. They live with and worship the devil.

[Mr. Brightside]

Wow!

Eighteen dems out of 210?

[Logical me]

"18 House Democrats told President Bush in a letter released Monday."

Ha Ha Ha Haaaaa! What a@@es. RATS still don't have a clue.

[IrishMike]

Why dosn't ignoring these 18 self important representatives of the people have the same effect as a bad smell....... eventually goes away.

[aligncare]

The lawmakers initially asked the independent watchdogs at the Justice and Defense departments to open inquiries. Both declined.

'Congressional Democrats'.....we don't need to know any more than that to understand the motivation behind this latest AP "News" story.

[Steve_Seattle]

There's a good article about this topic in the current National Revue (paper version). Several years ago, the WH went over the heads of the FISA court to the FISA revue court, which upheld the WH position and unambiguously affirmed their right to do this kind of surveillance.

[Wasanother]

Distract and retreat. The Feds are closing in on the leaker's and the Rats know it.

[Mo1]

Remember this from November, 2003

NOTHING has change with the Democrats

It's ALL about regaining power REGARDLESS of how it endangers American lives

(snip)

Transcript of a memo written by a Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee staff suggesting how to make the greatest gain off of intelligence data leading to the war against Iraq.

We have carefully reviewed our options under the rules and believe we have identified the best approach. Our plan is as follows: 1) Pull the majority along as far as we can on issues that may lead to major new disclosures regarding improper or questionable conduct by administration officials. We are having some success in that regard. For example, in addition to the president's State of the Union speech, the chairman has agreed to look at the activities of the Office of the Secretary of Defense as well as Secretary Bolton's office at the State Department. The fact that the chairman supports our investigations into these offices and co-signs our requests for information is helpful and potentially crucial. We don't know what we will find but our prospects for getting the access we seek is far greater when we have the backing of the majority. (Note: we can verbally mention some of the intriguing leads we are pursuing.)

[Mo1]

But the Congress is turning its back on the president in droves lately so I'm not terribly hopeful

Oh yea .. Sure I trust Congress with national security .. / HUGE sarcasm >

they are doing such a bang of job defending and fighting for the civil rights for the terrorists

[Phsstpok]

 The 18 moonbats are:

House Democrats who want Justice Department-appointed special counsel for eavesdropping program:

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California
Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York
Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Virginia
Rep. Lois Capps, D-California
Rep. John Conyers, D-Michigan
Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon
Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-California
Rep. Sam Farr, D-California
Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona
Rep. Mike Honda, D-California
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-New York
Rep. Doris Matsui, D-California
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Massachusetts
Rep. George Miller, D-California
Rep. David Price, D-North Carolina
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California
Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi

It's pretty much the same loons who want an impeachment probe(s) 

[Peach]

2003 seems like a lifetime ago, but the Rats are using the same playbook so I guess they think it's all been working out real well for them. Idiots.

[UCANSEE2]

Now you know what hillary does with those FBI files.

[conservative blonde]

What have we heard all last week but that this port thing makes the DemocRATS look like they really care about the security of US. Then these looney toons in the House come up with a special counsel idea to look into wire taping terrorists which most Americans agree with. They think Bush is doing the right thing on the wire taping. What are these DemocRATS drinking? Whatever it is, I hope they keep slurping it up.

[Patriot from Philly]

There are 40 hardcore leftist Democrats in the House. This is a subset of that group. I don't think good judgment is a strong characteristic of this group. I bet crazy Baghdad McDermott is among them.