Once again, the elite punditry has taken what seems like a simple issue and turned it on its head. The latest is wiretapping. As we all know by now, the president after 9/11 and ever since has spied on american citizens as a matter of presidential authority.
Someone who is not immersed in the culture of DC would probably say: "Well, is that legal?" Depends on your definition of legal so they say. The president and the NSA can spy on anyone they want as long as they obtain a warrant to do so, especially in instances of national security.
Problem is, Bush hasn't obtained warrants. He's doing it under the general shroud of "war." Since the war on terror is endless, we expect more spying and trampling of the constitution. We've already "debated" waterboarding, on to reading the nation's diary.
Can someone stand up and demand accountability on a national level? Anyone. The president swore an oath to defend and uphold the Constitution, terrorism or no terrorism. What we really have here is a debate about the powers of the president and congressional oversight. Do we want an unchecked presidency. Our humble VP seems to desire this. Bush seems to assume it.
Some things are not up for "debate." Torture and warrantless spying included.
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