Bush took a swing at critics of his warrantless wiretaps yesterday. Speaking after visiting wounded soldiers in San Antonio, he declared, “”The NSA program is one that listens to a few numbers called from the outside of the United States of known al-Qaida or affiliated people.”
Except that the program also listens to calls from inside the United States to abroad. And, in some cases, it has wiretapped calls exclusively within the United States. And as far as the notion “known al-Qaida or affiliated people” – what is the Bush team’s definition of “affiliated”? Does it require something aside from being a Muslim or criticizing the war on terror? Remember Bush’s “you are either with or against us” ultimatums).
Bush was also asked about a statement he made in a speech on April 20, 2004: “Now, by the way, any time you hear the United States Government talking about wiretap, it requires–a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed, by the way. When we’re talking about chasing down terrorists, we’re talking about getting a court order before we do so.”
Bush explained yesterday: “I was talking about roving wiretaps, I believe, involving the Patriot Act. his is different from the NSA program.”If Bush had made his April 20, 2004 statement in court under oath, he would be guilty of perjury. But instead, all he needs do is offer the lamest of rationales – one that defies the plainmeaning of the English language – and his core supporters are satisfied.
It is difficult to tell the source of the errors. Bush often seems not to give a damn about either the facts or the truth. When he errs, is it because of negligence or perfidy? And why do most Americans pay so little attention to the falsehoods of the most powerful person in he nation?
It’s time to impeach President Bush for high crimes and misdemeanors. Let Congress sort out all the deceptions.
Fool or liar? Absolutely.