Here is a question for my Republican friends:
So many of you have defended Bush's secret program to spy on Americans without a warrant as required by the FISA law, or for that matter any judicial oversight at all. . . .
So many thought is was legal even after a respected federal judge ruled in a very clear and lengthy decision that it's illegal and unconstitutional for that matter. I have posted the decision but will do so again since so many on the right did not respond. I really suggest you read the ruling itself so that you can avoid any media bias: http://www.mied.uscourts.gov/... It's a bit long so I suggest you skip the introductory sections addressing technical issues and jump right to the merits starting with Section IV, The History Of Electronic Surveillance In America, on page 24. This opinion confirmed for me how "out there" the Administration is on this violation of our rights as citizens.
And now, after all these years, the Administration itself admits it's illegal:
Referring to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, the law that created the secret court, [Bush's Attorney General] added, "The truth of the matter is we looked at FISA and we all concluded there’s no way we can do what we have to do to protect this country under the strict reading of FISA."
http://www.nytimes.com/...
So what is it my Republican friends?
To those who defended the President's program as legal, even the Executive has changed its position on this. Bush has left anyone who still thinks his secret program is legal squarely in the fringe.
So do you still think the secret warrantless spying on Americans program was legal? Is it okay for our President to break the law and violate our Constitution (as long as he is a Republican of course)? Does the rule of law matter? Should our Executive be held accountable? When a President and his officials break a serious law with penalties of up to five years in prison for a violation, should they be allowed to continue?
Please do explain. Or don't bother and your silence will speak volumes.