Eric Alterman: That's some catch, that Catch-22

[marmar]

from Media Matters:


That's some catch, that Catch-22


So look, the administration decides it has the right to spy on anyone whenever it feels like it, for whatever reasons it feels like. That position has no constitutional support, but a federal appeals court rules that the only people with a right to protest this in court are those who can demonstrate a material interest in the case. Thing is, the policy is conducted in secret -- remember they are "secret wiretaps" -- so the only people who have a material interest aren't allowed to know about it.

Pretty nifty, huh?

This is how a people loses its liberties, and to these bozos -- it's almost too terrible to think about. (I mean, imagine what a loser you have to be for George W. Bush to call you "Fredo.")

In re, Libby: Byron York seems to have things exactly wrong here. In the first place, look at this high-level proof he trots out for his argument that Bush has lost his base:

"Bush fatigue has set in," declares one plugged-in GOP activist.

"We're ready for a new president," says a former state Republican Party official in the South.

"There was affection," opines a conservative strategist based well beyond the Beltway, "but now they're in divorce court."

What's next? " 'I'm really disappointed in him,' said the guy who cleans the pool over at Bill Buckley's." ...

If Bush is so over, why are these people -- not one of whom appears to have the slightest influence with anyone, from what we can glean from York's description -- so afraid to give their names or even significant identifying characteristics? ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://mediamatters.org/altercation/?f=h_column

[TrogL]

1. Here's a better link

http://mediamatters.org/altercation/200707090001