McConnell Slips: Spy Law is For Telecoms' Benefit

[babylonsister]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/todays_must_read_278.php

Did you feel it at the base of your stomach when you woke up Sunday morning? That fear? No wonder: the Protect America Act finally expired Saturday night.

The nation is currently undefended. Well, that's not true. The National Security Agency can no longer surveil terrorists. Well, that's not true either. The NSA can continue surveillance of terrorist groups authorized under the Protect America Act for one year, and new warrants sought need to be authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court under the FISA law. The new warrants will mean more paperwork.

The president hit the airwaves for the fourth consecutive morning on Saturday to drive the fear home.

But Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, a man well acquainted with the taste of his own foot, put it unfortunately succinctly during an interview with NPR:

"It's true that some of the authorities would carry over to the period they were established for one year. That would put us into the August, September time frame. However, that's not the real issue. The issue is liability protection for the private sector. We can't do this mission without their help."

Perhaps realizing the unfortunate quotability of that phrasing, McConnell took to Fox News yesterday to reassert the direness of the situation. McConnell, once upon a time broadly respected by lawmakers of both parties, seems determined to destroy the vestiges of his credibility. Keep in mind that even The Washington Times ran a story that concluded the sunset of the Protect America Act "will have little effect on national security."

more...

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/todays_must_read_278.php

[TahitiNut]

1. "a man well acquainted with the taste of his own foot"

:rofl: From the Bush gene pool, obviously.

It's sad that the truth is treated like athlete's foot by these reichbots.

[peace13]

2. Oh ya!

'The issue is liability protection for the private sector. We can't do this mission without their help.' The * Administration has destroyed any possibility of a future legal working relationship with the 'private sector'. * has compromised the safety of all Americans. But on the other hand , when the Feds quit paying the bill the telecoms quit providing the service, how integral could it really be. It is all about money and hog-tying the American public. Peace, Kim

[Supersedeas]

3. And the Telecoms won't help with immunity!?! Some patriots, I guess.