Political Opprobrium at its Worst

Kansas' Roberts puts politics first

Friday, March 17, 2006
By HELEN THOMAS HEARST NEWSPAPERS

WASHINGTON -- President Bush has a true friend and protector in Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Roberts' panel has blocked a Democratic bid for a sweeping investigation into Bush's decision to bypass the special court set up by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and to wiretap Americans without a warrant.

In response to their request for an investigation, Roberts accused committee Democrats of "political opportunism at its worst." Roberts said some Democrats on the panel "believe the greatest threat we face is not Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida, but rather the president of the United States."

The senator from Kansas is right up there among the best when it comes to silly political rhetoric.

Thanks for sayin' it for me Helen!

There's more worth reading, of course.

In an effort to block an investigation, Roberts has led the move to appoint a seven-member congressional panel to increase oversight on the wiretapping program.

Moves for stronger oversight of the administration's activities by a congressional committee appear designed to legalize Bush's undercover moves and dodge the obvious: If Bush somehow didn't like the 1978 law, he should have asked Congress to change it, not just violate it.

The prospect of the Republican-controlled Congress carrying out its oversight role over the White House is far-fetched, especially with Roberts as ringmaster.

Roberts, has made it clear when it comes to loyalty, the interests of party politics prevail over the country.

I'm enthusiastic about the amount of coverage this issue is getting in the National Press because, despite the repeated and almost inexplicable cowardice of Democrats far and wide on this fundamental issue of Checks and Balances, the average human being still wants to know that their government - regardless of its proferred excuse - will never be able to come into our deeply personal lives without just cause.

In other words (those of the US Constitution for example,) without FIRST getting a cooberating opinion from the guardian and protector of our Constitutional Rights: the Judicial Branch.

To Whit:

Section 3 - Treason Note

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

Happy Friday to all y'all.