OK I think we have now seen enough of Bush to last the next decade. From his
televised radio address on Saturday to his prime time speech last night I was
already tired of him. Today though, I got an extra dose. Bush decided to
surprise people with a press conference. He actually used this time to address
the eavesdropping program and take questions on it. Of course the answers were
still limited and still leave people wondering if he has broken the law.

Bush did raise concern and strong disappointment in the fact that the program
was leaked to the press. He said the Justice Department has a system of dealing
with leaks and that it should be ongoing right now. In other words he wants the
to know who leaked the program to the press and wants something done about it.

Why is it that this leak has really upset Bush yet it was no problem for
someone to disclose the classified identity of a CIA agent who worked on weapons
of mass destruction at a time when we are in a war over the very same weapons?
Bush’s outrage by the leaking of the eavesdropping program in contrast to his
lack of outrage over the outing of Valerie Plame shows that Bush was glad
Plame’s identity was leaked and that he knew it happened. I only hope if a grand
jury hearing starts on who leaked the program that the person/persons questioned
also lie and obstruct justice then we can really see Bush in his true form.

Bush also defended the program by saying the terrorists are quick and lethal
and that is his reasoning for authorizing it. I will grant him that terrorists
are lethal, anyone would agree. Quick though? Not really. Consider the September
11th attacks. The terrorists were here for years before that dreadful day. How
can you consider moving to a new country, taking on a new identity, and even
going to flight school quick? In the past the President has even said the
terrorists have patience.

under the FISA laws, the NSA can start a tap at anytime. The program is
retroactive meaning once they start the tap they have 72 hours to get the
warrant. Since the program started in the 1970s, over 19,000 wiretap requests
have been filed with FISA and only 5 have been rejected. There was no reason to
circumvent the law in order to obtain these taps.

President Bush is truly insulting to the American people. He must think we
are stupid infidels. With three television appearances in as many days, he has
not answered any questions that remain. He continues to go off his same talking
points and not address the questions that American’s ask the most. He is nothing
more than a waste of time for the American people and a great liability.
Hopefully Congress will start its crucial role of oversight next year and make
the President start answering for his actions.