Daily Archives: March 10, 2007

Open thread

March 10, 20071:03 a.m.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (85)

FBI’s Patriot Act abuse invited congressional oversight

March 10, 20071:02 a.m.

Most Americans, like most of the members of Congress who overwhelmingly voted for the USA Patriot Act, expected it be used judiciously in the war on terrorism, not routinely abused. But Justice Department Inspector General Glenn A. Fine has found instances of improper and illegal use of the law to obtain highly personal information about U.S. residents, including phone records. And the FBI has badly underreported its use of “national security letters” to acquire customer information from businesses. The FBI says it will fix the problems, but it can expect closer scrutiny from Congress. As Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., said, the report “proves that ‘trust us’ doesn’t cut it.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Homeland security | Comments (54)

Political solution requires more troops?

March 10, 20071:01 a.m.

Having to take so many statements with a grain of salt from powerful men and women these days, I have grown parched. So when General David Petraeus, the new commanding officer in Iraq, said, “There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq,” then requested 2,200 more troops — on top of the 21,500 for the surge efforts — I craved a glass of water.
Then again, I’m happy that he has said that you can’t solve this situation with more ammo (even while requesting more ammo). Political talks need to occur to truly improve the situation in Iraq.
Posted by Ross Stewart

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Iraq | Comments (114)

But infidelity among highest officials is fine?

March 10, 20071:00 a.m.

What’s harder to believe: That former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was having an affair while he was presiding over the 1998 impeachment of President Bill Clinton for perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky affair? Or that Gingrich now professes to see no hypocrisy in his actions?
“The president of the United States got in trouble for committing a felony in front of a sitting federal judge,” Gingrich said in a radio interview with Focus on the Family’s James Dobson. “I drew a line in my mind that said, ‘Even though I run the risk of being deeply embarrassed, and even though at a purely personal level I am not rendering judgment on another human being, as a leader of the government trying to uphold the rule of law, I have no choice except to move forward and say that you cannot accept . . . perjury in your highest officials.’”
It’s also hard to believe this confession won’t bother social conservatives, should the thrice-married Gingrich jump into the 2008 presidential race.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Presidential race | Comments (72)