ProleBlogThreat

Hubris... meet the Constitution.

Hey W, you're about to meet the Constitution. George and crew had to see this coming. No, sorry. That's a big assumption there. Turns out their wiretapping order is going to actually get a serious challange. I just finished reading in Salon of a new suit against the NSA by the ACLU that does not include a guilty terrorist as a litigant. There goes the whole, "we're just tapping guilty evil-doers. If you're not a guilty evil-doer you have nothing to fear." defense of violating civil rights.

As it turns out, the ACLU's case is based on that fear. That the fear of speaking freely is in itself a violation of our civil liberties. And the client list includes a variety of litigants whose very operations and careers are impacted by the thought of someone listening in. Nice one. I hope it gets to the courts.

It's hard to embrace the ACLU most times. But today I'm reminded of why they have become so important in our world. Today they aren't representing a bunch crazy bald heads wanting to march through Cincinnati declaring their hate of everything non-White. Today they are representing a diverse group of Americans that not even Bill O'Reilly can question (OK that's not going to happen, but maybe no one will listen this time).

If you want to read what the ACLU is saying about this or to donate, click here. Myself, I need to find my credit card. I'm sure the NSA has a good idea where it is...

House Leadership Struggle: He said Boehner

John A. Boehner. No joke. For a party reeling in scandal, this is the guy they come up with!? Hitting this guy is going to be serious slow-pitch. No, check that - more like T-ball. He's now being named as DeLay's potential successor as leader of the House Majority (aka Conservative White Old Man's Club). You can seriously start preparing Viagra jokes now...make sure you use words like 'stiffen', 'upstanding', and 'firm'.

I may actually stay up for Letterman this week if Boehner (hee hee) gets 'hard' support and his position within the party continues to 'swell'. He could inject new blood into the 'impotent' leadership that the House 'members' have shown during the last few months. Goddess knows the House could use a little 'straightening up'. Hopefully the fact he looks like a 'dick' won't keep him from growing a bigger 'tent' within the conservative GOP.

This is just too much fun...

W would be great at Calvin Ball, too!

So, if you aren't getting your way, change the rules.

According to UPI, W's sinister violation of our precious right to privacy began when he could no longer rely on the courts to give him permission to listen in on American citizens. Even though the bar for getting a legal permission to 'listen in' is really low (and can even be granted retroactively), the Bushzies still felt the need to bypass our legal protections in the name of public safety.

In addition, the data 'mined' by the NSA is being shared with other agencies. While I'm all for our security agencies getting their shit together and combining resources, I'm not for getting that information in one illeagal manner and then spreading that information around without public knowledge.

The lesson learned is this: If W can't overcome the absurdly low hurdle that is suppossed to be our legal right to privacy, then how can we trust him and his administration to use what information they do get responsibly? If you're reading this, you're not alone. Click away. Close your browser window. Make it look like you read this by accident. Because, we no longer can be assurred of privacy and right to free speech - whether we say it, write it, read it or listen to it.

Damn...I'm gonna be rendered now.