Like I trust you NOW....

Trust..

It's one of those things that when it's violated - it doesn't grow back the same way again.. We believed Bush and that was our mistake..

Most recently Alberto Gonzales defended Bush's "right" to spy on Americans with the following limitations:

-"He said Bush's authorization requires that at least one of the parties be outside the country and linked to al-Qaida or an affiliated organization." Whoa Nelly.. This administration has come out to say that SADDAM is linked to al-Qaida when in fact there has been no link found between the ousted leader and the terrorist organization and 9/11.. So, Alberto, I have a real hard time believing that anyone contained in your little circle of friends can adequately IDENTIFY someone linked to al-Qaida or not... Especially when you put 8-month old children on a no-fly list because they are suspected terrorists.....

No, I refuse to believe that they have the capability to satisfy their self-imposed condition...

-"But he refused to say how many Americans had been targeted and insisted the eavesdropping was "very limited, targeted" electronic surveillance. "This is not a situation of domestic spying," he said. " Not so fast.. 60 minutes did a piece back in 2000 -- 5 YEARS ago about the Echelon program; detailing exactly how our intelligence agency has monitored virtually ANY electronic signal from cell phones, cordless phones to baby monitors.. Anything - everything - is recorded and stored.. So the very notion that Gonzales, with a straight face, can argue that domestic surveillance does not exist -- is a bold face lie..

Sorry Alberto, you're 0-2 so far.. You better step aside and let someone else take over..

-Let's bring in Republican Senator Cornyn of Texas who proclaimed that the New York Times has endangered America by exposing the domestic spy plot for purposes of selling an upcoming book release.. Oh wow.. Let's back up here a bit Johnny boy.. First of all let's not forget that it was this administration who ousted a undercover operative -- exposing an intelligence stream which may have put countless American lives at stake -- and could have averted future attacks and impeded the capture of those *KNOWN* terrorists that we keep talking about.. That very small insignificant tidbit aside.....

Secondly, the Patriot Act renewal contains greater authority to surveil virtually anyone, anytime without so much of a judicial oversight.. It's a manifested plot to circumvent the governmental process by eliminating the whole checks and balances routine that our founding fathers fought to secure.. Remember, if any one branch of the government has more control over the other, then we risk the balance of our governing capability - usurp the authority as WRITTEN that approval should be sought before wiretaps and any other surveillance is conducted is PARAMOUNT to sustain a balance within the government.. Government 101 here, John -- better take that class over I'm thinking..

However, *if* the argument is being made that we are in a time of WAR - then let's not selectively pick which points that happen to favor your agenda.. Remember, America in WAR-time meant that you couldn't profit because it would be detrimental to the economy of our country.. So, if you want to put the New York Times out on a stake, then let's address those other profiteers that seem to have gone by unscathed: gas price gouging, Haliburton's monopoly on virtually every recovery effort here and abroad not to mention every politican (not just Senator DeLay) who has profited from creative campaigning tactics that are illegal..

Now if it was a ploy for the New York Times to further their publicity for a book that's coming out, then I'd like to remind you that this administration has gone to some pretty elaborate lengths to capitalize on the press too ... Schiavo immediately comes to mind.. So unfortunately Johnny, you're going to have to face up to the fact that you and your party are guilty of doing the exact same thing that you're trying to condemn..

If we're a nation at WAR - then Johnny, you better start acting like it..

This on the heels of the Iraqi propaganda machine churning out "favorable" stories about the United States, and the constant slant companies like Fox puts out .... all of this begs the question of why do we believe these people at all.. I'm lumping everyone in this one because Democrats are notorious for exaggerating or under/over reporting their facts too..

Back in the day, if you lied and held an elected position - it was political suicide.. If you lie today, eh - you're elected for another term.. It reflects a societal change which started well beyond Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter... I can trace back to as early as Nixon when if you lied - that's bad, but we'll forgive you.. Anymore - you can flat out lie without any support or facts and it just rolls into the next news cycle.. Accountability is non-existent and yet we're setting a record for commissions, investigations and other fact-finding missions into the exploits of our elected few..

Business as usual, I suppose..