The Specter Letter II: Cheney Responds
Vice President Cheney has responded to Senator’s Specter’s letter with a missive of his own, in which he called his lobbying of Judiciary Committee Republicans “government at work” and “not unusual.” Cheney added “The respectful and candid exchange of views is something to be encouraged rather than avoided.” That is true, and had that been what Cheney was doing, I’d agree with him.
The Veep’s letter went on to say “While there may continue to be areas of disagreement from time to time, we should proceed in a practical way to build on the areas of agreement,” and said that he is “willing to work with Congress on new rules governing the White House’s eavesdropping program,” according to an AP report.
Reuters notes that Cheney and Specter spoke on the phone this afternoon to discuss the issues brought up in Specter’s letter, and CNN reported earlier this evening that Cheney also arranged a phone call between Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and the irate chairman.
Most importantly, however (as Knight Ridder’s write-up notes) Cheney’s letter maintains “the administration believes there is no need for legislation to carry out the Terrorist Surveillance Program.” Neither Specter nor any of the rest of us should believe for an instant that this Administration intends to become open and honest on these issues anytime soon. Senator Specter and the Judiciary Committee need to keep up (and increase) the pressure on this Administration to ensure that action is taken, instead of just platitudes exchanged.
9 Responses to “The Specter Letter II: Cheney Responds”
Or Specter should just grab himself a nice, steaming cup of STFU, because it was exactly this sort of surveillance program that uncovered the terror cell in Toronto – with its ties to Buffalo and Atlanta.
If the administration is in violation of the law, then it is his duty as a public official to bring it to the attention of the Judiciary (ya know, co-equal branches, checks and balances and all that) and not stomp and preen about like a scalded gelding.
Why didn`t Cheney just write `Go fuck yourself,　or I`ll shoot you in the face.`?
Hey Sactobull,
Can you drop a link in or some info in for your statement that no-warrant NSA wiretapping-type intelligence was the key to breaking up this ring when you get a chance? What we will be looking for is that the key intelligence was a call from abroad to one of the members of the group in Canada. That call was wire-tapped by a government agent and it was done outside of whatever rules Canada has concerning wire tapping their citizens domestically. It should not be a wiretap that was done under Canada’s laws on listening into phone calls. After all, no one disputes that American govt can listen into calls with a warrant or that they can listen for 3 days without a warrant. That’s perfectly legal and useful, and hence not part of the NSA wiretapping program that is being questioned. It would be good to know if Canada’s rules were also insufficient for the task and therefore a Canadian military agency had to go around them. Thanks!
Paca, I’d like to see that link as well
Also, the news report that the people in Atlanta, that are tied to the ones in Canada, were ‘tapped’ through proper process of warrents. So, if they could use the warrents to force the hands of the two in Atlanta to find the others in Canada, why can’t they use warrents for other similar things??
Check Greenwald’s take on Specter to get an idea of how “rebellious” he’s being… which is to say “NOT”…
Jeremy: I think you nailed it with this quote:
“and had that been what Cheney was doing,”
As you say, the simple way to look at Cheney’s statement is to ask in advance what it looks like when things are discussed openly and respectfully.
Anybody but myself notice that arlen specter has become MUCH more moderate “AFTER HIS DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT FOR CANCER.” Until the reality of cancer came home to him specter was totally against stemcell research.
Only when the reality shit hits the fan directly in ones personal face or soemone they love do they become interested.
And that is primarily why you don’t find but few republican parents silling to send their kids or young republicans themselves willing to join up and go fight in a war.
It is a fact that a whole boatload of republican chickenhawk warmongers of today are the same hairheaded dope smoking hippies that burnt their draft cards and headed for Canada back in the late 1960′s and early 1970′s.
Yeah Sactofullabull, can I see that link as well?
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