Look how Bush presented himself in 2004 on this very issue, while speaking about how the Patriot Act balances the need to combating terrorism while protecting the Constitution: “a wiretap requires a court order. …When we’re talking about chasing down terrorists, we’re talking about getting a court order before we do so. It’s important for our fellow citizens to understand, when you think Patriot Act, constitutional guarantees are in place when it comes to doing what is necessary to protect our homeland, because we value the Constitution.”

In the wake of 9/11 Bush asked Congressional leaders for the authority to conduct wireless wiretaps and was turned down.

Now he claims Congress gave him the power to do this.

Bush lies, plain and simple. When he said the above, he was lying. Think about it.

Speaking of getting a kick, I get one everytime I see Republicans try to ride Katrina after what we all saw with our own eyes. It’s amazing for me to see people who call themselves Christians gleefully lining up behind the most controlling, secretive, deceitful, and prodeath administration we’ve ever had.

Jon – name me one investigation in Congress about pre-war intelligence. The one underway was specifically forbidden to address that question until stage 2, which hasn’t gotten started because Bush won’t release information under the law of the Freedom of Information Act.

I’m not defending everything Clinton ever did – in many ways, I considered him a problem for the American people too. Just in different, less important, areas and much much less evil ways.

Bill Clinton set the table for our terrible stockmarket crash in 2000 and a nasty lull in our economy. George Bush is doing a nice job of digging us out of that mess, despite the war and natural disasters expense.

Bill taught us about work ethic. (i’m sure he could have used his time better in the Oral office though)

What the hell were we doing in Somalia? Now THAT made no sense.

If you schmucks really wanted to do something useful, you should take all that money from the impeach orgs and donate it to the supressed classes who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina.

Just like people that say President Bush lied about the intelligence that lead to the war in Iraq. It has been investigated my numerous committees in Congress and not a single one has proven that George Bush or any member of his administration manipulated or lied about the intelligence. So again until there is proof it happened it is just another case of unfounded accusation.

I promise you if it comes out that he over stepped his authority I will be back here and you can tell me I told you so.

The lies and coverups and deceit of this administration kill people. They destroy our future, they take away our rights, they attempt to dismantle the democracy with its Constitutional checks and balances. I don’t understand how people can stand behind what this administration actually does. Where are the fiscal Republicans, where are the civil libertarians and the moderates?

I’m not anti-Republican. Trade W out for his father – I’d much prefer him. Trade him out for McCain, even. Or better yet, leave him in office, but take away Cheney and the secret gangs. I think Bush is going through an ex-alcoholic recovery, with all its side effects. He’s a somewhat dumb puppet in love with power. History will not be kind to him. Wait and see.

Oh, and show me the proof of Clinton and Carter breaking the law on spying without warrants on the American people. Haven’t seen that one – who’s saying it, the Rush puppets? the Hannity pets? Colter clones? Talk about hatred… Even if you were right, which I don’t think you are, does that make it right? This is a President who calls the Constitution of the United States just a “damned piece of paper”. This is your hero?

I don’t understand how you can approve of these things – most of the above is already proven to have taken place. Investigations will prove the rest.

I am sorry, but I think you are destined to be very disappointed, in time. With so much misplaced faith, your ultimate recognition of its betrayal, the day that you understand how you have been manipulated and cheated, will be a hard one.

So yes, I offer you a Happy New Year too. As much as we may disagree on these ideas and issues and even the actual facts of the matter, we are both Americans. You communicate and use your right of freedom of expression, you provide feedback on another point of view. I think that you’re really misguided, but you think that of me too – and here you are posting. There is hope for the future if people start really talking. Thank you.