Timing of President’s LA Terror Plot Announcement Questioned
Friday, February 10th, 2006There are questions about the timing of President Bush’s disclosure of the foiled terror plot against a Los Angeles sky scraper.
The President released details of the failed attack this week as Congressional intelligence committees conducted hearings about NSA eavesdropping, which was done without a warrant, but was limited to communications originating or terminating outside the US.
The President’s largely Democratic critics say the eavesdropping is illegal. Though many agree with Bush that the war powers granted by Congress to engage Al Qaida are broad enough to cover the practice, some in his own party are now questioning it.
As expected, there is criticism of the President’s timing of the release of the story, saying it is timed to influence the hearings. This is true, and rightly so. The details of the plot illustrate the truth of the war we are in, and those who would hamstring the President in defending the country look foolish in light of the story’s disclosure.
The President, like Presidents before him have had to resort to extraordinary, temporary measures to defend our country. This is not some dastardly plot to suspend the constitution and impinge on citizen’s rights.
The President, backed by lawyers in the executive branch believe the actions are legal, and if there is any doubt, Congress should immediately act to ratify the practice with a sunset clause, so he can get back to the essential business of defending our country.
Cross-posted at the SactoDan BLOG