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Hilary Bok / The Washington Monthly:
Above The Law, Take 2 — I just wanted to echo what Shakespearer's Sister said about the report that Bush signed an order allowing the NSA to spy on US citizens without a warrant. — This is against the law. I have put references to the relevant statute below the fold; the brief version is …
Discussion:
MyDD, The American Mind, Liberty Street, Obsidian Wings, Opinions You Should Have and The Truth Laid Bear
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Michelle Malkin:
RED ALERT: CHICKEN LITTLES ON THE LOOSE — ***scroll for updates...The ACLU wants a special prosecutor (but not for the leakers)...Some on the Left aren't happy with the Times, either...Arlen Specter says the Judiciary Committee will investigate (the Bush administration, not the leakers)...***
MSNBC:
Bush declines comment on NSA spying report — Specter vows to hold hearings on alleged eavesdropping without warrants … MSNBC TV — MSNBC staff and news service reports — NEW YORK - President Bush refused to say whether the National Security Agency eavesdropped without warrants …
Drudge Report:
NYT 'SPYING' SPLASH TIED TO BOOK RELEASE — Newspaper fails to inform readers "news break" is tied to book publication — On the front page of today's NEW YORK TIMES, national security reporter James Risen claims that "months after the September 11 attacks, President Bush secretly authorized …
Dan Eggen / Washington Post:
Bush Authorized Domestic Spying — President Bush signed a secret order in 2002 authorizing the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on U.S. citizens and foreign nationals in the United States, despite previous legal prohibitions against such domestic spying, sources with knowledge of the program said last night.
Hindrocket / Power Line:
LET'S SEND THESE GUYS TO JAIL — The Valerie Plame case has established that any leak of classified information from an intelligence agency is a serious matter, regardless of how trivial the information may be, and must result in criminal investigation and prosecution. Fine.
Will / Attytood:The Big Stall: How Bush gamed the media to get re-elected in 2004
Discussion:
The Carpetbagger Report, Daily Kos, AMERICAblog, The Liquid List, Poynter Online, War and Piece, The RCP Blog and firedoglake
Katherine Shrader / Associated Press:Shocked Lawmakers Demand Spy Program Probe
Discussion:
Mathew Gross
Jesse J. Holland / Associated Press:
Senate Rejects Extension of Patriot Act — WASHINGTON - The Senate on Friday refused to reauthorize major portions of the USA Patriot Act after critics complained they infringed too much on Americans' privacy and liberty, dealing a huge defeat to the Bush administration and Republican leaders.
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Jeff Bliss / Bloomberg:
U.S. Senate Rejects Bush Plea to Advance Patriot Act (Update1) — Dec. 16 (Bloomberg) — The U.S. Senate, rejecting pleas from its Republican leaders and President George W. Bush, refused to end debate on legislation to renew the anti-terror USA Patriot Act.
Fox News:
Senate Blocks Vote to Extend Patriot Act — WASHINGTON — The Senate on Friday blocked a vote to reauthorize 16 expiring provisions of the controversial USA Patriot Act. — As Congress raced toward adjournment, the bill's Senate supporters were not able to garner the 60 votes necessary …
Charles Babington / Washington Post:
Senate Deals Setback to Bush on Patriot Act — Bipartisan Group Says Proposed Revision Does Not Adequately Protect Civil Liberties — Backers of a proposed four-year extension of the USA Patriot Act failed to shut off Senate debate today, preventing a vote on the matter and dealing a setback …
Eamon Javers / Business Week:
Op-Eds for Sale — A columnist from a libertarian think tank admits accepting payments to promote an indicted lobbyist's clients. Will more examples follow? — A senior fellow at the Cato Institute resigned from the libertarian think tank on Dec. 15 after admitting that he had accepted payments …
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Jonathan H. Adler / The Corner on National …:OP-EDS FOR SALE — When I was working at CEI, I was offered …
Brian / mediabistro.com:
FLASH: Bob Novak Becoming Fox News Channel "Contributor" — This story suddenly becomes more interesting: As soon as Bob Novak's contract with CNN runs out on Dec. 31, he will become a contributor to the Fox News Channel, the AP scoops. FNC spokesman Brian Lewis confirmed his signing with the network to David Bauder.
Discussion:
The Huffington Post
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ReddHedd / firedoglake:
Guess Who's in DC This Morning? — MSNBC reports that Patrick Fitzgerald is back before the Grand Jury this morning. Am trying to track this down from other sources as well, and will update as I get news. — UPDATE: As of 11:20 am ET, MSNBC has not repeated their report. (Neither has CNN that I have seen.)
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Eric Schmitt / New York Times:
President Backs McCain Measure on Inmate Abuse — WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 - Under intense bipartisan Congressional pressure, President Bush reversed course on Thursday and reluctantly backed Senator John McCain's call for a law banning cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of prisoners in American custody.
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Dan Balz / Washington Post:
Pelosi Hails Democrats' Diverse War Stances — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said yesterday that Democrats should not seek a unified position on an exit strategy in Iraq, calling the war a matter of individual conscience and saying differing positions within the caucus are a source of strength for the party.
White House:
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan and Senior Officials on Levee Reconstruction — MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon, everyone. Happy holidays. I look forward to seeing everybody this evening at the White House holiday party for the press. We just concluded a meeting in the Oval Office with the President.
Discussion:
Obsidian Wings, The Carpetbagger Report, Crooks and Liars, The Heretik and Think Progress
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