So the White House has agreed to some form of judicial oversight for its "Terrorist Surveillance Program"... Or has it? Apparently the bill doesn't actually require the review, but instead makes it optional. Take a look:
| "If the bill is not changed, the president will submit the Terrorist Surveillance Program to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court," Specter said. "That is the president's commitment."
It wasn't immediately clear how strong or enduring the judicial oversight would be. An administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the bill's language gives the president the option of submitting the program to the intelligence court, rather than making the review a requirement. The official said that Bush will submit to the court review as long the bill is not changed, adding that the legislation preserves the right of future presidents to skip the court review. |
Yes, of course something is better than nothing. But please... We're talking about civil liberties here. Since when have they been optional?
UPDATE: Want more? Check Kevin Drum and Glenn Greenwald for in depth analysis.
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