What Did Congressional Leaders Know And When Did They Know It?

So it appears that the top Congressional leaders were briefed on the spying program to some degree. This is all pretty murky. Just how much they were briefed on is not known. But here is what was said in the AP report:

Bush said congressional leaders had been briefed on the operation more than a dozen times. That included Democrats as well as Republicans in the House and Senate, a GOP lawmaker said.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she had been told on several occasions that Bush had authorized unspecified activities by the National Security Agency, the nation's largest spy agency. She said she had expressed strong concerns at the time, and that Bush's statement Saturday "raises serious questions as to what the activities were and whether the activities were lawful."

As that states, this fact was made known by the GOP, likely to downplay the President's culpability in all of this. Whatever was briefed to these Congressional leaders does not excuse what occurred and the likely illegality of it (Constitution? We still believe in that musty old rag?)... This revelation just makes me angry that these leaders allowed it to continue. In the investigation (and there should be a large one) into this program, we should find out how much these leaders knew of the extent of what the President was doing. If they were aware of what was happening and did nothing to demand he get the FISA warrants or to, in general, rein in the President's power, well they too should pack their bags.

Again, we all respect the need to protect to us, but there is a system they set up for doing so. We have a democracy. We follow laws. We respect the Constitution. If the system's not working, discuss it, change it. The President is not above the law. We have spent billions and lost countless lives fighting to give Iraq freedom... at the expense of allowing our leaders to erode ours here at home. If anyone can explain that logic to me, let's grab a bottle of vodka and talk. Because it doesn't make any sense to me. I remember 7 years ago a President who led with a strong economy and peace was impeached for illegal actions he took to hide... an extramarital affair. And then, here we are today.

I see no incompatibility between being grateful that the government works tirelessly to protect us and our cities and wanting to see President Bush impeached for his actions. The President gave this warning last night in his latest Iraq speech- "do not give up on this fight for freedom." If we let allow this to pass, then we already have.