Justice Department Deputy Hates America...

...Oops I meant "Justice Deputy Resisted Parts of Spy Program".

(Sorry, too much Jesus juice at New Year's)

That is the title of a new New York Times article (are Eric Lichtblau and James Risen positioning themselves to be the Woodward and Bernstein of the Bush/NSA scandal?). The article discusses how James B. Comey, the top deputy in John Ashcroft's Justice Department, had serious reservations about the program. Comey was acting Attorney General at one point in 2004 while Mr. Ashcroft was hospitalized in intensive care after a serious surgery. During this time, Comey was asked in this role to sign off on the continuation of President Bush's program, but refused because of a number of concerns.

His refusal led to Andy Card and Alberto Gonzales making an unusual visit to Mr. Ashcroft's hospital room during his absence to get his approval instead. Mr. Card and Gonzales made their case to the bedridden Ashcroft (not exactly known in any circles as someone with any particular concern for civil liberties or Executive limitations), who according to sources was reluctant because other government officials brought concerns to him about the program. The article states that it's unknown whether the White House officials were able to convince Ashcroft or simply continued the program without his approval.

When you have John "Patriot Act" Ashcroft concerned and potentially even end up going over his head, you know you're doing some frightening stuff. It's a sobering story that both speaks of the implications of all of this and also blows away the President's assurance that everyone in the government was totally okay with his awesome and patriotically illegal spying program.