Spy Lies

The warrantless wiretapping scandal-- which lest we forget was, when it was first revealed, being seriously considered by both sides as potential grounds for impeachment-- now exists mostly as background noise amid all the numerous other scandals this administration has created for itself. Honestly, who can prioritize exactly what we need to be angry at today?

But new revelations thankfully keep this important story near the surface.

The President has insisted all along that he had the right to violate existing U.S. law authorize this program because of 9/11. He didn't want to expand executive power or marginalize the other branches (or invade Iraq), he swears... the terrorists made him!!

Amidst talks of immunizing the telecom companies from prosecution for their roles in handing over data sans warrants, this bombshell was quietly dropped in the WaPo-

A former Qwest Communications International executive, appealing a conviction for insider trading, has alleged that the government withdrew opportunities for contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars after Qwest refused to participate in an unidentified National Security Agency program that the company thought might be illegal.

Former chief executive Joseph P. Nacchio, convicted in April of 19 counts of insider trading, said the NSA approached Qwest more than six months before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, according to court documents unsealed in Denver this week.

Before 9/11? But that does not compute!! [/Bush cultist]

Something Congress won't should keep in mind as they debate the various wiretapping bills.